• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.86-94
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• 2015

Torrefaction is a thermochemical process proceeded at the temperature around $250^{\circ}C$ in an inert gas condition. By torrefaction, the hemicellulose portions contained in biomass are broken down to change into the volatile gas which is removed from biomass eventually. The main purpose of biomass torrefaction is to improve the energy density of the biomass to minimize the transport energy consumption, though the flammability can be elevated for transportation. In this study two types of solid biomass fuel, waste wood and rice straw, were torrefied at various temperature range from $200^{\circ}C$ to $300^{\circ}C$ to evaluate the torrefied biomass characteristics. In addition torrefied biomass were tested to evaluate the combustion characteristics using TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis). After the torrefaction of biomass, the C/H (carbon to hydrogen ratio) and C/O (carbon to oxygen ratio) were measured for aquisition of bio-stability as well as combustion pattern. Generally C/H ratio implies the soot formation during combustion, and the C/O ratio for bio-stability. By torrefaction temperature at $300^{\circ}C$, C/H ratio and C/O ratio were increased by two times for C/H and three times for C/O. The torrefied biomass showed similar TGA pattern to coal compared to pure biomass; that is, less mass decrease at lower temperature range for torrefied biomass than the pure biomass.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.7-11
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• 2012

This study was conducted to determine the effects of the humidity and gas composition on the quality of satsuma mandarins during their heat treatment, in an effort to reduce their acidity. To come up with different humidity and gas conditions, various plastic films were used. The fruits were wrapped with an 18-${\mu}m$ high-density polyethylene (HDPE) punched film, a 30-${\mu}m$ low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film, or a 100-${\mu}m$ LDPE film just before treatment at $30^{\circ}C$ for 55 hours. After heat treatment, the titratible acidity (TA) was significantly reduced while the soluble-solid content (SSC) showed no differences, which resulted in increased SSC/TA ratios in all the treatments. The fruits that were not wrapped with a film, however, which had low RH, developed higher ethanol and acetaldehyde contents than those wrapped with an 18-${\mu}m$ HDPE punched film, which had high RH and a similar gas composition. Among the films, the higher the $CO_2$ concentration in the film was, the more the ethanol and acetaldehyde contents increased, which induced more off-flavor. It was thus concluded that high humidity and normal gas composition are favorable conditions for heat treatment to reduce the acidity of satsuma mandarins.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.149-154
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• 2003

Changes in mineral (Ca, Mg) contents and pectic substances of mature-green 'Nanko' Mume fruits hermetically packaged in 0.03 mm low density polyethylene (LDPE) films with and without gas absorbents were examined during storage at $25^{\circ}C$ for 10 days. Each packaging contained 10 g $Ca(OH)_2$ as a carbon dioxide scavenger, 30 g $KMnO_4$ as an ethylene scrubber or their mixture. In the presence of the ethylene scrubber, losses in mineral contents of alcohol insoluble solids and water soluble pectin were remarkably suppressed, whereas no significant difference was observed in the Ca content between the fresh fruit and those stored for 10 days. Fruits packaged with the ethylene absorbent retained higher amount of pectic substances than those with other packaging treatments. Degradation of the pectic substances into small molecules was also noticeably reduced when the ethylene scrubber was used. Overall results showed that the combination of the gas permeable film and the ethylene absorbent could be applied to mature-green Mume fruits as an effective packaging method to retard the texture softening during storage at the ambient temperature.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.214-222
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• 2012

Several acidogenesis batch tests, and BMP (Biochemical Methane Potential) with food waste leachate was tested at various organic loading rates (OLRs) on the mesophilic ($35^{\circ}C$) and thermophilic ($55^{\circ}C$) conditions. In acidogenesis batch test, VS removal efficiencies were 27.3% and 30.6% at $35^{\circ}C$ and $55^{\circ}C$, respectively. Removal efficiency of VS at $55^{\circ}C$ was higher than that at $35^{\circ}C$. With decrease in VS, SCOD increased as reaction time increased. Solubilization efficiency of VS were 27.4% and 33.4% at each reaction temperature within 4 days acid fermentation. Methane yield were 461 and 413 $mLCH_4/gVS$ at mesophilic and thermophilic BMP test, respectively. SCOD solubilizations in the themophilic acid fermenter showed 8~17% higher than those in the mesophilic fermenter. COD removal efficiency showed higher in the mesophilic acid fermenter at low organic loading rate. While at high organic loading rate, it was higher in the thermophilic acid fermenter. VS removal efficiency was higher at the mesophilic temperature, however, it decreased at OLR higher than 6 kg $COD/m^3{\cdot}day$. On the contrary, VS removal efficiency did not decrease but maintain at thermophilic temperature. The amount of methane gas generated from mesophilic methanogenesis digester was 12.6, 21.6, 27.4 L/day at OLR of 4, 5, 6 $COD/m^3{\cdot}day$, respectively. The amount of methane gas generated from themophilic methanogenesis digester was 14.3, 20.6, 25.2 L/day at each OLR, respectively, which is about 15~20 L/day lower than those generated at mesophilic digester.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.28-35
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• 2015

In this study, the experiment was carried out to produce methane by applying Semi-Continuous Leachate Recirculation Anaerobic Digestion System fed with source separated food waste from school cafeteria. There were two systems and each system consisted of a bioreactor and a liquid tank. Each bioreactor had a screen near the bottom of the reactor. 2.5L of separated liquid was transferred to the liquid tank for 30min each day by using a tubing pump and the liquid from the liquid tank was pumped to the bioreactor at the upper of the bioreactor as soon as the transfer was ended. Through this circulation, the liquid having high concentration of VFAs was supplied to the top of bioreactor. At the beginning of the experiment, food waste/inoculum anaerobic sludge volume ratio was 2:8 that is 9g VS/L of OLR(Organic Loading Rate). Feeding was conducted every two weeks. Experimental results showed that the contents of moisture, combustible matter, ash were 65.91%, 32.73%, and 1.36%, respectively. Two different food waste loading were studied. The average organic loading rates were 3.51g VS/d for System A and 3.86g VS/d for System B, respectively. The average produced methane based on food waste fed to bioreactor were observed as $6.30m^3CH_4/kgVS{\cdot}d$ for system A and $4.94m^3CH_4/kgVS{\cdot}d$ for System B, respectively.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.22-35
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• 2005

A survey was conducted to investigate the perception of food sanitation officers toward the Genetically Modified Foods. They were mainly from Regional Agencies of KFDA, City/Province office, and National quarantine station. Some of them were professors of university and researchers of research institute. Most of respondents had experiences of hearing or reading GM foods (over $95\%$) and over $90\%$ of respondents much needed the label of GM foods. Although some of officers of city/province office and national quarantine station showed less knowledge than other respondent groups, most of respondents had basic knowledge about biology. The frequency of respondents worked over 20 years and worked in the general administration was higher than that of other groups in the question of unsafe of GM foods. The answer frequency of careless treatment of foods was highest in the question of risk factor, and the frequency of GM foods was lowest ($4.4\%$). It was concluded that food sanitation officers had positive opinion about GM foods, but there were some differences in the knowledge among agencies. Therefore, it is necessary more educations and informations are needed for food sanitation officers.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.675-686
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• 2015

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) needs proper post-harvest treatment to prolong its storage life. This study investigated the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on the quality and storage life of asparagus. Fresh-harvested asparagus was treated with 1-MCP ($1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$), CEPA($10mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$), and 1-MCP($1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$) + CEPA($10mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$) and compared with an untreated control. The carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) production, ethylene production, and morphological characteristics of the preserved asparagus were observed. The flow-system and the static-type measurement methods for ethylene and $CO_2$ production (respiration rate) were used. Weight loss, respiration rate, degree of freshness, and ethylene production were monitored during storage at $7^{\circ}C$. The results further showed that CEPA (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) treatment had greater effects on $CO_2$ and ethylene production than using the 1-MCP process. The asparagus treated with CEPA or 1-MCP + CEPA had significantly increased the ethylene production rate compared to the control or using only 1-MCP during storage. There were no evident changes in the respiration rate of asparagus under 1-MCP treatment as compared with the control. Using the flow-system, slight differences in the rates of $CO_2$ and ethylene production were noted as compared to using the static type. Findings showed that in using the flow-system, asparagus manifested clearer results as compared with the static type. Weight loss in asparagus was significantly lower in control and 1-MCP treated samples than in those treated with CEPA. Likewise, the $CO_2$ and ethylene production of the CEPA treated samples significantly increased. The 1-MCP treatment reduced the effects of CEPA on weight loss, soluble solids content, and osmolality. The effect was not observed with exogenous ethylene as CEPA treatment had no visible effect as compared to the untreated group. Thus, 1-MCP treatment of asparagus could slightly reduce damage to the quality of asparagus during its distribution where ethylene gas is produced. Therefore, this study suggests that 1-MCP treatment can reduce the damage induced by ethylene gas on asparagus in poor distribution environments.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to characterize the hydrogeochemical characteristics of hot spring waters and to interpret the source of noble gases and the geochemical environment of the hot spring waters distributed along the eastern area of the Korean peninsula. For this purpose, We carried out the chemical, stable isotopic and noble gas isotopic analyses for eleven hot spring water and fourteen hot spring gas samples collected from six hot spring sites. The hot spring waters except the Osaek hot spring water show the pH range of 7.0 to 9.1. However, the Osaek $CO_2$-rich hot spring water shows a weak acid of pH 5.7. The temperature of hot spring waters in the study area ranges from $25.7^{\circ}C$ to $68.3^{\circ}C$. Electrical conductivity of hot spring waters varies widely from 202 to $7,130{\mu}S/cm$. High electrical conductivity (av., $3,890{\mu}S/sm$) by high Na and Cl contents of the Haeundae and the Dongrae hot spring waters indicates that the hot spring waters were mixed with seawater in the subsurface thermal system. The type of hot springs in the viewpoint of dissolved components can be grouped into three types: (1) alkaline Na-$HCO_3$ type including sulfur gas of the Osaek, Baekam, Dukgu and Chuksan hot springs, and (2) saline Na-Cl type of the Haeundae and Dongrae hot springs, and (3) weak acid $CO_2$-rich Na-$HCO_3$ type of Osaek hot spring. Tritium ratios of the Haeundae and the Dongrae hot springs indicate different residence time in their aquifers of older water of $0.0{\sim}0.3$ TU and younger water of $5.9{\sim}8.8$ TU. The ${\delta}^{18}O$ and ${\delta}D$ values of hot spring waters indicate that they originate from the meteoric water, and that the values also reflect a latitude effect according to their locations. $^3He/^4He$ ratios of the hot spring waters except Osaek $CO_2$-rich hot spring water range from $0.1{\times}10^{-6}$ to $1.1{\times}10^{-6}$ which are plotted above the mixing line between air and crustal components. It means that the He gas in hot spring waters was originated mainly from atmosphere and crust sources, and partly from mantle sources. The Osaek $CO_2$-rich hot spring water shows $3.3{\times}10^{-6}$ in $^3He/^4He$ ratio that is 2.4 times higher than those of atmosphere. It provides clearly a helium source from the deep mantle. $^{40}Ar/^{36}Ar$ ratios of hot spring water are in the range of an atmosphere source.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.561-569
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• 2014

This study was carried out to get the characteristics of anaerobic digestion for chemical/biological sludge produced from municipal sewage treatment plant for phosphorus. Anaerobic mesophilic batch tests showed that the ultimate biodegradability of waste activated sludge showed 31%, PACl sludge 24%, Alum sludge 26%, respectively. At the S/I 1.0, 75% of total biodegradable volatile solids (TBVS) of waste activated sludge was degraded with an initial rapid decay coefficient, k1 of $0.1129day^{-1}$ and 74% of TBVS of PACl sludge with k1 of $0.0998day^{-1}$, and 76% of TBVS of Alum sludge with k1 of $0.1091day^{-1}$ for 20 days. During the operation of SCFMRs, the 3 reactor (Control, PACl, Alum) pH maintained 6.7~7.0 and the reactor alkalinity maintained 1,800~ 2,200 mg/L as $CaCO_3$. The average biogas production rates of SCFMRs fed with PACl sludge and Alum sludge were 0.089 v/v-d and 0.091 v/v-d, respectively, which was 27~28% lower than that of the control (0.124 v/v-d) at an HRT (hydraulic retention times) of 20 days. And the methane content during the operation ranged 70~76% in 3 reactor. The average TVS removal efficiency of SCFMRs fed with PACl sludge and Alum sludge were 19.6% and 19.9%, respectively, at an HRT of 20 days, which showed 4% lower than that of the control (23.8%). The average BVS removal efficiency of SCFMRs fed with PACl sludge and Alum sludge were 25.8% and 26.9%, respectively, at an HRT of 20 days, which was 8~9% lower than that of the control (34.5%).

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.103-113
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• 1993

Every year, over $3.37{\times}10^7$ ton of municipal solid waste is generated in Korea, of which about 28% is organic food waste from restaurant, dining halls and households etc. Methane conversion of the food waste by anaerobic digestion could be a viable approach for energy recovery as well as safe disposal of the waste. However, as food waste is composed of highmolecular complex polymers such as cellulose, lignin and protein, anaerobic digestion of food waste has not been efficient in terms of volumetric loading rate, solid retention time and extent of anaerobic degradation. In this research, the improved anaerobic degradation of food waste was attemped by applying rumen microorganisms to anaerobic digestion. Acidification efficiency of food waste by rumen microorganisms was compared with that of conventional acidogenesis. And optimum acidification conditions by rumen microorganisms were also determined. For the experiments, anaerobic batch reactors of 600 mL was fed with the processed (dried and milled) food waste obtained from a restaurant. Ultimate volatile fatty acid (VFA) yield produced by rumen microorganisms was about 8.4 meq VFA/g volatile solid (VS) that is 95% of the theoretical value. This yield was not much different from that of conventional acidogenesis, but hydrolysis rate was about twice faster. Cumulative VFA concentration increased from 66 meq/L to 480 meq/L, when the initial TS was increased from 1% to 15%. But VFA yield at 15% TS was half of that at 1% TS. This inhibition on the acidification might be caused by the rapid drop of pH and higher concentration of nonionized VFA. Optimal pH and temperature range for the acidification were about 6.0~7.5 and $35{\sim}45^{\circ}C$, respectively.