• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.381-389
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• 2015

In this study, the effects of moisture content and particles size of ground particles of torrefied larch chips on the pelletizing process were investigated depending on torrefaction conditions ($220^{\circ}C$-50 min, $250^{\circ}C$-50 min, $250^{\circ}C$-120 min). The moisture content in the torrefied chip decreased to 0.69~1.75%, while ash content and calorific value increased compared to untreated chip. In addition, weight loss significantly increased during torrefaction due to hemicellulose degradation. The carbon content in torrefied larch chip increased compare to untreated larch chip, while the hydrogen and oxygen contents decreased. The lignin and glucan contents in torrefied larch chip increased with increasing severity of the torrefaction condition, while hemicellulose decreased. In the particle size distribution of ground particles of torrefied larch chip, larch torrefied at severe conditions was found to produce smaller particles (~1 mm) than that of the larch torrefied at mild conditions. Macropore (over $500{\AA}$) in the torrefied particle was produced during torrefaction. During the pelletizing using ground particles of torrefied larch chip, the pressure needed in pelletizing decreased and pellet length increased with increasing moisture content, regardless of the particle size.

• 한국태양에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2012.03a
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• pp.451-456
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• 2012

This study was carried out to evaluate thermal performance of the renewable hybrid heat supply system with solar thermal system and wood pellet boiler for Zero Carbon Green home of apartment houses. The hybrid heat supply system was set up at Korea Institute Energy Research in 2011. The system was comprised of the wood pellet boiler unit with heat capacity designed as 20,000 kacal/hr, a evacuated tubular solar collector 3.74 $m^2$ of aperture area at the $20^{\circ}$ install angle, a 0.3 $m^3$ hot water storage tank, a 0.15 $m^3$ hot water storage tank for space heating. Thermal performance tests for one-house of apartment house were carried out by hot water load and heating load in winter season through the hybrid heat supply system. As a result, hot water energy supplied by the hybrid heat supply system was 11kWh in a day. Solar thermal energy portion was 2.99kWh which is 27% of the total hot water energy supply. wood pellet boiler supply portion was 8.017kWh which is 73% of the total hot water energy supply.

• New & Renewable Energy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.145-174
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• 2024

Addressing climate change necessitates evidence-based policies grounded in science. The use of forest biomass for energy production is based on a broad scientific consensus at the international level. However, some environmental groups in South Korea are opposing this system of energy production. Through this study, the authors aim to reduce unnecessary confusion and foster an atmosphere conducive to meaningful evidence-based policies. We have classified the issue into eight categories: biological carbon cycle, carbon debt, nature-based solutions, air emissions, cascading principles and sustainability certification, forest environmental impacts, climate change litigation, and the behavior of environmental groups and public perception. Consequently, the following key points were derived: (1) the actions of some environmental groups seem to follow a similar pattern to denialist behavior that denies climate change and climate science; (2) the quality of evidence for campaigns that oppose the use of forest biomass for energy production is low, with a tendency to overgeneralize information, high uncertainty, and difficulty in finding new claims.; (3) most of the public believes that forest biomass energy is necessary, and the governments of major countries are aware of its importance. Significantly, Forest biomass for energy is based on an overwhelming level of scientific consensus recognized internationally.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.1
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• pp.177-185
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• 2022

In this study, the economic feasibility of a local energy facility that uses forest biomass as an energy source was assessed. We analyzed profitability using data from the Forest Energy Self-sufficient Village Project financed by the Korea Forest Service. The energy facility has a cogeneration generator and wood chip boiler. Wood chip, which has lower heat value and is cheaper than wood pellets, is used as fuel. Revenue comes from the sale of electricity, heat, and renewable energy certificates. Additionally, we considered the sale of carbon credits as substitutes for fossil fuels. The expenditure consists of fuel costs and fixed costs, and the initial investment is treated as a sunk cost. Under the condition of a 55% operation rate and wood chip price of 95,000 KRW per ton, the annual net revenue is positive. Crucial factors for managing the facility sustainably are operation rate and fuel cost. A simulation in which two factors were changed showed that the annual net revenue is negative with a 50% operation rate and 100,000 KRW per ton of wood chip price. To improve net revenue, an increase in the operation rate or a decrease in the wood chip price is required. Additionally, selling carbon credits will make the operation of the facility more profitable. Furthermore, the payment required to procure wood chips could contribute to the rural economy. To foster the use of forest biomass for energy, the price for heat supplied from renewable energy sources should be subsidized.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.305-319
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• 2013

In this study, it is intended that utilize the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) method, to evaluate the environmental impact of wood pellet manufacturing facility. As mentioned above, wood pellet manufacturing facility of 20 has produced wood pellets as a raw material sawdust and wood in our country. In this study, in order to feature manufacturing process of wood pellets that resemble almost necessary to analyze evenly size and characteristics of various equipment whether these reasonable, the characteristics of the equipment may be different, the production of 20 places I surveyed the facility one central timber distribution center one large scale most of the equipment.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.122-134
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• 2015

This study was conducted to investigate the potential of torrefied larch wood as a raw material of pellets. First of all, larch chip was torrefied at the temperatures of 230, 250 and $270^{\circ}C$ for 30, 50 and 70 min. Secondly, moisture content, moisture absorption, higher heating value and ash content of the torrefied chip were measured to examine the effects of torrefaction conditions on the fuel characteristics of larch. Thirdly, surfaces of the torrefied chip were observed by light microscope (LM), field emission scanning microscope (FE-SEM) and SEM-energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDXS). With the increases of torrefied temperature and time, contents of lignin increased and those of hemicellulose reduced. Moisture content of torrefied larch chip was greatly lower than that of non-torrefied chip. Moisture absorption of the torrefied chip decreased as torrefaction temperature increased. As torrefaction temperature increased, higher heating value and ash content of larch chip increased. However, durability of torrefied-larch pellets was remarkably lower comparing to non-torrefied-larch pellets. When surface of larch chip was observed by LM and FE-SEM, surface color and cell wall of the chip was getting darker and more collapsed with the increases of torrefaction conditions. Through the analysis of SEM-EDXS, distribution and quantity of lignin existing on the surface of larch chip increased with the increases of torrefied conditions. In conclusion, $270^{\circ}C$/50 min might be an optimal condition for the torrefaction of larch with the aspect of fuel characteristics, but torrefaction condition of $230^{\circ}C$/30 min should be considered according to the durability of torrefied-larch pellets.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.53-59
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• 2012

This study was carried out to evaluate thermal performance of the renewable hybrid heat supply system with solar thermal system and wood pellet boiler for Zero Carbon Green home of apartment houses. The hybrid heat supply system was set up at Korea Institute Energy Research in 2011. The system was comprised of the wood pellet boiler unit with heat capacity designed as 20,000kcal/hr, a $0.15m^3$ hot water storage tank for space heating, a evacuated tubular solar collector $3.74m^2$ of aperture area at the $20^{\circ}$ install angle, a $0.3m^3$ hot water storage tank. Thermal performance tests for one-house of apartment house were carried out by hot water load and heating load in winter season through the hybrid heat supply system. As a result, hot water energy supplied by the hybrid heat supply system was 11kWh in a day. Solar thermal energy portion was 2.99kWh which is 27% of the total hot water energy supply. wood pellet boiler supply portion was 8.017kWh which is 73% of the total hot water energy supply.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.231-235
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• 2011

Ligneous biomass such as wood pellet is characterized as carbon neutral which has no carbon dioxide emission ; additionally, it can be used as an alternative fuel by co-firing without additional plant reformation as well as for maintaining stability of fuel supply. We can develop CDM project while co-firing by using biomass into conventional coal fired thermal power plant with AM0085 CDM methodology, and it's possible to prove additionality as fuel cost per kWh is higher than bituminous. The study shows that the electricity by biomass can reduce green house emission by $0.6737tCO_2$ per MWh.

• New & Renewable Energy
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.50-60
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• 2021

This study investigated the reference case in the UK where legality and sustainability were systematically established for forest biomass represented by wood pellets. The UK is the country that best utilizes the trade value of wood pellets based on sustainability, with bioenergy accounting for 31% of total renewable energy production. The UK imported wood pellet, estimated 8,697 thousand tons in 2019. The UK government has continuously improved the renewable generation policy system to ensure the sustainability of wood pellets. The weighted average greenhouse gas emissions of a UK biomass power plant that received a Renewable Obligation Certificate (ROC) in 2018-19 was 26.71 gCO2e/MJ. These power plants are expected to meet the upper limit of 72.2 gCO2e/MJ by 2025. To issue an ROC, the biomass power plant must demonstrate that 70% of its total biofuel usage is sustainable. The UK uses the Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) certification system, which is gradually expanding to other European countries, to prove the sustainability of biomass energy fuels. Global wood pellet production with SBP certification in 2019 was 10.5 Mt. This trend has significant implications for introducing additional sustainability into the wood pellet policy of South Korea.

• New & Renewable Energy
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2022

This study analyzed the anticipated supply-and-demand of forest biomass energy (through wood pellets) until 2050, in South Korea. Comparing the utilization rates of forest resources of five countries (United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Japan, and S. Korea), it was found that S. Korea does not nearly utilize its forest resources for energy purposes. The total demand for wood pellets in S. Korea (based on a power generation efficiency of 38%) was predicted to be 3,629 and 4,371 thousand tons in 2034 and 2050, respectively. The anticipated total wood pellet power generation ratio to target power consumption is 1.13% (5,745 GWh), 1.17% (6,336 GWh), and 1.25% (7,631 GWh) in 2020, 2030, and 2050, respectively. Low value-added forest residues left unattended in forests are called "Unused Forest Biomass" in S. Korea. From the analysis, the total annual potential amount of raw material, sustainably collectible amount, and available amount of wood pellet in 2050 were estimated to be 6,877, 4,814, and 3,370 thousand tons, respectively. The rate of contribution to Nationally Determined Contributions was up to 0.64%. Through this study, the authors found that forest biomass energy will contribute to a carbon neutral society in the near future at the national level.