• Clean Technology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.286-293
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• 2017

The goal of this paper was to improve the performance of the adsorbent to remove $H_2S$. Pellet type adsorbents were prepared by using four kinds of materials ($Fe_2O_3$, $Ca(OH)_2$, Activated carbon, $Al(OH)_2)$ for use as a basic carrier. As the results of $H_2S$ adsorption tests, $Fe_2O_3$ and Activated Carbon improved the adsorption performance of $H_2S$ by 1.5 ~ 2 times, and $Ca(OH)_2$ and $Al(OH)_2$ showed no effect on $H_2S$ adsorption performance. Four basic materials were as carriers, and 5 wt% of KI, KOH and $K_2CO_3$ were added on the carriers, respectively. As the results of $H_2S$ adsorption tests, adsorbent containing $K_2CO_3$ showed the best performance. As a result of $H_2S$ adsorption test with varying $K_2CO_3$ content from 5 to 30 wt%, it was confirmed that adsorption performance was increased up to 20 wt% of $K_2CO_3$ and adsorption performance decreased to 30 wt%. The $H_2S$ adsorption performance was modeled by using Thomas model with varying $K_2CO_3$ contents and the results were used for the adsorption tower design. It was shown that the experimental values and the simulated values were in good agreement with the contents range of $K_2CO_3$ up to 20 wt%. Based on these results, it is expected that not only the adsorption performance of $H_2S$ adsorbent is improved but also life time of the adsorbent is increased.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.788-818
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• 2009

Renewable energy refers to solar energy, biomass energy, hydrogen energy, wind power, fuel cell, coal liquefaction and vaporization, marine energy, waste energy, and liquidity fuel made out of byproduct of geothermal heat, hydrogen and coal; it excludes energy based on coal, oil, nuclear energy and natural gas. Developed countries have recognized the importance of these energies and thus have set the mid to long term plans to develop and commercialize the technology and supported them with drastic political and financial measures. Considering the growing recognition to the field, it is necessary to analysis up-to-now achievement of the government's related projects, in the standards of type of renewable energy, management of sectional goals, and its commercialization. Korean government is chiefly following suit the USA and British policies of developing and distributing renewable energy. However, unlike Japan which is in the lead role in solar rays industry, it still lacks in state-directed support, participation of enterprises and social recognition. The research regarding renewable energy has mainly examinedthe state of supply of each technology and suitability of specific region for applying the technology. The evaluation shows that the research has been focused on supply and demand of renewable as well as general energy and solution for the enhancement of supply capacity in certain area. However, in-depth study for commercialization and the increase of capacity in industry followed by development of the technology is still inadequate. 'Cost-benefit model for each energy source' is used in analysis of technology development of renewable energy and quantitative and macro economical effects of its commercialization in order to foresee following expand in related industries and increase in added value. First, Investment on the renewable energy technology development is in direct proportion both to the product and growth, but product shows slightly higher index under the same amount of R&D investment than growth. It indicates that advance in technology greatly influences the final product, the energy growth. Moreover, while R&D investment on renewable energy product as well as the government funds included in the investment have proportionate influence on the renewable energy growth, private investment in the total amount invested has reciprocal influence. This statistic shows that research and development is mainly driven by government funds rather than private investment. Finally, while R&D investment on renewable energy growth affects proportionately, government funds and private investment shows no direct relations, which indicates that the effects of research and development on renewable energy do not affect government funds or private investment. All of the results signify that although it is important to have government policy in technology development and commercialization, private investment and active participation of enterprises are the key to the success in the industry.

• Clean Technology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2022

Petroleum-based plastics are used for various purposes and pose a significant threat to the earth's environment and ecosystem. Many efforts have been taken globally in different areas to find alternatives. As part of these efforts, this study manufactured alginate-based polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blended films by casting from an aqueous solution prepared by mixing 10 wt% petroleum-based PVA with biodegradable, marine biomass-derived alginate. Glutaraldehyde was used as a cross-linking agent, and cardanol, an alkyl phenol-based bio-oil extracted from cashew nut shell, was added in the range of 0.1 to 2.0 wt% to grant antibacterial activity to the films. FTIR and TGA were performed to characterize the manufactured blended films, and the tensile strength, degree of swelling, and antibacterial activity were measured. Results obtained from the FTIR, TGA, and tensile strength test showed that alginate, the main component, was well distributed in the PVA by forming a matrix phase. The brittleness of alginate, a known weakness as a single component, and the low thermal durability of PVA were improved by cross-linking and hydrogen bonding of the functional groups between alginate and PVA. Addition of cardanol to the alginate-based PVA blend significantly improved the antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. The antibacterial performance was excellent with a death rate of 98% or higher for S. aureus and about 70% for E. coli at a contact time of 60 minutes. The optimal antibacterial activity of the alginate-PVA blended films was found with a cardanol content range between 0.1 to 0.5 wt%. These results show that cardanol-containing alginate-PVA blended films are suitable for use as various antibacterial materials, including as food packaging.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.51-58
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• 2023

In this study, anaerobic co-digestion was carried out using desulfurization sludge and sewage sludge (primary sludge) to evaluate the effects of sulfur compounds in anaerobic digestion. The experiment was carried out in the form of a batch test using 500 mL duran bottle, and the mixing ratio of the feedstock was selected based on the ratio of COD/SO₄. As a result of the experiment, it was confirmed that the amount of biogas generated and the yield decreased at the mixing ratio of COD/SO₄ 20 or less. In particular, below COD/SO₄ 10, it was lower than seed (283.5 mL) which was set without feedstock to correct biogas generated by itself from seed sludge. Methane yield tended to decrease from a ratio of COD/SO₄ 20 or less to 0.135 m³/kg VS compared to 0.396 m³/kg VS of COD/SO₄ 50. In addition, compared to 0.0097 m³/kg VS of hydrogen sulfide yield from COD/SO₄ 50, the ratio of COD/SO₄ 20 increased sharply to 0.0223 m³/kg VS, and in particular, the highest result was 0.0855 m³/kg VS in COD/SO₄ 10. Based on these results, it is judged that the effect of sulfide in anaerobic digestion can have an adverse effect if the COD/SO₄ ratio decreases to less than 20.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.656-664
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• 2010

We investigated the levels and distribution patterns of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 12 Coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the surface sediments from the Nakdong river basin, Korea. The levels of 16 PAHs and 12 Co-PCBs in the river sediment samples ranged from not detected (N.D.)~969.3 ng/g-dry, 4.2~7716.5 pg/g-dry (0.0~10.1 pg-TEQ/g-dry), respectively. Also, the levels of 16 PAHs were from 5.8~2987.2 ng/g-dry and 4.3~461.1 pg/g-dry (0.0~0.6 pg-TEQ/g-dry) for 12 Co-PCBs in the lake sediment samples. Only dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) were detected among target OCPs and the concentration ranged from N.D.~1.5 ng/g-dry in the river sediment samples. These contamination levels were far below the guideline values suggested for environmental quality assessment. Low molecular weight PAHs were dominant in the river sediment samples, while middle and high molecular weight PAHs were dominant among 16 PAHs in the lake sediment samples. PCB-118 and PCB-105 were predominant congeners in the sediment, which were similar to the results obtained from previous studies. With these results, the assessment of potential sources of PAHs and Co-PCBs contamination in the sediments of the Nakdong river basin was performed. The pyrogenic-PAHs originated from combustion of fossil fuel and biomass were related with the PAHs contribution in most of the sediment samples, and Co-PCBs in the sediment samples were related with commercial PCB products.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.374-380
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• 2015

The quality characteristics of the woodpellet manufactured from two domestic pines (Pinus densiflora S. et Z. and Pinus rigida Mill.) were investigated for the efficient energy use of woody biomass resources. Properties of woodpellets such as moisture content, heating value, ash content, apparent density and durability were determined by using the standard test method of woodpellets of Korea Forest Research Institute (KFRI) and elemental analysis. The results of elemental analysis for C, H, O and N showed 61.42% carbon, 5.56% hydrogen, 32.87% oxygen, and 0.15% nitrogen for Pinus densiflora S. et Z. and 61.03% carbon, 5.96% hydrogen, 32.83% oxygen, and 0.18% nitrogen for Pinus rigida Mill. No significant difference between Pinus densiflora S. et Z. and Pinus rigida Mill was observed on elemental analysis. Heating values of each woodpellet were ranged from 19.00 to 19.42 MJ/kg which satisfied the first grade quality standard (${\geq}18.0MJ/kg$) by KFRI. The ash contents of woodpellet were slightly different between Pinus densiflora S. et Z. and Pinus rigida Mill., and satisfied the first grade quality standard (${\leq}0.7%$) by KFRI. Apparent density of woodpellet (Pinus densiflora S. et Z.) was passed the first grade standard level (${\geq}640kg/m^3$), and woodpellets from Pinus rigida Mill. satisfied the second grade quality of the standard. The moisture contents of each woodpellet were satisfied by the first grade quality standard (${\leq}10%$). The durability of woodpellet (Pinus densiflora S. et Z.) was passed the third grade level (${\geq}95%$), but Pinus rigida Mill. woodpellet was insufficient to satisfy the quality standard.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.672-677
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• 2012

Lipids in microalgal biomass were recovered by using pyrolysis method. The pyrolysis experiments of two Chlorella sp. KR-1 samples, which have triglyceride contents of 10.8% and 36.5%, respectively were carried out at $600^{\circ}C$ to investigate the effects of lipid contents in the cells on the reaction characteristics. The conversion and liquid yield of the lipid-rich sample were higher than those of the lipid-lean sample since its carbon to hydrogen ratio was low. There were low molecular weight organic acids, ketones, aldehydes and alcohols in the liquid products from both KR-1 samples, but the pyrolysis oil of the lipid-rich sample was abundant in free fatty acids, particularly palmitic acid, oleic acid and stearic acid while the content of nitrogen containing organic compounds was low. The microalgal pyrolysis oil had two layers composed of the light hydrophobic fraction and the heavy hydrophilic fraction. The light fraction might be originated from triglycerides and the heavy fraction might be from carbohydrates and proteins. In the light fraction of the liquid products, there were considerable linear alkanes such as pentadecane and heptadecane as well as free fatty acids, implying that deoxygenation reaction including decarboxylation was occurred during the pyrolysis. The yield of the liquid products from the pyrolysis of the KR-1 sample having triglyceride content of 36.5% was 56.9% and the light fraction in the liquid products was 68.2%. Also more than 80% of the light fraction was free fatty acids and pure hydrocarbons, thus showing that most triglycerides could be extracted in the form of suitable raw materials for biofuels.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.436-442
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• 2017

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is the technology of converting a syngas (CO+$H_2$) derived from such as coal, natural gas and biomass into a hydrocarbon using a catalyst. The catalyst used in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis consists of active metal, promoter and support. The types of these components and composition affect the reaction activity and product selectivity. In this study, we manufactured an iron catalyst using ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3/SiO_2$ mixed support (100/0 wt%, 75/25 wt%, 50/50 wt%, 25/75 wt%, 0/100 wt%) by an impregnation method to investigate how the composition of ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3/SiO_2$ mixed support effects on the reaction activity and product selectivity. The physical properties of catalyst were analyzed by $N_2$ physical adsorption and X-Ray diffraction method. The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis was conducted at $300^{\circ}C$, 20bar in a fixed bed reactor for 60h. According to the results of the $N_2$ physical adsorption analysis, the BET surface area decreases as the composition of ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ decreases, and the pore volume and pore average diameter increase as the composition of ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ decreases except for the composition of ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3/SiO_2$ of 50/50 wt%. By the results of the X-Ray diffraction analysis, the particle size of ${\alpha}-Fe_2O_3$ decreases as the composition of ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ decreases. As a result of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, the CO conversion decreases as the composition of ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ decreases, and the selectivity of C1-C4 decreases until the composition of ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ was 25 wt%. In contrast, the selectivity of C5+ increases until the composition of ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ is 25 wt%.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.31-40
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• 2014

The Korean government made the 2nd Energy Basic Plan to achieve 11% of new and renewable energies distribution rate until 2035 as a response to cope with international discussion about greenhouse gas emission reduction. Renewable energies include solar thermal, photovoltaic, bioenergy, wind power, small hydropower, geothermal energy, ocean energy, and waste energy. New energies contain fuel cells, coal gasification and liquefaction, and hydrogen. As public and private investment to enhance the distribution of new and renewable energies, it is necessary to clarify the economic effects of the new and renewable energies sector. To the end, this study attempts to apply an input-output analysis and analyze the economic effects of new and renewable energies sector using 2012 input-output table. Three topics are dealt with. First, production-inducing effect, value-added creation effect, and employment-inducing effect are quantified based on demand-driven model. Second, supply shortage effects are analyzed employing supply-driven model. Lastly, price pervasive effects are investigated applying Leontief price model. The results of this analysis are as follows. First, one won of production or investment in new and renewable energies sector induces 2.1776 won of production and 0.7080 won of value-added. Moreover, the employment-inducing effect of one billion won of production or investment in new and renewable energies sector is estimated to be 9.0337 persons. Second, production shortage cost from one won of supply failure in new and renewable energies sector is calculated to be 1.6314 won, which is not small. Third, the impact of the 10% increase in new and renewable energies rate on the general price level is computed to be 0.0123%, which is small. This information can be utilized in forecasting the economic effects of new and renewable energies sector.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.578-587
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• 2022

Korea, as the world's 7^th largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has raised the national greenhouse gas reduction target as international regulations have been strengthened. As it is possible to utilize coastal and marine ecosystems as important nature-based solutions (NbS) for implementing climate change mitigation or adaptation plans, the blue carbon ecosystem is now receiving attention. Blue carbon refers to carbon that is deposited and stored for a long period after carbon dioxide (CO₂) is absorbed as biomass by coastal ecosystems or oceanic ecosystems through photosynthesis. Currently, there are only three blue carbon ecosystems officially recognized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses. However, the results of new research on the high CO₂ sequestration and storage capacity of various new blue carbon sinks, such as seaweeds, microalgae, coral reefs, and non-vegetated tidal flats, have been continuously reported to the academic community recently. The possibility of IPCC international accreditation is gradually increasing through scientific verification related to calculations. In this review, the current status and potential value of seaweeds, seagrass fields, and non-vegetated tidal flats, which are sources of blue carbon on the east coast, are discussed. This paper confirms that seaweed resources are the most effective NbS in the East Sea of Korea. In addition, we would like to suggest the direction of research and development (R&D) and utilization so that new blue carbon sinks can obtain international IPCC certification in the near future.