• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.643-649
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• 2007

Lipase-catalyzed esterification of structural butanol isomers and n-butyric acid was investigated in supercritical carbon dioxide. The experiments were performed in a high pressure cell for 5 hrs with a stirring rate of 150 rpm at 323.15 K and 130 bar. The Candida Antarctica lipase B (CALB) was used in whole system as a catalyst. The experimental results were analyzed by GC-FID using a INNOWax capillary column. The conversion yield and the tendency of the esterification in supercritical carbon dioxide were compared with estimated results by molecular dynamics simulation. Based on the Ping-Pong Bi-Bi mechanism with competitive inhibition, each step of the reaction was optimized; using this result the transition state was predicted. Conformational preference of isomers was also analyzed using molecular dynamics simulations. This kind of approach will be further extended to the prediction of enzyme-catalyzed reactions using computers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2013

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are synthesized by numerous bacteria as carbon and energy storage compounds and are raw materials for biocompatible plastics. In this paper, the effect of $CO_2$ concentrations on the growth of C. necator and the accumulation of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)) are investigated by increasing the $CO_2$ concentration in the substrate gas mixture. During 6 d cultivation in a nitrogen-present mineral medium, the $CO_2$ concentration did not affect the growth of the cells, while the Poly(3- hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)) content decreased with increasing $CO_2$ concentrations from 1% to 20%. During 4 d cultivation in the nitrogen-limited medium, the P(3HB) accumulation was the greatest at 3% $CO_2$; however, the total amount of accumulated P(3HB) was the greatest at 1% $CO_2$, which decreased with increasing $CO_2$ concentrations. The results indicate that the gas mixture with 1% $CO_2$ is the most effective in both growing the cells and accumulating P(3HB) under our experimental conditions.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.205-217
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• 2017

Mineral carbonation by indirect method has been studied by serpentinite as cation source. Through the carbonation of $CO_2$ and alkaline earth ions (calcium and magnesium) from serpentinite, the pure carbonates including $MgCO_3$ and $CaCO_3$ were synthesized. The extraction solvent used to extract magnesium (Mg) was ammonium sulfate ($(NH_4)_2SO_4$), and the investigated experimental factors were the concentration of $(NH_4)_2SO_4$, reaction temperature, and ratio of serpentinite to the extraction solvent. From this study, the Mg extraction efficiency of approximately 80 wt% was obtained under the conditions of 2 M $(NH_4)_2SO_4$, $300^{\circ}C$, and a ratio of 5 g of serpentinite/75 mL of extraction solvent. The Mg extraction efficiency was proportional to the concentration and reaction temperature. $NH_3$ produced from the Mg extraction of serpentinite was used as a pH swing agent for carbonation to increase the pH value. About 1.78 M of $NH_3$ as the form of $NH_4{^+}$ was recovered after Mg extraction from serpentinite. And, the main step in Mg extraction process of serpentinite was estimated by geochemical modeling.

• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.269-274
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• 2021

Bioenergy is generally considered to be one of the options for pursuing carbon neutrality. However, for a period of time, combustion of harvested plant biomass inevitably causes more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than combustion of fossil fuels. This paper proposes a method that predicts and minimizes the total amount and payback period of this carbon debt. As a case study, a carbon cycle impact assessment was performed for immediate switching of the currently used fossil fuels to biomass. This work points out a fundamental vulnerability in the concept of carbon neutrality. As an action plan for the sustainability of bioenergy, formulas for afforestation proportional to the decrease in the forest area and surplus harvest proportional to the increase in the forest mass are proposed. The results of optimization indicate that the carbon debt payback period is about 70 years, and the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases by more than 50% at a maximum and 3% at a steady state. These are theoretically predicted best results, which are expected to be worse in reality. Therefore, biomass is not truly carbon neutral, and it is inappropriate as an energy source alternative to fossil fuels. The method proposed in this work is expected to be able to contribute to the approach to carbon neutrality by minimizing present and future carbon debt of the bioenergy that is already in use.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.260-266
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• 2023

In recent years, excessive emissions of carbon dioxide(CO₂) have become the cause of global climate change. Consequently, there has been significant research activity aimed at both removing and utilizing CO₂. This study assesses the potential utilization of railway tie concrete waste, generated from railway infrastructure, as a CO₂ absorption material and investigates the physicochemical properties before and after CO₂ absorption to understand the CO₂ removal mechanisms. Railway tie concrete waste primarily consists of Si(26.60 %) and contains 9.82 % of Ca. Compared to samples of Cement and Normal concrete waste, it demonstrated superior potential for use as a CO₂ absorption material, with approximately 98 % of the Ca content participating in CO₂ absorption reactions. Through Thermogravimetric Analysis(TGA) and X-ray Diffraction(XRD) analysis, it was confirmed that the carbonate reaction, where the Ca in railway tie concrete waste converts into CaCO₃ through reaction with CO₂ gas, is the primary mechanism for CO₂ removal. Furthermore, Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM) analysis revealed the formation of numerous CaCO₃ particles with sizes less than 0.1 ㎛ after the CO₂ absorption reaction. This transformation of large internal voids in the CO₂ absorption material into mesopores resulted in an increase in the specific surface area of the material.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.91-97
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• 2023

Electrochemical (EC) CO₂ reduction is a promising method to convert CO₂ into valuable hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals ecofriendly. Here, we report on a facile method to synthesize surface-controlled SnO₂/Cu(OH)₂ nanowires (NWs) and its EC reduction of CO₂ to HCOOH and CO. The SnO₂/Cu(OH)₂ NWs (-16 mA/cm²) showed superior electrochemical performance compared to Cu(OH)2 NWs (-6 mA/cm²) at -1.0 V (vs. RHE). SnO₂/Cu(OH)₂ NWs showed the maximum Faradaic efficiency for conversion to HCOOH (58.01 %) and CO (29.72 %). The optimized catalyst exhibits a high C1 Faradaic efficiency stable electrolysis for 2 h in a KHCO₃ electrolyte. This study facilitates the potential for the EC reduction of CO₂ to chemical fuels.

• Clean Technology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.166-174
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• 2011

The xAl-yCe oxide catalysts with different mol ratios of Al/(Al+Ce) were prepared by a co-precipitation method and Pt supported on xAl-yCe oxide catalysts were synthesized by an incipient wetness impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), $N_2$ sorption, and $H_2$/CO-temperature programmed reduction ($H_2$/CO-TPR) to correlate with catalytic activities in co oxidation. Among the catalysts studied here, Pt/1Al-9Ce oxide catalyst showed the highest activity in dry and wet reaction conditions and the catalytic activity showed a typical volcano-shape curve with respect to Al/(Al+Ce) mol ratio. When the presence of 5% water vapor in the feed, the temperature of $T_{50%}$ was shifted ca. $30^{\circ}C$ to lower temperature region than that in dry condition. From CO-TPR, the desorption peak of $CO_2$ on Pt/1Al-9Ce oxide catalyst showed the highest value and well correlated the catalytic performance. It indicates that the Pt/1Al-9Ce oxide catalyst has a large amount of active sites which can be adsorbed by co and easy to supplies the needed oxygen. In addition, the amount of pentacoordinated $Al^{3+}$ sites obtained through $^{27}Al$ NMR analysis is well correlated the catalytic performance.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.502-507
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• 2016

The transition from a carbon economy based on fossil fuels to a hydrogen economy is necessary to ensure energy security and to combat climate change. In order to pursue the transition to a hydrogen economy while achieving sustainable economic growth, a preliminary study into the establishment of the necessary infrastructure for the future hydrogen economy needs to be carried out. This study addresses the economic and environmental interactions in a dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model focusing on the economic effects of the introduction of renewable energy into the Korean energy system. Firstly, the introduction of hydrogen results in an increase in the investment in hydrogen production and the reduction of the production cost, ultimately leading to GDP growth. Secondly, the mandatory introduction of renewable energy and associated government subsidies bring about a reduction in total demand. Additionally, the mandatory introduction of hydrogen energy into the power sector helps to reduce CO2 emissions through the transition from a carbon economy-based on fossil energy to a hydrogen economy. This means that hydrogen energy needs to come from non-fossil fuel sources in order for greenhouse gases to be effectively reduced. Therefore, it seems necessary for policy support to be strengthened substantially and for additional studies to be conducted into the production of hydrogen energy from renewable sources.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.06a
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• pp.250.1-250.1
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• 2010

최근 석유공급 불안정성과 이산화탄소 배출 규제 움직임에 대응하기 위한 수단으로 바이오연료의 공급이 전세계적으로 증가하고 있다. 이와 같은 바이오디젤의 보급 활성화는 식물성 기름의 가격 상승과 수급 불안정 문제, 그리고 식량자원과의 충돌 문제를 야기하고 있다. 국내 바이오디젤 생산 원료로 사용되는 대두, 유채, 해바라기, 팜 등은 모두 식용시장과 수급 균형을 형성하고 있어 바이오디젤의 생산이 증가하게 되면 식용 오일 시장의 수급균형이 깨져 오일곡물 가격의 변동을 초래하게 될 것이다. 과거에는 수거비용을 들여 폐기하던 폐식용유 마저 이제는 돈을 주고 구입해야하는 실정에 다다랐다. 바이오디젤 생산비의 70~80%를 차지하는 원료유의 부족 현상에 따라 바이오디젤 업계에서는 soapstock, trapped grease, 폐식용유 등의 저급유지 활용 방안을 강구하고 있으며 자트로파와 같은 비식용 작물의 해외플랜테이션도 진행하고 있다. 본 연구에서는 커피찌거기에 남아 있는 오일을 속슬렛추출장치를 이용해 추출하고 전이에스테르화 반응을 수행하여 반응 특성과 커피오일 바이오디젤의 지방산 조성을 알아보고 바이오디젤 원료유로서의 사용가능성에 대해 알아보았다. 석유에테르를 용매로 속슬렛 추출장치를 이용해 추출시 원료대비 약 17%(w/w)의 오일을 추출할 수 있었다. 추출된 오일의 산가는 18.79mgKOH/g으로 매우 높아 직접 전이에스테르화 반응이 불가능하다. 고체 산 촉매 하에서 전처리 반응을 실시하여 유리지방산을 전환 제거한 후 염기촉매를 이용해 전이에스테르화 반응을 진행한 결과 약 80%의 바이오디젤(FAME) 함량을 얻을 수 있었다. 지방산 조성 분석 결과 리놀레익산(Linoleic acid, C18:2), 올레익산(Oleic acid, C18:1), 팔미틱산(Palmitic acid, C16:0)이 대부분을 차지하며 이 중에서도 리놀레익산이 44.17%로 가장 많은 함량을 보였다. 이는 커피찌꺼기 추출 오일이 바이오디젤 원료유로 활용 가능성을 나타내는 결과로, 색소성분 등의 불순물을 효율적으로 제거하여 증류정제 전단계에서의 바이오디젤 순도와 생산 수율을 증대시키기 위한 추가 연구가 필요한 것으로 판단된다.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.11a
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• pp.152.2-152.2
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• 2010

LFG는 매립된 폐기물 중 유기성분이 혐기성조건에서 미생물에 의해 분해가 되면서 발생하며, 이러한 매립지가스는 주변 지역의 자연 및 생활환경에 악영향을 미치기 때문에 소각 등의 방법으로 LFG를 처리하고 있다. 일반적으로 매립지로부터 발생하는 가스의 량은 폐기물 1톤 당 $150{\sim}250m^3$로서 매립 후 2~3년 후에 최대량이 발생하며 매립 후 20~30년 후까지 지속적으로 발생함으로 안정적인 LFG의 공급이 가능하며, 메탄함량이 50%인 경우 약 $5,000kcal/m^3$의 높은 발열량을 가지므로 대체에너지원으로 이용할 경우 환경적인 문제 해결 및 신재생에너지원으로 활용할 수 있다. LFG 자원화 할 경우 가장 안정적인 방안으로 발전 및 중질가스로 활용하는 것이나, 발전의 경우 최소 200만톤 이상의 매립용량을 갖추어야 경제적인 사업성을 확보할 수 있으며, 중질가스로 활용하는 경우 인근에 가스 수요처를 확보해야 하는 어려움이 있다. 만약 중 소규모의 매립장에서 발생하는 LFG를 안전하고 경제적인 조건으로 저장 및 수송할 수 있다면 중 소규모의 매립지에서 발생하는 LFG도 활용할 수 있을 것으로 기대되며, 안전하고 경제적인 저장과 수송기술을 통하여 발전이 아닌 중질가스로의 활용도 가능하게 될 것이다. 또한 여러 곳의 매립장에서 발생한 LFG를 한 곳으로 집중시켜 고질가스로 전환하는 설비비용을 절감할 수 있으며, 정제된 고질가스를 이용하여 발전보다 경제적인 자동차 연료나 도시가스로 활용할 수 있을 것이다. 본 연구에서는 LFG의 저장과 수송기술 중 GTS 기술을 통하여 저장과 수송에 제약이 크고 많은 비용이 소비되는 기체 상태의 에너지원을 하이드레이트화 시킴으로서 중 소규모 매립지에서 상대적으로 적은 비용으로 가스저장과 지상수송이 가능하게 할 수 있다. 본 연구의 결과로 LFG 에너지화 실증화 플랜트를 설계/제작 하였으며, 메탄+이산화탄소+물 하이드레이트 형성 실험 결과 4.56 Mpa, 277.2 K 조건에서 3시간을 한 사이클로 하는 공정운전을 가지는 것을 확인하였다. 이때 생성된 슬러리상의 하이드레이트를 고압으로 배출하여 펠릿으로 형성시켰으며, 형성된 하이드레이트 펠릿의 경우 92.27%의 메탄을 포함하는 것을 확인하였다.