• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.113-121
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• 2018

Baekasan Acheon cave located in Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do is a natural limestone cave only found in this province. In this study, the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of speleothems collected from Baekasan Acheon cave were identified and the capability of carbonate mineral formation by aerobic microorganisms enriched from the cave and the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of carbonate minerals formed by the microorganisms were investigated. The samples of sediments (clay) and speleothems (shelfstone and cave coral) were collected at three sites in the cave. The samples of shelfstone and cave coral were identified mainly as carbonate mineral, Mg-rich calcite, and clay minerals were composed of quartz, muscovite, and vermiculite by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. To cultivate the carbonate forming microorganisms, parts of the sediment and speleothems were placed in D-1 medium containing urea, respectively, and the growth of microorganisms was observed under the aerobic condition at room temperature. The capability of carbonate mineralization of the cultured Baekasan Acheon cave microorganisms was examined through adding 1% (v/v) of the cultured microorganisms and calcium sources, Ca-acetate or Ca-lactate, into the D-1 medium. XRD analysis showed that the microorganisms cultured in cave deposits formed calcium carbonate ($CaCO_3$) under all conditions, and these microbial carbonate minerals included calcite and vaterite. The morphological characteristics and chemical composition of biologically formed minerals were observed by SEM-EDS showed various crystal forms such as rhomboid, spherical, perforated surface with Ca, C, and O of major chemical components. The existence of such microorganisms in the cave can contribute the formation of carbonate minerals, and it is likely to affect the geochemical cycles of carbon and calcium in the cave.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2004

The aim of this work was to investigate the purification and characterization dixoygenases isolated from Delftia sp. JK-2, which could utilize aniline, benzoate, and p-hydroxybenoate as sole carbon and energy source. Catechol 1,2-dioxygenase (C1, 2O), catechol 2,3-dioxygenase(C2, 3O), and protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase(4,5-PCD) were isolated by benzoate, aniline, and p-hydroxybenzoate. In initial experiments, several characteristics of C1 ,2O, C2, 3O, and 4,5-PCD separated with ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-sepharose, and Q-sepharose were investigated. Specific activity of C1 ,2O, C2, 3O, and 4,5-PCD were approximately 3.3 unit/mg, 4.7 unit/mg, and 2.0 unit/mg. C1 ,2O and C2, 3O demonstrated their enzyme activities to other substrates, catechol and 4-methylcatechol. 4,5-PCD showed the specific activity to the only substrate, protocatechuate, but the substrates(e.g., catechol, 3-methylcatechol, 4-methylcatechol, 4-chlorocatechol, 4-nitrocatechol) did not show any specific activities in this work. The optimum temperature of C1, 2O, C2, 3O, and 4,5-PCD were 30$^{\circ}C$, and the optimal pHs were approximately 8, 8, and 7, respectively. Ag$\^$+/, Hg$\^$+/, Cu$\^$2+/ showed inhibitory effect on the activity of C1, 2O and C2, 3O, but Ag$\^$+/, Hg$\^$+/, Cu$\^$2+/, Fe$\^$3+/ showed inhibitory effect on the activity of 4,5-PCD. Molecular weight of the C1, 2O, C2, 3O, and 4,5-PCD were determined to approximately 60 kDa,35 kDa, and 62 kDa by SDS-PAGE.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.285-296
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• 2014

Although the problems of the algal blooms have been world-widely observed in freshwater, estuary, and marine throughout the year, it is not yet certain what are the basic causes of such blooms. Consequently, it is very difficult to predict when and where algal blooms occur. The constituents of the Asian dust are in a good agreement with the elements required for the algal growth, which suggests some possible relationship between the algal blooms and the Asian dust. There have been frequently algal blooms in drinking water from rivers or lakes. However, there is no any algal blooms in upwelling waters where the Asian dust cannot penetrate into the soil due to its relatively weak settling velocity (size of particles, $4.5{\pm}1.5{\mu}m$), which implies the possible close relationship of the Asian dust with algal blooms. The present initiative study is thus intended firstly in Korea to illustrate such a relationship by reviewing typical previous studies along with 12 years of weekly iron profiles (2001~2012) and two slant culture experiments with the dissolved Asian dust. The result showed bacterial suspected colonies in the slant culture experiment that are qualitatively in a good agreement with the recent Japanese studies. Since the diatoms require cheap energy (8%) compared to other phytoplankton (100%) to synthesize their cell walls by silicate, the present results can be used to predict algal blooms by diatoms if the concentrations of iron and silicate are available during spring and fall. It can be postulated that the algal blooms occur only if the environmental factors such as light, nutrients, calm water surface layer, temperature, and pH are simultaneously satisfied with the requirements of the micronutrients of mineral ions supplied by the Asian dust as enzymatic cofactors for the rapid bio-synthesis of the macromolecules during algal blooms. Simple eco-friendly methods to regulate the algal blooms are suggested for the initial stage of blooming with limited area: 1) to cover up the water surface with black curtain and inhibit photosynthesis during the day time, 2) to blow air (20.9%) or pure oxygen into the bottom of the water and inhibit rubisco for carbon uptake and nitrate reductase for nitrogen uptake activities in algal growth during the night, 3) to eliminate the resting spores or cysts by suction of bottom sediments as deep as 5 cm to prevent the next year germinations.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.356-362
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• 2006

The $SO_2$ reduction using CO and $H_2$ over Sn-Zr based catalysts was performed in this study. Sn-Zr based catalysts with Sn/Zr molar ratio (0/1, 1/4, 1/1, 2/1, 3/1, 1/0) were prepared by the precipitation and co-precipitation method. The effect of the temperature on the reaction characteristics of the $SO_2$ reduction with a reducing agent such as $H_2$ and CO was investigated under the conditions of space velocity of $10,000ml/g_{-cat.}h$, $([CO(or\;H_2)]/[SO_2])$ of 2.0. As a result, the activity of Sn-Zr based catalysts were higher than $SnO_2$ and $ZrO_2$. The reactivity for the $SO_2$ reduction with CO was higher than that with $H_2$, and sulfur yield in the $SO_2$ reduction by $H_2$ was higher than that by CO. The reactivity for the $SO_2$ reduction with $H_2$ was increased with the reaction temperature regardless of Sn-Zr based catalyst with a Sn/Zr molar ratio. $SnO_2-ZrO_2$ (Sn/Zr=1/4) had highest activity at $550^{\circ}C$, in the $SO_2$ reduction with $H_2$ and $SO_2$ conversion of 94.4％ and sulfur yield of 66.4％ were obtained at $550^{\circ}C$. On the other hand, in the $SO_2$ reduction by CO, the reactivity was decreased with the increase over $325^{\circ}C$. At the optimal temperature of $325^{\circ}C$, $SO_2$ conversion and sulfur yield were about 100％ and 99.5％, respectively, in the $SO_2$ reduction over $SnO_2-ZrO_2$ (Sn/Zr=3/1). Also, the $SO_2$ reduction using syngas with $CO/H_2$ ratio over $SnO_2-ZrO_2$ (Sn/Zr=2/1) was performed in order to investigate the application possibility of the simulated coal gas as the reductant in DSRP. As a result, the reactivity of the $SO_2$ reduction using syngas with $CO/H_2$ ratio was increased with increasing the CO content of syngas. Therefore, it could be known that DSRP using the simulated coal gas over Sn-Zr based catalyst is possible to be realized in IGCC system

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.349-354
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• 2009

In this study, a bubbling fluidized-bed reactor was used to study $CO_2$ capture from flue gas using a potassium-based dry sorbent. A dry sorbent, manufactured by the Korea Electric Power Research Institute, consists of 35% of $K_2CO_3$ for $CO_2$ absorption and 65% of supporters for mechanical strength. $H_2O$, a reactant of the carbonation reaction, was supplied in the reactor as a form of saturated water vapor at a given temperature. The experiment of the regeneration reaction was performed by raising up to a given temperature using $N_2$ as a fluidization gas. It was indicated that sorption capacity and regenerability of dry sorbents showed high-efficiency at $1.97\;mol\;H_2O/mol\;CO_2$ and $400^{\circ}C$, respectively. The regenerated sorbent samples were analyzed by TGA to confirm the extent of the reaction. When the regeneration temperature was $150^{\circ}C$, the regenerability of dry sorbents was about 60%, which was capable of applying those sorbents to a two-interconnected fluidized-bed reactor system with continuous solid circulation. The results obtained in this study can be used as basic data for designing and operating a large scale $CO_2$ capture process with two fluidized-bed reactors.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.1344-1349
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• 2005

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Welsh onion administration on $CCl_4$-induced hepatic injury in rats. The increasing rate of the body and organ weight was not significantly different by the ad-ministration of the Welsh onion. Welsh onion (2, 4, $10\%$ w/w) was given for 4 weeks with the injections of $CCl_4$. Total serum lipid was significantly decreased in all treatment groups compared to $CCl_4$ only treatment group (p<0.05). The Welsh onion from winter season was more protective effect by lowering the serum levels of transminase (SGOT and SGPT) compared with others, the levels of transminase - phosphatase (ALP) in serum. The Welsh onion from winter at a dose of $4\%,\;10\%$ (w/w) showed significantly hepatoprotective activity which was comparable to that $CCl_4$-induced hepatic damage. Histological evaluation showed that Welsh onion partially prevented $CCl_4$-induced inflammation, necrosis and vacuolation. Pretreatment of Welsh onion reduced extent of the necrosis found 24 hr after the intraperitoneal administration of $CCl_4$. The present study shows the liver protective action of the Welsh onion against experimentally induced liver damage in rats. This suggests that the Welsh onion may be used as an effective hepatoprotective agent.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.279-309
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• 2009

Greenhouse gas emissions should be precisely forecast to reduce the emissions from industrial production processes. This study calculated the direct and indirect $CO_2$ emission intensities of 401 industries using the Input-Output tables 2003 and statistical data on the amount of energy use. This study had some limitations in drawing study findings because overseas data were used given the lack of domestic data. Other limiting factors included the oil distribution problems in the oil refinery sector, re-review of carbon neutral, and insufficient consideration of waste treatment. Nonetheless, this study is very meaningful since the direct and indirect $CO_2$ emission intensities of 401 industries were calculated. Specifically, this study considered from the zero-waste perspective the effects of waste, which attract interest worldwide since coke gas and gas from the steel industry are obtained as byproducts for the first time in Korea. According to the results of the analysis of $CO_2$ emission intensity per industry, typical industries whose indirect $CO_2$ emission intensity is high include crude steel making, Remicon, steel wire rods & track rail, cast iron, and iron reinforcing rods & bar steel. These industries produce products using the raw materials produced in the industrial sector whose $CO_2$ emission intensity is high. The representative industries whose direct $CO_2$ emission intensity is high include cement, pig iron, lime & plaster products, andcoal-based compounds. These industries extract raw ore from nature and refine them into raw materials that are useful in other industries. The findings in this study can be effectively used for the following case: estimation of target $CO_2$ emission reduction level reflecting each industrial sector's characteristics, calculation of potential emission reduction of each policy to reduce $CO_2$ emissions, identification of a firm's $CO_2$ emission level, and setting of the target level of emission reduction. Moreover, the findings in this study can be utilized widely in fields such as System of integrated Environmental and Economic Accounting(SEEA) and Material Flow Analysis(MFA) as the current topic of research in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.33-43
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• 2003

$LiMn_2O_4$ catalyst for $CO_2$ decomposition was synthesized by oxidation method for 30 min at 600$^{\circ}C$ in an electric furnace under air condition using manganese(II) nitrate $(Mn(NO_3)_2{\cdot}6H_2O)$, Lithium nitrate ($LiNO_3$) and Urea $(CO(NH_2)_2)$. The synthesized catalyst was reduced by $H_2$ at various temperatures for 3 hr. The reduction degree of the reduced catalysts were measured using the TGA. And then $CO_2$ decomposition rate was measured using the reduced catalysts. Phase-transitions of the catalysts were observed after $CO_2$ decomposition reaction at an optimal decomposition temperature. As the result of X-ray powder diffraction analysis, the synthesized catalyst was confirmed that the catalyst has the spinel structure, and also confirmed that when it was reduced by $H_2$, the phase of $LiMn_2O_4$ catalyst was transformed into $Li_2MnO_3$ and $Li_{1-2{\delta}}Mn_{2-{\delta}}O_{4-3{\delta}-{\delta}'}$ of tetragonal spinel phase. After $CO_2$ decomposition reaction, it was confirmed that the peak of $LiMn_2O_4$ of spinel phase. The optimal reduction temperature of the catalyst with $H_2$ was confirmed to be 450$^{\circ}C$(maximum weight-increasing ratio 9.47%) in the case of $LiMn_2O_4$ through the TGA analysis. Decomposition rate(%) using the $LiMn_2O_4$ catalyst showed the 67%. The crystal structure of the synthesized $LiMn_2O_4$ observed with a scanning electron microscope(SEM) shows cubic form. After reduction, $LiMn_2O_4$ catalyst became condensed each other to form interface. It was confirmed that after $CO_2$ decomposition, crystal structure of $LiMn_2O_4$ catalyst showed that its particle grew up more than that of reduction. Phase-transition by reduction and $CO_2$ decomposition ; $Li_2MnO_3$ and $Li_{1-2{\delta}}Mn_{2-{\delta}}O_{4-3{\delta}-{\delta}'}$ of tetragonal spinel phase at the first time of $CO_2$ decomposition appear like the same as the above contents. Phase-transition at $2{\sim}5$ time ; $Li_2MnO_3$ and $Li_{1-2{\delta}}Mn_{2-{\delta}}O_{4-3{\delta}-{\delta}'}$ of tetragonal spinel phase by reduction and $LiMn_2O_4$ of spinel phase after $CO_2$ decomposition appear like the same as the first time case. The result of the TGA analysis by catalyst reduction ; The first time, weight of reduced catalyst increased by 9.47%, for 2${\sim}$5 times, weight of reduced catalyst increased by average 2.3% But, in any time, there is little difference in the decomposition ratio of $CO_2$. That is to say, at the first time, it showed 67% in $CO_2$ decomposition rate and after 5 times reaction of $CO_2$ decomposition, it showed 67% nearly the same as the first time.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.356-370
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• 2017

The energy savings and $CO_2$ emission reductions obtainable from the situation that the Smart Grid system (SGs) is assumed to be applied in Korea up to 2030 is quantitatively analyzed with many reported data. For calculation, SGs is divided into five sectors such as Smart Transmission and Distribution (ST&D), Smart Consumer (SC), Smart Electricity Service (SES), Smart Renewable Energy (SRE) and Smart Transportation (ST). Total annual energy savings in 2030 is estimated to be approximately 103,121 GWh and this is 13.1% of total electricity consumption outlook. Based on this value, total amount of reducible $CO_2$ emissions is calculated to 55.38 million $tCO_2$, which is 17.6% of total nation's GHG reduction target. Although the contribution of energy saving due to SGs to total electricity consumption increases as years go by, that of $CO_2$ emission reduction gradually decreases. This might be because that coal fired based power generation is planned to be sharply increased and the rate of $CO_2$ emission reduction scheduled by nation is very fast. The contributable portion of five each sector to total $CO_2$ emission reductions in 2030 is estimated to be 44.37% for SC, 29.16% for SRE, 20.12% for SES, 5.11% for ST&D, and 1.24% for ST.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2012

Annual power consumption of our country is positioned in the upper percentile in the world, and because the proportion of fossil power generation is high, which ranks the 10th $CO_2$ emission country. In this regard, government has established and is implementing the National Energy Basic Plan to realize to get out of fossilization in energy supply while focusing on securing the technology for renewable energy as well as its commercialization in order to reduce greenhouse gas. Resource recovery technology for deep seawater thermal energy which is one of renewable energies is newly getting attention domestically as well as in overseas for securing resources and environmental improvement as a core technology for multilateral use of marine resources for low carbon and green growth. Economic feasibility analysis was conducted for the research and development as follows on the use of ocean thermal energy conversion and seawater air conditioning. First, in the case of power generation using deep seawater and warm discharge water from ocean thermal energy conversion plant of 1MW level, it is judged that the economic feasibility is insufficient but the feasibility will be significantly improved if we consider not only power generation but also drinking water and certified emission reduction by developing the power plant to the size for commercialization. Second, the economic feasibility for the use of deep seawater as air conditioning for the power plant of 1,000RT level turned out to be very good. Especially, when we consider certified emission reduction, it will be possible to secure sufficient economic feasibility. When we use it in connection with ocean thermal energy conversion, water conversion and agricultural and fishery use, it is judged that economic ripple effect will be significant and therefore it will be necessary to conduct research and development for early commercialization, distribution and diffusion of deep seawater energy.