• Computers and Concrete
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.175-193
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• 2024

Researchers have embarked on an active investigation into the feasibility of adopting alternative materials as a solution to the mounting environmental and economic challenges associated with traditional concrete-based construction materials, such as reinforced concrete. The examination of concrete's mechanical properties using laboratory methods is a complex, time-consuming, and costly endeavor. Consequently, the need for models that can overcome these drawbacks is urgent. Fortunately, the ever-increasing availability of data has paved the way for the utilization of machine learning methods, which can provide powerful, efficient, and cost-effective models. This study aims to explore the potential of twelve machine learning algorithms in predicting the tensile strength of geopolymer concrete (GPC) under various curing conditions. To fulfill this objective, 221 datasets, comprising tensile strength test results of GPC with diverse mix ratios and curing conditions, were employed. Additionally, a number of unseen datasets were used to assess the overall performance of the machine learning models. Through a comprehensive analysis of statistical indices and a comparison of the models' behavior with laboratory tests, it was determined that nearly all the models exhibited satisfactory potential in estimating the tensile strength of GPC. Nevertheless, the artificial neural networks and support vector regression models demonstrated the highest robustness. Both the laboratory tests and machine learning outcomes revealed that GPC composed of 30% fly ash and 70% ground granulated blast slag, mixed with 14 mol of NaOH, and cured in an oven at 300°F for 28 days exhibited superior tensile strength.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.273-283
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• 2024

As the adverse environmental impacts due to plastic waste become more severe, there is an increasing demand for developing a sustainable ecosystem using biodegradable polymers. Biodegradable polymers are those that can be biochemically decomposed through the enzymatic activity of microorganisms. Currently, a variety of biodegradable polymers with varying properties is being investigated. In particular, polymer blends with an aim to control the biodegradation rate and mechanical properties are under active research. The biodegradable polymer industry, which has not yet reached economies of scale, does not have a cost advantage compared to petroleum-derived polymers. To overcome this challenge, there is an urgent need to expand its application fields to various high-value industries (separators, electronic materials, and medical fields). This review summarizes the current state-of-the-art biodegradable polymers, polymer blends, and recent research trends in new niche applications.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2020

Sustainable plastics can be mainly categorized into (1) biodegradable plastics decomposed into water and carbon dioxide after use, and (2) biomass-derived plastics possessing the carbon neutrality by utilizing raw materials converted from atmospheric carbon dioxide to biomass. Recently, biomass-derived engineering plastics (EP) and natural nanofiber-reinforced nanocomposites are emerging as a new direction of the industry. In addition to the eco-friendliness of natural resources, these materials are competitive over petroleum-based plastics in the high value-added plastics market. Polyesters and polycarbonates synthesized from isosorbide and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, which are representative biomass-derived monomers, are at the forefront of industrialization due to their higher transparency, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and gas barrier properties. Moreover, isosorbide has potential to be applied to super EP material with continuous service temperature over 150 ℃. In situ polymerization utilizing surface hydrophilicity and multi-functionality of natural nanofibers such as nanocellulose and nanochitin achieves remarkable improvements of mechanical properties with the minimal dose of nanofillers. Biomass-derived tough-plastics covered in this review are expected to replace petroleum-based plastics by satisfying the carbon neutrality required by the environment, the high functionality by the consumer, and the accessibility by the industry.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.354-361
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• 2009

This study was carried out to develop an effective biocarrier-mediated bioaugmentation technology which will be useful for remediation of the crude oil-contaminated marine sediments. Enrichment of several microbial communities was made from several oil-polluted seashore sites and the two distinctively functional consortia have been successfully selected. These two consortia were grown together and used to manufacture the microbial agents for bioaugmentation of marine sediments polluted with crude oil. The most dominant species in the mixed culture was identified as Alcanivorax borkumensis based on pure culture and DGGE analysis. Bioaugmentation of oil-polluted marine sediments with the microbial agent MA-2 formulated using the mixed culture and biocarriers (activated carbon and minerals) was more effective, especially in combination with an oxygen producing (releasing) compound (ORC). Ninty percent of TPH was removed in the presence of ORC in 35 days while 74% in the absence of ORC. This indicated that the indigenous consortial degraders could be immobilized on the active carbon as a biocarrier to manufacture microbial agents and then effectively bioaugmented for remediation of the oil-polluted sediments.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.419-449
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• 2022

This paper aims to quantify the potential economic burdens of EU's carbon border adjustment mechanisms faced by Korean domestic industries. In addition, this study tries to compare and analyzes changes in the burden of each industry resulted from the implementation of the domestic low-carbon policy. Based on the quantitative findings, we intend to suggest policy implications for establishing mid- to long-term strategies in response to climate change risks. Based on the environmentally extended input-output analysis, the total economic burdens of the domestic industries due to the EU's carbon border adjustment mechanisms are estimated to be approximately KRW 8,245.6 billion in 2030. Looking at the impacts by industry, it is found that major industries such as petrochemicals, petroleum refining, transportation equipment, steel, automobiles, and electric/electronic equipment industries are expected to account for 84.3% of the total potential burdens. In addition, in multiple policy scenarios assuming technological developments and energy transition following the implementation of domestic low-carbon policies, the total economic burden of carbon border adjustment is expected to decrease by about 11.7% to 15.0%. The main result of this study suggests that we should not view EU EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism as a trade regulation, but to use it as a momentum for more effective implementation of the low-carbon and energy transition strategies in the global carbon neural era.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.257-290
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• 2005

Korean energy use in industrial sector has increased more rapidly than other sectors during 1980~2000 periods. Relatively higher increases in industrial sector energy consumption raise questions whether government policy of rationalization of industrial energy use has been effective. In this study, we use 80-85-90 and 90-95-00 constant price input-output table to analyze increases in industrial energy use. Using an adjusted version of structural decomposition model introduced by Chen and Rose (1990), we decompose Changes of energy use into 17 elements. We classify entire industry sector into 32 sectors including four energy sectors (coal and coal products, refined petroleum, electricity and town gas). We then analyze changes of energy use by industrial level to check differences among industrial energy demand structures. Finally, we compare three industries, electronic product manufacturing, metal manufacturing and construction, that represent technology and capital intensive, energy and material intensive and labor and capital intensive industry. As results, we find that high energy using industries make the most effort to reduce energy use. Primary metal, petrochemical and mon-metal industries show improvements in elements such as energy and material productivity, energy and material imports, energy substitution and material substitutions towards energy saving. These results imply that although those industries are heavy users of energy, they put the best effort to reduce energy use relative to other industries. We find various patterns of change in industrial energy use at industrial level. To reduce energy use, electronic product manufacturing industry needs more effort to improve technological change element while construction industry needs more effort to improve material input structure element.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2018

With vigorous development of petroleum and chemical industry, emission of carbon dioxide has attracted tremendous attention globally due to global warming problem and abnormal climate change. To address these problems, in this study, a PEGBEM-g-POEM graft copolymer with high $CO_2$ affinity was synthesized and $CaCO_3$ was incorporated to form mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for enhancement of $CO_2$ permeance. By varying the addition weight of $CaCO_3$ in MMMs, high separation performance of $CO_2$ over $N_2$ was obtained. At 50 wt% loading of $CaCO_3$, the greatest separation performance was obtained with an enhanced $CO_2$ permeance from 22.5 to 28.16 GPU and slightly increased $CO_2/N_2$ selectivity from 44.7 to 45.42. It resulted from the increased $CO_2$ solubility of MMMs due to specific interaction between $CaCO_3$ and $CO_2$ molecules. Upon excess loading of $CaCO_3$, MMMs exhibited loss of $CO_2$ separation performance due to the formation of interfacial defects. Based on this result, it is considered that the proper addition of $CaCO_3$ is crucial for improvement of $CO_2$ separation performance.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2007

This study aims to develop an alternative energy like oil made from marine organic waste by marine products waste, spent fishing nets. There are already many commercial examples and case studies based on the petroleum industry-refuse plastic or refuse tire, however, it is rare that a research developing alternative energy from food waste and organic waste. Therefore, this study investigated the oil made from thermal decomposition under the high temperature and high pressure condition, and examined the possibility for commercial use by testing its own characteristics. A bio-oil from thermal decomposition at $250^{\circ}C$ and 40 atm was hard to remove impurities because of its high viscosity, showed lower caloric value than heavy oil, and generated various gases which were not appropriate for the use of fuel. It is noticeable that thermal decomposition was occurred at $250{\pm}5^{\circ}C$ using steam pressure, which much lower compared to the existing method of thermal decomposition, more than $500^{\circ}C$. Since the high viscosity of bio-oil, it is necessary a further study to use as liquid fuel.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.489-529
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• 2011

When greenhouse gas mitigation policies are implemented, energy intensive manufacturing industries are influenced much due to an increase in cost. However, industries that have price setting power are damaged less by the policies. Therefore, this paper analyzes vulnerability of energy intensive manufacturing industries to the policies by measuring price setting power of the industries. We analyzed price setting power model through ECM, employing the import prices and wages as independent variables. The industries that their prices react to import prices are price takers, which their prices are determined by rival's ones. On the other hand, the industry that their prices react to wages that mean domestic cost are price setters, and they will be less vulnerable to the policies. In addition, fluctuation of energy prices would be reflected in import prices because it influences other countries than my one. Thus, we employed energy prices as control variable to measure the net effects of import prices. As empirical results, petroleum products, chemical products, non-metallic mineral products, textiles, and motor vehicles sector have price setting power, so the industries have competitiveness on greenhouse gas mitigation policies.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.65-75
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• 2015

The CBM(Coalbed Methane) development technology being developed in mid 1980s is the technology to produce the methane gas absorbed in the coal bed. CBM is easy to be developed and its coal deposit is abundant. Therefore, the CBM industry has a large potential as an energy source as well as to deal with the global regulations for reducing greenhouse gas emission. In order to produce coal, the CBM should first be developed as a preliminary action for mine security. So CBM is advantageous in reducing the global greenhouse gas as well as its advantage not being influenced by the changes in gas market. The ECBM (Enhanced Coalbed Methane) is a new technique producing the methane gas which is substituted and disorbed from coal by injecting $CO_2$ or $N_2$ gas into a coal bed. Especially, $CO_2$-ECMB is a low-carbon, green-growth technology, so can expect to the effect of green gas reduction as well as the improved productivity of methane gas. CBM technology is being developed in about 40 nations including Canada, Australia, China, India, Indonesia and Viet Nam, and the coal output using this technology is continually being increased. The CBM is expected to contribute in changing the energy source paradigm from current coal & petroleum energy to unconventional gas.