• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.1288-1294
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• 2022

Hydrogen as an environmentally friendly energy carrier has received special attention to solving uncertainty about the presence of renewable energy and its dependence on time and weather conditions. This material can be prepared from different sources and in various ways. In previous studies, fossil fuels have been used in hydrogen production, but due to several limitations, especially the limitation of the access to this material in the not-too-distant future and the great problem of greenhouse gas emissions during hydrogen production methods. New methods based on renewable and green energy sources as energy drivers of hydrogen production have been considered. In these methods, water or biomass materials are used as the raw material for hydrogen production. In this article, after a brief review of different hydrogen production methods concerning the required raw material, these methods are examined and ranked from different aspects of economic, social, environmental, and energy and exergy analysis sustainability. In the following, the current position of hydrogen production is discussed. Finally, according to the introduced methods, their advantages, and disadvantages, solar electrolysis as a method of hydrogen production on a small scale and hydrogen production by thermochemical method on a large scale are introduced as the preferred methods.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.335-356
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• 2011

In this paper, we attempted to suggest a way to evaluate appropriateness and efficiency for the energy consumption structure. For this, based on Markowitz (1952)' mean-variance portfolio model, we constructed an optimal fossil fuel mix. In constructing the optimal mix, we first defined returns on fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gas) as TOE (Ton of Oil Equivalent) per $1. Then, by using the dynamic latent common factor model, we decomposed the growth rates of the returns on each fossil fuel into two parts : the common part and the idiosyncratic part. Finally, based on the results from the dynamic latent common factor model, we constructed the optimal fossil fuel mix implied by the mean-variance portfolio model. Our results indicate that for the fossil fuel mix to be on the efficient frontier, it is crucial to reduce oil consumption as low as possible. Moreover, our results imply that it is more efficient to increase natural gas consumption rather than coal consumption in reducing oil consumption. These results are in line with the strategies for the future energy consumption structure pursued by Korea and indicate that reduction in oil use can improve overall efficiency in energy consumption.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2017

The fossil fuel power consumption generates $CO_2$, which causes the problems such as global warming. Also, the increase in energy consumption has accelerated the depletion of the fossil fuels, and renewable energy is attracting attention. Among the renewable energies, the solar energy gets a lot of attention as the infinite clean energy source. But, the supply level of solar cell is insignificant due to high cost of generation of electric power in comparison with fossil fuels. Thus several researchers are recently doing the research on ultra-low-cost solar cells. Also, $Cu_2O$ is one of the applied materials as an absorption layer in ultra-low-cost solar cells. Cuprous oxide ($Cu_2O$) is highly desirable semiconductor oxide for use in solar energy conversion due to its direct band gap ($E_g={\sim}2.1eV$) and a high absorption coefficient that absorbs visible light of wavelengths up to 650 nm. In addition, $Cu_2O$ has several advantages such as non-toxicity, low cost and can be prepared with simple and cheap methods on large scale. In this work, we fabricated the $Cu_2O$ thin films by reactive sputtering method. The films were deposited with a Cu target with variable parameters such as substrate temperature, rf-power, and annealing condition. Finally, we confirmed the structural properties of thin films by XRD and SEM.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.48-55
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to develop a $CO_2$ emission factor for refuse plastic fuel (RPF) combustion facilities, and calculate the $CO_2$ emissions from these facilities. The $CO_2$ reduction from using these facilities was analyzed by comparing $CO_2$ emission to facilities using fossil fuels. The average $CO_2$ emission factor from RPF combustion facilities was 59.7 Mg $CO_2$/TJ. In addition, fossil fuel and RPF use were compared using net calorific value (NCV). Domestic RPF consumption in 2011 was 240,000 Mg/yr, which was compared to fossil fuels using NCV. B-C oil use, which has the same NCV, was equal to RPF use. In contrast, bituminous and anthracite were estimated at 369,231 Mg/yr and 355,556 Mg/yr, respectively. In addition, the reduction in $CO_2$ emissions due to the alternative fuel was analyzed. $CO_2$ emissions were reduced by more than 350 Mg $CO_2$/yr compared to bituminous and anthracite. We confirmed that using RPF, an alternative fuel, can reduce $CO_2$ emissions.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.34-39
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• 2015

Recently, most of the energy consumed in vehicle is derived from fossil fuels. For this reason, the demand for clean, renewable and affordable alternative energy is forcing the automotive industry to look beyond the conventional fossil fuels. Natural gas represents today a promising alternative to conventional fuels for vehicles propulsion, because it is characterized by a relatively low cost, better geopolitical distribution than oil, lower environmental impact, higher octane number and a higher self ignition temperature. Above all, CNG is an environmentally clean alternative to the existing spark ignition engines with the advantages of minimum change. In this study was installed bi-fuel system that a conventional 2 liters gasoline engine was modified to run on natural gas by a gas injection system. Experiments were mainly carried on the optimization of an ECU control strategy affecting the emission characteristics of CNG/Gasoline bi-fule vehicle. The test results shown that CO2 emission in bi-fuel mode was reduced 16% compared to gasoline fuel in the NEDC mode. Also the amount of CO and HC emissions in bi-fuel and gasoline modes were found to equality. But Compared to gasoline, the bi-fuel mode resulted in higher NOx emissions.

• International Journal of Automotive Technology
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.653-658
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• 2006

The enormous increase in the use of fossil energy sources throughout the world has caused severe air pollution and a depletion of energy. Besides, it seems very difficult to comply with the upcoming stringent emission standards in vehicles. In order to develop low emission engines, research on better qualified fuels as alternative fuels to secure high engine performance becomes a more important issue than ever. Since sulfur contained in diesel fuel is transformed in sulfate-laden particulate matters when a catalyst is applied, it is necessary to provide low sulfur fuels before any Pt-based oxidation catalysts are applied. But the excessive reduction of sulfur levels may cause the lubricity of fuel and engine performance to degrade. In this aspect, biodiesel fuel derived from rice bran is applied to compensate viscosity lost in the desulfurization treatment. This research is focused on the performance of an 11,000cc diesel engine and the emission characteristics by the introduction of ULSD(Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel), BD20(Diesel 80%+Biodiesel 20%) and a diesel oxidation catalyst, where BD20 is used to improve the lubricity of fuel in fuel injection systems as fuel additives or alternative fuels.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.597-632
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• 2010

There is general agreement that global warming is occurring and that the main contributor to this probably is the buildup of green house gasses, GHG, in the atmosphere. Two main contributors are the utilization of fossil fuels and the deforestation of many regions of the world. The burning of fossil fuels increases atmospheric carbon while the burning of fuel-wood reducing fossil fuel consumption along with its forest source maintain an atmospheric carbon level. The standing timber in the forests is a carbon sink, as are wood buildings and structures, and fossil fuel in the ground. This paper is designed to examine a number of current issues related to mitigating the global warming problem through forestry. For this purpose, we develop a modeling approach by integrating timber market, fossil fuel market and carbon cycling model. We use discrete time optimal control theory to identify optimal time paths, the laws of motion, and stationary stats solutions of endogenous variables in the model. On the basis of these results, we identify the optimal amounts of subsidies to be provided or taxes to be imposed by the regulatory agency to mitigate atmospheric carbon accumulation. We also present a numerical example to help illustrate the characteristics of variables in the model when the social cost for atmospheric carbon incrementally shifts upward. A surprising result is that the social cost function for atmospheric carbon has a very smaller impact on the optimal rotation period than previous literature suggested.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.58.2-58.2
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• 2012

Heavy hydrocarbon reforming is a core technology for "Dirty energy smart". Heavy hydrocarbons are components of fossil fuels, biomass, coke oven gas and etc. Heavy hydrocarbon reforming converts the fuels into $H_2$-rich syngas. And then $H_2$-rich syngas is used for the production of electricity, synthetic fuels and petrochemicals. Energy can be used efficiently and obtained from various sources by using $H_2$-rich syngas from heavy hydrocarbon reforming. Especially, the key point of "Dirty energy smart" is using "dirty fuel" which is wasted in an inefficient way. New energy conversion laboratory of KAIST has been researched diesel reforming for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) as a part of "Dirty energy smart". Diesel is heavy hydrocarbon fuels which has higher carbon number than natural gas, kerosene and gasoline. Diesel reforming has difficulties due to the evaporation of fuels and coke formation. Nevertheless, diesel reforming technology is directly applied to "Dirty fuel" because diesel has the similar chemical properties with "Dirty fuel". On the other hand, SOFC has advantages on high efficiency and wasted heat recovery. Nippon oil Co. of Japan recently commercializes 700We class SOFC system using city gas. Considering the market situation, the development of diesel reformer has a great ripple effect. SOFC system can be applied to auxiliary power unit and distributed power generation. In addition, "Dirty energy smart" can be realized by applying diesel reforming technology to "Dirty fuel". As well as material developments, multidirectional approaches are required to reform heavy hydrocarbon fuels and use $H_2$-rich gas in SOFC. Gd doped ceria (CGO, $Ce_{1-x}Gd_xO_{2-y}$) has been researched for not only electrolyte materials but also catalysts supports. In addition, catalysts infiltrated electrode over porous $La_{0.8}Sr_{0.2}Ga_{0.8}Mg_{0.2}O_3-{\delta}$ and catalyst deposition at three phase boundary are being investigated to improve the performance of SOFC. On the other hand, nozzle for diesel atomization and post-reforming for light-hydrocarbons removal are examples of solving material problems in multidirectional approaches. Likewise, multidirectional approaches are necessary to realize "Dirty energy smart" like reforming "Dirty fuel" for SOFC.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.73-82
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• 2007

World energy demand has been dramatically increasing because of using much energy of developing countries in Asia. The other side, conventional fossil fuels supply has been gradually decreasing due to the limitation of fossil fuel reserves and changing to the use of environmental-friendly energy for prevention the emission of carbon dioxide, NOx and SOx. Based on these times and status, we get the n necessity of the conversion of environmental-friendly energy and the high effective utilization of conventional and unconventional energy. Recently, promised DME fuel as environmental-friendly and substituted oils will be introduced the status of technology and market in domestic and foreign.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.95-98
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• 2008

Temperature difference energy is a good energy source replacing the fossil fuels. In the study, we classified the temperature difference energy as 4 types by the source & using method. For the understanding economic property of temperature difference energy, we tried simle economic analysis. As the result, Pay back period of 4 case of the temperature difference energy are from 1.23 to 12.65 years. Major factors influenced economic effect are operation time and energy user distance from the temperature difference energy source. If we can select optimal capacity and look for more effient energy users, Temperature difference energy play a important role of replacing fossil energy. So, for dess emination of temperature difference energy, we suggest that temperature difference energy must be included in renewable energy. Applying the effective methods among various promotion program of renewable energy policy, utilization of temperature difference energy could be activated.