• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.87-91
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• 2015

As negative effects of climate change have been visualized and its direct damages to economy have been realized, the global efforts to respond to climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emission were accelerated. Korea's Carbon Footprint Labeling gets a lot of attention as one of the effective methods to contribute to national GHG reduction goal, and for enterprises to show customers how much effort the company put into global warming prevention. Consumers' interest on low-carbon products has been increasing. This study uses Life Cycle Assessment method to calculate the amount of carbon emission of dishwashing detergent, LG Household & Healthcare, which reduced carbon emissions by using raw materials that has relatively lower environment load. Life Cycle Assessment Method is based on guidelines of Carbon Footprint Labeling, Ministry of Environment, and pre-manufacturing, manufacturing, and disposal phase are included while use phase of the product is excluded from assessment. In order to understand the effects of eco-design on carbon emissions, the dishwashing detergent's carbon emissions are compared before and after the change of main raw materials. The result shows the improvement from $0.47kgCO_2eq/kg$ to $0.38kgCO_2eq/kg$ per product, and this means the main raw materials' carbon emissions could be reduced by around 9.4%, which is equivalent to 916tons of GHG emissions per year.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.1002-1007
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• 2012

The considerable portion of energy demand has been satisfied by the combustion of fossil fuel and the consequent $CO_2$ emission was considered as a main cause of global warming. As a technology option for $CO_2$ emission mitigation, absorption process has been used in $CO_2$ capture from large scale emission sources. To set up optimal operating parameters in $CO_2$ absorption and solvent regeneration units are important for the better performance of the whole $CO_2$ absorption plant. Optimal operating parameters are usually selected through a lot of actual operation data. However theoretical approach are also useful because the arbitrary change of process parameters often limited for the stability of process operation. In this paper, a theoretical approach based on vapor-liquid equilibrium was proposed to estimate optimal operating conditions of $CO_2$ absorption process. Two $CO_2$ absorption processes using 12 wt% aqueous $NH_3$ solution and 20 wt% aqueous MEA solution were investigated in this theoretical estimation of optimal operating conditions. The results showed that $CO_2$ loading of rich absorbent should be kept below 0.4 in case of 12 wt% aqueous $NH_3$ solution for $CO_2$ absorption but there was no limitation of $CO_2$ loading in case of 20 wt% aqueous MEA solution for $CO_2$ absorption. The optimal regeneration temperature was determined by theoretical approach based on $CO_2$ loadings of rich and lean absorbent, which determined to satisfy the amount of absorbed $CO_2$. The amount of heating medium at optimal regeneration temperature is also determined to meet the difference of $CO_2$ loading between rich and lean absorbent. It could be confirmed that the theoretical approach, which accurately estimate the optimal regeneration conditions of lab scale $CO_2$ absorption using 12 wt% aqueous $NH_3$ solution could estimate those of 20 wt% aqueous MEA solution and could be used for the design and operation of $CO_2$ absorption process using chemical absorbent.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.189-203
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• 2010

The objective of this study is the estimate of $CO_2$ emissions by the energy consumption of functional technology introduced by classifying energy use in households according to functions as well as energy resources. This study also intends to provide the practical basis data in order to establish specific alternatives for GHG mitigation in residential sector with examining the cause analysis affecting $CO_2$ emission increases from 1995 to 2007. The results of this study show a 6.6% increase in the total $CO_2$ from 60,636 thousand tons in 1995 to 64,611 thousand tons in 2007 by using energy in residential sector. Heating is the greatest $CO_2$ emission sector by use, followed electric appliances, cooking, lighting and cooling. Heating sector shows 56.6% reductions from 71.5% in 1995 and as do cooling and electric home appliances, with a 2.4% increase from 0.6% and a 21.8% increase from 14.2% respectively. To analyze factors resulted in $CO_2$ emissions in residential sector, the relevant indicator change rate from 2005 to 2007 was examined. The results find that population, the number of household, housing areas, family patterns, and family income resulted in the $CO_2$ emissions increase in residential sector from 1995 to 2007. On the other hand, carbon intensity and energy intensity contribute to $CO_2$ reduction in residential sector with -2% and -38.7% respectively because of the energy conversion and the improvement of energy efficiency in electronic appliances. This study can be used as a reference when taken account of the reality and considered the introduction of highly effective measures to increase the possibility of mitigation potential in residential sector hereafter.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.139-149
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• 2013

Anthropogenic increases in greenhouse gas concentrations, primarily through radiative forcing from carbon dioxide, continue to challenge earth's climate. This study quantified $CO_2$ storage and uptake by dominant forest types and age classes in the middle region of Korea. In addition, the role of forest landscapes in reducing atmospheric $CO_2$ against $CO_2$ emissions based on energy consumption was evaluated. Mean $CO_2$ storage and uptake per unit area by woody plants for three forest types and four age classes were estimated applying regression equations derived to quantify $CO_2$ storage and uptake per tree; and computations per soil unit area were also performed. Total $CO_2$ storage and uptake by forest landscapes were estimated by extrapolating $CO_2$ storage and uptake per unit area. Results indicated mean $CO_2$ storage per unit area by woody plants and soils was higher in older age classes for the same forest types, and higher in broadleaved than coniferous forests for the same age classes, with the exception of age class II (11-20 years). $CO_2$ storage by broadleaved forests of age class V (41-50 years) averaged 662.0 t/ha (US$331.0 hundred/ha), highest for all forest types and age classes evaluated. Overall, an increased mean $CO_2$ uptake per unit area by woody plants was evident for older age classes for the same forest types. However, decreased $CO_2$ uptake by broadleaved forests at age class V was observed, compared to classes III and IV with an average of 27.9 t/ha/yr (US$14.0 hundred/ha/yr). Total $CO_2$ storage by woody plants and soils in the study area was equivalent to 3.4 times the annual $CO_2$ emissions, and woody plants annually offset the $CO_2$ emissions by 17.7%. The important roles of plants and soils were associated with 39.1% of total forest area in South Korea, and $CO_2$ emissions comprised 62.2% of the total population. Therefore, development of forest lands may change $CO_2$ sinks into sources. Forest landscape management strategies were explored to maintain or improve forest roles in reducing atmospheric $CO_2$ levels.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.3-12
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• 2012

The slowdown of private building industry resulted in growth of remodeling market as a way to improve energy performance. Remodeling is considered more cost-effective and eco-friendly approach for energy efficient building than new construction. Since 2008, Seoul has promoted Building Retrofit Project (BRP) preponderantly to attract energy-saving renovation by supporting building owners to switch building system into energy-saving system when they remodel their old buildings. According to 2012 press release, 254 Private sectors participated in this green building project and annually reduced 41000ton of greenhouse gas emission, 14000TOE, which also result in 7.5 billion won energy cost savings per year. The paper focuses on the building envelope remodeling as a way to improve energy efficiency. Different components of the building envelope such as wall insulation, window, and shading, were applied to the baseline model and the comparison was analyzed to come up with the ideal solution. This study only assesses the building envelope as to suggest the way to redesign the better energy performing building. Offering solution focusing on the architectural feature is essential because it will provide basic information and standard when remodeling a building for energy efficiency, especially, for the nonresidential buildings used as rental offices.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.217-226
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• 2017

Although the effects of climate change are universal, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are considered to be most vulnerable. SIDS heavily rely on imported oil and fossil fuels for electricity generation and transportation, which makes them economically vulnerable and exposed to fluctuating oil price. Among the reasons SIDS highly depend on diesel fuel is due to the dispersed population living in remote islands which means, providing electricity through on on-grid system is difficult. Fiji as one of the SIDS, has actively promoted renewable sourced energy through a national plan to mitigate the impacts of climate change. In order to determine how feasible implementing a renewable energy (RE) system will be in Fiji, this study chose a remote island called Mavuva Island to test application of a hybrid RE system using HOMER. A combination of energy storage system (ESS), solar photovoltaic (PV) and diesel generator turns out to be the most cost effective and optimal configuration, resulting in effective greenhouse gas reduction for the given region.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.10 no.12
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• pp.3740-3747
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• 2009

To protect the citizens' health of Gyeongju and to secure basic data for the assessment of health and environmental risk, distribution characteristics of meteorological elements were investigated and numerical simulation of wind field using RAMS model was carried out. In addition, measurement and analysis of air pollutants, forecasting the behavior air pollutants using ISC-AEROMOD view, and health and environmental risk-influenced zones were defined through managing air polluting materials to prevent health damage and property damage. According to the survey results of air pollution in Gyeongju and surroundings, average annual concentration of air pollutants in Gyeongju was slightly lower than that in Pohang and Ulsan areas, but concentration of particulate matters and nitrogen dioxide at Gyeongju Station Square and Yonggang Crossing were sometimes higher than that in Pohang and Ulsan areas. Results of the modeling of moving and diffusion of air pollutants that affect citizens' health showed that parts of the 1st through 4th industrial complexes together with POSCO were included in particulate matters and sulfur dioxide influenced areas in Pohang Steel Complex area, and that Haedo-dong, Sangdae-dong, Jecheol-dong and Jangheung-dong in Pohangnam-gu represented locally worsened air quality due to a quantity of air pollutant emission from dense steel industries and large scale industrial facilities.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.21 no.spc
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• pp.149-156
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• 2019

Assessing the hydrological safety of existing dams against climate change and providing appropriate adaptation measures are important in terms of sustainable water supply and management. Korean major dams ensure their safety through periodic inspections and maintenance according to 'Special Act on the safety control and maintenance of establishments'. Especially when performing a full safety examination, principal engineer must assess the hydrological safety and prepare for potential risks. This study employed future probable maximum precipitation (PMP) estimated using outputs of regional climate models based on RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 greenhouse-gas emission scenarios to assess climate change impact on existing dam's future hydrological safety. The analysis period was selected from 2011 to 2040, from 2041 to 2070, and from 2071 to 2100. Evaluating the potential risk based on the future probable maximum flood (PMF) for four major dams (A, B, C, I) showed that climate change could induce increasing the overflow risk on three dams (A, B, I), although there are small differences depending on the RCP scenarios and the analysis periods. Our results suggested that dam managers should consider both non-structural measures and structural measures to adapt to the expected climate change.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 2012

Recently, the government has been working feverously to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emission by enacting Basic Act on Low Carbon Green Growth at the national level. Improving the insulation performance of building exterior and insulator can reduce the energy in the building sector. This study is about developing light-weight foamed concrete insulation panel that can be applied to buildings to save energy and to find the optimal condition for the development of insulation materials that can save energy by enhancing its physical, kinetic and thermal characteristics. Various experimental factors and conditions were considered in the study such as foam agent types (AES=Alcohol Ethoxy Sulfate, AOS=Alpha-Olefin Sulfonate, VS=Vegetable Soap, FP=Fe-Protein), foam agent dilution concentration (1, 3, 5%), and foam percentage (30, 50, 70%). Experiment results indicated that the surface tension of aqueous solution including foam agent, was lower when AOS was used over other foam agents. FP produced relatively stable foams in 3% or more, which produced unstable foams containing high water content and low surface tension when diluted at low concentration. Depending on foam agent types, compressive strength and thermal conductivity were similar at low density range but showed some differences at high concentration range. In addition, when concentrations of foam agent and foaming ratio increased, pore size increased and open pores are formed. In all types of foam agent, thermal conductivity were excellent, satisfying KS standards. The most outstanding performance for insulation panel was obtained when FP 3% was used.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.33-43
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• 2019

Considerable efforts have been made to reduce greenhouse gas emission around the world to cope with climate change. The government is implementing G-SEED certification to promote energy efficient building design. This study aims to verify the effectiveness of the G-SEED certification system by analyzing the actual energy use of certified and non-certified office buildings. For this purpose, the energy consumption of 135 certified and 142 non-certified office buildings was analyzed according to the seasonal characteristics, building size and number of floors, approval year, and certification grade. The energy saving effects of certified buildings was about 50% higher than that of non-certified buildings. The seasonal energy consumption of buildings is closely related to the heating degree-days. The energy consumption of certified and non-certified buildings decreases with increasing approval year. On the other hand, the energy consumption according to building size and certification grade is not related. This study provides meaningful basic data of G-SEED certification system for future improvement. As the building energy performance standards are strengthened over the years, it is necessary to make the individual score of G-SEED certified projects open to the public to configure the factors of energy efficiency.