• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.284-290
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• 2013

This study analyzed the geometric, compressive, cutting and friction properties of oriental melons in order to design a gripper capable of soft handling and a cutter for cutting oriental melon vine among the end effector of oriental melon as a preliminary step for developing the end effector of the robot capable of harvesting oriental melons in protected cultivation. As a result, the average length, diameter at the midpoint, weight, volume and roundness of the oriental melons were 108 mm, 70 mm, 188 g, 333 mL and 3.8 mm. Nonlinear regression analysis was performed on the equation $W=L^a{\times}D_2^b$ with variation of the length (L) and diameter (D2) of the weight (W) of the oriental melons. As a result, it was shown that there was a correlation between a of 2.0279 and b of -0.9998 as a constant value. The average diameter of the oriental melon vine was 3.8 mm, and most vines were distributed within a radius of 5 mm from the center. The average yield value, compressive strength and hardness of the oriental melons were $36.5N/cm^2$, $185.7N/cm^2$ and $636.7N/cm^2$, respectively. The average cutting force and shear strength of the oriental melon vines were $2.87{\times}10^{-2}\;N$ and $5.60N/cm^2$, respectively. The maximum friction coefficient of the oriental melons was rubber of 0.609, followed by aluminium of 0.393, stainless steel of 0.177 and teflon of 0.079. It was considered possible to apply it to the size of the gripper and cutter, turning radius, dynamics of drive motor and selection of materials and their quality in light of the position error and safety factor according to the movement when designing end effector based on the analyzed data.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2014

This study analyzed the efficiency and uniformity by measuring the temperature change depending on the position in the chamber with the use of QRD (quadratic residue diffusor) microwave capable of inducing even sterilization by changing wavelength phase difference and enhancing the effect on low power. The results are summarized as follows: When irradiating 7 kW of QRD microwave, the highest efficiency was obtained at 35 cm height and in the center of the chamber. When irradiating 5 kW of QRD microwave, high efficiency was obtained on the sides of the chamber. When irradiating 3 kW of QRD microwave to Magnetrons 1, 2 and 3, the temperature uniformity according to the position of the bars was similar in the position of Bar 1 and 2. When irradiating 3 kW of QRD microwave to Magnetrons 3, 4 and 5, the temperature increased by approximately 10 to 20% in Bar 3. When irradiating 5, 7 and 9 kW of magnetron, the average temperature during the irradiation time increased in a similar form independently of the position of the bars. On the other hand, the efficiency of the chamber's proper internal volume was not necessarily proportional to the irradiation dose. When irradiating 3 kW of magnetron for 60 120 and 180 seconds, the temperature increased by approximately 5 to 10 at the edge of the chamber according to the irradiation position of magnetron. The temperature distribution for each position in the horizontal plane was relatively uniform, and the temperature had a tendency to slightly increase at the edge. When irradiating 5, 7 and 9 kW of magnetron, the temperature relatively evenly increased independently of the position of the bars. It was thought necessary to increase the irradiation dose by approximately 10 to 20% by considering the difference in temperature rise according to the position of magnetron.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.148-157
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate greenhouse maintenance by farms by looking into greenhouses across the nation for greenhouse specification, disaster-resistance greenhouse construction, types and degree of damage due to natural disasters, pre-inspection in case of typhoon or heavy snow forecast, and fire-fighting facilities to prevent a fire. The findings were summarized as follows: as for greenhouse specification, the highest proportion of them were 90 m or longer both in single- and multi-span greenhouses in terms of length; 8 m or wider and 7.0~7.9 m in single- and multi-span greenhouses, respectively, in terms of width; 1.5~1.9 m and 2.0~2.9 m in single-and multi-span greenhouses, respectively, in terms of height; and 3.0~3.9 m and 6 m in single- and multi-span greenhouses, respectively, in terms of diameter. As for disaster-resistance greenhouses, farmers were reluctant to install such greenhouses. The low distribution of disaster-resistance greenhouses was attributed to the greenhouses built dependent on the old practice, the greenhouses already completed, and relatively high construction costs. As for damage by natural disasters, greenhouses were subject to more damage by typhoons than heavy snow. They mainly inspected the ceiling and side windows, entrances, and fixation bands for covering materials in case of typhoon forecast and the heating devices in case of heavy snow forecast. As for repair methods for greenhouse pipe corrosion, they preferred partial replacement to painting and did not use stiffeners for structures to prevent a natural disaster in most cases. As for the maintenance of greenhouse covering materials, most farmers inspected their sealing property but did not clean the coverings for light transmission. The destruction of structural materials can be prevented by eliminating greenhouse covering materials during a typhoon, but they were not able to do so because of the covering material replacement costs and the crops they were growing. The study also examined whether greenhouse farms had fire-fighting facilities to prevent a fire and found that they lacked the perception of greenhouse fire prevention to a great degree.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

The greatest and major cost for cut rose production during winter seasons in Korea is cost of heating the greenhouse. A study was conducted on a cost-efficient heating system to reduce expenses of cut rose growers in times of high energy prices. An infrared heating system utilizing radiant energy has an obvious advantage over other heating methods in that the energy is first used to raise temperatures of plants and other objects and subsequently that of the atmosphere, resulting in faster reaching to desired plant temperatures at a reduced heating cost. In this study the heating effect and heating cost saving of a nano-carbon fiber infrared heating system (NCFIHS) installed in cut rose greenhouses in Gimhae, Gyeongnam Province were analyzed comparatively. In addition growth, quality, and vase life of 'Orange Fresh' roses grown in greenhouses heated by NCFIHS against those grown in greenhouses heated by so called an electrical heating system. In greenhouses with a NCFlHS with a set point air temperature of $20^{\circ}C$, plant temperature was maintained at $1{\sim}2^{\circ}C$ higher than the air temperature, and temperatures of growing bed surface and root zone were maintained at $17{\sim}19^{\circ}C$ throughout cold winter nights. The cost for heating in NCFIHS was about 25 and 51% of that of an electrical heating system and a hot water heating system heated by petroleum, respectively. Growth of roses harvested in greenhouses with a NCFIHS was similar to those grown in greenhouses with an electrical heating system. However, cut roses with more intense petal and leaf colors and a longer vase life (fresh weight and amount of water uptake) were harvested in greenhouses with a NCFIHS as compared to those harvested in greenhouses with an electrical heating system.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.91-99
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• 2013

This research analyzed surplus solar energy in Venlo-type greenhouse using acquired typical meteorological year (TMY) data for designing a heat storage system for the surplus solar energy generated in the greenhouse during the day. In the case of paprika, the region-dependent heating loads for Jeju, Jinju, and Daegwanryong area were approximately 1,107.8 GJ, 1,010.0 GJ, and 3,118.5 GJ, respectively. The surplus solar energy measured in Jeju area was 1,845.4 GJ, Jinju area 1,881.8 GJ, and Daegwanryong area 2,061.8 GJ, with the Daegwanryong area showing 11.7% and 9.6% higher than the Jeju region and Jinju region respectively. In the case of chrysanthemums, regional heating loads were determined as 1,202.5 GJ for the Jeju region, 1,042.0 GJ for the Jinju region, and 3,288.6 GJ for the Daegwanryong region; the regional differences were similar to those for paprika. The recorded surplus solar energy was 1,435.2 GJ, 1,536.2 GJ, and 1,734.6 GJ for Jeju, Jinju, and Daegwanryong region, respectively. The Daegwanryong region recorded heating loads 20.9% and 12.9% higher than in the Jeju and Jinju region, respectively. From the above, it can be said that cultivating paprika, compared to cultivating chrysanthemums, requires less heating energy regardless of the region and tends to yield more surplus solar energy. Moreover, if the Daekwan Pass region is excluded, the surplus solar energy exceeds the energy required for heating. Although the required heating energy differs according to regions and crops, cucumbers were found to require the highest amount, followed by chrysanthemum and paprika. The amount of surplus solar energy was the highest in the case of paprika, followed by cucumber and chrysanthemum.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.100-107
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• 2013

Unlike general microwave, QRD (Quadratic Residue Diffusor) Microwave used in this study is known as a new technology that enhances the sterilization effect with low power because it is possible to induce the average sterilization by changing wavelength phase difference. Therefore, basic research was conducted on the function that could sterilize culture media for plant factory by using environmentally friendly and low energy consuming QRD Microwave. The results are as follows: It was confirmed that there was no external deformation in the polyurethane foam and rock wool medium when changing the microwave level between 2 and 8 kW in different water content of culture media. However, PDA solid media at 2 kW were not dissolved in 60 and 180 seconds. All of the media were dissolved in other processing. There was little difference in the microwave irradiation level and surface temperature of the strain according to the processing time between Bacillus sp. and Burkholderia sp. In the sterility test according to the microwave irradiation level and processing time, it was confirmed that both Bacillus sp. and Burkholderia sp. grew in the microwave level 2 kW regardless of time. In the microwave level 6 kW, all experimental groups except the processing of Burkholderia sp. for 60 seconds were sterilized, and all of Bacillus sp. was killed in the all experimental groups. In the microwave level 8 kW, it was confirmed that both Bacillus sp. and Burkholderia sp. were sterilized regardless of time. The temperature in microwave-processed media after contaminating strains to each medium was maintained at more than 100 in polyurethane foam and rock wool medium after 60 seconds. In general, it was shown that it was possible to sterilize after 60 seconds. Therefore, it is considered that Bacillus sp. and Burkholderia sp. which are the biggest problems in the plant factory can be adequately sterilized by QRD Microwave used in this study.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.79-87
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• 2012

This research was conducted to obtain basic data with regard to the heating performance that would be produced by installing an aluminum hot water pipe inside the greenhouse with the goal of reducing the heating energy in greenhouse. The research results are summarized as follows. The degree of difference in relation to the temperature by height within the greenhouse during the entire experiment was significant - within the range of 4.0~$7.0^{\circ}C$. The temperature difference between incoming and outgoing water was about $3.3^{\circ}C$ greater when FCU was activated compared to when it was not activated. Meanwhile, the amount of energy consumed increased about 36.2~40.1%. The amount of pyrexia per hour also increased by 44.6~52.0%. During the experiment period, circulated flux was within the range of 0.48~$0.49L{\cdot}s^{-1}$ while average fluid speed was 1.53~$1.56m{\cdot}s^{-1}$. The average temperature difference between incoming and outgoing water was 6.24~$11.50^{\circ}C$. The amount of heating value by each set temperature within the minimum outdoor temperature range of -14.0~$-0.6^{\circ}C$ was 135,930~307,150 kcal, and the range was within the 9,610~$19,630kcal{\cdot}h^{-1}$ per hour. This demonstrated that about 23~53% heating energy of the maximum heating load could be supplied. Total radiating value and amount of energy consumed were 2,548,306 kcal and 3,075.7 kWh, respectively. When heating takes place using oil, which is a fossil fuel, the total amount of light oil consumed was 281.6 L while the cost was 321,000 won. When the electricity cost for farms is applied, the total cost was about 110,730 won, which is about 33.5% of the cost required compared to oil consumption. The temperature at in the experiment area was about 8.3~$14.6^{\circ}C$ higher compared to that of the control area.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2012

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of climate on indoor environment of a swine house with natural. This study was tested in the beef swine stall at Young-in, Kyung-ki do. The test was experimented for the effect of interior environment by the outdoor environment and the interior-pan. The results are as follows. 1. In test 1 ($T_{out}$ : $25.7^{\circ}C$, without fan), an indoor air flow pattern was showed that entered from sidewall winch-curtain to went out of a indoor by the ridge winch-curtain. And the velocity of a section of the center was measured two times as large as the velocity of the floor. It is the acceleration of the velocity by thermal buoyancy. And, the entered air was rapidly dissipated by flow energy. So that in the swain livestock with sidewall winch-curtain is effected by thermal buoyancy. And the air temperature of the indoor was distributed more higher as compared with the outdoor temperature. This result is caused by the sensible heat from swine and the ventilation is restricted. 2. In test 2 (($T_{out}$ : $25.7^{\circ}C$, with fan), the velocity of a section of the center was measured more higher as compared with the test 1. And the variance of air velocity was distributed higher as compared with the test 1. This result is showed dead region of air flow with a fan operation. And, the variance of gas density was distributed lower as compared with the test 1.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.253-259
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• 2018

This study set out to select a system to realize an optimal environment for strawberry cultivation greenhouses based on data about the growth and development of strawberry and its environment and to provide basic data for the research of its improved productivity. For these purposes, the investigator conducted a field survey with greenhouses for strawberry cultivation in western Gyeongnam. The findings show that farmers in their fifties and sixties accounted for the biggest part in the age groups of strawberry farmers. While those who were under 50 were accounted for approximately 67.5%, those who were 60 or older accounted for 32.5%. As for cultivation experiences, the majority of the farmers had ten years of cultivation experiences or less with some having 30 years of cultivation experiences or more. All the farmers built an arch type single span greenhouse. Those who used nutrient solutions were about 75.0%, being more than those who used soil. All of the farmers that used a nutrient solution adopted an elevated hydroponic system. The single span greenhouses were in the range of 7.5~8.5m, 1.3~1.8m and 2.5~3.5m for width, eaves, and ridge height, respectively, regardless of survey areas. The rafters interval was about 0.7~0.8m. In elevated hydroponic cultivation, the width, height, and interval of the beds were about 0.25m, 1.2m and 1.0m, respectively. As for the strawberry varieties, the domestic ones accounted for approximately 97.5% with Seolhyang being the most favorite one at about 65.0%. As for the internal environment factors of greenhouses, 38 farmers measured only temperature and relatively humidity. As for hydroponics, the farmers used a hydroponics control system. Except for the farmers that introduced a smart farm system for temperature and humidity control, approximately 85.0% controlled temperature and humidity only with a control panel for side windows and ventilation fans. As for heating and heat insulation, all of the farmers were using water curtains with many farmers using an oil or electric boiler, radiating lamp or non-woven fabric, as well, when necessary.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.301-322
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• 1996

This study is first aimed at identifying the possibility of labour saving and production cost decreasing in rice production with respect to seed broad casting technology. Comparison of labour inputs and production costs of rice in-between USA and Korea and recommendation of policy guidelines for the continous rice cultivation are the second objective of this study. Under the WTO system, rice enterprice is the most vulnerable crop in the sense of labour productivity and price competitiveness in the international market. How to adapt labour saving technology and how to decrease production costs are the most imminent problems to be solved in rice production. To achieve the objectives, survey on nine rice enterprice farms were made in Daeho tidal farmland with respect to the size of farm, labour inputs, productivity, farm mechanization and farm land base development. The existing data on labour saving technology by seed broadcasting which had surveyed by Rural Development Administration were collected to compare the surveyed data from Daeho tidal farm land The study results and policy recommendation are summarized as follows; 1. Labour requirements per 10a for rice enterprise farms with seed broadcasting and with transplanting were estimated 11.4 and 18.5hours respectively. 'This above labour inputs were equivalent to 1/3-1/5 of the national average labour inputs of 53.6 hours which were included transplanting and harvesting by machinery. Considering the labour requirement of 1.7 hours per 10a for the USA rice production, Korea rice culture has possibility to decrease labour demand upto USA level of labour inputs. 2. Production cost of rice in Korea were estimated US$4,181 per ha which were higher than that of USA by 3.00 times and production costs per ton were shown as US$313 for USA rice and US$1,018 for Korean rice. 3. Land productivity of rice per 10a in America was reached to 4,325kg and the counterpart of Korea was about 4,181kg in recent year. In the sense of land productivity, both yields of rice were comparable. 4. The price of japonica type rice similar to Korean traditional rice in international market in 1994 was f.o.b US$466 per ton which was equivalent to import parity price of US$830 per ton in domestic market. The price of rice purchased by Korean G't and received by farmers were amounted to US$ 2,013 and US$ 1,663 respectively in the same year. Domestic prices mentioned above were higher than the import parity price as US$830 by 2.0-2.4 times. 5. American rice production competitive to Korean rice was equivalent to 17,012 thousand tons, 1.28% of the world production of rice in 1991 and consumption of rice in America was amounted to 2,633 thousand tons. Exportable quantity of USA rice were estimated as 4,379 thousand tons of which 52.3%, 2,300 thousand tons, were exported indeed in the same year. 6. The quantity of Korean rice produced in 1991 was estimated 1.00% of the world production. The world amount of rice exported in 1991 was reached to 2.45% of the world production of which 34.2% was occupied by USA The remaining quantities of world exported rice were dominated by Tiland, Pakistan and Vietnam where produced indica variety. 7. Under the given technology, labour inputs per 10a for rice production could be possible to save by 70% of the national average labour requirement of 53.6 hours through implmenting complete farm mechanization with land consolidation and on-farm development and improvement of fanning practices like seedbroad casting txchnology etc. On the other hand, prduction costs of rice could be decreased by 10% rather than 49% as target indicated in the Rural Development Counter Measures of Korean Government in 1994 owing to increasing farm mechanization cost and interest on land service with high price. Accordingly production cost of rice per kg could be decreased only by 10% of the 1994 production cost. 8. Rice policy of Korean government in the future should take into account the labour saving technology to solve labour shortage in rural area and to enhance off-farm incomes by creating job opportunities in agro-industrial zones and special production area. On account of the staple food and main energy source for people's health, rice production even encountered vulnerable economic settings should be continued without price distortion policies and discouraging farmer's intention to cultivate rice by importing institutionally the direct income subsidy system.