• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.455-459
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• 2015

Objective : A cost comparison of the surgical clipping and endovascular coiling of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs), and the identification of the principal cost determinants of these treatments. Methods : This study conducted a retrospective review of data from a series of patients who underwent surgical clipping or endovascular coiling of UIAs between January 2011 and May 2014. The medical records, radiological data, and hospital cost data were all examined. Results : When comparing the total hospital costs for surgical clipping of a single UIA (n=188) and endovascular coiling of a single UIA (n=188), surgical treatment [$mean{\pm}$standard deviation (SD) : \$8,280,000{\pm}1,490,000$] resulted in significantly lower total hospital costs than endovascular treatment ($mean{\pm}SD$ : \$11,700,000{\pm}3,050,000$, p<0.001). In a multi regression analysis, the factors significantly associated with the total hospital costs for endovascular treatment were the aneurysm diameter (p<0.001) and patient age (p=0.014). For the endovascular group, a Pearson correlation analysis revealed a strong positive correlation (r=0.77) between the aneurysm diameter and the total hospital costs, while a simple linear regression provided the equation, y (\)=6,658,630+855,250x (mm), where y represents the total hospital costs and x is the aneurysm diameter. Conclusion : In South Korea, the total hospital costs for the surgical clipping of UIAs were found to be lower than those for endovascular coiling when the surgical results were favorable without significant complications. Plus, a strong positive correlation was noted between an increase in the aneurysm diameter and a dramatic increase in the costs of endovascular coiling.

• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.380-389
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• 2023

Objective: Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAe) has burgeoned as a treatment for chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH). This study evaluates the safety and short-term outcomes of MMAe patients relative to traditional treatment approaches. Methods: In this retrospective large database study, adult patients in the National Inpatient Sample from 2012-2019 with a diagnosis of cSDH were identified. Cost of admission, length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, and complications were analyzed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized. Results: A total of 123,350 patients with cSDH were identified: 63,450 without intervention, 59,435 surgery only, 295 MMAe only, and 170 surgery plus MMAe. On PSM analysis, MMAe did not increase the risk of inpatient complications or prolong the length of stay compared to conservative management (p>0.05); MMAe had higher cost ($31,170 vs. $10,768, p<0.001) than conservative management, and a lower rate of nonroutine discharge (53.8% vs. 64.3%, p=0.024). Compared to surgery, MMAe had shorter LOS (5 vs. 7 days, p<0.001), and lower rates of neurological complications (2.7% vs. 7.1%, p=0.029) and nonroutine discharge (53.8% vs. 71.7%, p<0.001). There was no significant difference in cost (p>0.05). Conclusions: MMAe had similar LOS and decreased odds of adverse discharge with a modest cost increase compared to conservative management. There was no difference in inpatient complications. Compared to surgery, MMAe treatment was associated with decreased LOS and rates of neurological complications and nonroutine discharge. This nationwide analysis supports the safety of MMAe to treat cSDH.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.38-45
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• 2008

There are still lots of areas where combined sewer pipes are covering in Seoul. All buildings within those areas are equipping septic tanks which take part in separating solids from flushing water of chamber pots. Septic tanks legally demand emptying and cleaning the those inner bodies once a year, resulting the generation of sludge which should be purified using the specified treatment plants as one of environmental infrastructures. Previous research showed that sludge volume continuously increase putting night soil treatment facilities in shortage by 3,549kL a day in 2020, which should be prepared by newly built facilities. This study aimed to define which process is more suitable especially in the points of cost and energy consumption. It was the main results that combining treatment of sewer with night soil, in fact same as nowaday process, is the very positive way beyond the treatment of night soil's own in respects of both costs and energy consumption.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.591-597
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• 2013

The input emergy of an advanced treatment plant for reducing the 1 kg of TN and TP was estimated 4.14E+14 sej/kg, 5.02E+15 sej/kg, respectively. In addition, the input emergy of constructed wetland for reduction of the 1 kg of TN and TP reduction was estimated to be 2.48E+14 sej/kg, 3.38E+15 sej/kg, respectively. The cost reducing 1 kg of TN and TP for an advanced treatment plant was estimated 197,466 won and 2,388,739 won respectively and constructed wetland was estimated 117,976 won and 1,609,213 won respectively. As a result, All of the emergy source of constructed wetland for reducing non-point source is renewable resource. If we use the constructed wetland, it results in enhancing economic value by reducing of non-point pollution, controlling a flood and providing the habitat of animals or plants. Improving water quality program in the Nakdong River Basin should be changed into an ecological treatment facilities from expansion of the sewage treatment facilities and advanced treatment plant using high cost and non-renewable energies.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.427-440
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• 2016

Various kinds of processes are used in the Public Sewage Treatment Works(PSTWs) in order to achieve water quality criteria and TMDL in the watershed. The performance of the existing processes at PSTWs depends on influent characteristics, effluent quality target, amount of sludge production, power cost and other factors. In present, the Selection Guideline for the Available Treatment Process of PSTWs is used for a process decision in the country. But there are some problems regarding redundancy of assessment factors and complexity of assessment procedure in the guideline. In this study, we did a test application of AHP for process selection of PSTWs, which propose is to simplify assessment factors such as pollutant removal amount, sludge generation, electricity consumption, stability of operation, convenience of maintenance, easiness of existing process application, installation cost, and operating cost concerning of environmental factors, technical factors and economical factors. According to the study, the PSTWs selection procedure guideline can be improved using application of AHP method.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.135-144
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• 2023

LH Corporation uses the construction waste disposal fee standard, of which the model was developed a long time ago. Therefore, this model is problematic because it needs to reflect waste treatment facilities' technological development and environmental conditions. In this study, the estimated manpower and costs required for the process operation of waste treatment facilities were analyzed, followed by the proposed estimation criteria. This improved standard model can be used as a cost calculation standard for the recycling and treatment of construction waste in public institutions. The study also suggests that an increase in waste treatment costs is needed.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.136-144
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• 1994

A long- time aeration method was developed for purification of animal wastewater. Under repeated aereations of 4 hours on and 4 hours off, the higher removal rates were obtained which were in average of 99%, 96%, 92% and 50% for BOD, SS, total nitrogen and phosporous, respectively. In detail, the measured BOD concentrations of the influent and effluent were 2,700ppm and 40ppm while the SS concentrations in the primary chamber and of the effluent were about 3,000 and 110 ppm, respectively. Zeolite and activated carbon, applied for removing the nitrogen and phosphorous, showed a good absorption, especially zeolite for NH$_4$-N and activated carbon for NO$_3$-N and PO$_4$-P. The treatment cost per head by this method amounts to 1,923 won and it comes to 1.6% in the whole production cost. Therefore, this method is economically available with the half cost of the conventional activated sludge process.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.65-84
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• 1993

This study reviewed the current status and problems of sewerage system in Korea and then proposed possible methods to correct the problems. Also, evaluation of future development in sewerage system is included. It can be summarized as follows : 1. Investment in sewerage system is relatively low . 0.23% of GNP, Considering that the investment portion is 0.35% in OECD and 0.63% in Japan, it should be increased further. 2. The reasons wily the investment in sewerage system is low can be ' (1) Low priority is given to the investment in sewerage system. Local government builds and operates its own wastewater treatment plant. Local government as well as residents prefer to invest their money in roadwork, housing and parks to in wastewater treatment facilities because of greater investment effects. (2) Besides capital investment, more maintenance cost is needed for sewerage system. Proper operation of wastewater treatment facilities requires a well-trained operator. Because of public conception that operation of wastewater treatment facility is a dirty job, it is difficult to find a well-trained operator. (3) It is difficult to estimate the effect of sewerage system (4) Cost required to build and maintain wastewater treatment facility should be paid by people, who benefit from the facility. People to benefit are sometimes different from people to pay. 3. Advanced treatment is necessary to protect the bay aura and raw water source as well as to prevent eutrophication of lakes and ponds. 4. Wastewater treatment facility were mainly build in big cities during the decade of 1980. Followings should be solved first to expand the facilities. (1) Rapid repair and construction of sewer. (2) Technical development of wastewater treatment . Prevention of efficient and economical wastewater . Development of efficient and economical wastewater treatment techniques . Development of high-efficiency treatment using bioreactor . Reuse of wastewater treatment plant effluent (3) Sludge treatment and disposal . Composting of sludge cakes . Development of techniques to reduce the volume of sludge cake : incineration and reuse of sludge ash and slag. (4) Utilization of wastewater treatment facilities . Construction of community parks or sports families(ie, on the tops of the covered aeration tanks and sedimention tanks) Construction of wastewater treatment facilities under ground and of parking facilities and community parks above ground. (5) Education of wastewater treatment personal.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1315-1322
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• 2010

A membrane bioreactor (MBR) was designed using polyvinylidene fluoride(PVDF)-type hollow fiber membrane modules with a treatment capacity of 10 ton/day. A pilot plant was installed in a sewage treatment plant and was operated with an intermittent aeration method which avoids any concentration gradient of suspended solids (SS) in the MBR. For continuous operation, the pilot plant was first tested with influent (mixed liquor suspended solid:MLSS of 1000-2000 mg/L) of aeration tanks in the sewage treatment plant. The MBR was pre-treated with washing water, 10% ethanol solution, 5% NaOCl solution and finally washing water, one after another. To demonstrate the effect of the MBR on sewage treatment, compared with conventional activated sludge processes, we investigated the relationships among permeate amount (LMH), change in operation conditions, influent MLSS level and sludge production. It was found that the optimum aeration rate and suction pressure were $0.3\;m^3$/min and 30~31 cmHg, respectively. Under stable conditions in aeration, suction pressure, influent flow rate and drainage, the SS removal efficiency was more than 99.99% even when the MLSS loading rate changes. Compared with conventional activated sludge processes, the MBR was more effective in cost reduction by 27% based on permeate amount and by 51.5% on sludge production.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.499-505
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• 2009

Many other countries have investigated the residual sludge treatment process to save the existing water resource and produce the high suspended solid concentration sludge. There are various methods for concentrating residual sludge, but the membrane system has received the most interest for its efficiency. The objective of this study was to evaluate the application of membrane filtration system for the residual sludge treatment. The experiment equipment was composed of Lab scale Crossflow tubular membrane filtration system. Generally, crossflow operation mode demands high electric cost mainly for the pump energy. So to cut off electric cost, very low Crossflow velocity was used in this experiment. Results confirmed that suspended solid concentration of residual sludge could be concentrated to 57,000mg/L in low Crossflow velocity tubular membrane system,. This concentration can be directly injected into the dehydrator. Based on the results, we know that the Crossflow tubular membrane system should be replaced conventional residual sludge treatment system.