• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.559-565
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• 2021

This study aimed to optimize gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production by employing five strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that were capable of high cell growth and GABA production using a modified synthetic medium. GABA production in the strains was qualitatively confirmed via detection of colored spots using thin layer chromatography. Lactobacillus plantarum SGL058 and Lactococcus lactis SGL027 were selected as the suitable strains for GABA production. The conditions of the carbon and nitrogen sources were determined as 5 g/l glucose (L. plantarum SGL058), 5 g/l lactose (L. lactis SGL027), 10 g/l yeast extract (L. plantarum SGL058), and 20 g/l yeast extract (L. lactis SGL027) for GABA production. The cell growth, monitored by optical density at 600 nm, was 5.93 for L. plantarum SGL058. This value was higher than the 3.04 produced by L. lactis SGL027 at 36 h using a 5-L fermenter. The highest concentration of GABA produced was 546.7 ㎍/ml by L. plantarum SGL058 and 404.6 ㎍/ml by L. lactis SGL027, representing a GABA conversion efficiency of (%, w/w) of 4.0% and 3.4%, respectively. The fermentation profiles of L. plantarum SGL058 and L. lactis SGL027 provide a basis for the utilization of LAB in GABA production using a basal synthetic medium.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.29-42
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• 2022

The government promotes the 2050 carbon-neutral policy. Therefore, the concern to convert livestock manure into energy is increasing for the reduction of greenhouse gases generated in the livestock industry sector. In this study, the economic feasibility of the livestock manure solid fuel power generation facility, which is a major consumer of livestock manure solid fuel, was assessed to expand the demand for livestock manure solid fuel. The production cost of livestock manure solid fuel showed the lowest production cost of 97.4 thousand won/ton when dried using solid fuel at a 200 ton/day scale bio-drying facility. The livestock manure solid fuel power generation facility showed economic feasibility at a REC weight of 1.5 in the case of the bio-drying facility, so it was necessary to set a REC weight of 1.5 or more to expand the demand for livestock manure solid fuel. The conversion of livestock manure into solid fuel has various environmental benefits, such as the reduction of greenhouse gases and the effect of reducing non-point pollutants in the water system. Therefore, in order to expand livestock manure solid fuel production facility, it was required to review the feasibility including various environmental benefits.

• Clean Technology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.174-181
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• 2022

Biomass is a sustainable alternative resource for production of liquid fuels and organic compounds that are currently produced from fossil fuels including petroleum, natural gas, and coal. Because the use of fossil fuels can increase the production of greenhouse gases, the use of carbon-neutral biomass can contribute to the reduction of global warming. Although biological and chemical processes have been proposed to produce petroleum-replacing chemicals and fuels from biomass feedstocks, it is difficult to replace completely fossil fuels because of the high oxygen content of biomass. Production of petroleum-like fuels and chemicals from biomass requires the removal of oxygen atoms or conversion of the oxygen functionalities present in biomass derivatives, which can be achieved by catalytic hydrodeoxygenation. Hydrodeoxygenation has been used to convert raw biomass-derived materials, such as biomass pyrolysis oils and lignocellulose-derived chemicals and lipids, into deoxygenated fuels and chemicals. Multifunctional catalysts composed of noble metals and transition metals supported on high surface area metal oxides and carbons, usually selected as supports of heterogeneous catalysts, have been used as efficient hydrodeoxygenation catalysts. In this review, the catalysts proposed in the literature are surveyed and hydrodeoxygenation reaction systems using these catalysts are discussed. Based on the hydrodeoxygenation methods reported in the literature, an insight for feasible hydrodeoxygenation process development is also presented.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.138-149
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• 2023

In geoscience and engineering the geological characteristics of sediment strata is crucial and possible if reliable borehole logging and seismic data are available. To investigate the characteristics of the shallow strata in the Korea Strait, laboratory sonic logs were obtained from deep borehole data and seismic section. In this study, we integrated and analyzed the sonic log data obtained from the drilling core (down to a depth of 200 m below the seabed) and multichannel seismic section. The correlation value was increased from 15% to 45% through time-depth conversion. An initial model of P-wave impedance was set, and the results were compared by performing model-based, band-limited, and sparse-spike inversions. The derived P-impedance distributions exhibited differences between sediment-dominant and unconsolidated layers. The P-impedance inversion process can be used as a framework for an integrated analysis of additional core logs and seismic data in the future. Furthermore, the derived P-impedance can be used to detect shallow gas-saturated regions or faults in the shallow sediment. As domestic deep drilling is being performed continuously for identifying the characteristics of carbon dioxide storage candidates and evaluating resources, the applicability of the integrated inversion will increase in the future.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.479-486
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• 2023

In this study, we investigated the effect of the Ce_xZr_1-xO₂ (CZ) addition onto Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts on the catalytic performance in methane steam reforming. In the reaction results, the CZ-added Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst showed higher CH₄ conversion and H₂ yield under the same reaction conditions than Ni/Al₂O₃. From the characterization data, the two catalysts had similar support porosity and Ni dispersion, confirming that the two properties could not determine the catalytic performance. However, the oxygen vacancy over the CZ-added Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst induced an efficient steam activation at low reaction temperatures, resulting in an increase in the catalytic activity and H₂ yield.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.112 no.4
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• pp.530-543
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• 2023

Societal value of the benefits forests provide has grown significantly, given their pivotal role in mitigating climate change and fostering the shift toward a carbon-neutral society. Due to the economic and public value of forests, which extends far beyond landowners and foresters, the forestry sector mutually interacts with society as a whole. Thus, understanding public perceptions and preferences concerning forests and forest policies from the societal viewpoint is vital for shaping future forest policy decisions. This research delved into evolving perceptions over the past 32 years, using a time-series analysis of data gathered from the 'Public awareness survey on forests'. This survey, conducted seven times between 1991 and 2023 by opinion poll agents, provides insights into changing sentiments. The findings reveal a notable increase in public satisfaction with overall forest policies. Specifically, positive sentiments were observed regarding forest rehabilitation, forest trails, education initiatives, and the establishment and functioning of forest recreation facilities. Conversely, the study highlights areas where public satisfaction remained relatively low, notably in matters concerning the use and conversion of mountainous regions, forest disaster prevention, and international forest cooperation. Additionally, the respondents emphasized the need for heightened attention to forest management, the development of forest roads, and increased efforts in overseas afforestation compared to current initiatives.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.173-183
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether the methane (CH₄) to carbon dioxide (CO₂) ratio (CH₄/CO₂) and methane-related traits obtained by the sniffer method can be used as indicators for genetic selection of Holstein cows with lower CH₄ emissions. Methods: The sniffer method was used to simultaneously measure the concentrations of CH₄ and CO₂ during milking in each milking box of the automatic milking system to obtain CH₄/CO₂. Methane-related traits, which included CH₄ emissions, CH₄ per energy-corrected milk, methane conversion factor (MCF), and residual CH₄, were calculated. First, we investigated the impact of the model with and without body weight (BW) on the lactation stage and parity for predicting methane-related traits using a first on-farm dataset (Farm 1; 400 records for 74 Holstein cows). Second, we estimated the genetic parameters for CH₄/CO₂ and methane-related traits using a second on-farm dataset (Farm 2; 520 records for 182 Holstein cows). Third, we compared the repeatability and environmental effects on these traits in both farm datasets. Results: The data from Farm 1 revealed that MCF can be reliably evaluated during the lactation stage and parity, even when BW is excluded from the model. Farm 2 data revealed low heritability and moderate repeatability for CH₄/CO₂ (0.12 and 0.46, respectively) and MCF (0.13 and 0.38, respectively). In addition, the estimated genetic correlation of milk yield with CH₄/CO₂ was low (0.07) and that with MCF was moderate (-0.53). The on-farm data indicated that CH₄/CO₂ and MCF could be evaluated consistently during the lactation stage and parity with moderate repeatability on both farms. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the on-farm applicability of the sniffer method for selecting cows with low CH₄ emissions.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.21-29
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• 2024

Globally, the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is surging due to carbon-neutral strategies aimed at decarbonization. Consequently, the demand for lithium-ion batteries, which are essential components of EVs, is also rising, leading to an increase in the generation of spent batteries. This has prompted research into the recycling of spent batteries to recover valuable metals. In this study, we aimed to selectively leach and recover lithium from the cathode material of spent LFP batteries. To enhance the reaction surface area and reactivity, the binder in the cathode material powder was removed, and the material was subjected to heat treatment in both atmospheric and nitrogen environments across various temperature ranges. This was followed by a mechanochemical process for aqueous leaching. Initially, after heat treatment, the powder was converted into a soluble lithium compound using sodium persulfate (Na₂S₂O₈) in a mechanochemical reaction. Subsequently, aqueous leaching was performed using distilled water. This study confirmed the changes in the characteristics of the cathode material powder due to heat treatment. The final heat treatment in a nitrogen atmosphere resulted in a lithium leaching efficiency of approximately 100% across all temperature ranges.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 2007

In this study, the reactivity of a $SnO_2-ZrO_2$(Sn/Zr = 2/1) catalyst for $SO_2$ reduction by CO was investigated in order to optimize the various reaction conditions such as temperature, gas hourly space velocity (GHSV), and [CO]/[$SO_2$] molar ratio. The reaction temperature in the range of $300{\sim}550^{\circ}C$, space velocity in the range of $5000{\sim}30000cm^3/[g_{-cat}{\cdot}h]$ and [CO]/[$SO_2$] molar ratio in the range of 1.0~4.0 were employed. The optimum temperature, GHSV, and [CO]/[$SO_2$] molar ratio were determined to be $325^{\circ}C$, $10000cm^3/[g_{-cat}{\cdot}h]$, and 2.0, respectively; under these conditions, $SO_2$ conversion was over 99% and sulfur selectivity was over 95%. In addition, the effect of $H_2O$ content on the $SO_2$ reduction by CO was also investigated. As the $H_2O$ content increased from 2 vol% up to 6 vol%, the reactivity and sulfur selectivity decreased. In case of 2 vol% $H_2O$ content, the reaction temperature and [CO]/[$SO_2$] molar ratio were varied in the range of $300{\sim}400^{\circ}C$ and 1.0~3.0. The optimum temperature and [CO]/[$SO_2$] molar ratio were $340^{\circ}C$ and 2.0, respectively under which $SO_2$ conversion and sulfur selectivity were about 90% and 87%, respectively.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.356-362
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• 2006

The $SO_2$ reduction using CO and $H_2$ over Sn-Zr based catalysts was performed in this study. Sn-Zr based catalysts with Sn/Zr molar ratio (0/1, 1/4, 1/1, 2/1, 3/1, 1/0) were prepared by the precipitation and co-precipitation method. The effect of the temperature on the reaction characteristics of the $SO_2$ reduction with a reducing agent such as $H_2$ and CO was investigated under the conditions of space velocity of $10,000ml/g_{-cat.}h$, $([CO(or\;H_2)]/[SO_2])$ of 2.0. As a result, the activity of Sn-Zr based catalysts were higher than $SnO_2$ and $ZrO_2$. The reactivity for the $SO_2$ reduction with CO was higher than that with $H_2$, and sulfur yield in the $SO_2$ reduction by $H_2$ was higher than that by CO. The reactivity for the $SO_2$ reduction with $H_2$ was increased with the reaction temperature regardless of Sn-Zr based catalyst with a Sn/Zr molar ratio. $SnO_2-ZrO_2$ (Sn/Zr=1/4) had highest activity at $550^{\circ}C$, in the $SO_2$ reduction with $H_2$ and $SO_2$ conversion of 94.4％ and sulfur yield of 66.4％ were obtained at $550^{\circ}C$. On the other hand, in the $SO_2$ reduction by CO, the reactivity was decreased with the increase over $325^{\circ}C$. At the optimal temperature of $325^{\circ}C$, $SO_2$ conversion and sulfur yield were about 100％ and 99.5％, respectively, in the $SO_2$ reduction over $SnO_2-ZrO_2$ (Sn/Zr=3/1). Also, the $SO_2$ reduction using syngas with $CO/H_2$ ratio over $SnO_2-ZrO_2$ (Sn/Zr=2/1) was performed in order to investigate the application possibility of the simulated coal gas as the reductant in DSRP. As a result, the reactivity of the $SO_2$ reduction using syngas with $CO/H_2$ ratio was increased with increasing the CO content of syngas. Therefore, it could be known that DSRP using the simulated coal gas over Sn-Zr based catalyst is possible to be realized in IGCC system