• Resources Recycling
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.3-8
• /
• 2023

This study discussed production, demand, and future prospects of rubidium, which is an alkali group metal that is highly reactive to various media and requires carefulness in handling, but no significant environmental hazard of rubidium has been reported yet. Rubidium is used in various fields such as optoelectronic equipment, biomedical, and chemical industries. Because of difficulty in production as well as limited demand, the transaction price of rubidium is relatively high, but its detail information such as market status and potential growth is uncertain. However, if the mass production of versatile ultra-high-performance equipment such as quantum computers and the necessity of rubidium use in the equipment are confirmed, there is a possibility that the rubidium market will expand in the future. Rubidium is often found together with lithium, beryllium, and cesium, and may be present in granite containing minerals such as lepidolite and pollucite, as well as in seawater and industrial waste. Several technologies such as acid leaching, roasting, solvent extraction, and adsorption are used to recover rubidium. The maximum recovery efficiency of the rubidium from the sources and the processing above is generally high, but, in many practices, rubidium is not the main recovery target, and therefore the actual recovery effects should depend on presence of other valuable components or impurities, together with recovery costs, energy consumption, environmental issues, etc. In conclusion, although the current production and consumption of rubidium are limited, with consideration of the possible market fluctuations according to the emergence of large-scale demand sources, etc., further investigations by related institutions should be necessary.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.49-59
• /
• 2024

Biodegradable coating urea plays an important role in reducing the non-pollutants in agroecosystems, maximizing the plant nutrient utilization efficiency and slow-releasing nitrogen. Herein, the objective of this study was to investigate the nitrogen-releasing patterns and greenhouse gas emissions on different biodegradable coating urea. The treatments consisted of the control as an application of chemical fertilizers, NBCF as the non-biodegradable coating urea, NB60, and MDS as biodegradable coating urea. As a result of this study, the maximum accumulated total nitrogen (TN) concentration in the NBCF was higher at 33% than one in the NB60 during the precipitation periods. Its leaching period in the NCBF was prolonged for day 10 compared to the NB60. TN and NO₃-N releasing patterns in the NBCF and NB60 were fitted well on linear types(R²≥0.991), but their control and MDS were fitted well on Sigmoid curves(R²≥0.994) with high releasing concentration in the MDS compared to the control during leaching periods. For the greenhouse gas emissions, CH₄ emissions in the NBCF, NB60, and MDS were increased at 0.38%, 11.36%, and 5.91%, and N₂O emissions were also increased at 50.5%, 32.4%, 58.8% as compared to the control, respectively. Therefore, application of biodegradable polymer coating urea might mitigate the non-point pollutants in agro-ecosystem.

• Resources Recycling
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.38-47
• /
• 2024

Molybdenite is the primary molybdenum resource and is extracted via flotation due to its unique hydrophobic surface. Meanwhile, the grade and crystal size of mined molybdenite are decreasing. As a result, the size of the molybdenum ore required for liberation is decreasing, and the flotation process's feed size input is also decreasing. Therefore, in order to secure molybdenum, it is necessary to perform research on the flotation for the fine molybdenite. In this study, we developed a method to enhance the flotation efficiency of fine molybdenite particles in the range of 5-30 ㎛. The methodology involved implementing bubble size reduction and particle aggregation. Through simulations of bubble-particle collision probability and flotation experiments, we were able to find the ranges of bubble size and particle aggregate size that make fine particles float more effectively. This range provided the conditions for effective flotation of fine molybdenite particles. Therefore, we will implement the flotation conditions established in this study for fine molybdenum ore to improve the flotation process in molybdenum mineral processing plants in the future.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.55-61
• /
• 2010

This study was carried out to analyze national and regional distribution of the organic wastes generation and build their distribution maps including food wastes, paper and wood wastes, wastewater and slaughterhouse wastes. The information for the annual waste production was modified using statistics from Ministry of Environment (MOE). Based on waste generation resources data, we established database architecture table about waste generation. The distribution maps for food wastes were built up in both national and regional scales and distribution maps for paper and wood wastes, wastewater and slaughterhouse wastes were also produced, respectively. The distribution maps of waste generation graphically provide the information regarding biomass resources to policy-makers, farmers, general users and it is highly expected to be utilized for policy-making of environmental-friendly agriculture and bioenergy.

• Resources Recycling
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.3-14
• /
• 2024

The preheating and calcination processes in cement manufacturing, which are crucial for producing the cement intermediate product clinker, require a substantial quantity of fossil fuels to generate high-temperature thermal energy. However, owing to the ever-increasing severity of environmental pollution, considerable efforts are being made to reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuels in the cement industry. Several preliminary studies have focused on increasing the usage of alternative fuels like refuse-derived fuel (RDF). Alternative fuels offer several advantages, such as reduced carbon emissions, mitigated generation of nitrogen oxides, and incineration in preheaters and kilns instead of landfilling. However, owing to the diverse compositions of alternative fuels, estimating their calorific value is challenging. This makes it difficult to regulate the preheater stability, thereby limiting the usage of alternative fuels. Therefore, in this study, a model based on deep neural networks is developed to accurately predict the preheater temperature and propose optimal fuel input quantities using explainable artificial intelligence. Utilizing the proposed model in actual preheating process sites resulted in a 5% reduction in fossil fuel usage, 5%p increase in the substitution rate with alternative fuels, and 35% reduction in preheater temperature fluctuations.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
• /
• 2024.07a
• /
• pp.1329-1329
• /
• 2024

As global imperatives shift toward sustainability and carbon neutrality, the construction industry faces an urgent need to address its environmental impact, particularly within steel construction. Despite the increasing adoption of sustainable practices, a detailed understanding of the entire lifecycle emissions of structural steel, especially within the rapidly evolving Chinese market, remains a significant gap. This study introduces a comprehensive life-cycle assessment (LCA) approach to map the carbon footprint of structural steel construction, with a focus on Chinese structural steel as a case study. By adopting a cradle-to-cradle perspective, the research aims to highlight and address the environmental impact across the entire lifecycle of steel used in construction. Specifically, this study will 1) develop a detailed LCA model that encapsulates the environmental impacts of structural steel from production, use, and recycling phases, 2) dentify and analyze carbon hotspots and inefficiencies within the lifecycle of Chinese structural steel, and 3) evaluate and suggest strategies for stakeholders to minimize carbon emissions, moving towards carbon-neutral steel construction. Leveraging a process-based LCA framework, this study captures the material, energy, and emissions flows associated with the lifecycle of structural steel, including steel production, fabrication, transportation, construction, and recycling, in the context of Chinese construction practices. The model is enriched with data from current Chinese steel construction projects, ensuring its accuracy and applicability. Through systematic analysis, the study pinpoints critical phases where carbon emissions can be significantly reduced. Preliminary Results show significant carbon emission sources within the production, fabrication, and transportation phases of Chinese structural steel. These insights are crucial for devising targeted reduction strategies, such as improving production and fabrication efficiency, optimizing logistics, and enhancing material recyclability. The anticipated impact of this research is multi-faceted: providing a robust framework for assessing and managing the carbon footprint of steel construction, guiding industry and policy-makers towards sustainable practices, and setting a precedent for carbon management in steel construction worldwide. This research marks a significant step towards achieving carbon neutrality in steel construction, with a particular focus on Chinese structural steel. Through a comprehensive LCA model, this study offers a deep dive into the lifecycle emissions of steel construction, paving the way for actionable strategies to reduce the environmental impact, contributing to the global endeavor towards carbon-neutral construction.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.57-65
• /
• 2008

Wastewater containing strong organic matter is very difficult to treat by utilizing general sewage treatment plant. but the wastewater is adequate to generate biomass energy (bio-gas; methane gas) by utilizing anaerobic digestion. EcoDays Plug Flow Reactor (E-PFR), which was already proved as an excellent aerobic wastewater treatment reactor, was adapted for anaerobic food wastewater digestion. This research was performed to improve the efficiency of bio-gas production and to optimize anaerobic wastewater treatment system. Food wastewater from N food waste treatment plant was applied for the pilot scale experiments. The results indicated that the efficiency of anaerobic wastewater treatment and the volume of bio-gas were increased by applying E-PFR to anaerobic digestion. The structural characteristics of E-PFR can cause the high efficiency of anaerobic treatment processes. The unique structure of E-PFR is a diaphragm dividing vertical hydraulic multi-stages and the inversely protruded fluid transfer tubes on each diaphragm. The unique structure of E-PFR can make gas hold-up space at the top part of each stage in the reactor. Also, E-PFR can contain relatively high MLSS concentration in lower stage by vertical up-flow of wastewater. This hydraulic flow can cause high buffering capacity against shock load from the wastewater in the reactor, resulting in stable pH (7.0~8.0), relatively higher wastewater treatment efficiency, and larger volume of bio-gas generation. In addition, relatively longer solid retention time (SRT) in the reactor can increase organic matter degradation and bio-gas production efficiency. These characteristics in the reactor can be regarded as "ideal" anaerobic wastewater treatment conditions. Anaerobic wastewater treatment plant design factor can be assessed for having 70 % of methane gas content, and better bio-gas yielding and stable treatment efficiency based on the results of this research. For example, inner circulation with generated bio-gas in the reactor and better mixing conditions by improving fluid transfer tube structure can be used for achieving better bio-gas yielding efficiency. This research results can be used for acquiring better improved regenerated energy system.

• Resources Recycling
• /
• v.15 no.3 s.71
• /
• pp.38-45
• /
• 2006

The thermal filter press dewatering(TFPD) technology to improve the dewaterability through increasing the inner vapor pressure, lowering the filtration viscosity and forming the porosity easily within cake as applying the heat at the sludge layer was developed in this study. The hot water with temperature of $95^{\circ}C$ and pressure of $1.2kg_f/cm^2$ was supplied to the heating plate equipped between filter plates with plate size of $470{\times}470mm$ and material of polypropylene. Sludge was dewaterd by supplying pressure of $5kg_f/cm^2$ and then by squeezing pressure of $15kg_f/cm^2$. As a results of estimating the characteristics of thermal dewatering to consider the initial water content and organic content to be influenced by a period of water shortage and rainwater, the dewatered cake water content was about 35 wt% and dewatering velocity was $4DSkg/m^2{\cdot}hr$ under the rainwater period, and the dewatered cake water content was about 50 wt% and dewatering velocity was $1.5DSkg/m^2{\cdot}hr$ in the case of sludge of water shortage season. These results was superior to the mechanical dewatering performance with water content of 70wt% and dewatering velocity of $0.9DSkg/m^2{\cdot}hr$. On the base of the results of TFPD, energy consumpted to deal with DS(Dry Solid) of 1kg was estimated by 300 kJ. It was analyzed that the energy consumption of TFPD was decreased about one third with comparison to the dryer system. Dewatering velocity of this technology was faster than the one of mechanical dewatering equipment and it was easier to product low water content cake. Therefore, this technology was recognized that dewaterability was predominant because of the fast of dewatering velocity and production of low water content cake, and also this known as economical efficiency was excellent because of low energy consumption in comparison with dryer.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.39 no.10
• /
• pp.985-993
• /
• 2015

Free-piston Stirling engines (FPSEs) have attracted much attention in the renewable energy field as a key device in the conversion from thermal to mechanical energy, and in the recycling of waste energy. Traditional Stirling engines consist of two pistons that are connected by a mechanical link, while FPSEs are formed as a vibration system by connecting each piston to a spring without a physical link. To ensure the correct design and control of operations, this requires elaborate dynamic-performance predictions. In this paper, we present the performance-prediction methodology using a linear and nonlinear dynamic analytical model considering the external load of FPSEs. We perform linear analyses to predict the operating point of the engine using the root locus technique. Using nonlinear analysis, we also predict the amplitude of pistons by performing numerical integration considering both the linear and nonlinear damping terms of the external load. We utilize the predicted dynamic behavior to predict the engine performance. In addition, we compare the experiment results and existing model predictions for RE-1000 to verify the reliability of the analytical model.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
• /
• v.13 no.12
• /
• pp.2641-2646
• /
• 2009

The more growing on home automation system at automatic control, the more efficiency required for energy consumption and for recycling energy in near future. Heating is essential in general apartment. Heating method is two types in apartment. One uses electricity, and other one uses warm water. If use electricity, is not efficient by rise of electric charges. But, It can reduce much in expense aspect, if use warm water. When use warm water, temperature of warm water is not equal from all pipe parts. Therefore, indoor tempera can be unequal with set point. Solution of these problems is as following. Temperature sensor in warm water attach pipe. The measured temperature transmits by real time. Temperature of warm water controls in receiver side. In this paper, we propose an automatic temperature transmission system for the heating pipe at home, that is a low-power based, and supply the energy source from a small AC motor resided in bottom cement mortal. The proposed system is used in power mechanism from a collision process of water-jet using propeller water-difference and also designed a CPU module by Atmega8 at ATMEL co., Inc. and a communication module by CC1020 at Chipcon co., Inc.