• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.68-77
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• 2015

This study was conducted to characterize food waste leachate (FWL) and to compare its characteristics according to generation source: feed supplement- and compost-producing facilities. FWL contained high levels of organic compounds such as carbohydrate, protein and lipid. The moisture content of FWL was among the range of conventional wet anaerobic digestion. FWL was acidic (pH of $4.0{\pm}0.3$) and showed high coefficients of variance for specific parameters: carbohydrate, protein, lipid, ethanol, acetic acid and propionic acid. FWL derived from feed supplement-producing facilities showed slightly lower concentrations of most parameters than FWL derived from compost-producers. However, the difference was not significant at 5% significance level according to analysis of variance.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.406-412
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• 2008

Biogas plant with anaerobic digestion is receiving high attention as a facility for both livestock waste treatment and electric power generation. Objective of this study was to perform life cycle assessment (LCA) of a biogas plant which incorporates swine and food waste (7:3) as source materials for biogas production. In addition, the biogas production process was compared with the prevalent composting method as a reference in the aspects of green house gas (GHG) reduction potential and environmental impact. The biogas method was capable of reducing 52 kg $CO_2$ eq. emission per ton of swine/food waste, but the composting process was estimated to emit 268 kg $CO_2$ eq. into air. The biogas method was evaluated as more beneficial to the environment by mitigating the impact on abiotic depletion potential (ADP), global warming potential (GWP), ozone depletion potential (ODP), eutrophication potential (EP), and photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP), but not to acidification potential (AP).

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.32-37
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the created liquid post-acid fermentation of usability of denitrification as exterior carbon sources by pH control. The time of acid fermentation of food waste, the slower loading capacity of organic matter, the faster decomposition rate, but the density of generation Volatile Fermentation Acids(VFAs), was weak and, $SBOD_{5}$ : ST-N rate and $SBOD_{5}/SCOD_{Cr}$ rate was low. Between TS and VS, VS was decreased to 4.5th day fast, and then was decreased slowly. 1.5 days after stating the experiments, $SCOD_{Cr}$, $SBOD_{5}$, STOC and $VFA_{s}$ was decreased of increased slowly, and then increased fast. And after showing the highest density, it was tended to decreased fast. At the time of $SBOD_{5}$ with the highest density, at $SBOD_{5}$ : ST-N ratio, $R_1$ was 303:1, $R_2$ was 319:1, $R_3$was the highest. After studying $SBOD_{5}$ : ST-N ratio and $SBOD_{5}/SCOD_{Cr}$ ratio, as a carbon source of biological denitrification it was profitable composition ratio.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.15-23
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• 2000

This study's purpose is the investigating the created liquid post-acid fermentation of usability of denitrification as exterior carbon sources by loading capacity of Organic matters. The time of acid fermentation of food waste, the slower loading capacity of organic matter, the faster decomposition fate, but the density of generation $VFA_S$ was weak and, $SBOD_5$ : ST-N rate and $SBOD_5/SCOD_{Cr}$ rate was low. Between TS and VS, VS was decreased to 6th day rast, and then was decreased slowly. Two days after stating the experiments, $SCOD_{Cr}$, $SBOD_5$, STOC and $VFA_S$ was decreased or increased slowly, and then increased fast. And after showing the highest density, it was tended to decreased fast. About 5 days after, because about 5 days later $CH_4$ bacteria activity due to the accumulation of $VFA_S$ was limited, $CH_4$ density was weak. When highest density in the acquisition of VFA, $R_1$ was $10,120mg/{\ell}$, $R_2$ was $11,380mg/{\ell}$, $R_3$was $13,720mg/{\ell}$. So $R_3$ only cut was highest generation. At the time of $SBOD_5$ with the highest density, at $SBOD_5$ : ST-N ratio, $R_1$ was 243:1, $R_2$ was 278:1, $R_3$ was 293:1. All of these were high $SBOD_5$ : ST-N ratios. And $R_3$ was the highest. After studying $SBOD_5$ : ST-N ratio and $SBCD_5/SCOD_{Cr}$ ratio, as a carbon source of biological denitrification it was profitable composition ratio.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2023

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a plastic material commonly applied to beverage packaging used in everyday life. Owing to PET's versatility and ease of use, its consumption has continuously increased, resulting in considerable waste generation. Several physical and chemical recycling processes have been developed to address this problem. Recently, biological upcycling is being actively studied and has come to be regarded as a powerful technology for overcoming the economic issues associated with conventional recycling methods. For upcycling, PET should be degraded into small molecules, such as terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, which are utilized as substrates for bioconversion, through various degradation processes, including gasification, pyrolysis, and chemical/biological depolymerization. Furthermore, biological upcycling methods have been applied to biosynthesize value-added chemicals, such as adipic acid, muconic acid, catechol, vanillin, and glycolic acid. In this review, we introduce and discuss various degradation methods that yield substrates for bioconversion and biological upcycling processes to produce value-added biochemicals. These technologies encourage a circular economy, which reduces the amount of waste released into the environment.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.414-422
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• 2008

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and methane emissions from landfill sites have been linked to global warming. In this study, LandGEM (Landfill Gas Emission Model) was applied to predict landfill gas quantity over time, and then this result was compared with the data surveyed on the site, Cheongju Megalo Landfill. LandGEM allows the input of site-specific values for methane generation rate (k) and potential methane generation capacity $L_o$, but in this study, k value of 0.04/yr and $L_o$ value of $100\;m^3$/ton were considered to be most appropriate for reflecting non-arid temperate region conventional landfilling like Cheongju Megalo Landfill. Relatively high discrepancies between the surveyed data and the predicted data about landfill gas seems to be derived from insufficient compaction of daily soil-cover, inefficient recovery of landfill gas and banning of direct landfilling of food waste in 2005. This study can be used for dissemination of information and increasing awareness about the benefits of recovering and utilizing LFG (landfill gas) and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.95-103
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• 2018

As a guideline for desulfurization and dehumidification pretreatment facility for optimizing utilization of biogas, the $H_2S$ concentration is set at 150 % which can be treated with iron salts, dehumidification is the optimum value for generator operation, and the relative humidity applied at the utilization of biogas in EU is set at 60 %. We have set up the generator facility guidelines to optimize utilization of biogas. The appropriate amount of biogas should be at least 90 % of the total gas generation, and the capacity of generator facility should be set at 20~30 %. In order to equalize the pressure of the incoming gas the generator, a gas equalization tank should be installed and the generator room average temperature should be kept at $45^{\circ}C$ or less. Since the gas is not produced at a certain methane concentration in the digester, the efficiency is lowered. Therefore, it is required to install an air fuel ratio control system according to the change in methane concentration. Therefore, it is necessary to compensate for the disadvantages of biogasification facilities of organic waste resources and optimize utilization of biogas and improve operation of facilities. This study was conducted to optimize biogas utilization of type of organic waste(containing sewage sludge and food waste, animal manure), investigate the facilities problem and propose design, operation guidelines such as pre-treatment facilities and generators.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to provide a design and operation technical guideline for meeting the appropriate design criteria to biogas utilization treating organic wastes. In accordance with the government's mid-to long-term policies on bio-gasification and energization of organic wastes, the expansion of the waste-to-energy (WTE) facilities is being remarkably promoted. However, because of the limitation of livestock manure containing low-concentration of volatile solids, there has been increased in combined bio-gasification without installing new anaerobic digestion facilities. The characteristics and common problems of each treatment processes were investigated for on-going 11 bio-gasification facilities. The seasonal precision monitoring of chemicophysics analysis on anaerobic digestor samples was conducted to provide guidelines for design and operation according to the progress of biogas utilization. Consequently, Major problems were investigated such as large deviation of organic materials depending on seasons, proper dehumidification of biogas, pretreatment of hydrogen sulfide, operation of power generation and steam. This study was conducted to optimize biogas utilization of type of organic waste(containing sewage sludge and food waste, animal manure), research the facilities problem through field investigation.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.74-84
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• 2024

Background: Despite many environmental problems, plastic waste emissions have been a significant surge during last few decades in the Republic of Korea. Furthermore, the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has lead to an increased use and disposal of plastic waste worldwide. This paper tried to present summarized data related to the production and disposal of plastics especially before and after the COVID-19 pandemic with environmental impacts of plastics. Also, review of plastic waste reduction policies and feasible policies to promote an act for a safe, sustainable environment are presented. Results: Plastics cause many environmental problems due to their non-degrading properties and have a huge direct and indirect impact on Ecosystems and Public Health. Microplastics need a lot of attention because their environmental effects are not yet fully identified. Despite plastic's significant impact on climate change, the impact is not yet widely known to the public. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of plastic has surged and recycling has decreased due to the increase in delivery food and online shopping. Korea is introducing very active plastic and waste management policies, but it is necessary to implement more active policies by referring to the cases of other countries. Conclusions: In this article, we have scrutinized the evolution of plastic waste generation in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and delved into policy frameworks adopted by other nations, which South Korea can draw valuable lessons from. The formidable challenges posed by plastic waste, the remarkable shifts witnessed during the COVID-19 era, and the multifaceted response strategies elucidated in this paper all play a pivotal role in steering South Korea toward a sustainable future.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.32-42
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• 2012

Wood biomass including forest residues, waste wood, and construction residuals has been widely generated in Korea, but forest biomass from the National Forest Management Operation Project plays a big role in generating wood biomass. Unfortunately the promotion policy of woody energy organized by the Forest Service in Korea concentrates more on demand creation rather than on supply expansion. Therefore, in order to utilize insufficient wood resources effectively, it is greatly required to develop uses for maximizing their added value. In particular, more attention to the use of the second generation biomass has been paid in foreign countries because there is a threshold that the first generation biomass cannot produce enough biofuel without threatening food supplies and biodiversity. In Korea, wood pellets are regarded as the alternative clean fuels to oils and coals that emit green house gases into the atmosphere. However, using wood as pellet raw materials can not be an economic way because the value of wood disappears right after burning in the boiler in spite of its contribution to the decrease of carbon emission. Differently from wood pellets, kraft pulping process using woody biomass produces black liquor as a by-product which can be used to generate electricity, bioenergy and biochemicals through gasification. Thus, it can be more economical to make a torrefaction of lignocellulosic biomass such as low-quality wood and agricultural leftovers as raw materials of pellets.