• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.256-263
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• 2023

Objective: Feed molecular structures can affect its availability to gastrointestinal enzymes which impact its digestibility and absorption. The molecular spectroscopy-attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared vibrational spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) is an advanced technique that measures the absorbance of chemical functional groups on the infrared region so that we can identify and quantify molecules and functional groups in a feed. The program aimed to reveal the association of intrinsic molecular structure with nutrient supply to animals from canola feedstocks and co-products from bio-oil processing. The objective of this study was to characterize special intrinsic carbohydrate and protein-related molecular structure spectral profiles of feedstock and co-products (meal and pellets) from bio-oil processing from two source origins: Canada (CA) and China (CH). Methods: The samples of feedstock and co-products were obtained from five different companies in each country arranged by the Canola Council of Canada (CCC). The molecular structure spectral features were analyzed using advanced vibrational molecular spectroscopy-ATR-FTIR. The spectral features that accessed included: i) protein-related spectral features (Amide I, Amide II, α-helix, β-sheet, and their spectral intensity ratios), ii) carbohydrate-related spectral features (TC1, TC2, TC3, TC4, CEC, STC1, STC2, STC3, STC4, TC, and their spectral intensity ratios). Results: The results showed that significant differences were observed on all vibrationally spectral features related to total carbohydrates, structural carbohydrates, and cellulosic compounds (p<0.05), except spectral features of TC2 and STC1 (p>0.05) of co-products, where CH meals presented higher peaks of these structures than CA. Similarly, it was for the carbohydrate-related molecular structure of canola seeds where the difference between CA and CH occurred except for STC3 height, CEC and STC areas (p>0.05). The protein-related molecular structures were similar for the canola seeds from both countries. However, CH meals presented higher peaks of amide I, α-helix, and β-sheet heights, α-helix:β-sheet ratio, total amide and amide I areas (p<0.05). Conclusion: The principal component analysis was able to explain over 90% of the variabilities in the carbohydrate and protein structures although it was not able to separate the samples from the two countries, indicating feedstock and coproducts interrelationship between CH and CA.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.331-337
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• 2022

In 2021, the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP), a U.N. advisory research institute, cited container loss as one of six sources of marine litters in shipping. The sinking of the X-P ress Pearl in May 2021 caused a catastrophic environmental pollution accident in which the loaded containers were moved to the shore, and the plastic pellets were loaded inside covered the coast of Sri Lanka. With this history, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will discuss prevention and follow-up measures for container loss during ship voyages, as an agenda at the 8th Sub Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers meeting in September 2022. To establish Korea's response direction at the IMO meeting, this study identified major causes of container loss accidents, and considered the response through analysis based on the accident investigation report and related professional data. As a result, it was found that the major cause of container loss during voyages was the enlargement of container ships, bad weather, and poor loading of containers. In particular, the need to prepare countermeasures for the deterioration of the operational safety of large container ships due to bad weather was identified. Additionally, integrated monitoring of the implementation of international conventions is required, for the safe sea transportation of container cargo. In particular, in terms of preservation of the marine environment, it is necessary to supplement the system for the recovery of lost containers. Finally, it was found that it is necessary to establish systems that can complement each other in the shipbuilding and shipping industries, in terms of shipbuilding as well as ship operation, to fundamentally prevent container loss accidents at sea. It is judged that it is difficult to resolve the various factors of container loss at sea during voyages, by responding from an individual perspective.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.451-460
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• 2023

Objective: This program aimed to reveal the association of feed intrinsic molecular structure with nutrient supply to animals from canola feedstocks and co-products from bio-oil processing. The special objective of this study was to quantify the relationship between molecular spectral feature and nutrient availability and develop nutrient prediction equation with vibrational molecular structure spectral profiles. Methods: The samples of feedstock (canola oil seeds) and co-products (meals and pellets) from different bio-oil processing plants in Canada (CA) and China (CH) were submitted to this molecular spectroscopic technique and their protein and carbohydrate related molecular spectral features were associated with the nutritional results obtained through the conventional methods of analyses for chemical and nutrient profiles, rumen degradable and intestinal digestible parameters. Results: The results showed that the spectral structural carbohydrates spectral peak area (ca. 1,487.8 to 1,190.8 cm^-1) was the carbohydrate structure that was most significant when related to various carbohydrate parameters of canola meals (p<0.05, r>0.50). And spectral total carbohydrate area (ca. 1,198.5 to 934.3 cm^-1) was most significant when studying the various carbohydrate parameters of canola seeds (p<0.05, r>0.50). The spectral amide structures (ca. 1,721.2 to 1,480.1 cm^-1) were related to a few chemical and nutrient profiles, Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) fractions, truly absorbable nutrient supply based on the Dutch protein system (DVE/OEB), and NRC systems, and intestinal in vitro protein-related parameters in co-products (canola meals). Besides the spectral amide structures, α-helix height (ca. 1,650.8 to 1,643.1 cm^-1) and β-sheet height (ca. 1,633.4 to 1,625.7 cm^-1), and the ratio between them have shown to be related to many protein-related parameters in feedstock (canola oil seeds). Multi-regression analysis resulted in moderate to high R² values for some protein related equations for feedstock (canola seeds). Protein related equations for canola meals and carbohydrate related equations for canola meals and seeds resulted in weak R² and low p values (p<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, the attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy vibrational molecular spectroscopy can be a useful resource to predict carbohydrate and protein-relates nutritional aspects of canola seeds and meals.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.258-264
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• 2023

The greenhouse gas (GHG) emission assessment of kenaf pellet, produced from locally generated kenaf residues in South Korea, has been studied based on the EU RED-II methodology for calculating GHG impact of biomass fuels. Based on the production pathway of kenaf residue pellet and emission coefficients from EU JRC report, the life cycle GHG emission of kenaf residue pellet is assessed as 3.0 gCO₂eq/MJ_pellet and the life cycle GHG emission of electricity generated from kenaf residue pellet is assessed as 11.9 gCO₂eq/MJ when electrical efficiency of final conversion is 25%. The potential GHG emission reduction of electricity produced from kenaf pellet is 90.3% compared to the domestic electricity emission factor 42.8 kgCO₂eq/MWh. Also, the electricity produced from kenaf pellet can reduce at least 59.6% of GHG emission compared to the electricity produced from imported wood pellets.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.1
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• pp.177-185
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• 2022

In this study, the economic feasibility of a local energy facility that uses forest biomass as an energy source was assessed. We analyzed profitability using data from the Forest Energy Self-sufficient Village Project financed by the Korea Forest Service. The energy facility has a cogeneration generator and wood chip boiler. Wood chip, which has lower heat value and is cheaper than wood pellets, is used as fuel. Revenue comes from the sale of electricity, heat, and renewable energy certificates. Additionally, we considered the sale of carbon credits as substitutes for fossil fuels. The expenditure consists of fuel costs and fixed costs, and the initial investment is treated as a sunk cost. Under the condition of a 55% operation rate and wood chip price of 95,000 KRW per ton, the annual net revenue is positive. Crucial factors for managing the facility sustainably are operation rate and fuel cost. A simulation in which two factors were changed showed that the annual net revenue is negative with a 50% operation rate and 100,000 KRW per ton of wood chip price. To improve net revenue, an increase in the operation rate or a decrease in the wood chip price is required. Additionally, selling carbon credits will make the operation of the facility more profitable. Furthermore, the payment required to procure wood chips could contribute to the rural economy. To foster the use of forest biomass for energy, the price for heat supplied from renewable energy sources should be subsidized.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.310-317
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: The salt in soil interrupts crop growth. Therefore, water resources are used to remove any salt found in the soil. However, water resources have been reduced by global warming; thus, a new study is required into reducing the salt in soil. Recently, the bottom ash (BA) of a biomass power plant was found to be similar to biochar. Hence, it can be used to remove heavy metals and wastewater through the adsorption characteristics of BA. The objective of this study was to evaluate the improvement effects on crop growth in saline soil containing the BA from biomass power plants. METHODS AND RESULTS: The effect on crop growth in the saline soil supplemented with BA was studied with the crop-planted pots, which were packed by reclaimed greenhouse soils collected from Byolyang, Suncheon. The BA application level was 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 kg/10a (referred as BA25, BA50, BA100, BA200, and BA400, respectively). The BA increased the fresh weights of the leaf and root, while nitrogen uptake increased by approximately 24-102% and 54-77%, respectively for the lead and root. The phosphorous uptake increased by 38%, although only in the leaf of the lettuce. In the case of soil, BA increased water content, pH, EC, CEC, and NH₄⁺ and the SAR of the soil decreased by 5-15%. The bottom ash increased the contents of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, and fixed the amount of Na⁺. CONCLUSION(S): It was confirmed the bottom ash of a biomass power plant, based on wood pellets, improved crop growth, and increased the nutrient uptake of crops in saline soil. In addition, bottom ash, which has a wide range of porosity and high values of pH and EC, improved properties of the saline soil. However, the BA has a large amount of B, As, and heavy metals. Finally, it may require a study on the safety and contamination of heavy metals contained in the bottom ash, which would be applied in soil for a long time.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.663-671
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• 2023

This research experimentally evaluated the recyclability of four varieties of lignocellulosic fly ash(FA), a by-product from three power plants employing lignocellulosic biomass(Bio-SRF, wood pellets) as a fuel source. Comprehensive analyses were conducted on FA, encompassing both physical parameters (particle shape, size distribution, fineness, and density) and chemical properties(chemical composition and heavy metal content). Mortar test specimens, with FA mixing ratios ranging from 5 to 20%, were produced in compliance with KS L 5405 standards, and their flow and compressive strength were subsequently measured. The test results indicated that the four types of FA exhibited particle sizes approximately between 20~30㎛, densities around 2.3~2.5g/cm³, and a fineness range of 2,600~4,900cm²/g. The FA comprised approximately 50~90% of components such as SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, and CaO, displaying characteristics akin to type-II and type-III FA of KS L 5405 standards, albeit with differences in chlorine and SiO₂ content. From the mortar tests, it was observed that the compressive strength of the mortar ranged between 34~47MPa when the pellet combustion FA was mixed in proportions of 5~20%. FA, produced exclusively from the combustion of 100% lignocellulosic fuel, is assessed to possess high recyclability potential as a substitute for conventional admixtures.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.104-126
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• 2024

Buffer and backfill play an essential role in isolating high-level radioactive waste and retard the migration of leaked radionuclides in deep geological disposal system. A bentonite mixture, which exhibits a swelling property, is considered for buffer and backfill materials, and excessive groundwater inflow from surrounding rock mass may affect stability and efficiency of their role as an engineered barrier. Therefore, stringent quality control as well as in-situ installation management and inflow water constrol for buffer and backfill are required to ensure the safety of deep disposal facilities. In this study, we analyzed the design requirements of buffer and backfill by examining various laboratory tests and a field study of the Steel Tunnel Test at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory in Sweden. We introduced how to control the quality of buffer and backfill construction in-field, and also presented how to handle excessive groundwater inflow into disposal caverns, validating the groundwater retention capacity of bentonite pellets and the effectiveness of geotexile use.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.48-56
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• 2024

In this study, physical property evaluation and physical separation of the target product were performed to investigate the possibility of using sewage sludge gasification solid residue (GSRs) as a circulating resource. Firstly, the GSRs used in this study was supplied by Sudokwon Landfill Management Corporation, and generally the GSRs was in the form of porous pellets with a particle size of several millimetres. In addition, the partially black areas were confirmed to be unburned and ungasified carbon, and the average carbon content was 5%. In addition, the content of silica, alumina and phosphorus oxide was more than 70% of the total content. It was confirmed that the metallic components of the wet grinding product were separated into individual elements. As a physical separation of metallic and non-metallic components was required, it was finally found that flotation screening was suitable. Accordingly, cationic and anionic surfactants were selected to separate metallic components in which a relatively large amount of non-metallic components were concentrated, and the separation characteristics were confirmed. As a result, it is expected that the concentration of non-metallic components such as silica, alumina and phosphorus will be easier than the separation of metallic components. Therefore, since it is possible to physically treat the gasified sludge residue, it is judged to have potential as a circular resource according to the proposed recycling method for the separated product.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.226-233
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• 2008

This study investigated the effects of dietary moisture level and storage temperature on lipid oxidation and fatty acids composition of the extruded pellet feed. The diets containing the moisture levels of 5%, 15% and 25% were prepared by adding moisture (water) to the commercial extruded pellets and stored at $5^{\circ}C$, $20^{\circ}C$ (room temperature) and $35^{\circ}C$. The samples for analysis were collected at every 2 days for 10 days. Acid value (AV), peroxide value (POV), 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value and fatty acid composition of the feeds were measured. No differences in the AV, POV and TBA value were observed in feed containing 5% moisture at all storage temperatures for 10 days. However, the AV, POV and TBA value of diets containing 15% and 25% moisture increased rapidly at $20^{\circ}C$ and $35^{\circ}C$ after 4 days. Fatty acids compositions of feeds containing 5% moisture did not change during the storage periods at $5^{\circ}C$ and $20^{\circ}C$. However, 5% moisture feed stored at $35^{\circ}C$ increased monoene fatty acid content and decreased the contents of polyene fatty acid, PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acid)/SFA (saturated fatty acid) and $(C_{20:5}+C_{22:6})/C_{16:0}$ after 4 days. Also, 15% moisture feed stored at $35^{\circ}C$ showed increased monoene fatty acid content and decreased $(C_{20:5}+C_{22:6})/C_{16:0}$ after 2 days. The diet containing 25% moisture showed increased monoene fatty acid content and decreased contents of PUFA, PUFA/SFA and $(C_{20:5}+C_{22:6})/C_{16:0}$ at all temperatures after 2 days. In this study, lipid oxidation can occur in the extruded pellet feeds of 15% and 25% moisture at room temperature after 2 days.