• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.93-98
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• 2017

Background: Although phytoremediation is a promising method for pollution control, biomass produced by the remediation process must be managed; otherwise, it will eventually return to the environment and cause secondary pollution. Therefore, research and policy development for the post-remediation management of biomass are both required. Results: While there are many published studies of phytoremediation, research into post-remediation management is very limited. Therefore, a new study using biomass as a co-composting material was conducted and showed positive effects on soil characteristics and plant performance. However, despite its potential, research and policies to promote this form of management are still lacking. Conclusions: We suggest public engagement in support of "Post-phytoremediation management" legislation that stipulates management of biomass after phytoremediation, promotes recycling of biomass with known environmental risks, and includes specific policies developed for managers. Further research to support and inform such policies and laws is also required.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.15-24
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• 2009

This paper estimates the nation wide amount of forest biomass arising from management operation for domestic forest based on the simulations that are composed of five scenarios for selecting the target area of thinning. In 2009, the forest biomass arising from thinning is estimated to be 6,642,174 $m^3$. The estimates of forest biomass in 2015 and 2018 are 5,935,140 $m^3$ and 5,682,538 $m^3$, respectively. Since the target forest for thinning policy is estimated to be decreasing, the biomass generated by thinning will decline too. The estimates of forest biomass can be used to induce more effective application of woody biomass rather than one-sided use such as raw materials for solid fuels including pellets and charcoals.

• New & Renewable Energy
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.12-21
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• 2023

Governments and global companies are working towards using renewable sources of energy, such as solar, wind, and biomass, to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. In the defense sector, the new strategy seeks to increase the sustainable use of renewable energy sources to improve energy security and reduce military transportation. Renewable energy technologies are affected by factors such as climate, resources, and policy environments. Therefore, governments and global companies need to carefully select the optimal renewable energy sources and deployment strategies. Biomass is a promising energy source owing to its high energy density and ease of collection and harvesting. Many techniques have been developed to convert the biomass into electrical energy. Recently, diverse types of fuel cells have been suggested that can directly convert the chemical energy of biomass into electrical energy. The recently developed biomass flow fuel cell has significantly enhanced the power density several hundred times, reaching to ~100 mW/cm². In this review, we explore various strategies for producing electrical energy from biomass using modern methods, and discuss the challenges and potential prospects of this method.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1101-1109
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• 2014

In this study we followed biofilm formation and development in a granular activated carbon (GAC) filter on pilot-scale during the 12 months of operation. GAC particles and water samples were sampled from four different depths (-5, -25, -50 and -90 cm from surface of GAC bed) and attached biomass were measured with adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) analysis and heterotrophic plate count (HPC) method. The attached biomass accumulated rapidly on the GAC particles of top layer throughout all levels in the filter during the 160 days (BV 23,000) of operation and maintained a steady-state afterward. During steady-state, biomass (ATP and HPC) concentrations of top layer in the BAC filer were $2.1{\mu}g{\cdot}ATP/g{\cdot}GAC$ and $3.3{\times}10^8cells/g{\cdot}GAC$, and 85%, 83% and 99% of the influent total biodegradable dissolved organic carbon ($BDOC_{total}$), $BDOC_{slow}$ and $BDOC_{rapid}$ were removed, respectively. During steady-state process, biomass (ATP and HPC) concentrations of middle layer (-50 cm) and bottom layer (-90 cm) in the BAC filter were increased consistently. Biofilm development (growth rate) proceed highest rate in the top layer of filter (${\mu}_{ATP}=0.73day^{-1}$; ${\mu}_{HPC}=1,74day^{-1}$) and 78%~87% slower in the bottom layer (${\mu}_{ATP}=0.14day^{-1}$; ${\mu}_{HPC}=0.34day^{-1}$). This study shows that the combination of different analytical methods allows detailed quantification of the microbiological activity in drinking water biofilter.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.379-384
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• 2009

This study was carried out to understand the national and regional distribution of the biomass resources produced in Korea annually via establishing database (DB) and distribution maps of biomass resources data including as livestock manures, food wastes and agricultural by-product. The information of the annual production of each biomass resources was obtained from Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MIFAFF), Ministry of Environment (MOE) and National Statistical Office (NSO). Based on biomass resources data, we established database architecture table about livestock manures and food wastes. The distribution maps for the total amount of manures produced from each livestock animal were built up in both national and regional scales and used for analysis of the space-based and time-based distribution of the manure resources. Distribution maps for food wastes and agricultural by-product were also produced, respectively. It was shown that the analysis through resource mapping can be used to identify the sources of collectable biomass feasibly determining suitable region for establishment of a biomass-energy production. The biomass distribution maps graphically provide the information regarding biomass resources to policy-makers, farmers, general users and it was expected to be utilized for policy-making of environmental-friendly agriculture and bio-energy.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.33-36
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• 2005

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.393-402
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• 2017

In this study, greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions from bioenergy (biogas, biomass) have been estimated in Korea, 2015. This study for construction of reduction inventories as direct and indirect reduction sources was derived from IPCC 2006 guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories, guidelines for local government greenhouse inventories published in 2016, also purchased electricity and steam indirect emission factors obtained from KPX, GIR respectively. As a result, the annual GHG reductions were estimated as $1,860,000tonCO_{2eq}$ accounting for 76.8% of direct reduction (scope 1) and 23.2% of indirect reduction (scope 2). Estimation of individual greenhouse gases (GHGs) from biogas appeared that $CO_2$, $CH_4$, $N_2O$ were $90,000tonCO_2$ (5.5%), $55,000tonCH_4$ (94.5%), $0.3tonN_2O$ (0.004%), respectively. In addition, biomass was $250,000tonCO_2$ (107%), $-300tonCH_4$ (-3.2%), $-33tonN_2O$ (-3.9%). For understanding the values of estimation method levels, field data (this study) appeared to be approximately 85.47% compared to installed capacity. In details, biogas and biomass resulting from field data showed to be 76%, 74% compared to installed capacity, respectively. In the comparison of this study and CDM project with GHG reduction unit per year installed capacity, this study showed as 42% level versus CDM project. Scenario analysis of GHG reductions potential from bioenergy was analyzed that generation efficiency, availability and cumulative distribution were significantly effective on reducing GHG.

• New & Renewable Energy
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2022

This study analyzed the anticipated supply-and-demand of forest biomass energy (through wood pellets) until 2050, in South Korea. Comparing the utilization rates of forest resources of five countries (United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Japan, and S. Korea), it was found that S. Korea does not nearly utilize its forest resources for energy purposes. The total demand for wood pellets in S. Korea (based on a power generation efficiency of 38%) was predicted to be 3,629 and 4,371 thousand tons in 2034 and 2050, respectively. The anticipated total wood pellet power generation ratio to target power consumption is 1.13% (5,745 GWh), 1.17% (6,336 GWh), and 1.25% (7,631 GWh) in 2020, 2030, and 2050, respectively. Low value-added forest residues left unattended in forests are called "Unused Forest Biomass" in S. Korea. From the analysis, the total annual potential amount of raw material, sustainably collectible amount, and available amount of wood pellet in 2050 were estimated to be 6,877, 4,814, and 3,370 thousand tons, respectively. The rate of contribution to Nationally Determined Contributions was up to 0.64%. Through this study, the authors found that forest biomass energy will contribute to a carbon neutral society in the near future at the national level.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.317-330
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• 2022

Recently, the policy regarding climate change in Korea and overseas has been to promote the utilization of forest biomass to achieve net zero emissions. In addition, with the implementation of the unused forest biomass system in 2018, the size of the Korean market for manufacturing wood pellets and wood chips using unused forest biomass is rapidly expanding. Therefore, it is necessary to estimate the total amount of unused forest biomass that can be used as an energy source and to identify the capacity that can be continuously produced annually. In this study, we estimated the actual forest area that can be produced of logging residue and the potential amount of unused forest biomass resources based on GT (green ton). Using a forest functions classification map (1 : 25,000), 5th digital forest type map (1 : 25,000), and digital elevation model (DEM), the forest area with a slope of 30° or less and mountain ridges of 70% or less was estimated based on production forest and IV age class or more. The total forest area where unused forest biomass can be produced was estimated to be 1,453,047 ha. Based on GT, the total amount of unused forest biomass potential resources in Korea was estimated to be 117,741,436 tons. By forest type, coniferous forests were estimated to be 48,513,580 tons (41.2%), broad-leaved forests 27,419,391 tons (23.3%), and mixed forests 41,808,465 tons (35.5%). Data from this research analysis can be used as basic data to estimate commercial use of unused forest biomass.