Sanghoon Kwak , Hohyun Kim , Jinwon Park

DOI:10.9786/kswm.2024.41.5.441

Abstract

Under the Paris Agreement signed in 2015, the 195 member countries are required to submit their greenhouse gas reduction targets, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), every five years. In 2021, South Korea raised its target from the previous goal of a 26.3% reduction to a 40% reduction compared to 2018 levels. As carbon reduction targets become stricter, transition risks, such as higher production costs and stranded assets, may increase during the shift to a low-carbon society. We conducted an empirical study using the event study methodology to examine whether South Korea's carbon reduction policies have impacted the waste management industry as a transition risk. To understand these impacts clearly, we studied companies in high-carbon emission sectors like utilities, low-carbon sectors like renewable energy, and carbon reduction sectors including those involved in secondary batteries, hydrogen, and CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage). The study found that waste management companies showed significant negative reactions, similar to those in the utility sector. Renewable energy companies showed no clear reaction, while companies in the carbon reduction sector had a significant positive reaction. This suggests that the shift to a low-carbon society due to carbon reduction policies can create risks for some industries and opportunities for others. To better understand why waste management companies reacted negatively, we conducted a cross-sectional regression analysis. The results showed that companies with more total assets had more negative reactions. This suggests that the transition from high-carbon facilities to low-carbon ones is expected to lower the value of current assets. Therefore, the waste management industry, which faces a decline in asset value and transition risks due to its high-carbon facilities, needs proactive and systematic government support. To help develop technologies for carbon reduction and the shift to low-carbon facilities, the government must provide a clear long-term vision and large-scale public green funds. Also, using green classification systems and supporting private financial institutions can help combine private ESG finance with public finance, leading to larger-scale green finance.

Key Words

Waste management industry, Low carbon transition, Event study, NDC, Carbon neutrality

이종명 Jongmyong Lee , 임민혜 Minhye Lim , 김창범 Changbum Kim , 이태우 Taewoo Lee , 길준호 Junho Kil

DOI:10.9786/kswm.2024.41.5.458

Abstract

To achieve carbon neutrality during cement production, it is necessary to determine optimal production conditions, including optimization of the cement manufacturing process and the use of alternative fuels for combustion. We conducted a preliminary study to develop a calcination reaction model tailored to the factory conditions of the cement kiln preheater and analyze the gas distribution within the preheater. Analysis of the riser duct section of the S plant kiln revealed that applying Arrhenius equation coefficients with an activation energy of 25,500 cal/mol and a pre-exponent factor of 28,000 most closely approximated the actual decarboxylation reaction process. In terms of temperature and gas distributions, it was determined that injecting fuel from the side below the distribution plate would be beneficial when burning alternative fuel. Additionally, when injecting urea water to reduce NOx, it would be preferable to inject from the bottom of the distribution plate rather than the top. When burning alternative fuel, the CO₂ fraction and behavior of raw material particles were comparable to those observed with traditional fuel. However, only 27.1% of alternative fuel was burned owing to the short duct length and low O₂ fraction. Consequently, 46.7% of the raw material particles underwent calcination, representing a 5% increase compared to when alternative fuel was not injected. This is attributed to the relatively short residence time of the alternative fuel, which averaged 3.444 seconds. Therefore, extending the duct length to the lowest cyclone in the riser duct of the cement kiln preheating room is crucial to ensure sufficient combustion time.

Key Words

Cement kiln, Preheater, Calcination, Arrhenius equation, CFD

Hye Sook Lim , Sora Yi , Inchul Go , Jihwan Park

DOI:10.9786/kswm.2024.41.5.469

Abstract

Many countries have implemented diverse battery-related policies addressing various aspects. These policies span the comprehensive perspective, from battery production to recycling, battery circularity and safety, the lifecycle management of electric vehicle batteries, and research and development for technology advancement. This study examines the battery policy trends of EU, USA, China, and South Korea, and offers insights for South Korea’s battery-related strategies. EU has been actively working on battery regulations since 2018 as a strategic imperative. In 2023, EU adopted the Battery Regulation. USA has published a national blueprint for lithium battery and is implementing policies, including funding for domestic battery production and recycling. China has been strengthening the recycling of waste batteries from electric vehicles and increasing the circularity of batteries through enhanced battery collection and tracking management. South Korean government has also been promoting battery-related industries, building infrastructure, increasing safety, and improving institutions, including management systems and policies to promote the circularity of end-of-life batteries. South Korea’s strategy is characterized by public-private partnerships. However, South Korea still lacks a specialized legal framework for battery circularity, and there is a need to implement additional systems for identifying and managing hazardous substances in batteries. It is also necessary to promote product designs that facilitate easy battery removal and replacement, and strengthening user access to battery information is recommended.

Key Words

Circular economy, Global battery policies, Circular battery utilization, Sustainability, Waste battery circularity

백승기 Seungki Back , 송금주 Geum-ju Song

DOI:10.9786/kswm.2024.41.5.486

Abstract

Thermal power plants play a crucial role in electricity generation; however, they raise significant concerns regarding pollutant emissions. In Korea, substantial efforts have been made to reduce emissions from thermal power plants, leading to stricter emission standards for particulate matter, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides. This study investigated the impact of process modifications aimed at reducing emissions of particulate matter on the emission of PCDDs/PCDFs at a coal-fired power plant. TPM, PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and 2,3,7,8-PCDDs/PCDFs were measured before and after the process modifications in accordance with standard test methods. Modifications to air pollution control devices aimed at reducing particulate matter, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides can affect the emission behavior of PCDDs/PCDFs. The total concentrations of TPM, PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and PCDDs/PCDFs decreased significantly following the installation of an additional cooler and re-heater. However, the proportion of PM_2.5 within particulate matter smaller than 10 μm increased and the concentration of 2,3,7,8-substituents congeners with high toxic equivalents also increased. Therefore, it is essential to assess whether process changes aimed at reducing one emission pollutant have an impact on the emissions of other pollutants.

Key Words

Coal-fired power plant, Reduction, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, PCDDs/PCDFs

Sora Yi , Inchul Go

DOI:10.9786/kswm.2024.41.5.496

Abstract

The growing recognition of plastics as significant contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions―beyond their role in pollution―has intensified global initiatives to mitigate their environmental impact. One major effort is the United Nations Environment Assembly’s negotiations of a legally binding international agreement, the Global Plastics Treaty, to end plastic pollution. This study presents a strategy for managing the plastic lifecycle in South Korea in alignment with the Global Plastics Treaty, focusing on achieving carbon neutrality. By examining plastic production and consumption trends, as well as key issues highlighted in the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, the study identifies necessary actions for South Korea. An analysis of current plastic lifecycle management policies has enabled the development of a Korean plastic lifecycle management strategy consisting of enhanced and novel measures across five critical areas. Additionally, estimates of GHG reductions for various policy implementation scenarios showed that full implementation of these measures could result in a 32% decrease in GHG emissions compared to BAU by 2050. The study concludes with a discussion of implications and suggestions that can contribute to achieving carbon neutrality goals.

Key Words

Global plastic treaty, Plastic pollution, Lifecycle, GHG

진홍덕 Hongdeok Jin , 김학민 Hakmin Kim , 배민경 Mingyeong Bae , 천범수 Beomsu Cheon , 정대운 Daewoon Jeong

DOI:10.9786/kswm.2024.41.5.507

Abstract

The rapid increase in plastic waste has caused severe environmental issues, including ecosystem degradation. To address these challenges, various recycling technologies for plastic waste have garnered considerable interest. Among these, pyrolysis is an effective technology that not only treats plastic waste but also generates valuable resources. However, the oil produced through pyrolysis, which can be used as an alternative fuel, has a low flash point, posing risks of combustion and explosion. To obtain a pyrolysis oil with a safer, higher flash point, heavy oil fractions are collected via fractional distillation, while the distilled light fractions can be converted to other materials through further treatments, such as converting them into hydrogen―a clean energy carrier―through steam reforming. Optimizing the conditions for this reforming reaction is essential for achieving stable hydrogen production. In this study, the effects of steam supply and reaction temperature were investigated and optimized using a commercial catalyst typically applied in steam reforming of pyrolysis oil. The optimal conditions identified were a steam-to-carbon ratio of 2.5 and a reaction temperature of 750 ℃. The commercial catalyst also demonstrated stable performance in converting dodecane to hydrogen under these optimized conditions. These findings are expected to contribute to increasing the recycling rate of plastic waste.

Key Words

Plastic waste, Reforming, Hydrogen, Reaction condition, Optimization