Byoung Jun Ahn

Extraction of chromium, copper, and arsenic from CCA-treated wood by using wood vinegar.

In the present study, wood vinegar was used to extract chromium, copper, and arsenic from chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood. The extraction efficiency for CCA elements was evaluated using various concentrations of wood vinegar, extraction temperatures, and extraction periods. The extraction efficiency for CCA elements increased with increasing the concentration of wood vinegar and the extraction conditions, resulting in maximal removal rate of copper (95.7%), followed by arsenic (92.7%) and chromium (86.3%). Since wood vinegar afforded high levels of copper extraction, its use was extended to copper-based preservative-treated wood, wherein significant extraction of copper up to 97.6% and 95.7% was obtained from alkaline copper quats (ACQ)- and copper azole (CuAz)-treated sawdust, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the application of wood vinegar for the extraction of metal elements from CCA-treated wood.

Effect of the addition of binders on the fuel characteristics of wood pellets.

본 연구는 낙엽송과 백합나무 톱밥을 이용한 펠릿의 제조 과정에서 바인더로 일정량의 유채박, 커피부산물,수피, 솔방울, 리그닌 분말을 첨가하여 바인더의 종류 및 첨가량이 내구성을 포함한 펠릿의 품질에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위하여 수행하였다. 바인더와 함께 제조한 펠릿의 품질은 국립산림과학원에서 고시한 목재 펠릿 품질 규격 1등급 기준을 대부분 상회하였으며, 일부 과다한 양의 바인더를 첨가하여 제조한 펠릿에서만 높은 회분함량으로 2~3등급 기준을 만족하는 것으로 조사되었다. 바인더 종류 및 첨가량에 따른 펠릿의 내구성은 리그닌,유채박 그리고 커피부산물을 첨가하여 제조한 펠릿에서 우수하였으며, 백합나무 펠릿은 첨가량의 증가와 함께 내구성도 향상되었다. 한편 낙엽송 펠릿의 경우 첨가량의 증가에 따른 내구성 향상 효과는 크지 않았으며, 수피와 솔방울을 바인더로 사용하였을 때 첨가량의 증가와 함께 내구성이 감소하였다. 제조된 펠릿의 광학/전자현미경 관찰을 통하여 바인더의 종류에 따른 차이를 명확하게 확인할 수 없었으나, 첨가량에 따른 차이는 명확하게 관찰 할 수 있었다. 결과를 종합하면, 바인더의 첨가는 목재 펠릿의 품질 향상에 대부분의 항목에서 기여하였으며, 특히 커피부산물을 바인더로 사용하여 제조한 펠릿의 경우 모든 품질에서 뚜렷한 향상을 확인할 수 있었다. 향후 저렴한 바인더의 안정적인 확보가 이루어진다면 바인더의 첨가로 인하여 연료적 품질이 향상된 목재 펠릿의 상용화가 가능할 것으로 확신한다.

Isolation and Analysis of the Enzymatic Properties of Thermophilic Fungi from Compost

Abstract To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on thermophilic fungi isolated in Korea. Three species of thermophiles were isolated from compost and were identified as Myriococcum thermophilum, Thermoascus aurantiacus, and Thermomyces lanuginosus. They can grow at temperatures above 50°C and produce high levels of cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes at high temperatures. Notably, the considerable thermostability of the endo-glucanase produced by T. aurantiacus has made the fungus an attractive source of industrial enzymes.

Optimization of Fungal Enzyme Production by Trichoderma harzianum KUC1716 through Surfactant-Induced Morphological Changes

Abstract The morphological optimization of Trichoderma harzianum was carried out using several surfactants to achieve increased cellulase production. Addition of the surfactants to the culture medium successfully modified the fungal morphology from an aggregated form to a dispersed form. Optimization of the fungal morphology increased cellulase activity up to 177%. The morphologically optimized conditions enhanced the accessibility of the fungus to substrates and thus promoted cellulase production.

Decolorizing an anthraquinone dye by Phlebia brevispora: Intra-species characterization

Remazol brilliant blue R (RBBR) is an anthraquinone dye derived from anthracene that is decolorized by a white rot fungus, Phlebia brevispora. Interestingly, P. brevispora produces two phenomena of yellowish and pinkish colors during the degradation of RBBR. Here, we characterized the decolorization of RBBR by P. brevispora. The fungus was significantly different between the two colors via UV spectrophotometry, and the morphology of the hyphae observed in the respective color culture was also entirely different. Moreover, both of the two ligninolytic enzymes, laccase and manganese‐dependent peroxidase (MnP), were remarkably stimulated in the yellowish culture at the beginning of the decolorization. It is possible that the RBBR decolorizing mechanism might be primarily related to the amount of laccase and MnP produced in the yellowish culture. Thus, the decolorized color may be rapidly estimated at initial period of incubation. In addition, GeneFishing technology revealed that two genes were differentially expressed in yellowish culture.

Cu(II)‐induced molecular and physiological responses in the brown‐rot basidiomycete Polyporales sp. KUC9061

A potentially safe disposal method for copper‐containing waste wood is bioremediation using brown‐rot fungi. However, the mechanisms regulating brown‐rot fungi copper tolerance are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to better understand the molecular and physiological changes in Polyporales sp. KUC9061 in response to Cu(II) using GeneFishing technology.

Phylogenetic analysis of the genus Fusarium and their antifungal activity against wood-decay and sapstain fungi

Abstract Microorganism-based biological protections are alternatives to chemical treatments. Worldwide, Fusarium species are important plant pathogens, and their mycotoxins are antimicrobial. In this study, 18 Fusarium strains isolated in Korea have been investigated. Nine Fusarium species, including two unknown species, were identified based on their genotypic characteristics. Among the identified species, Fusarium armeniacum and Fusarium commune were observed for the first time in Korea. The antifungal activity of Fusarium crude extracts was assessed by growth inhibition against two wood-decay fungi and three sapstain fungi. Most Fusarium strain extracts revealed strong antifungal activity against wood-decay fungi. Strains of the unknown Fusarium sp. 2, which was found in wood samples, showed strong antifungal activity against all wood-decay and sapstain fungi tested in this study.

Effect of Torrefaction Condition on The Chemical Composition and Fuel Characteristics of Larch wood

This study was conducted to investigate the potential of torrefied larch wood as a raw material of pellets. First of all, larch chip was torrefied at the temperatures of 230, 250 and 270℃ for 30, 50 and 70 min. Secondly, moisture content, moisture absorption, higher heating value and ash content of the torrefied chip were measured to examine the

Effects of The Torrefaction Process on The Fuel Characteristics Larix kaempferi C

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the fuel characteristics of thermally treated wood chips of the Larix kaempferi C. As torrefaction temperature was increased (200℃ to 300℃), the carbon content, calorific value, and mass loss of torrefied wood chips increased significantly. The torrefied wood chips were shown to have hydrophobic properties even when only treated by mild torrefaction. The energy required to grind torrefied wood chips was reduced by the torrefaction process. Different sizes of wood chips were used in this study; however, this produced almost no difference in the fuel characteristics of processed Larix kaempferi C, except in the distribution of ground wood particles. Similar results were observed when the wood chips were torrefied for different lengths of time (15 min to 60 min) at a constant temperature. Torrefaction was shown to have positive effects on the fuel characteristics of Larix kaempferi C, including improved energy density, storage, and grindability.Keywords : torrefaction,

Effect of Diluted H2SO4 and NaOH Treatment on Chemical Composition of Larch and Yellow Poplar

본 연구에서는 산 및 알칼리 처리가 목질계 바이오매스의 주요 화학조성 변화에 미치는 영향을 확인하기 위해 H2SO4와 NaOH를 각각 1.0 wt%와 2.0 wt% 수용액으로 제조한 후 국내 주요 수종인 백합나무와 낙엽송에 상온에서 72시간 침지 처리하였다. 리그닌, 주요 구성당, 원소분석 등 화학적 특성 분석을 수행하고 그 결과를 통계 프로그램을 이용하여 분석하였다. 그 결과 동일한 화학적 처리에도 수종에 따라 95% 유의수준에서 유의한 결과를 확인하였다. 백합나무는 산 처리에 민감한 변화를 보이는 반면에 낙엽송에서는 알칼리 처리에서 유의한 결과를 얻을 수 있었다. 두 수종 모두에서 glucose보다는 헤미셀룰로오스에 미치는 영향이 큰 것으로 분석되었으며, 바이오매스의 에너지량과 밀접한 관계가 있는 H/C와 O/C 비율을 이용한 Van Krevelen 다이어그램에서는 산 또는 알칼리 처리 종류에 관계없이 수종에 따라 상반된 결과를 확인하였다. 이러한 결과는 바이오매스 종류에 따라 각기 다른 최적화된 바이오에너지 생산 공정이 필요함을 의미하며, 목재펠릿과 같은 고형 바이오연료 생산의 경우 바이오매스 내 헤미셀룰로오스 및 리그닌 함량 변화로 인하여 내구성에 영향을 미칠 것으로 분석되었다.