A gradient flow for the Porous Medium Equations with Dirichlet boundary conditions

We consider the gradient flow structure of the porous medium equations with nonnegative constant boundary conditions. We prove that weak solutions to the equations can be obtained by the variational steepest descent scheme by considering an entropy functional with respect to Wb2 distance, which is a modified Wasserstein distance introduced by Figalli and Gigli [J. Math. Pures Appl. 94, (2010), pp. 107-130]. In addition, we establish an energy dissipation inequality.Comment: 24 page

Critical thresholds in pressureless Euler--Poisson equations with background states

We investigate the critical threshold phenomena in a large class of one dimensional pressureless Euler--Poisson (EP) equations, with non-vanishing background states. First, we establish local-in-time well-posedness in proper regularity spaces, which are adapted for a certain \textit{neutrality condition} to hold. The neutrality condition is shown to be necessary: we construct smooth solutions that exhibit instantaneous failure of the neutrality condition, which in turn yields non-existence of solutions, even locally in time, in the classical Sobolev spaces $H^s({\mathbb R})$, $s \geq 2$. Next, we study the critical threshold phenomena in the neutrality-condition-satisfying pressureless EP systems, where we distinguish between two cases. We prove that in the case of attractive forcing, the neutrality condition can further restrict the sub-critical region into its borderline, namely -- the sub-critical region is reduced to a single line in the phase plane. We then turn to provide a rather definitive answer for the critical thresholds in the case of repulsive EP systems with variable backgrounds. As an application, we analyze the critical thresholds for the damped EP system for cold plasma ion dynamics, where the density of electrons is given by the \textit{Maxwell--Boltzmann relation}

Development of Polymer Based Nanocomposites as a Marker of Cadmium in Complex Matrices

Poly(propylene carbonate)/β-cyclodextrin (PPC-BCD) nanocomposites were developed as effective extractor for a specific extraction and separation of cadmium(II) by use of inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The selectivity of nanocomposites with different wt% of BCD (PPC-BCD 0.5, PPC-BCD 1, PPC-BCD 3, PPC-BCD 5, or PPC-BCD 10) was investigated toward Cd(II). Based on selectivity and pH studies, Cd(II) was the most quantitatively adsorbed on PPC-BCD 5 phase at pH 6, indicating that PPC-BCD 5 was the most selective toward Cd(II) among other nanocomposites. On the basis of adsorption isotherm study, the superior adsorption capacity of PPC-BCD 5 phase for Cd(II) was found to be 149.25 mg·g−1, following the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. The kinetic of adsorption for Cd(II) has been examined by pseudo-first- and second-order models. The kinetic exploration suggested a pseudo-second-order kinetic model for the adsorption of Cd(II) on the PPC-BCD 5. Additionally, results of thermodynamic investigation demonstrated favorable spontaneous process for the adsorption mechanism of PPC-BCD 5 toward Cd(II)

Analysis of the Environmental and Economic Effect of the Co-Processing of Waste in the Cement Industry in Korea

Recently, the amount of waste generated in Korea has been increasing, and there have been difficulties disposing of it. As an energy-intensive and raw-materials-oriented industry, the cement industry is facing challenges including overcoming the climate crisis and achieving carbon neutrality. Co-processing was suggested as a solution, but the environmental effects of this have not been specifically studied in Korea. In this study, the effects of using alternative resources (limestone, silica stone, iron ore, and gypsum) and fuel on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the cement industry in Korea were analyzed. GHGs generated from mineral mining were compared to GHGs of alternative resources. The reduction in GHGs by using alternative fuel was calculated via the amount of heat from waste instead of that from bituminous coal. Co-processing can reduce approximately 106.9 kg of CO2 in one ton of cement. The cost savings were estimated to be about USD 3815 million. In addition, the lifespans of landfills would be extended by 7.55 years

Strategies for Sustainable Management of Agricultural Waste Vinyl in South Korea

Vinyl, such as those in the form of mulching and vinyl houses, is used to improve agricultural productivity. It is generated as an agriculture waste vinyl (AWV) after use. The collected AWV is transported to a recycling facility and shredded, washed, and compressed to be recycled. Recycled materials can contribute to the circular economy of agriculture as they are used again as an agricultural plastic product. However, in Korea, there are concerns about the illegal disposal (landfill, incineration) of AWV. So, a new management model is needed in which stakeholders voluntarily establish an AWV management system. In this study, a sustainable management strategy was proposed. This strategy is reinforcing the responsibility of the producers of AWV and forms a value chain in the proper discharge after consumption by applying the deposit system proposed to recover AWV. Local governments and the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NH) proposed education to curb the illegal disposal of AWV, and for managing areas where a collection system has not yet been established, biodegradable mulching vinyl (BMV) was proposed to minimize the environmental pollution caused by AWV. It was calculated that the EPR contribution was 0.16 USD/kg, and the introduction of BMV was 0.42 USD/kg in Korea. This study will provide a new alternative in countries struggling with AWV management

Analysis of the Environmental and Economic Effect of the Co-Processing of Waste in the Cement Industry in Korea

Recently, the amount of waste generated in Korea has been increasing, and there have been difficulties disposing of it. As an energy-intensive and raw-materials-oriented industry, the cement industry is facing challenges including overcoming the climate crisis and achieving carbon neutrality. Co-processing was suggested as a solution, but the environmental effects of this have not been specifically studied in Korea. In this study, the effects of using alternative resources (limestone, silica stone, iron ore, and gypsum) and fuel on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the cement industry in Korea were analyzed. GHGs generated from mineral mining were compared to GHGs of alternative resources. The reduction in GHGs by using alternative fuel was calculated via the amount of heat from waste instead of that from bituminous coal. Co-processing can reduce approximately 106.9 kg of CO2 in one ton of cement. The cost savings were estimated to be about USD 3815 million. In addition, the lifespans of landfills would be extended by 7.55 years

Analysis of the Effect of Sludge Reduction and Energy Production from Introducing Anaerobic Digest Plant into a Sewage Treatment Plant

As the amount of sewage sludge (SS) is increasing worldwide, anaerobic digesters (ADP) are being distributed to reduce it and treat it in an environmentally friendly way. In Korea, 20 years have passed since the introduction of ADP, but the number of sewage treatment plants (STP) installed with ADP is only about 10% of the total STP. Accordingly, problems and improvements were examined through material flow analysis targeting STP, and the effect of introducing anaerobic digestion (AD) was analyzed as a way to solve them. As a result of the analysis, the amount of SS generated by the STP (SS-ADP + Co-ADP) installed and operated by an AD was 0.54 kg/m3, and the facility without it was 0.77 kg/m3, showing a reduction effect of about 31%. The SS reduction effect of the facility that only used SS-AD was found to be reduced by 21–24% TOE (Ton Of Equivalent))/day, which has the effect of reducing 794,867 kg-CO2/day of greenhouse gas. In terms of energy efficiency, Co-AD was 86% higher than SS-AD, and biogas production yield was 90% higher than that of SS-AD. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce Co-AD into STP in terms of reducing SS, energy production, and greenhouse gas reduction

Development of an Interface Shear Strength Tester and a Model Predicting the Optimal Application Rate of Tack Coat

Tack coat application rates and testing conditions differ among nations and construction conditions because various tack coat materials are available. In this study, newer materials are optimized for addition to porous asphalt pavements exposed to torrential rainfall, which is common in South Korea. Interface shear strength (ISS) tests are used to define the optimum application rates (OARs) of tack coat materials generally used in South Korea, by reference to the Korean Design Standard (KDS), the Korean Construction Standard (KCS), and features of pavement construction and bonding. We performed ISS tests using asphalt mixtures with porosities of 3, 5, and 7% to explore the effect of porosity on shear strength. The ISSs associated with varying tack coat proportions were earlier determined by creating polynomial regression equations. Here, we develop a predictive model using a non-linear function to estimate the OAR of tack coat and compare our approach with the earlier polynomial regression analysis. Based on the ISSs, the golden section search method was applied to define the OARs afforded by the predictive polynomial function. We used the generalized reduced gradient algorithm to construct a nonlinear predictive function using data from the ISS tests. Finally, our comparative analysis showed that the predictive model using the non-linear function was superior to the polynomial model in terms of both error rate and predictive tendency

Analysis of the Effect of Sludge Reduction and Energy Production from Introducing Anaerobic Digest Plant into a Sewage Treatment Plant

As the amount of sewage sludge (SS) is increasing worldwide, anaerobic digesters (ADP) are being distributed to reduce it and treat it in an environmentally friendly way. In Korea, 20 years have passed since the introduction of ADP, but the number of sewage treatment plants (STP) installed with ADP is only about 10% of the total STP. Accordingly, problems and improvements were examined through material flow analysis targeting STP, and the effect of introducing anaerobic digestion (AD) was analyzed as a way to solve them. As a result of the analysis, the amount of SS generated by the STP (SS-ADP + Co-ADP) installed and operated by an AD was 0.54 kg/m3, and the facility without it was 0.77 kg/m3, showing a reduction effect of about 31%. The SS reduction effect of the facility that only used SS-AD was found to be reduced by 21–24% TOE (Ton Of Equivalent))/day, which has the effect of reducing 794,867 kg-CO2/day of greenhouse gas. In terms of energy efficiency, Co-AD was 86% higher than SS-AD, and biogas production yield was 90% higher than that of SS-AD. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce Co-AD into STP in terms of reducing SS, energy production, and greenhouse gas reduction

Preparation and Characterization of Poly(ether-block-amide)/Polyethylene Glycol Composite Films with Temperature-Dependent Permeation

A series of poly(ether-block-amide) (PEBAX)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) composite films (PBXPG) were prepared by solution casting technique. This study demonstrates how the incorporation of different molecular weight PEG into PEBAX can improve the as-prepared composite film performance in gas permeability as a function of temperature. Additionally, we investigated the effect of PEG with different molecular weights on gas transport properties, morphologies, thermal properties, and water sorption. The thermal stability of the composite films increased with increasing molecular weight of PEG, whereas the water sorption and total surface energy decreased. As the temperature increased from 10 to 80 °C, the low (L)-PBXPG and medium (M)-PBXPG films showed a trend similar to the pure PEBAX film. However, the high (H)-PBXPG film with relatively high molecular weight exhibited a distinct permeation jump in the phase change region of H-PEG, which is related to the temperature dependent changes in the morphology structure such as crystallinity and the chemical affinity between the polymer film and gas molecule. Based on these results, it can be expected that H-PBXPG composite films can be used as self-ventilating materials in microwave cooking