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학부생 연구논문 ‘국제학술지 표지 선정’
Research paper from an undergraduate published as the cover of the international journal

Ko Hye-young in Nuclear and Energy Engineering presents optimal conditions to treat rotten citrus fruits

Jeju National University reported on June 9 that the research paper, “Numerical Simulation of Thermal Flow Characteristics in Plasma Reactor for Rotten Citrus Fruits Drying,” was published as the cover of the international academic journal, “Applied Science and Convergence Technology” issued in May, which Ko Hye-young wrote as a leading author. She is an undergraduate student majoring in Nuclear and Energy Engineering at JNU.

The paper contains the optimal conditions of the plasma reactor’s production and operation for rotten citrus disposal.

In Jeju Island, nearly 10,000 tons of rotten citrus fruits are intensively generated during the period of harvest every year. As a result, there have been repeated complaints about stench and environmental pollution caused by delays in disposal due to saturation of landfill sites.

Besides, the massive occurrence of rotten citrus fruits is an urgent issue in Jeju island to be addressed because it results in the reduction of agricultural income caused by the price fall of citrus and the decrease of its consumption.

To solve the rotten citrus fruits issue, Citrus Promotion Division of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, laboratory of thermal plasma in the Department of Nuclear and Energy Engineering in JNU, and Plasma Technology Institute of Korea Institute of Fusion Energy jointly proposed the way of dealing with rotten citrus fruits by plasma-related technology. The proposal was selected as the project supported by both the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Public Administration and Security.

Communicating with local residents, the research team conducted its research with Jeju City, Seogwipo City, and National Agricultural Cooperative Federation in Jeju island to address the issue through technology. The desiccation by plasma and composting facility for rotten citrus fruits, which can treat two tons per day, is established and operated at Jocheon-eup, Jeju city.

Professor Choi Su-seok, the corresponding author and chief of computer simulation research, said, “I had a special sense of duty while researching to address local issues. As an educator, it is very rewarding to contribute to the community through cutting-edge technology with students who grew up and educated in Jeju Island.”

Ko Hye-young, the leading author, expressed her ambition as a prospective scientist, saying, "I was proud to do research that can be used in Jeju Island, and I will focus on my studies and research so as to practically help the community in the future."