Sustainable process

Sustainable chemical process design pursues mitigating environmental impacts such as carbon footprint and resource depletion while guaranteeing economic feasibility compared to conventional process design mostly relying on fossil-based resources. Our goal is to develop the superstructure by building mathematical models of processing units, designing process flowsheets, and analyzing process performances in multiple aspects. Furthermore, we numerically optimize the designed process for maximal profitability or minimal environmental impacts. 

Research Interests

Energy and environmental     Carbon capture and storage, electricity systems, renewable energy,  

systems and policy                   carbon utilization, bio-based product production

                                                     wastewater management of shale gas production

Methods                                     Supply chain network, techno-economic assessment (TEA), 

                                                     life-cycle assessment (LCA), process simulation

Quantitative methods             Operations research (Optimization, economic feasibility, environmental sustainability)

Artificial Intelligence     Computer vision, Hybrid modeling for process system

Programming languages and software used at EEPSE

• Programming language: C++, VBA, Python, etc.

• Software: GAMS, MATLAB, SimaPro, Aspen Plus, gPROMS, etc. 

Sustainable Design of Chemical Processes (ex, biodiesel supply chain management)

Relevant Publications

13. Yuchan Ahn and Junghwan Kim*, "Economic design framework of microalga-based biodiesel supply chains under uncertainties in CO2 emission and diesel demand", Computers & Chemical Engineering (IF=3.845), 2021, 107538 (paper link)

12. Kaiyu Cao, Prashanth Siddhamshetty, Yuchan Ahn, Mahmoud M. El-Halwagi, and Joseph Kwon*, "Evaluating the spatiotemporal variability of water recovery ratios of shale gas wells and their effects on shale gas development", Journal of Cleaner Production (IF=9.297), 2020, 276, pp. 123171, (paper link)

11. Yuchan Ahn†, Junghwan Kim†, and Joseph Kwon*, "Optimal design of supply chain network with carbon dioxide injection for enhanced shale gas recovery", Applied Energy (IF=9.746), 2020, 274, pp. 115334, (paper link) 

10. Yuchan Ahn, Junghwan Kim*, and Jeehoon Han*, "Optimization of microalgae-based biodiesel supply chain network under the uncertainty in supplying carbon dioxide", Korean Chemical Engineering Research (IF=0.100), 2020, 58, 3, pp. 396-407,  (paper link)

9. Jiah Yu, Inbeum Lee, Jeehon Han, and Yuchan Ahn*, "Stochastic approach to supply chain network of microalgae-based biodiesel under uncertain diesel demand", Journal of Chemical Engineering of Japan (IF=0.732), 2020, 53, 1, pp. 24-35, (paper link)

8. Kaiyu Cao, Prashanth Siddhamshetty, Yuchan Ahn, Rajib Mukherjee, and Joseph Kwon*, "Economic model-based controller design framework for hydraulic fracturing to optimize shale gas production and water usage", Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research (IF=3.573)  2019, 58, 27, pp. 12097-12115, (paper link)

7. Yuchan Ahn and Jeehoon Han*, "Development of an integrated network for utility supply and carbon dioxide mitigation systems: applicability of biodiesel production", Journal of Cleaner Production (IF=7.246) 2019, 232, pp. 542-558. (paper link)

6. Yuchan Ahn, Prashanth Siddhamshetty, Kaiyu Cao, and Joseph Kwon*, "Optimal design of shale gas supply chain network considering MPC-based pumping schedule of hydraulic fracturing in unconventional reservoirs”, Chemical Engineering Research and Design (IF=3.350) 2019, 147, pp.412-429. (paper link)

5. Yuchan Ahn and Jeehoon Han*, "A stochastic programming approach for the integrated network with utility supply and carbon dioxide mitigation systems in uncertain utility demand", Energy Conversion and Management (IF=7.181), 2018. 176, pp.299-308. (paper link)

4. Yuchan Ahn and Jeehoon Han*, "Economic optimization of integrated network for utility supply and carbon dioxide mitigation with multi-site and multi-period demand uncertainties", Applied Energy (IF=8.426), 2018, 220, pp.723-734. (paper link)

3. Yuchan Ahn, In-Beum Lee, Kun-Hong Lee and Jeehoon Han*, "Strategic planning design of microalgae biomass-to-biodiesel supply chain network: multi-period deterministic model". Applied Energy (IF=5.746), 2015, 154, pp.528-542. (paper link)

2. Jeehoon Han, Yuchan Ahn, Jae-Uk Lee, and In-Beum Lee, "Optimal Strategy for CCS Infrastructure: A review". Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering (IF=1.199), 2012, 29(8), pp. 975–984. (paper link)

1. Jeehoon Han, Yuchan Ahn, and In-Beum Lee, "A multi-objective optimization model for sustainable electricity generation and CO2 mitigation(EGCM) infrastructure design considering economic profit and financial risk". Applied Energy (IF=4.781), 2012, 95: pp. 186-195. (paper link)

Techno-economic assessment of sustainable processes (ex, sulfur dioxide (SO2) removal from flue gas)

Relevant Publications

6. Yuchan Ahn, Hyungtae Cho, and Junghwan Kim*, "Cost optimal design of SOX capture and utilization process using regenerable carbonate melt as an alternative to conventional flue gas desulfurization", under review

5. Juwon Lee†, Yuchan Ahn†, Hyungtae Cho*, and Junghwan Kim*, "Economic performance assessment of elemental sulfur recovery with carbonate melt desulfurization process", Process Safety and Environmental Protection (IF=6.158), 2022, 158, 123-133 (paper link)

4. Juwon Lee, Hyungtae Cho, Il Moon, Igor Lubomirsky, Valery Kaplan, Junghwan Kim*, and Yuchan Ahn*, "Techno-economic assessment of carbonate melt flue gas desulfurization process", Computers & Chemical Engineering (IF=3.845), 2021, 146, 107227 (paper link)

3. Hyunwoo, Kim†, Shinje Lee†, Yuchan Ahn†, Jinwon Lee, and Wangyun Won*, "Sustainable production of bioplastics from lignocellulosic biomass: technoeconomic analysis and life-cycle assessment", ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering (IF=8.198), 2020, 8, 33, pp. 12419-12429, (paper link)

2. Jaewon Byun†, Yuchan Ahn†, Juyeon Kim, Jeong-Rang Kim, Soon-Yong Jeong, Beom-Sik Kim, Hyungju Kim*, and Jeehoon Han*, "Integrated process for electrocatalytic conversion of glycerol to chemicals and catalytic conversion of corn stover to fuels", Energy Conversion and Management (IF=7.181), 2018, 163, pp.180-186. (paper link)

1. Yuchan Ahn and Jeehoon Han*, "Catalytic production of 1, 4-pentanediol from corn stover". Bioresource Technology (IF=5.807), 2017, 245(part A). pp.442-448. (paper link)

Lifecycle assessment of sustainable processes (ex, carbon dioxide utilization)

Relevant Publications

3. Junghwan Kim, Juwon Lee, Hyungtae Cho, and Yuchan Ahn*, "Life-cycle assessment of SO2 removal from flue gas using carbonate melt", Journal of Industrial Engineering and Chemistry (IF=6.064), 2021, 170-279 (paper link)

2. Hyunwoo, Kim†, Shinje Lee†, Yuchan Ahn†, Jinwon Lee, and Wangyun Won*, "Sustainable production of bioplastics from lignocellulosic biomass: technoeconomic analysis and life-cycle assessment", ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering (IF=8.198), 2020, 8, 33, pp. 12419-12429, (paper link)

1. Yuchan Ahn†, Jaewon Byun†, Dongin Kim, Beom-Sik Kim, Cheol-Seung Lee, and Jeehon Han*, "System-level analysis and life cycle assessment of CO2 and fossil-based formic acid strategies", Green Chemistry (IF=9.480) 2019, 21, 12, pp. 3442-3455, (paper link)

Integrated platform of sorting-utilization processes from plastic waste

Relevant Publications

3. Jaewon Lee†, Jonghun Lim†, Chonghyo Joo†, Yuchan Ahn†, Hyungtae Cho, and Junghwan Kim*, "Multiobjective optimization of plastic wastes sorting and recycling processes considering economic profit and CO2 emissions using NSGA-II", under review

2. Yuchan Ahn, Jonghun Lim, Juwon Lee, Hyungtae Cho, and Junghwan Kim*, "Optimal design of plastic waste sorting system: A case study of separation paths", under review

1. Jonghun Lim†, Yuchan Ahn†, Hyungtae Cho, and Junghwan Kim*, "Optimal strategy to sort plastic waste considering economic feasibility to increase recycling efficiency", Process Safety and Environmental Protection (IF=7.926), 2022, 165, 420-430 (paper link)