• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.920-926
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• 1997

The catalytic glycolysis process is the method of chemical recycling where the polyol and carbamate compounds recovered by transesterification reaction are reused to produce new polyurethane foams. In this work, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and 1,4-butanediol were used to decompose polyurethane foams and various metallic acetates were provided as catalysts. The catalytic glycolsis of polyurethane foams was taken place in the reaction temperature of $180{\sim}200^{\circ}C$. The reaction rates of catalytic glycolysis reaction were indicated by the viscosity of the reaction products at different reaction times. IR and GPC analysis showed the types and the molecular weight distributions of the products. The catalytic glycolysis was profitable for using ethyleneglycol at high temperature. The activities of the catalysts are suitable for K, Na, Tl acetate, and the products are composed of comparatively high-contained amine compounds and carbamate compounds. In the case of Sr acetate and Quinoline, the reaction rate was somewhat low. However, the content of polyol was high and the content of the side-products was low. The foams which were prepared by blending up to 20wt% of recovered polyol with virgin polyols showed better physical properties in tensile strength, hardness, tear strength, and compressive strength compared to those of polyurethane foams from virgin polyol.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.360-365
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• 2002

The variety and density of entomopathogenic nematodes from the polluted soils of heavy metals were examined. In order to investigate the pollution of heavy metals in soil, 300 sites in kyungsangbuk-do were collected from March to October in 2001. We measured the contents of seven heavy metal elements (Cd, Cu, As, Hg, Pb, Cr^{6+}$, CN) and than cheesed soil of 25 sites with high concentration of heavy metals. The seven strains of nematodes were isolated from seven samples by silkworm host (Bombyx mori mori) and white trap. Isolated nematodes are composed of two families, one order. The members of Rhabditida were isolated in the soil with mean Cd content of 0.870 ppm. And they were isolated in the soil samples with As content less than 0.745 ppm. However they were isolated regardless of concentration of Cu and Pb. The members of Cylindrocorpidae were isolated in the soil samples with Cr^{6+}$ content less than 0.05 ppm. Any entomopathogenic nematode was not detected in the CN polluted soil. Isolated nematodes successfully cultured on the silkworm host and were confirmed the pathogenicity, multiplicity, and tolerance against various condition of preservation. Which proved its potential usefulness as biological agent.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.787-799
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the accumulation of metallic elements and the control effect of marine pollution caused by ocean dumping in the sediments at a waste disposal area in the Yellow Sea. In July 2009, concentrations of organic matter and metallic elements (Al, Fe, As, Cd, Cr, Co, Hg, Ni, Mn, Pb, and Zn) were measured in surface sediments at the site. The ignition loss (IL) in the surface sediments showed a mean value of 15.4%, about 1.5 times higher than the mean value of the sediments in the coastal areas of Korea. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) at some disposal sites exceeded 20 mg $O_2/g{\cdot}dry$, which signifies the initial concentration of marine sediment pollutants in Japan. The disposal sites contain higher concentrations of Cr, Cu and Zn than the sediments of bays and estuaries that might be contaminated. The magnitude of both metal enrichment factors (EF) and adverse biological effects suggest that pollution with Cr and Ni occurred due to the dumping of waste in the study area. In addition, the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) showed that the surface sediments were moderately contaminated. By the mid-2000s, when the amount of waste dumped at this site was the highest, the concentration of metallic elements was higher than ever recorded. On the other hand, in 2008-09, the need for environmental management was relatively low compare with the peak. As a result, the quality of marine sediment has been enhanced, considering the effect of waste reduction and natural dilution in the disposal area.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.80-88
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• 2017

Globally, there has been a lot of research related to recycling coal ash from power plant stations. This research is happening because there is a considerable shortage of sites for reclamation of increased coal ash every year. In addition, a variety of environmental pollutants have appeared because of mining activity. Abandoned coal mine, pits, and mine tailing piles caused pollutants to come to the surface resulting in serious damage for humans and the environment. Therefore in this study, we investigated whether or not coal ashes have the ability to prevent several environmental problems by mining in Korea and a manageable form recycling coal ashes. In overseas countries, there is a sufficient field of applicable cases where coal ash is used for neutralizing AMD (Acid Mine Drainage), covering of the waste materials, grouting, and soil amendments. However in Korea, since the coal ash is classified as a 'waste', there is an insufficient field applicable cases so far. Therefore it is necessary to establish a specific standard and management system for the utilization of coal ash based on the relevant precedent cases applied abroad in order to prevent environmental pollution caused by mining activity in Korea.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.39-46
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• 2004

The amount of electric furnace dust has been steadily increasing due to the increase of iron scraps which are usually recycled by electric furnace melting process. To date, this electric furnace dust has usually been treated by landfilling, however, because of shortage of landfill sites and heavy metal leaching more desirable treatment schemes are urgently needed. Among several possible schemes for the proper treatment of electric furnace dust, its recycling can be said to be most desirable. In present study, the triboelectrostatic separation of zinc and zinc-containing components from electric furnace dust was attempted based on its physicochemical properties such as particle shape, size distribution, and chemical assay. The dust was found to be mixed with spherical and non-spherical shaped particles and its major component materials were $ZnFe_2$$O_4$, ZnO, Fe, Zn, and FeO. The content of zinc-containing components in the entire dust was observed to be in the range of 15～30 wt%, which reasonably justified that zinc is recyclable. The triboelectrostatic characteristic of each component material was found to be different each other since their work functions were different, and based on this characteristic zinc and zinc-containing component could be flirty separated from the dust. After selecting a proper tribo-elec-trification material, the separation features of zinc and zinc-containing component were examined by taking the distance of electrodes, electric field strength, and scavenging as the experimental variables. The highest zinc-content obtained under the optimal separating condition was found to be up to 50wt%.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.120-125
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• 1999

This study was carried out to enhance the efficiency of bioleaching of heavy metals. copper and zinc from the soil samples obtained from mine tailings in Cho-il Mine located in Dan-Yang, Choong-Buk. The effects of medium (9 K) composition on the leaching efficiency were investigated by changing concentrations of the dominant components. phosphorus, nitrogen source. and energy source which are the most important factors governing the growth and multiplication of microorganism. The results of the bioleaching test at different phosphorus concentrations of medium, 0 mM. 3.0 mM, and 6.0 mM showed that leaching efficiency for zinc and copper was 98.8% and 47.5% respectively at 0 mM and decreased at higher phosphorus concentration 6.0 mM. In the bioleaching test of zinc and copper at 0 mM, 45 mM, and 90 mM nitrogen concentrations, the Highest efficiency of 85% and 46.4% was obtained for zinc and cooper respectively at 45 mM and the lower efficiency observed for 90mM nitrogen addition. The zinc and copper leaching with variation of energy source dosage showed the highest removal efficiency, 93% for zinc in the absence of energy source and 46.4% for copper at 160mM energy source.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.23-29
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• 2018

Recently rapid economic growth and technological development have led to an increase in the generation of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). As the amount of electric and electronic waste generated increases, the importance of processing waste printed circuit boards (PCB) is also increasing. Various studies have been conducted to recycle various valuable metals contained in a waste PCB in an environmentally friendly and economical manner. To get anode slime containing Ag and Au, Anode copper prepared from PCB scraps was used by means of electro-refining. Ag and Au recovery was conducted by leaching, direct reduction, and ion exchange method. In the case of silver, the anode slime was leached at 3 M $HNO_3$, 100 g/L, $70^{\circ}C$, and Ag was recovered by precipitation, alkali dissolution, and reduction method. In the case of gold, the nitrate leaching residues of the anode slime was leached at 25% aqua regia, 200 g/L, $70^{\circ}C$, and Au was recovered by pH adjustment, ion exchange resin adsorption, desorption and reduction method. The purity of the obtained Au and Ag were confirmed to be 99.99%.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.39-47
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• 2024

In this study, the environmental implications of electric arc furnace steel slag, commonly used in road construction and soil reinforcement, were examined. Experiments were conducted to assess the leaching of heavy metals based on particle size and to investigate ion leaching from specimens with varying mixtures of steel slag and clay. The official waste test revealed no detectable heavy metals in the sample items. However, when subjected to leaching experiments and analyzed using ICP-OES, certain heavy metals were found. The reaction of steel slag with water, facilitated by free CaO within the slag, was identified as the cause of leaching. Results showed that aluminum, exhibiting the highest leaching rate, displayed an inverse relationship with particle size. In mixed soil containing steel slag and clay, higher steel slag content resulted in increased aluminum leaching. Nonetheless, the quantity of leached aluminum was notably lower in mixed soil compared to pure steel slag. Furthermore, leaching of other heavy metals remained within acceptable limits. These findings suggest that recycling mixed soil of steel slag and clay for road construction or soil stabilization presents reduced environmental risks compared to using steel slag alone. Utilizing such mixtures could offer an environmentally sustainable and safe alternative.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.255-263
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• 2006

Vol-oxidizer is a device to convert $UO_2$ pellets into $U_3O_8$ powder and to feed a homogeneous powder into a Metal Conversion Reactor in the ACP(Advanced Spent Fuel Conditioning Process). In this paper, we propose a design model of the vol-oxidizer, develop the new vol-oxidizer with a capacity of 20 kg HM/batch in $UO_2$ pellets, and conduct a verification for the device. Design considerations include the internal structure, the capacity, the heating position of the device, and the size. The dimensions of the new vol-oxidizer are decided by the design model. We determine a permeability test of the $U_3O_8$ measuring the temperature distribution, and the volume of $UO_2$ and $U_3O_8$. We manufactured the new vol-oxidizer for a 20 kg HM/batch in $UO_2$ pellets, and then analyzed the characteristics of the $U_3O_8$ powder for the verification. The experimental results show that the permeability of the $U_3O_8$ throughout mesh enhance more than old vol-oxidizer, the oxidation time takes only 8 hours when compared with the 13 hours of the old device, and the average distribution of particle size is $40{\mu}m$. The capacities of new vol-oxidizer for a 20 kg HM/batch in $UO_2$ pellets were agree well with the predictions of design model.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.115-122
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• 2019

Electric arc furnace dust (EAFD), which is a dust waste generated in the steel manufacturing process, contains heavy metals. Recently, researches of recycling a large amount of valuable metals such as zinc and iron in EAFD are being actively carried out. In this study, EAFD is used as a substitute for cobalt in blue ceramic pigments without any pretreatment. Then, the synthesized blue ceramic pigment using EAFD was micronized and formulated as a ceramic ink for inkjet printer. The particle size distribution, crystal structure and color characteristics during the micronization process were investigated for the development of ceramic ink. $Co_{0.75}Zn(EAFD)_{0.25}Al_2O_4$ ceramic pigments showed excellent blue coloric properties and monomodal distribution through micronization process. The average particle size of $Co_{0.75}Zn(EAFD)_{0.25}Al_2O_4$ ceramic pigments after 3 hours of milling was $0.271{\mu}m$, which is smaller than $0.303{\mu}m$, which is the average particle size of $CoAl_2O_4$ ceramic pigments without EAFD after 5 hours of milling. Especially, it was confirmed that $Co_{0.75}Zn(EAFD)_{0.25}Al_2O_4$ ceramic pigments showed a color difference (${\Delta}E{^*}_{ab}$) value of 5.67, which smaller than ${\Delta}E{^*}_{ab}$ value of $CoAl_2O_4$ during micronization. These results show that EAFD can be used as a raw material for a blue ceramic pigment by replacing expensive cobalt without any pretreatment.