• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.402-407
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• 2023

Activated carbon fibers (ACFs) are fibrous form of activated carbon (AC) with higher mechanical strength and flexibility, which make them suitable for building modules for applications including directional gas flow such as air and gas purification. Similarly, ACFs are anticipated to excel in the efficient capture of CO₂. However, due to the difficulties in fabricating monofilament carbon fibers at a laboratory scale, most of the studies regarding ACFs for CO₂ capture have relied on electrospun carbon fibers. In this study, we fabricated monofilament carbon fibers from PAN-based monofilament precursors by stabilization and carbonization. Then, ACFs were successfully prepared by chemical activation using KOH. Different weight ratios ranging from 1:1 to 1:4 were employed in the fabrication of ACFs, and the samples were designated as ACF-1 to ACF-4, respectively. As a function of KOH ratio, increase in surface area could be observed. However, the CO₂ adsorption trend did not follow the surface area trend, and the ACF-3 with second largest surface area exhibited the highest CO₂ adsorption capacity. To understand the phenomena, nitrogen content and ultramicropore distribution, which are important factors determining CO₂ adsorption capacity, were considered. As a result, while nitrogen content could not explain the phenomena, ultramicropore distribution could provide a reasoning that the excessive etching led ACF-4 to develop micropore structure with a broader distribution, resulting in high surface area yet deteriorated CO₂ adsorption.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.263-270
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• 2010

This is a research on development of water purification equipment called artificial floating island (=AFI) for the stagnant water area which can secure exuberant landscape and water-friendility. The equipment devised in this study is designed to make up the weakness of conventional AFIs and improves the removal efficiency of pollutants using the mixture of media and plants. The air compressor positioned at the inlet releases air with inflow continuously, the water pump at the outlet sprays as a form of fountain with causing a disturbance on stable water column, then, both of them contribute improvement of water quality over a large area. We applied Bio-stone as a media in this system and performed an experiment of pre-efficiency test, and we concluded that the higher pollutants concentration of inflow, the higher removal efficiency we obtained. At the result of lab-scale experiment, in the case of high-concentration inflow, in the removal efficiency of SS is 62.2%, BOD is 50.2%, COD is 55.1%, T-N is 31.6%, T-P is 38.4%. In addition, to evaluate the field application, we set up the facilities in Sin-gal lake located in Yongin-Si Gyeonggi-Do, and researched on the removal efficiency of outflow relative to the inflow. As a result, SS is 53.5%, BOD is 32.8%, COD is 36.9%, T-N is 22.6%, T-N is 33.2%.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2007

The aim of the study was to see if there is any differences in urinary 1-hydroxypyrene glucuronide (1-OHPG) and 2-naphthol levels in children ($8{\sim}14$ years old) and their mothers ($30{\sim}46$ years old) living three cities in South Korea (Seoul, Incheon and Pohang) and three in China (Changchun, Datong and Kunming), where the levels of air pollution varies. The factors related with urinary biomarkers levels were also evaluated. The study subjects consisted of 118 Korean (60 children and 58 their mothers) and 120 Chinese (60 children and 60 their mothers). Urinary 1-OHPG was measured by synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy after immuno-affinity purification using monoclonal antibody 8E11 and urinary 2-naphthol concentrations were determined by HPLC with fluorescence detector. Information on recent consumption of diet containing high PAHs, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), type of cooking and heating fuels, and other life-style characteristics were collected by self-administered questionnaire. The arithmetic mean of urinary 1-OHPG levels (n = 120, $mean{\pm}SD$, $6.77{\pm}7.96{\mu}mol/mol$ creatinine) in Chinese were 10 fold higher than those in Korean (n = 118, $0.62{\pm}0.61{\mu}mol/mol$ creatinine) (P < 0.01). Urinary 2-naphthol levels in Chinese (n = 119, $59.50{\pm}82.29{\mu}g/g$ creatinine) were significantly higher than those in Korean (n = 117, $25.09{\pm}46.56{\mu}g/g$ creatinine) (P < 0.01). Urinary 1-OHPG and 2-naphthol levels were significantly higher in children living the polluted cities in China (Datong and Chanchun, respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that living in factory area (vs. residential area) and use of coal stove as heating fuel were significant predictors for urinary 1-OHPG (overall model $R^2$= 0.46, n = 204). And ETS was predictor for urinary 2-naphthol levels in Korean ($R^2$ = 0.36, n = 46). These results indicated that urinary 1-OHPG and 2-naphthol levels were related with different ambient particulate air pollution, type of heating fuels and ETS.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.218-231
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• 2005

This paper reviews the engineering approach needed to support humans during their long-term missions in space. This approach includes closed plant production systems under microgravity or low pressure, mass recycling, air revitalization, water purification, waste management, elimination of trace contaminants, lighting, and nutrient delivery systems in controlled ecological life support system (CELSS). Requirements of crops f3r space use are high production, edibility, digestibility, many culinary uses, capability of automation, short stems, and high transpiration. Low pressure on Mars is considered to be a major obstacle for the design of greenhouses fer crop production. However interest in Mars inflatable greenhouse applicable to planetary surface has increased. Structure, internal pressure, material, method of lighting, and shielding are principal design parameters for the inflatable greenhouse. The inflatable greenhouse operating at low pressure can reduce the structural mass and atmosphere leakage rate. Plants growing at reduced pressure show an increasing transpiration rates and a high water loss. Vapor pressure increases as moisture is added to the air through transpiration or evaporation from leaks in the hydroponic system. Fluctuations in vapor pressure will significantly influence total pressure in a closed system. Thus hydroponic systems should be as tight as possible to reduce the quantity of water that evaporates from leaks. And the environmental control system to maintain high relative humidity at low pressure should be developed. The essence of technologies associated with CELSS can support human lift even at extremely harsh conditions such as in deserts, polar regions, and under the ocean on Earth as well as in space.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.16-27
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• 2022

Due to climate change, temperature is rising worldwide. Since rapid growth has been achieved focused on cities, South Korea is experiencing serious environmental problems such as heat island and air pollution in urban areas. To solve this problem, the central and each local government are actively promoting tree planting campaigns. This study quantitatively calculated changes in green areas and vegetation of Gumi by the tree planting campaign, and analyzed the temperature changes accordingly. For the target area, the green area, vegetation index, and ground temperature were calculated for 4 different time periods using the given Landsat satellite images. As a result of the study, the green area of was increased by 7.24km² and 4.93km² for two regions, respectively. Accordingly, the vegetation index increased by 0.14 to 0.16, and the temperature decreased by 0.8 to 1.2℃. The Tree planting campaign not only plays a role in lowering the temperature of the city but also does various roles such as air purification, carbon absorption, and providing green rest areas to citizens. Therefore the campaign should be carried out continuously.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.240-246
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• 2023

This study was performed to convert NO_x in atmosphere by photochemical reaction utilizing the eco-friendly solar energy. The mortar specimen coated with photocatalyst was fabricated and the photochemical conversion efficiency of NO_x was analyzed. The photocatalyst coated concrete was fabricated by first adding TiO₂ photocatalyst on the bottom of mold first and next adding cement mortar and, then, curing the concrete mortar. The grease was sprayed on the bottom of mold in advance so that the concrete can be demolded easily after curing. The conversion efficiencies of NO_x by photochemical reactions were investigated systematically by changing the process variable conditions of amount of TiO₂ coating, UV-A light intensity, total gas flow rate, relative humidity and initial NO_x concentration. It was confirmed that the photocatalyst coated concrete fabricated in this study could convert NO_x successfully for various process conditions in atmosphere. In future, we believe this research result can be utilized as basic data to design the infrastructure of building, tunnel and road for controlling efficiently the air pollutants such as NO_x, SO_x, and VOCs.

• 보존과학연구
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• s.25
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• pp.119-132
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• 2004

Annals of the Joseon Dynasty is the authentic record of the historical facts and events taken place throughout the entire period of 472 years(25 generations, 1392~1863)described in a chronological order. The tremendous volume of the records contains the factual events taken place in almost all the fields of the Joseon Dynasty ranging from politics, economy to history of the dynasty. Not only because of its affluent contents but also with the precision of its records, it was designated as the National Treasure No. 151 in1973 by the Korean government and also registered as the Memory of the World by UNESCO in October 1997.This study is to report a exhaustive investigation results on the conservation state of annals of the Joseon Dynasty, especially Mt. Jeongjoksan edition, under the storage of the Kyujanggak in order to obtain the current condition, and thereby to estimate the any deterioration of the waxed volumes in the future. According to results of the investigation, we are going to verify damage causes of annals of the Joseon Dynasty, and to consider scientific conservation methods for the permanent preservation of invaluable cultural heritage. The major problem with the preservation of annals has arisen particularly from the deterioration of the waxed volumes of the Mt. Jeongjoksan edition. In order to provide for the counter measures for this problem, we have conducted twice investigations(first :1998~1999, second : 2003) to the internal and external conditions of waxed volumes(Annals of King Taejo~Annals of King Myeongjong).The result of the investigation has indicated that the paper quality of the some of the waxed volumes (Annals of King Taejong~Annals of King Sejong) is cracked and folded and the pages are imbedded to each other due to the hardened or congealed wax on the paper. Some of the pages are even getting moldy. And in order to detect as to whether“ there has been any deterioration progressed to the waxed books in the modern storage facility of the Kyujanggak equipped with constant temperature and humidity condition, the first investigation(1998~1999) and the second investigation(2003) have recorded the values of acidity, whiteness and moisture rate of the waxed paper, reporting an observation that there has been no difference on the measuring items. This indicates that no virtual deterioration has been progressed so far to the waxed volumes preserved in the Kyujanggak. Also, except for the causes of deterioration to the paper by insects and microorganisms, the major cause for the paper damage seems to the change of moisture of the paper caused from the alteration of the temperature and humidity of the storage environment. With this understanding in mind, we have conducted an environmental investigation on the three selected points of the storage in the aspects of the temperature, humidity, air current, $CO_2$,HCHO, and $SO_2$.It has been observed that the temperature stood at $16.9^{\circ}C~20.2^{\circ}C$ and the humidity was stable between 53%~56% during the period of the investigation. The concentration of the carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide of the storage were very similar to those in the air. These data lead to presume that there is no problem in the aspect of carbon oxidization. But the concentration of sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and formaldehyde of the storage were detected a little higher than those of standard. Therefore, we consider that it is necessary to ventilate the internal air of the store room by means of operating air purification devices.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.297-302
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• 2017

Recently, building materials and air purification filters with eco-friendly charcoal are actively studying to reduce the concentration of radon gas in indoor air. In this study, radon reduction performance was assessed by designing and producing new panel-type activated carbon filter that can be handled more efficiently than conventional charcoal filters, which can reduce radon gas. For the fabrication of our panel-type activated carbon filter, first the pressed molding product after mixing activated carbon powder and polyurethane. Then, through diamond cutting, the activated carbon filter of 2 mm, 4 mm and 6 mm thickness were fabricated. To investigate the physical characteristics of the fabricated activated carbon filter, a surface area and flexural strength measurement was performed. In addition, to evaluate the reduction performance of radon gas in indoor, the radon concentration of before and after the filter passes from a constant amount of air flow using three acrylic chambers was measured, respectively. As a result, the surface area of the fabricated activated carbon was approximately $1,008m^2/g$ showing similar value to conventional products. Also, the flexural load was found to have three times higher value than the gypsum board with 435 N. Finally, the radon reduction efficiency from indoor gas improved as the thickness of the activated carbon increases, resulting in an excellent radon removal rate of more than 90 % in the 6 mm thick filter. From the experimental results, the panel-type activated carbon is considered to be available as an eco-friendly building material to reduce radon gas in an enclosed indoor environment.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.87-98
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• 2024

This study was conducted to investigate the efficiency of the filtering sets composed of fiberboards, which were fabricated with lignocellulosic fiber and cork oak bark-based activated carbon (COA), as well as traditional Korean paper handmade from mulberry trees (KP) for the filtration of PM, TVOC and HCHO. Three-layers fiberboards (WRF) were fabricated with wood fiber in its surface layers and recycled fiber/COA in its core layer using a protein-based adhesive with the resin content of 8%. Filtering sets were composed of three WRF and one sheet of KP. Concentrations of PM, TVOC and HCHO generated with the combustion of a incense in a sealed laboratory hood were reduced efficiently with the operation of air-purifier installed the filtering sets. Except for the WRF fabricated with 4%/4% resin contents, other WRF were prepared with 5%/3% and 6%/2% resin contents in surface/core layers, and then the WRF were used with KP for the fabrication of filtering sets. Filtration efficiency of the filtering sets was improved as the core-layer resin content applied in the fabrication of WRF decreased. In addition, filtration efficiency of the WRF-based filtering set fabricated with KP of 25 g/m² basis weight was higher than that with KP of 45 g/m² basis weight. Filtering sets composed of three-layers fiberboards (RWF) that recycled fiber and wood fiber/COA were used in its surface and core layers, respectively, and KP-25g showed higher filtration efficiency than those of WRF-based filtering sets. Air-inhalation equipment installed the RWF-based, WRF-based filtering sets and without filtering set were operated in small indoor and large outdoor spaces. Efficiency for filtering PM and TVOC of the RWF-based filtering sets was higher than that of other filtering sets. It is concluded that fiberboard-based filtering sets composed of RWF and KP-25g can be used as a filter for reducing the concentrations of PM and TVOC existed in indoor and outdoor spaces.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.386-393
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• 2016

Agricultural ecosystem is recognized as a space for providing a variety of services, in addition to the food production that it originally encompassed, such as water purification, biological habitat, air purification, soil conservation, and landscape development. The construction of greenhouses in agricultural landscapes can cause deterioration of ecosystem services because of the increase of impermeable area and loss of biological habitats. This study aimed to compare insect diversity between different types of constructed greenhouses and paddy ecosystems. The target study area was selected by considering the distribution status of horticultural complexes and was classified as Single Vinyl Greenhouse, Multi Vinyl Greenhouse or Glass Greenhouse and they were compared with four paddies. The study locations were in Gu-Mi, Bu-Yeo, Ginje and Jin-Ju. A total of 2,333 individual insects belonging to 9 orders, 38 families, 76 genus, and 80 species were collected. The composition of orders was Hemiptera (22.37%), Coleoptera (18.42%), Hymenoptera (14.47%), Orthoptera (11.84%), and Diptera (10.53%). The average number of collected species were in the order Paddy (39.38 species) > Single Vinyl Greenhouse (35.50 species) > Multi Vinyl Greenhouse (22.50 species) > Glass Greenhouse (24.00 species). The Diversity Index (H') was Paddy (4.76) > Single Vinyl Greenhouse (4.57) > Multi Vinyl Greenhouse (4.12), and Glass Greenhouse (4.12). The Richness Index (RI) was Paddy (7.72) and Single Vinyl Greenhouse (7.03) > Multi Vinyl Greenhouse (4.99) and Glass Greenhouse (5.32). From our results, it can be seen that the biological diversity features of insects decreased when greenhouses are constructed.However, Single Vinyl Greenhouse is noted to promote insect diversity more than that by Multi Vinyl Greenhouse and Glass Greenhouse. Hence, when constructing greenhouses, it is necessary to consider insect habitat to conserve insect diversity.