• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.687-693
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• 2019

As the hydrogen fuel cell market is expanded starting from hydrogen electric vehicle and power generation field, the demand for fuel cells and hydrogen increases recently. Therefore, research works on fuel cell durability and fuel efficiency are required in order to activate the fuel cell market and commercialization. A dead-ended anode system was used in this study to optimize the fuel cell performance and fuel efficiency. The effect of purge condition according to the applied current and hydrogen supply pressure on the fuel cell performance were evaluated. In addition, the influence of water back diffusion on the different electrolyte membrane thickness was analyzed. The accumulated water was purged with a solenoid valve in the case of 3% voltage decrease in the dead-ended anode system. The experiment was performed with the hydrogen supply pressure of 0.1~0.5 bar and purge duration of 0.1~1 second. A maximum fuel efficiency of 98.9% was achieved under the purge duration of 0.1 s and hydrogen supply pressure of 0.1 bar with a NR 211 (25.4 um) membrane. However, the fuel cell performance decreased in a long-term operation due to some frequent flooding. The fuel efficiency and purge interval increased due to decreased back diffusion rates of the water and nitrogen with a NR 212 (50.8 um) membrane.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.485-489
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• 2012

We investigated vanadium (V) loading effects on selective catalytic reduction (SCR) activity and $SO_2$ resistance using commercial SCR catalysts applied on a power plant and incinerator with different amounts of V loading. These catalysts were characterized using XRD, Raman, ICP, BET analysis and found to contain $TiO_2$ (anatase) supported $V_2O_5$ added $WO_3$ and $SiO_2$. The SCR activity of the catalysts increased by increasing either the $V_2O_5$ or the $WO_3$ loading amounts; the SCR activity of the catalysts added $WO_3$ is higher than that of $WO_3$-free catalysts. As the V loading amount in the catalyst increased, the $SO_2$ durability decreased. The $V_2O_5$ supported $TiO_2$ catalyst added $WO_3$ and $SiO_2$ inhibits the deactivation process by $SO_2$. The $SO_2$ resistance of catalysts added $SiO_2$ is higher than that of catalysts added $WO_3$.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.338-345
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• 2015

Poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO) and polyether imide (PEI) were sulfonated and aminated to create sulfonated poly(phenylene oxide) (SPPO) and aminated polyether imide (APEI), respectively. Characterization of the SPPO and APEI were performed via measurements of FTIR, thermogravimetry (TGA), swelling degree, ion exchange capacity (IEC), and ion conductivity. Next, the surfaces of these membranes were modified by surface fluorination at room temperature. The surface fluorinated SPPO and APEI membranes underwent characterization again for the mentioned measurements to determine any differences. The 3 types of bi-polar membranes were prepared by varying the IEC of the APEI at a fixed SPPO IEC value, which were applied to the low and high NaCl concentration of feed solution at the different current density, respectively. The hypochlorite concentration derived from the surface fluorinated membranes was dependent on the IEC of the APEI and ranged from 491 to 692 ppm at $80mA/m^2$. At low current density of $5mA/m^2$, the hypochlorite concentrations ranged from 18 to 28 ppm for the 4 hrs surface fluorinated membranes and their durability increased greatly.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.613-620
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• 2021

A flow channel shape of PEMFC has an influence on the internal flow uniformity. If the reactant distribution in a flow path is not uniform during operation, both catalyst deactivation and mechanical damage of membrane could occur resulting in decreasing the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) durability. Numerous studies concerning flow design have been conducted to make smooth supply and uniform distribution of reactants in fuel cells. The baffle of flow path could improve fuel cell performance through the forced convection effect. A sub-channel, as an additional air flow path, could increase the reactant concentration and reduce the mass transfer loss via a smooth water discharge. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to analyze the effect of blocks and sub-channels on the current density and oxygen concentration of the fuel cell. As a result, the limit current density and oxygen concentration at a rear block increased when using blocks and sub-channels in a flow channel. In particular, the current density increased significantly when the sub-channel was placed between two blocks. Also, the sub-channel position was optimized by analyzing the oxygen concentration, and the oxygen concentration was recovered at a rear block in the fuel cell.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.664-670
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• 2021

Stainless steel was applied as bipolar plate (BP) of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) due to high mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and good machinability. However, stainless steel was corroded and increased contact resistance resulting PEMFC performance decrease. Although the corrosion resistance could be improved by surface treatment such as noble metal coating, there is a disadvantage of cost increase. The stainless steel corrosion behavior and passive layer influence on PEMFC performance should be studied to improve durability and economics of metal bipolar plate. In this study, SUS316L bipolar plate of 25 cm² active area was manufactured, and experiments were conducted for corrosion behavior at an anode and cathode. The influence of SUS316L BP corrosion on fuel cell performance was measured using the polarization curve, impedance, and contact resistance. The metal ion concentration in drained water was analyzed during fuel cell operation with SUS316L BP. It was confirmed that the corrosion occurs more severely at the anode than at the cathode for SUS316L BP. The contact resistance was increased due to the passivation of SUS316L during fuel cell operation, and metal ions continuously dissolved even after the passive layer formation.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.161-166
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• 2011

The $CO_2$ dry reforming reaction, which converts carbon dioxide to hydrogen and carbon monoxide, is typical endothermic reaction, and also known as adverse reaction owing to thermodynamics. In order to overcome the problem, the development studies of suitable catalyst based on precious metals for high durability of thermal and optimization of life time have been examined but it had economical problem by high cost. In this study, we confirmed optimum contents of Pt and La with such different contents of Pt (0.02~0.2 wt%) or La (2~20 wt%) over $Co/SiO_2$ which prepared for excellent activity and cost-effective catalysts. As a result, the promoted catalysts with 0.04 wt% Pt or 9 wt% La over $Co/SiO_2$ showed the highest activity which is 57% and 55% $CO_2$ conversion respectively. Also, the particle size of cobalt on the promoted catalysts with 0.04 wt% Pt or 9 wt% La by characterization of catalyst could confirm the smallest particle size in this study. Therefore, it could know that particle size of cobalt had effected the stability and reactivity of catalysts due to the contents of Pt and La.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.434-442
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• 2021

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane has a good membrane durability because of its high mechanical resistance, thermal and chemical stability. However, the strong hydrophobic property of PVDF membrane can induce a low water permeability and easy fouling by proteins and organic matters. In order to improve the anti-fouling properties of PVDF membrane, the PVDF mixed matrix asymmetric membranes impregnated with biofunctional material 𝛽-cyclodextrin (𝛽-CD) in the membrane structure were prepared by phase inversion method. The membrane filtration experiments of pure water and BSA solution were performed using the PVDF/𝛽-CD mixed matrix asymmetric membranes prepared according to the 𝛽-CD contents. The experiments showed that the introduction of 𝛽-CD into the PVDF polymer matrix contributed to increase in the hydrophilic property of the PVDF membranes, and this led to the reduction of contact angles and improvement of anti-fouling properties. The PVDF/𝛽-CD membrane which was prepared using the dope solution with a 2 wt% 𝛽-CD content represented 64 L/m²·h of pure water flux, 95% of BSA rejection and maximum 80% of flux enhancements compared to flux results of the pristine PVDF membrane.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.122-134
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• 2015

This study was conducted to investigate the potential of torrefied larch wood as a raw material of pellets. First of all, larch chip was torrefied at the temperatures of 230, 250 and $270^{\circ}C$ for 30, 50 and 70 min. Secondly, moisture content, moisture absorption, higher heating value and ash content of the torrefied chip were measured to examine the effects of torrefaction conditions on the fuel characteristics of larch. Thirdly, surfaces of the torrefied chip were observed by light microscope (LM), field emission scanning microscope (FE-SEM) and SEM-energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDXS). With the increases of torrefied temperature and time, contents of lignin increased and those of hemicellulose reduced. Moisture content of torrefied larch chip was greatly lower than that of non-torrefied chip. Moisture absorption of the torrefied chip decreased as torrefaction temperature increased. As torrefaction temperature increased, higher heating value and ash content of larch chip increased. However, durability of torrefied-larch pellets was remarkably lower comparing to non-torrefied-larch pellets. When surface of larch chip was observed by LM and FE-SEM, surface color and cell wall of the chip was getting darker and more collapsed with the increases of torrefaction conditions. Through the analysis of SEM-EDXS, distribution and quantity of lignin existing on the surface of larch chip increased with the increases of torrefied conditions. In conclusion, $270^{\circ}C$/50 min might be an optimal condition for the torrefaction of larch with the aspect of fuel characteristics, but torrefaction condition of $230^{\circ}C$/30 min should be considered according to the durability of torrefied-larch pellets.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.60-71
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• 2014

This study was conducted to identify the potential of rape stalk as a raw material for biorefinery process of rape flower. At first, rape stalk (RS) was immersed in distilled water (DW), acetic acid (AA), oxalic acid (OA), sulfuric acid (SA) and sodium hydroxide (SH) solutions, and the content of reducing sugars liberated from immersed RS was analyzed. Glucose, xylose, arabinose and sucrose were detected varying with the immersion type. In particular, 1% AA-immersion of RS for 72 hr was the most effective conditions to liberate glucose from RS. Secondly, the RS residues were used for elementary analysis and fabrication of fuel pellets. In addition to the solution type, concentration of immersion solutions (0%, 1%, 2%) and immersion time (24, 72, 120 hr) were used as experimental factors. The contents of nitrogen, sulfur and chlorine reduced effectively through the immersion of RS in DW, AA and OA solutions. For properties of RS-based pellets, bulk density and higher heating value of RS-based pellets greatly increased with the immersion of RS, and the qualities were much higher than those of the A-grade pellet of the EN standards. Ash content decreased remarkably through the immersion of RS, and was satisfied with the A-grade pellet standard. Durability was negatively affected by the immersion of RS, and did not reached to B-grade of the EN standard. In conclusion, acid immersion of RS can be a pretreatment method for the production of fuel pellet and bioethanol, but use of the immersed RS for the production of high-quality pellets might be restricted due to low durability of immersed-RS pellets. Therefore, further studies, such as investigation of detailed immersion conditions, fabrication of mixed pellets with wooden materials and addition of binders, are needed to resolve the problems.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.68-77
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• 2006

The heartwood of cengal (Neobalanocarpus heimii) is known to have a high degree of decay resistance by virtue of its high extractive content. After 30 years in ground contact an utility pole of this tropical hardwood was found to be degraded only in the surface layers by cavity-forming soft rot fungi. The present work was undertaken 1) to characterize the degradation of cengal heartwood from the aspect of ultrastructure and chemistry and 2) to investigate the correlation between soft rot decay and its extractive microdistribution in wood tissues. The chemical analysis of cengal heartwood revealed the presence of a high amount of extractives as well as lignin. The wood contained a relatively high amount of condensed lignin and the guaiacyl units. Microscopic observations revealed that vessels, fibers and parenchyma cells (both ray and axial parenchyma) all contained extractives in their lumina, but in variable amounts. The lumina of fibers and most axial parenchyma were completely or almost completely filled with the extractives. TEM micrographs showed that cell walls were also impregnated with extractives and that pit membranes connecting parenchyma cells were well coated and impregnated with extractives. However, fungal hyphae were present in the extractive masses localized in cell lumina, and indications were that the extractives did not completely inhibit fungal growth. The extent of cell wall degradation varied with tissue types. The fibers appeared to be more susceptible to decay than vessels and parenchyma. Middle lamella was the only cell wall region which remained intact in all cell types which were severely degraded. The microscopic observations suggested a close correlation between extractive microdistribution and the pattern and extent of cell wall degradation. In addition to the toxicity to fungi, the physical constraint of the extractive material present in cengal heartwood cells is likely to have a profound effect on the growth and path of invasion of colonizing fungi, thus conferring protection to wood by restricting fungal entry into cell walls. The presence of relatively high amount of condensed lignin is also likely to be a factor in the resistance of cengal heartwood to soft rot decay.