• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.610-619
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• 2022

Hydrogen is emerging as an alternative fuel for eco-friendly ships because it reacts with oxygen to produce electrical energy and only water as a by-product. However, unlike regular fossil fuels, hydrogen has a material with a high risk of explosion due to its low ignition point and high flammability range. In order to safely use hydrogen in ships, it is an essential task to study the flow characteristics of hydrogen leakage and diffusion need to be studied. In this study, a numerical analysis was performed on the effect of leakage, ventilation, etc. on ventilation performance when hydrogen leaks in an enclosed space such as inside a ship. ANSYS CFX ver 18.1, a commercial CFD software, was used for numerical analysis. The leakage rate was changed to 1 q, 2 q, and 3 q at 1 q = 1 g/s, the ventilation rate was changed to 1 Q, 2 Q and 3 Q at 1 Q = 0.91 m/s, and the ventilation method was changed to type I, type II, type III to analyze the ventilation performance was analyzed. As the amount of leakage increased from 1 q to 3 q, the HMF in the storage room was about 2.4 to 3.0 times higher. Furthermore, the amount of ventilation to reduce the risk of explosion should be at least 2 Q, and it was established that type III was the most suitable method for the formation of negative pressure inside the hydrogen tank storage room.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.305-316
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• 2022

Hydrogen energy is emerging as an alternative to the depletion of fossil fuels and environmental problems, and the use of hydrogen vehicles is increasing in the automobile industry as well. However, since hydrogen has a wide flammability limit of 4 to 75%, there is a high concern about safety in case of a hydrogen car accident. In particular, in semi-enclosed spaces such as tunnels and underground parking lots, a fire or explosion accompanied by hydrogen leakage is highly likely to cause a major accident. Therefore, it is necessary to review hydrogen safety through analysis of flammability areas caused by hydrogen leakage. Therefore, in this study, the effect of the air velocity in the tunnel on the flammability area was investigated by analyzing the hydrogen concentration according to the hydrogen leakage conditions of hydrogen vehicles and the air velocity in the tunnel in a road tunnel with standard section. Hydrogen leakage conditions were set as one tank leaking and three tanks leaking through the TPRD at the same time and a condition in which a large crack occurred and leaked. And the air velocity in the tunnel were considered 0, 1, 2.5, and 4.0 m/s. As a result of the analysis of the flammability area, it is shown that when the air velocity of 1 m/s or more exists, it is reduced by up to 25% compared to the case of air velocity of 0 m/s. But there is little effect of reducing the flammability area according to the increase of the wind speed. In particular, when a large crack occurs and completely leaks in about 2.5 seconds, the flammability area slightly increases as the air velocity increases. It was found that in the case of downward ejection, hydrogen gas remains under the vehicle for a considerably long time.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.218-226
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• 2022

Hydrogen, a carrier of large-capacity chemical and clean energy, is an important industrial gas widely used in the petrochemical industry and fuel cells. In particular, hydrogen is mainly produced from fossil fuels through steam reforming and gasification, and carbon dioxide is generated as a by-product. Therefore, in order to obtain high-purity hydrogen, carbon dioxide should be removed. This review focused on free-standing polymeric membranes and mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) that separate hydrogen from carbon dioxide reported in units of Barrer [1 Barrer = 10^-10 cm³ (STP) × cm / (cm² × s × cmHg)]. By analyzing various recently reported papers, the structure, morphology, interaction, and preparation method of the membranes are discussed, and the structure-property relationship is understood to help find better membrane materials in the future. Robeson's upper bound limits for hydrogen/carbon dioxide separation were presented through reviewing the performance and characteristics of various separation membranes, and various MMMs that improve separation properties using technologies such as crosslinking, blending and heat treatment were discussed.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.292-303
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• 2022

An eco-friendly energy conversion device without the emission of pollutants has gained much attention due to the rapid use of fossil fuels inducing carbon dioxide emissions ever since the first industrial revolution in the 18th century. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) that can produce water during the reaction without the emission of carbon dioxide are promising devices for automotive and residential applications. As a key component of PEMFCs, polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) need to have high proton conductivity and physicochemical stability during the operation. Currently, perfluorinated sulfonic acid-based PEMs (PFSA-PEMs) have been commercialized and utilized in PEMFC systems. Although the PFSA-PEMs are found to meet these criteria, there is an ongoing need to improve these further, to be useful in practical PEMFC operation. In addition, the well-known drawbacks of PFSA-PEMs including low glass transition temperature and high gas crossover need to be improved. Therefore, this review focused on recent trends in the development of high-performance PFSA-PEMs in three different ways. First, control of the side chain of PFSA copolymers can effectively improve the proton conductivity and thermal stability by increasing the ion exchange capacity and polymer crystallinity. Second, the development of composite-type PFSA-PEMs is an effective way to improve proton conductivity and physical stability by incorporating organic/inorganic additives. Finally, the incorporation of porous substrates is also a promising way to develop a thin pore-filling membrane showing low membrane resistance and outstanding durability.

• Clean Technology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.163-171
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• 2023

Hydrogen has been gaining a lot of attention as a possible clean energy source that can aid in reaching carbon neutrality. Currently, hydrogen production has relied on the steam reforming of fossil fuels. However, due to the carbon dioxide emissions caused by this process, hydrogen production based on the steam reforming of bio-oil derived from biomass has been proposed as an alternative approach. In order to use this alternative approach efficiently, one of the key issues that must be overcome is that the complexity of bio-oil, which has a large molecular weight and diverse functional groups of hydrocarbons, promotes the catalytic deactivation of nickel-based catalysts. In this review, research efforts to improve nickel-based catalysts for the steam reforming of bio-oil have been discussed in terms of the active phase, support, and promoters. The active phases are involved in activating C-C and C-H bonds of high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons, and noble and transition metals can be utilized. In terms of the support and promoters, the catalytic deactivation of Ni-based catalysts can be inhibited by utilizing reactive lattice oxygen for support or by suppressing the acidity. The development of active and stable Ni-based reforming catalysts plays a critical role in clean hydrogen production based on bio-oils.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.175-186
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• 2023

The buffer materials in disposal hole are exposed to the decay heat from spent nuclear fuels and groundwater inflow through adjacent rockmass. Since understanding of thermal-hydro-mechanical-chemical (T-H-M-C) interaction in buffer material is crucial for predicting their long-term performance and safety of disposal repository, it is necessary to investigate the heating-hydration characteristics and consequent T-H-M-C behavior of the buffer materials under disposal conditions considering geochemical factors. In response, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute developed a laboratory-scale 'Lab.THMC' experiment system, which characterizes the T-H-M behavior of buffer materials under different geochemical conditions by analyzing heating-hydration process and stress changes. This technical report introduces the detail design of the Lab.THMC system, summarizes preliminary experimental results, and outlines future research plans.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.76-85
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• 2023

Demand for hydrogen as a renewable energy resource is increasing. However, unlike conventional fossil fuels, hydrogen requires a dedicated refueling station for fuel supply. A risk assessment of hydrogen refueling stations must be undertaken to secure the infrastructure. Therefore, in this study, a risk assessment for hydrogen refueling stations was conducted through both qualitative and quantitative risk assessments. For the qualitative evaluation, the hydrogen dispenser module was evaluated as two nodes using the hazard and operability (HAZOP) analysis. The risk due to filter clogging and high-pressure accidents was evaluated to be high according to the criticality estimation matrix. For the quantitative risk assessment, the Hydrogen Korea Risk Assessment Module (Hy-KoRAM) was used to indicate the shape of the fire and the range of damage impact, and to evaluate the individual and social risks. The individual risk level was determined of to be as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP). Additional safety measures proposed include placing the hydrogen refueling station about 100m away from public facilities. The social risk level was derived as 1E-04/year, with a frequency of approximately 10 deaths, falling within the ALARP range. As a result of the qualitative and quantitative risk assessments, additional safety measures for the process and a safety improvement plan are proposed through the establishment of a restricted area near the hydrogen refueling station.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2023

Due to the development of the industrial revolution, regulations on exhaust emissions have been continuously strengthened to reduce the rapidly increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The use of environmentally friendly fuels is essential to meet these regulations. Hydrogen has been attracting attention as a future environmentally friendly fuel, but due to its material properties, it faces significant challenges in handling and storage. As an alternative, ammonia has been proposed. Ammonia can be easily liquefied at room temperature compared to hydrogen and has a high energy density. In order to examine the applicability of ammonia as an engine fuel, experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of changes in combustion control parameters in a direct injection ammonia combustion engine. The experiments were conducted by varying two variables: spark timing and excessive air ratio. Observations were made on combustion stability and the trends of exhaust emissions such as nitrogen oxides and unburned ammonia under the conditions of an engine speed of 1,500 rpm and medium to high loads (brake torque of 200 Nm). By optimizing the combustion control parameters, conditions for stable combustion even when using ammonia as the sole fuel were identified, and plans are underway to apply strategies for future expansion of the operating range.

• Clean Technology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.132-138
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• 2016

The emission of SO₂ is inevitable in case of combustion of most fossil fuels except LNG in commercial power plant which has a bad effect on the durability of SCR catalyst. To develop a low temperature SCR catalyst which has a high NOx removal performance and excellent durability to SO₂, V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalysts were prepared by coating on the metal foam substrate with the impregnation amount of Sb₂O₃ as promotor. This study has evaluated the NOx removal performance and the durability to SO₂ on a laboratory scale atmospheric reactor and analyzed the properties of the prepared catalysts by means of porosimeter, BET, SEM (scanning electron microscope), EDX (energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). It was found that the surface area of catalyst increased with the impregnation amount of Sb₂O₃ and the NOx removal performance showed the highest value at the 2 wt% impregnation of Sb₂O₃. This results was considered to be due to the optimum active site on the catalyst surface. And also, Sb₂O₃ impregnated catalysts presented that NOx removal performance was maintained despite the exposure to SO₂ for 5 hours. Therefore it was confirmed that metal foam SCR catalyst for low temperature could be manufactured with the optimum control of Sb₂O₃ impregnation according to the SO₂ presence or not.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.517-534
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• 2021

Hydrogen fuel is emerging as an new energy source to replace fossil fuels in that it can solve environmental pollution problems and reduce energy imbalance and cost. Since hydrogen is eco-friendly but highly explosive, there is a high concern about fire and explosion accidents of hydrogen fueled vehicles. In particular, in semi-enclosed spaces such as tunnels, the risk is predicted to increase. Therefore, this study was conducted on the applicability of the equivalent TNT model and the numerical analysis method to evaluate the hydrogen explosion pressure in the tunnel. In comparison and review of the explosion pressure of 6 equivalent TNT models and Weyandt's experimental results, the Henrych equation was found to be the closest with a deviation of 13.6%. As a result of examining the effect of hydrogen tank capacity (52, 72, 156 L) and tunnel cross-section (40.5, 54, 72, 95 m²) on the explosion pressure using numerical analysis, the explosion pressure wave in the tunnel initially it propagates in a hemispherical shape as in open space. Furthermore, when it passes the certain distance it is transformed a plane wave and propagates at a very gradual decay rate. The Henrych equation agrees well with the numerical analysis results in the section where the explosion pressure is rapidly decreasing, but it is significantly underestimated after the explosion pressure wave is transformed into a plane wave. In case of same hydrogen tank capacity, an explosion pressure decreases as the tunnel cross-sectional area increases, and in case of the same cross-sectional area, the explosion pressure increases by about 2.5 times if the hydrogen tank capacity increases from 52 L to 156 L. As a result of the evaluation of the limiting distance affecting the human body, when a 52 L hydrogen tank explodes, the limiting distance to death was estimated to be about 3 m, and the limiting distance to serious injury was estimated to be 28.5~35.8 m.