• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.149-157
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• 2019

Infiltration characteristics of airborne particulate matter had been investigated in real-life for about 90 days over 2 years in a Korean apartment building where a 3-person household had lived and the exclusive private area was 84.9 ㎡. Airtightness was measured by fan depressurization, and the ACH₅₀ was 2.41 times per hour. In and outdoor particle concentrations were measured by optical particle counters. Infiltration factors and filtration efficiencies of the house, which reflect the removal of outdoor particles penetrating building envelope and the deposition inside a building, were obtained from data screened based on an empirical evaluation process. Infiltration factor of fine particles showed a range from about 42% at 0.4 m/s of wind speed to 72% at 4.2 m/s of wind speed with closed windows and doors. Filtration efficiency was like a MERV 13 grade filter with an open window outside at a balcony at low outdoor wind speed under 1 m/s. The grade decreased to MERV 11 by opening another outside window at the other balcony. Filtration efficiencies decreased as much as 29% in average at a range of 0.3~2.5 ㎛.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.171-178
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• 2009

$PM_{2.5}$ is one of critical air pollutants due to its high absorbability of heavy metallic fumes, PAH and bacillary micro organisms. Such a fine particulate matter is often formed through various nucleation processes including condensation. This study attempts to find the nucleation behaviors of $PM_{2.5}$ arisen from coal power stations using a classical heterogeneous Fletcher's theory. The numerical simulation by C-language could approximate the nucleation process of $PM_{2.5}$ from water vapor, of which approach revealed the required energy for embryo formation and embryo size and nucleation rate. As a result of the calculation, it was found that wetting agents could affect the particle nucleation in vapor condensation. In particular, critical contact angle relates closely with the vapor saturation. Particle condensation could be reduced by lowering the angles. The wetting agents aid to decrease the contact angle and surface tensions, thereby may contribute to save the formation energy.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.216-225
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• 2003

Fine particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 ${\mu}m$ (PM2.5) were collected from three sites in Beijing during April, August, and November 2000 and January 2001. After chemical components in samples are analyzed, a chemical mass balance (CMB) receptor model using PARs as tracers is applied to quantify the source contributions to PM2.5 in Beijing. The results show that the major sources are coal combustion, fugitive dust, vehicle exhaust, secondary sulfate and nitrate, and organic matter while biomass burning and construction dust contribute only a small fraction. In addition, source inventory in Beijing is used to determine the primary source contributions. The two methods result in comparable results. Source apportionment at three sampling sites presents similar contributions to PM2.5 although the sites are far away from each other. However, distinct seasonal pattern is presented for the source contributions from coal combustion, fugitive dust, biomass burning, secondary sulfate and nitrate.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.24-35
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• 2003

Recent epidemiologic studies revealed that the concentration of air pollutants and fine particulated matter have some effects on health status and are associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to characterize background mass concentration of fine particle (PM2.5) and metallic composition from September 2001 to August 2002 in comparison with a medium city, Asan and metropolitan city, Seoul. Conclusively, proper management for fine particles was required in a medium city, Asan, considering the concentrations of metallic elements in fine particles in Asan were relatively higher than those in Seoul. The results were as followed. 1. Average mass concentrations of fine particles in Asan and Seoul were 37.70(${\pm}18.41{\;}{\mu}g/\textrm{m}^3$) and 5.83(${\pm}38.50$) ${\mu}g/\textrm{m}^3$, respectively. When the weather conditions were classified as normal and yellow-sand, measured average mass concentrations of fine particles in yellow-sand weather condition was significantly higher than those of normal weather condition in both cities (p<0.05). 2. Depending on seasons, measured average mass concentrations of fine particles in Asan and Seoul in spring were 47.76(${\pm}19.07$) ${\mu}g/\textrm{m}^3$m and 61.53 (${\pm}4.37$) ${\mu}g/\textrm{m}^3$, respectively. In summer, the average mass concentrations of fine particles in Asan and Seoul were 29.44(${\pm}9.85$) ${\mu}g/\textrm{m}^3$ and 25.42(${\pm}8.10$) ${\mu}g/\textrm{m}^3$, respectively. Especially, the concentration was the highest in spring and the lowest in summer among four seasons. 3. Average concentrations of manganese(Mn), iron(Fe), chromium(Cr), cadmium(Cd), lead(Pb) and silicon(Si) in fine particles in Asan were significantly higher in Seoul (p<0.05). Average concentration of Si in fine particle in Asan was statistically higher than that of Seoul during yellow -sand condition (p<0.05). 4. Considering the characterization of four seasons, average Pb concentration of fine particle in Asan is significantly higher than that of Seoul in spring(p<0.01). In summer, average Mn and Cr concentrations of fine particle in Asan is higher than those of Seoul (p<0.05). Average Mn, Fe. Cr and Si concentrations in fall (p<0.05), and average Mn, Fe, Cr, Pb, and Si concentrations in winter (p<0.05) in Asan were higher than those of Seoul, respectively. 5. Mass concentrations of each Mn, Fe, Cd and Si in fine particles were significantly correlated with both cities. In normal weather condition, Mn, Cu and Si concentrations are statistically significant in Asan, while Mn, Fe, Cu and Si concentrations are statistically significant in Seoul. Mn, Fe and Si concentrations in both cities were statistically significant during yellow-sand weather.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.437-448
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to present the source contribution of the fine particles ($PM_{2.5}$) in Chungju area using the CMB (chemical mass balance) method throughout the four seasons in Korea. The Chungju's annual average level of $PM_{2.5}$ was $48.2{\mu}g/m^3$, which exceeded two times higher than standard air quality. Among these particles, the soluble ionic compounds represent 54.2% of fine particle mass. Additionally, the OC concentration in Chungju stayed similar to other domestic cities, while the EC concentration decreased significantly compared to other domestic/international cities. The concentration of sulfur represented the highest composition (8%) among the fine particle compounds. According to the CMB results, the general trend of the $PM_{2.5}$ mass contributors was the following: secondary aerosols (50.5%: ammonium sulfate 26.5% and ammonium nitrate 24.0%) > gasoline vehicle (18.3%) > biomass burning (11.0%) > industrial boiler (6.0%) > diesel vehicles (4.4%). The contribution of the secondary aerosols was the main cause than others. This impact is assumed to be emitted from air pollutants of urban cities or neighbor countries such as China.

• KEPCO Journal on Electric Power and Energy
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.455-460
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• 2020

In order to identify the characteristics of fine particle emissions from thermal power plants, this study conducted measurement of the primary emission concentration of TPM, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 according to Korea standard test method (ES 01301.1) and ISO 23210 method (KS I ISO 23210). Particulate matters were sampled in total 74 units of power plants such as 59 units of coal-fired power plants, 7 units of heavy oil power plants, 2 units of biomass power plant, and 6 units of liquid natural gas power plants. The average concentration of TPM, PM₁₀, PM_2.5 by fuel are 3.33 mg/m³, 3.01 mg/m³, 2.70 mg/m³ in coal-fired plant, 3.02 mg/m³, 2.99 mg/m³, 2.93 mg/m³ in heavy oil plant, 0.114 mg/m³, 0.046 mg/m³, 0.036 mg/m³ in LNG plant, respectively. These results of TPM, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 were satisfied with the standards of fine dust emission allowance in all units of power plants, respectively. Also, this study evaluated the characteristics of fine particle emissions by conditions of power plants including generation sources, boiler types and operation years and calculated emission factors and then evaluated fine particle emissions by sources of electricity generation.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.120-128
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• 2013

The concentration and composition of particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere can directly reflect the environmental pollution. The atmospheric pollution in some Cameroonian cities is increasing with the industrial development and urbanization. Air pollution is inherently complex, containing PM of varied size and composition. This PM exists as a dynamic cloud interacting with sunlight and is modified by the meteorology. The reflectometer and the EDXRF spectrometry are applied to determine the concentration of some specific elements at four sites in the city of Yaound$\acute{e}$. The particular aim of the present work is to put in place data base on air pollution in urban area and elaborate regulations on the emissions issued to industrial and vehicle activities. This study provides an overview of the concentration of black carbon and some specific elements in the air, which have impacts on human health. The measurement was done by distinguishing the size of particle. So that, the particle with aerodynamic diameter between $2.5-10{\mu}m$ (so-called coarse particle) and aerodynamic diameter < $2.5{\mu}m$ (so-called fine particle) were considered to obtain more information about levels of the inhalable fraction of the location. The results obtained in four locations of the city of Yaound$\acute{e}$ show that the black carbon concentration is very considerable, the element sulfur is a major pollutant and the concentration of fine particle is very greater. The results obtained of fine and coarse filters range from $5-17{\mu}g/m^3$ and $10-18{\mu}g/m^3$ for the black carbon. S, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, As, Se and Hg are the specific findings of this work. The pollutants with a greater concentration are S, Pb, and Zn. These later seem to be non-uniformly, non-regular in some location and high compared to other countries. This work allows us to make a potential relation between pollutants and emission sources. In this framework, some suggestions have been proposed to reduce emissions for an improvement of the air quality in the environment and thus, the one of the city of Yaound$\acute{e}$.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.128-136
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• 2007

It is well known that two representative methods satisfy EURO-IV regulation from EURO-III. The first method is to achieve the regulation through the reduction of NOx in an engine by utilizing relatively high EGR rate and the elimination of subsequently increased PM by DPF. However, it results in the deterioration of fuel economy due to relatively high EGR rate. The second is to use the high combustion strategy to reduce PM emission by high oxidation rate and trap the high NOx emissions with DeNOx catalysts such as Urea-SCR. While it has good fuel economy relative to the first method mentioned above, its infrastructure is demanded. In this paper, the number distribution of nano PM has been evaluated by Electrical Low Pressure Impactor(ELPI) and CPC in case of Urea-SCR system in second method. From the results, the particle number was increased slightly in proportion to the amount of urea injection on Fine Particle Region, whether AOC is used or not. Especially, in case of different urea injection pressure, the trends of increasing was distinguished from low and high injection pressure. As low injection pressure, the particle number was increased largely in accordance with the amount of injected urea solution on Fine Particle Region. But Nano Particle Region was not. The other side, in case of high pressure, increasing rate of particle number was larger than low pressure injection on Nano Particle Region. From the results, the reason of particle number increase due to urea injection is supposed that new products are composited from HCNO, sulfate, NH3 on urea decomposition process.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.225-232
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• 2022

Fine dust threatens human health in various forms, depending on the particle size, such as by causing respiratory, cardiovascular, and brain diseases, after entering the body via the lungs. The aim of this study was to correlate fine dust exposure with changes in brain blood flow in Sprague Dawley rats by using micro-positron emission tomography and elucidate the possibility of developing cerebrovascular diseases caused by fine dust. The subjects were exposured to an average fine dust (particulate matter 2.5) of 206.2 ± 7.74 to ten rats four times a day, twice a day for 90 min. Before the experiment, they were maintained at NPO to the maximize the intake of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxy glucose(¹⁸F-FDG) and minimize changes in the ¹⁸F-FDG biomass depending on the ambient environment and body temperature of the rats. PET images were acquired in the list mode 40 min after injecting ¹⁸F-FDG 44.4 MBq into the rats tail vein using a micro-PET scanner pre and post exposure to fine dust. We found that the whole brain level of ¹⁸F-FDG standardized uptake value in rats averaged 5.21 ± 0.52 g/mL pre and 4.22 ± 0.48 g/mL post exposure to fine dust, resulting in a statistically significant difference. Fine dust was able to alter brain activity after entering the body via the lungs in various forms depending on the particle size.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.131-137
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• 2023

Filter and microbalance sensitivity in measuring fine particulate matter mass is greatly influenced by particulate properties and environmental factors. Temperature and humidity control inside a measuring chamber with a microbalance, and neutralization of static charges on filters are essential for consistent filter weighing. Commercial weighing chambers are expensive with a unit price of tens of millions won. This study developed an inexpensive weighing chamber for weighing fine particulate matter and evaluatedits weighing performance. A microbalance with 1 ㎍ precision was used to measure the weight of a filter. The microbalance was set in a transparent acrylic enclosure (100 × 60 × 65 cm³) equipped with temperature and humidity control equipments. Weighing performance of the chamber was examined using Teflon filters with or without different particulate sample types. Temperature and humidity were maintained at approximately 23.2±1.2 ℃ and 36.2±1.8℃ for 8 days, respectively.