• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.11a
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• pp.75.2-75.2
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• 2010

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) have received a lot of attention as a power source for both stationary and mobile applications due to their attractive feature. In general, the performance of PEFCs is highly affected by the property of the electrodes. A PEFC electrode essentially consists of a gas diffusion layer and a catalyst layer. The gas difusion layer is highly porous and hydrophobicized with PTFE polymer. The catalyst layer usually contains electrocatalyst, proton conducting polymer, even PTFE as additive. Particularly, the proton conducting ionomer helps to increase the catalytic activity at three-phase boundary and catalyst utilization. Futhermore, it helps to retain moisture, resulting in preventing the electrodes from membrane dehydration. The most widely used proton conducting ionomer is perfluorinated sulfonic acid polymer, namely, Nafion from DuPont due to its high proton conductivity and good mechanical property. However, there are great demands for alternative ionomers based on non-fluorinated materials in terms of high temperature availability, environmental adaptability and production cost. In this study, the electrodes with the various content of the sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) ionomer in the catalyst layer were prepared. In addition, we evaluated electrochemical properties of the prepared electrodes containing the various amount of the ionomers by using the cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy to find an optimal ionomer composition in the catalyst layer.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.185.2-185.2
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• 2011

1900년대 이후 산업발전에 따른 인구의 도시 집중화로 인한 하수량 증가에 따라 하수슬러지 발생량이 점차 증가하게 되면서 하수슬러지 처리에 관한 문제 등이 제기되기 시작하였다. 국내의 경우 2003년 하수슬러지의 매립이 금지된 후, 발생슬러지 대부분을 해양투기 등을 통해 처리하여왔다. 2009년 기준으로 국내에서 발생되는 하수슬러지량과 처리 분포를 살펴보면 전국 433개소 하수처리장에서 1일 평균 8,295톤(3,028천톤/년)이 발생되고 있으며, 이 중 47%가 해양투기 되고 있는 실정이다. 그러나 해양투기마저도 런던협약'96의정서 가입으로 2012년부터 금지됨에 따라 국내에서는 슬러지처리 및 재활용 방안과 관련한 연구개발이 활발히 진행되고 있는 중이다. 하수슬러지 처리 및 재활용기술의 경우 다양한 공법 등이 개발 중에 있으나 설비의 불안정 및 높은 투자비 등으로 인해 아직까지 상용화 된 설비 등은 많지 않은 실정이다. 이에 따라 본 연구에서는 POSCO 건설에서 개발한 슬러지 연료화 기술을 통해 생산된 슬러지 탄을 석탄 화력발전소 등에 석탄 보조연료로 활용할 수 있는 방안을 강구하여 상용화 가능한 혼소 기술을 개발하고자 하였다. 슬러지탄(발열량 3.000kcal 이상)을 석탄 화력발전소 보일러에 일정 비율로 혼소하여 슬러지탄의 품질평가, 중금속 용출시험 및 함량분석, 잔재물의 중금속 용출시험 등을 실시하였으며, 그 결과 모든 시험항목에서 연료화 관련 법적기준을 만족하는 것으로 나타났다. 슬러지탄을 화력발전소에 혼소하여 사용할 경우, 2012년부터 시행예정인 RPS(Renewable Portfolio Standard)법 대응 및 석탄사용량 저감 등을 통한 $CO_2$ 저감으로 저탄소 녹색성장의 자원순환사회를 구축하는 데 이바지 할 것으로 판단된다.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.641-648
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• 2011

Off-gases emitted from the anode of a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) at high temperatures for power generation are used as fuel in catalytic combustion. The heat generated in the catalytic combustor is utilized as the heat for the endothermic reaction required for steam reforming. Among the various operational conditions of the integrated reactor, we varied the inlet gas compositions of the catalytic combustor according to fuel utilization in the MCFC and the ratio of steam to carbon in the reformer. Subsequently, the thermal behaviors and reaction characteristics of the integrated reactor were investigated experimentally. The fundamental data from this experimental study will be useful for the design and fabrication of a more practical integrated reactor in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.540-559
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• 2018

The utilization of sewage sludge for liquid biofuel production is considered as a approach for achieving better energy security, sustainable productivity and economical raw material. Thermochemical technologies of sewage sludge into energy and fuel has been considered as one of the most effective process. Generally, sewage sludge contains more than 80% of moisture, has high metal contents and 14 ~ 20 MJ/kg of calorific value. This paper reviews the technologies of converting sewage sludge to liquid biofuel via three main thermochemical conversion processes namely pyrolysis, transesterification and supercritical. The fuel properties of liquid fuels produced by different technologies from sewage sludge and definition in relevant laws for liquid biofuels in Korea are also discussed.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.456-461
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• 2012

To verify the utilization of biomass as energy, the combustion characteristic has been studied by an experimental combustion furnace under an isothermal and non-isothermal combustion. The wood pellet, rice straw and rice husk were used as biomass samples in this work. The characteristics of emission gases, dusts and residues from biomass combustion have been analyzed and compared with those of reuse derived fuel (RDF). From isothermal combustion experiments, it was found that the incomplete combustion of rice straw was greater that that of rice husk, wood pellet and RDF. This is due to the fact that the combustion reaction rate of the rice straw was faster than that of other samples, and the oxygen concentration in rice straw combustion was rapidly decreasing. It was also found that $NO_{X}$ concentration of emission gas from wood pellet combustion was the lowest. From non-isothermal combustion experiments, it was found that all samples were burned before $900^{\circ}C$. Also, the temperature range of $NO_{X}$ emission was similar to that of CO emission, on the other hand, $SO_{2}$ was emitted at a higher temperature than that of CO emission.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.471-480
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• 2017

A proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) operated at $150^{\circ}C$ was evaluated by a controlling different amount of phosphoric acid (PA) to a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) without humidification of the cells. The effects on MEA performance of the amount of PA in the cathode are investigated. The PA content in the cathodes was optimized for higher catalyst utilization. The highest value of the active electrochemical area is achieved with the optimum amount of PA in the cathode confirmed by in-situ cyclic voltammetry. The current density-voltage experiments (I-V curve) also shows a transient response of cell voltage affected by the amount of PA in the electrodes. Furthermore, this information was compared with the production variables such as hot pressing and vacuum drying to investigate those effect to the electrochemical performances.

• Carbon letters
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.38-40
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• 2010

Carbon supported electrocatalysts are commonly used as electrode materials for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells(PEMFCs). These kinds of electrocatalysts provide large surface area and sufficient electrical conductivity. The support of typical PEM fuel cell catalysts has been a traditional conductive type of carbon black. However, even though the carbon particles conduct electrons, there is still significant portion of Pt that is isolated from the external circuit and the PEM, resulting in a low Pt utilization. Herein, new types of carbon materials to effectively utilize the Pt catalyst are being evaluated. Carbon nanofiber/activated carbon fiber (CNF/ACF) composite with multifunctional surfaces were prepared through catalytic growth of CNFs on ACFs. Nickel nitrate was used as a precursor of the catalyst to synthesize carbon nanofibers(CNFs). CNFs were synthesized by pyrolysising $CH_4$ using catalysts dispersed in acetone and ACF(activated carbon fiber). The as-prepared samples were characterized with transmission electron microscopy(TEM), scanning electron microscopy(SEM). In TEM image, carbon nanofibers were synthesized on the ACF to form a three-dimensional network. Pt/CNF/ACF was employed as a catalyst for PEMFC. As the ratio of prepared catalyst to commercial catalyst was changed from 0 to 50%, the performance of the mixture of 30 wt% of Pt/CNF/ACF and 70wt% of Pt/C commercial catalyst showed better perfromance than that of 100% commercial catalyst. The unique structure of CNF can supply the significant site for the stabilization of Pt particles. CNF/ACF is expected to be promising support to improve the performance in PEMFC.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.697-700
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• 2008

The underpotential deposited Bi on Pt($Bi_{upd}/Pt$) anode for formic acid fuel cells (FAFCs) was developed using multi-layered preparation method for better electrocatalytic utilization of Pt. The electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) result indicated that $Bi_{upd}$ remains through the catalyst layer during stability test. In performance test, the multilayered $Bi_{upd}$ on Pt black showed superior performance by approximately 200 mV at current density of $150mA/cm^2$ compared with PtRu black anode catalyst. Based on preparation condition of $Bi_{upd}/Pt$ black, carbon supported $Bi_{upd}/Pt/C$ electrode was prepared and it showed enhanced performance and stability.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2003.07b
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• pp.1350-1352
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• 2003

For developing a 100 kW MCFC power generation system, Several design parameters for a fuel cell stack and system analysis results by Cycle Tempo, a processing computer soft ware, were described. Approximately two substacks with 90 cells are required to generate 100 kW at a current density of $125\;mA/cm^2$ with $6000\;cm^2$ of cells. An overall heat balance was calculated to predict exit temperature. The 100 kW power is expected only under pressurized operation condition at 3 atm. Recycle of cathode gas by more than 50% is recommended to run the stack at $125\;mA/cm^2$ and 3 atm. Manifolds should be designed based on gas flow rates for the suggested operating condition. The fuel cell power generation system was designed conceptually with several choices of utilization of anode exhaust gas. To operate and evaluate the MCFC system, control and measurement system and operation mode are designed before 100 MCFC system construction. In system control schematics, OS, PLC and MMI were consisted and have roles for MCFC system control. For operation of 100 kW MCFC system, NS, PS PR mode were considerated step by step and simulated.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.193-206
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• 2007

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute has developed an advanced fast reactor concept, KALIMER-600, which satisfies the Generation IV reactor design goals of sustainability, economics, safety, and proliferation resistance. The concept enables an efficient utilization of uranium resources and a reduction of the radioactive waste. The core design has been developed with a strong emphasis on proliferation resistance by adopting a single enrichment fuel without blanket assemblies. In addition, a passive residual heat removal system, shortened intermediate heat-transport system piping and seismic isolation have been realized in the reactor system design as enhancements to its safety and economics. The inherent safety characteristics of the KALIMER-600 design have been confirmed by a safety analysis of its bounding events. Research on important thermal-hydraulic phenomena and sensing technologies were performed to support the design study. The integrity of the reactor head against creep fatigue was confirmed using a CFD method, and a model for density-wave instability in a helical-coiled steam generator was developed. Gas entrainment on an agitating pool surface was investigated and an experimental correlation on a critical entrainment condition was obtained. An experimental study on sodium-water reactions was also performed to validate the developed SELPSTA code, which predicts the data accurately. An acoustic leak detection method utilizing a neural network and signal processing units were developed and applied successfully for the detection of a signal up to a noise level of -20 dB. Waveguide sensor visualization technology is being developed to inspect the reactor internals and fuel subassemblies. These research and developmental efforts contribute significantly to enhance the safety, economics, and efficiency of the KALIMER-600 design concept.