• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.5-13
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• 2022

The current environmental problem is that environmental pollution is accelerating due to the generation of large amounts of waste and indiscriminate consumption of energy. Fossil fuels, a representative energy production fuel, are burned in the process of producing energy, generating a large amount of greenhouse gases and eventually causing climate change. In addition, the amount of waste generated worldwide is continuously increasing, and environmental pollution is occurring in the process of waste treatment. One of the methods for simultaneously solving these problems is the energy recovery from and reduction of organic wastes. Sewage sludge generated in sewage treatment plants has been treated in various ways since ocean disposal was completely prohibited, but the amount generated has been continuously increasing. Since the sewage sludge contains a large amount of organic materials, it is desirable to recover energy from the sewage sludge and reduce the final discharged waste through anaerobic digestion. However, most of the excess sludge is a mass of microorganisms used in sewage treatment, and in order for the excess sludge to be anaerobically digested, the cell walls of the microorganisms must be destroyed first, but it takes a lot of time to destroy the cell walls, so high rates of biogas production and waste reduction cannot be achieved only by anaerobic digestion. Therefore, the pre-treatment process of solubilizing excess sludge is required, and the thermal solubilization process is verified to be the most efficient among various solubilization methods, and high rates of biogas production and waste reduction can be achieved by anaerobic digestion after destroying cell walls the thermal solubilization process. In this study, when pretreating TS 10% thickened excess sludge through a thermal solubilization system, a study was conducted on solubilization characteristics according to retention time and operating temperature variables. The experimental variables for the retention time of the thermal solubilization system were 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and 120 minutes, respectively, while the operating temperature was fixed at 160℃. The soulbilization rates calculated through TCOD and SCOD derived from the experimental results increased in the order of 12.11%, 20.52%, 28.62%, and 31.40%, respectively. And the variables according to operating temperature were 120℃, 140℃, 160℃, 180℃, and 200℃, respectively, while the operating retention time was fixed at 60 minutes. And the solubilization rates increased in the order of 7.14%, 14.52%, 20.52%, 40.72%, and 57.85%, respectively. In addition, TS, VS, T-N, T-P, NH₄⁺-N, and VFAs were analyzed to evaluate thermal solubilization characteristics of thickened excess sludge. As a result, in order to obtain 30% or more solubilization rate through thermal solubilization of TS 10% thickened excess sludge, 120 minutes of retention time is required when the operating temperature is fixed to 160℃, and 170℃ or more of operating temperature is needed when the operating time is fixed to 60 minutes.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.410-416
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• 2006

For highly efficient operation of a Bunsen process section in an iodine-sulfur thermochemical hydrogen production cycle using nuclear heat, the process characteristics of $H_2SO_4-HI-H_2-O-I_2$ mixture system for separating into two liquid phases ($H_2SO_4$-rich phase and $HI_x$-rich phase) and the distribution of $H_2O$ to each phase were investigated.The experiments for process variables were carried out in the temperature range, from 298 to 353 K, and in the $H_2SO_4/HI/H_2O/I_2$ molar ratio of 1/2/14~20/0.5~8.0. As the results, for the $SO_2-I_2-H_2O$ Bunsen reaction system, the ranges between the starting point and the saturation point for two liquid phases separation were determined by calculation. The best result for the minimization of impurities (HI and $I_2$ in $H_2SO_4$ phase and $H_2SO_4$ in $HI_x$ phase) in each phase was obtained in an optimum condition with the highest temperature of 353 K and the highest $I_2$ molar composition. In this condition, the $HI/H_2SO_4$ molar ratio in the $H_2SO_4$-rich phase and the $H_2SO_4/HI_x$ molar ratio in the $HI_x$-rich phase were 0.024 and 0.028, respectively. For the distribution of $H_2O$ to each phase, it is appeared that the affinity between $HI_x$ and $H_2O$ was more superior to that between $H_2SO_4$ and $H_2O$. The affinity between $HI_x$ and $H_2O$ was decreased with increasing temperature but increased with increasing $I_2$ molar composition.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.08a
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• pp.189-189
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• 2012

Lead sulfide (PbS) nanocrystal quantum dots (NQDs) are promising materials for various optoelectronic devices, especially solar cells, because of their tunability of the optical band-gap controlled by adjusting the diameter of NQDs. PbS is a IV-VI semiconductor enabling infrared-absorption and it can be synthesized using solution process methods. A wide choice of the diameter of PbS NQDs is also a benefit to achieve the quantum confinement regime due to its large Bohr exciton radius (20 nm). To exploit these desirable properties, many research groups have intensively studied to apply for the photovoltaic devices. There are several essential requirements to fabricate the efficient NQDs-based solar cell. First of all, highly confined PbS QDs should be synthesized resulting in a narrow peak with a small full width-half maximum value at the first exciton transition observed in UV-Vis absorbance and photoluminescence spectra. In other words, the size-uniformity of NQDs ought to secure under 5%. Second, PbS NQDs should be assembled carefully in order to enhance the electronic coupling between adjacent NQDs by controlling the inter-QDs distance. Finally, appropriate structure for the photovoltaic device is the key issue to extract the photo-generated carriers from light-absorbing layer in solar cell. In this step, workfunction and Fermi energy difference could be precisely considered for Schottky and hetero junction device, respectively. In this presentation, we introduce the strategy to obtain high performance solar cell fabricated using PbS NQDs below the size of the Bohr radius. The PbS NQDs with various diameters were synthesized using methods established by Hines with a few modifications. PbS NQDs solids were assembled using layer-by-layer spin-coating method. Subsequent ligand-exchange was carried out using 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT) to reduce inter-NQDs distance. Finally, Schottky junction solar cells were fabricated on ITO-coated glass and 150 nm-thick Al was deposited on the top of PbS NQDs solids as a top electrode using thermal evaporation technique. To evaluate the solar cell performance, current-voltage (I-V) measurement were performed under AM 1.5G solar spectrum at 1 sun intensity. As a result, we could achieve the power conversion efficiency of 3.33% at Schottky junction solar cell. This result indicates that high performance solar cell is successfully fabricated by optimizing the all steps as mentioned above in this work.

• The KIPS Transactions:PartC
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• v.15C no.5
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• pp.383-390
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• 2008

The mobile sink is most suitable to guarantee the real time processing to events in ubiquitous environment. However it brings many challenges to wireless sensor networks. In particular, the question of how to transfer the collected data to the mobile sink is an important topic in the aspect of effective management of wireless sensor nodes. In this paper, a new data dissemination model is proposed. Since this method uses the home agent and the access node concepts, it provides reliable and efficient data delivery to mobile sink with minimum overhead. In this proposed method, the information of the mobile sink which is constantly moving is informed only to the home agent node and the access node, instead of all sensor nodes. Thus, the collected data from sensor nodes are transferred to the fixed home agent and it sends these data to the mobile sink. Since the confliction phenomenon between data packets in wireless networks could be reduced, the success ratio of data arriving in the mobile sink is highly enhanced. In our experiments, the proposed method reduces the number of broadcast packets so that it saves the amount of energy consumed for transmitting and receiving the data packets. This effect contributes to prolong the lifetime of the wireless sensor networks operated by batteries.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.352-358
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• 2014

The feasibility of perchlorate reducing-bacteria isolated from the sludge of an anaerobic digester was determined using ammonium perchlorate in aqueous medium. Growth kinetics of the two perchlorate reducing bacteria including Rhodococcus sp. YSPW01 and YSPW02 were investigated using acetate as the electron donor in batch experiment. The growth of YSPW01 and YSPW02 reached a steady-state at 26 and 9 h, respectively. The initial perchlorate concentration was completely reduced within 8 and 7 h by YSPW01 and YSPW02, respectively. The reduction rates were 2.1 and $15mg\;L^{-1}h^{-1}$ for YSPW01, and 3.2 and $15.5mg\;L^{-1}h^{-1}$ for YSPW02, at 1:1 and 5:1 ratios of acetate:perchlorate (w:w), respectively. In this study, the bacteria Rhodococcus sp. YSPW01 and YSPW02 demonstrated a potential for the perchlorate reduction, which could be further investigated for development of an efficient strategy to treat the perchlorate contaminated waters.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.337-343
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• 2016

This study conducted the gamma ray spectroscopic analysis of the microcolumnar CsI:Tl deposited onto the SiPMs using thermal evaporation deposition. The SEM measured thickness of microcolumnar CsI:Tl and of its individual columns. From the SEM observation, the measured thickness of CsI:Tl were $450{\mu}m$ and $600{\mu}m$. The gamma ray spectroscopic properties of microcolumnar CsI:Tl, $450{\mu}m$ and $600{\mu}m$ thick deposited onto the SiPMs were analyzed using standard gamma ray sources $^{133}Ba$ and $^{137}Cs$. The spectroscopic analysis of microcolumnar CsI:Tl deposited onto the SiPMs included the measurements of response linearity over the $^{137}Cs$ gamma ray intensity; and gamma ray energy spectrum. Furthermore from the gamma ray spectrum measurement of $^{133}Ba$ and $^{137}Cs$, $450{\mu}m$ thick CsI:Tl showed good efficiency when measured with $^{133}Ba$ and $600{\mu}m$ thick CsI:Tl was highly efficient when measured with $^{137}Cs$.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.39 no.9
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• pp.876-880
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• 2015

In 2016, the IMO's new rules for an 80% reduction in NOx emissions in newly built ships will necessitate the use of LNG as a clean fuel. So far, the developed European countries have led the development of LNG bunkering ships and related facilities. An LNG bunkering system stores LNG in a horizontal or vertical IMO "C"-Type tank insulated with perlite powder, and a vacuum in the annular space between the double walls, like the cryogenic liquid nitrogen tank. Current storage tanks have high heat leakage, evaporating over 2.0% daily, and are difficult to build with the required vacuum. A more efficiently insulated storage tank could reduce the evaporation rate. This research carried out thermal analysis on a new effective insulation method that separates high vacuum in the annular space between two tanks with a solid insulation material, such as urethane foam, lining the outer vessel. This highly efficient insulation system obtained an evaporation rate of 0.03% per day under a $10^{-3}torr$ vacuum, and an evaporation rate of 0.11% at $10^{-45}torr$. Even if the space loses its vacuum, the new insulation system showed a lower evaporation rate of 4.12% than the present perlite system of 4.9%. This newly developed tank can increase the efficiency of LNG storage tank and may help keep LNG bunkering systems safe.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.807-817
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• 2008

Steers with ad libitum access to rice straw were assigned to four diets to evaluate the effects of maize or soybean hull supplementation on intake, in vivo digestibility, ruminal pH, VFA, ammonia-nitrogen ($NH_3-N$) and in situ ruminal disappearance of feed nutrients by cattle consuming rice straw. Supplement treatments were: no supplement (RS); soybean meal at 0.127% BW (SBM); cracked maize at 0.415% BW plus 0.044% BW soybean meal (MAIZE); or soybean hulls at 0.415% BW plus 0.044% BW soybean meal (HULLS). The MAIZE and HULLS diets were formulated to provide approximately 4 MJ of $NE_m$ per kg of diet. Rice straw DMI was not affected (p = 0.34) by supplement. Apparent dry matter (DM) digestibility was greater (p<0.001) for MAIZE and HULLS (56.6 and 60.0%, respectively) than for steers consuming SBM or RS (51.8 and 44.4%, respectively). Apparent NDF digestibility was greater (p<0.0004) for HULLS than MAIZE (61.7 vs. 58.0%, respectively) and apparent ADF digestibility was greater (p<0.0008) for HULLS than MAIZE (61.1 vs. 49.2%, respectively). There was no difference in apparent hemicellulose digestibility (p = 0.43). Analysis of ruminal fluid collected 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h post-feeding revealed ammonia-nitrogen was greatest (p<0.05) for steers on SBM and HULLS diets at 2 h (24.08 and 22.57 mg/dl, respectively) and total volatile fatty acids was greatest (p<0.05) for HULLS at 4 h (230 mM/L). In situ disappearance, measured at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16 and 24 h, indicated that SBM, MAIZE and HULLS tended to enhance the digestibility of DM and fiber components of rice straw. In situ disappearance of rice straw DM was greatest for SBM and/or HULLS from 4 to 24 h (p = 0.03). Rice straw NDF and ADF disappearance was enhanced by supplementation from 16 to 24 h (p<0.02). Rice straw DM, NDF and ADF disappearances at 24 h were similar for MAIZE and HULLS treatments. When feeding cattle rice straw diets, energy and protein-based supplements are essential. This study showed that fiber-based supplements are just as, if not more, effective as starch-based supplements in rice straw utilization. This study shows that soybean hulls, in spite of their high fiber content, are as efficient as maize for supplementing rice straw primarily because fiber in soybean hulls is highly digestible as shown by in vivo digestibility and in situ disappearance.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.143-154
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• 2012

The wireless low-floored tram is an innovative transportation system which is environment-friendly and highly energy-efficient. In addition, the system has various advantages such as low construction cost, improvement of urban landscape, revitalization of surrounding commercial area, elevated convenience for passengers, etc. Therefore, more than ten local governments have proposed tram construction projects in Korea. Accordingly, many research and development projects are ongoing funded by government including the developments of tram vehicle, tram trackway, signal system, etc. The embedded rail system are commonly used in order to provide leveled roadway surface in urban area. It is effective to reduce the noise and vibration, caused at the interface between the wheel and track, to minimize the construction period, and to lower the maintenance cost. This paper investigated the design and construction processes for tram trackway and figured out the constructability for the test track with embedded rail system for the first time in Korea. The performance to reduce the noise and vibration were quantitatively measured in the test track with embedded rail system. In addition, the results were compared to the ones for track with conventional rail system.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2003

Microalgae are a diverse group of photosynthetic organisms and abundant in every ecosystem in the biosphere. They are common in aqueous environments including marine, brackish and fresh waters and in some habitats that lack eukaryotic life such as some hot springs and highly alkaline lakes. Microalgal biotechnology that is focused on the microalgae-based production of a variety of useful materials such as pharmaceutical comfounds, health foods, natural pigments, and biofuels is considered as an important discipline with the development of biotechnology. In addition, the mass cultivation of microalgae can also contribute to improving the environmental quality by reducing the concentration of $CO_2$ which is one of major gases lead to global warming. Consequently, it seems that the microalgae can be used as an efficient, renewable, environmentally friendly source of high-value biomaterials such as chemicals, pigments, energy, etc. and the microalgal biotechnology will most likely represent a larger portion of modern biotechnology.