• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.1765-1773
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• 2013

The cathode reaction is one of the most seriously limiting factors in a microbial fuel cell (MFC). The critical dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration of a platinum-loaded graphite electrode was reported as 2.2 mg/l, about 10-fold higher than an aerobic bacterium. A series of MFCs were run with the cathode compartment inoculated with activated sludge (biotic) or not (abiotic) on platinum-loaded or bare graphite electrodes. At the beginning of the operation, the current values from MFCs with a biocathode and abiotic cathode were $2.3{\pm}0.1$ and $2.6{\pm}0.2mA$, respectively, at the air-saturated water supply in the cathode. The current from MFCs with an abiotic cathode did not change, but that of MFCs with a biotic cathode increased to 3.0 mA after 8 weeks. The coulomb efficiency was 59.6% in the MFCs with a biotic cathode, much higher than the value of 15.6% of the abiotic cathode. When the DO supply was reduced, the current from MFCs with an abiotic cathode decreased more sharply than in those with a biotic cathode. When the respiratory inhibitor azide was added to the catholyte, the current decreased in MFCs with a biotic cathode but did not change in MFCs with an abiotic cathode. The power density was higher in MFCs with a biotic cathode ($430W/m^3$ cathode compartment) than the abiotic cathode MFC ($257W/m^3$ cathode compartment). Electron microscopic observation revealed nanowire structures in biofilms that developed on both the anode and on the biocathode. These results show that an electron-consuming bacterial consortium can be used as a cathode catalyst to improve the cathode reaction.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.44-52
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• 2018

In this study, copper was recovered from copper containing sludge by selectively controlling electro-refining process conditions in copper sulfate electrolyte solution. Electro-refining process was performed by LSV (Linear Sweep Voltammetry) result according to copper sulfate electrolyte solution concentration, applied current density, additive type and concentration. SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) and PSA (Particle Size Analyzer) were used to analyze the shape and size of copper powder. In the 0.1 ~ 0.4 M copper sulfate electrolyte solution without organic additives, the copper powder size decreased as the applied current density became closer to the limiting current density and the copper powder size tended to decrease in 0.2 ~ 0.3 M copper sulfate electrolyte solution. In addition, when the shape and size of the copper powder were analyzed by adding various types and concentrations of organic additives to the previous experimental, fine spherical copper powder having the smallest size (nm) was obtained under the condition of cellulose type additive 2,000 ppm.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.962-971
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• 2002

The current study proposes a simple monodimensional model to estimate the linear growth rate of photosynthetic microorganisms in flat-plate photobioreactors (FPPBRs) during batch cultivation. As a model microorganism, Chlorella kessleri was cultivated photoautotrophically in FPPBRs using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as the light sources to provide unidirectional irradiation in the photobioreactors. Various conditions were simulated by adjusting both the intensity of the light and the height of the culture. The validity of the proposed model was examined by comparing the linear growth rates measured with the predicted ones obtained from the proposed model. Accordingly, the value of $\frac{K\cdot\mu m}{\alpha\cdot L}log(I_0\cdot{I_s}^{\varepsilon 1)\cdot {I_c}^{-\varepsilon})$ was proposed as an approximate index for strategies to obtain the maximal lightn yield under light-limiting conditions for high-density algal cultures and as a control parameter to improve the photosynthetic productivity and efficiency.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.269-280
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• 2017

To lower the operational cost of microbubble generation by electrolysis, optimization of parameters limiting the process must be carried out for the process to be fully adopted in environmental and industrial settings. In this study, four test electrodes were used namely aluminum, iron, stainless steel, and Dimensionally Sable Anode (DSA). We identified the effects and optimized each operational parameter including NaCl concentration, current density, pH, and electrode distance to reduce the operational cost of microbubble generation. The experimental results showed that was directly related to the rate and cost of microbubble generation. Adding NaCl and narrowing the distance between electrodes caused no substantial changes to the generation rate but greatly decreased the power requirement of the process, thus reducing operational cost. Moreover, comparison among the four electrodes operating under optimum conditions revealed that aluminum was the most efficient electrode in terms of generation rate and operational cost. This study therefore presents significant data on performing costefficient microbubble generation, which can be used in various environmental and industrial applications.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.347-352
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• 1971

The variations of the positive and negative electrode potentials, and of internal pressure were measured during the charge of the sealed type Ni-Cd cell. Both polarization characteristics of a paste type Cd-electrode as a gas diffusion electrode in 30% KOH solution and the effects of active carbon electrode as an oxygen consuming auxiliary electrode of the Ni-Cd cell on the charging characteristics of the cell were studied. Peak voltage at the end of charge of the cell is ascribed to the peak at the negative electrode potential, which is due to the concentration polarization by the lack of $Cd^{++}$ ion and oxygen concentration. And the recovery of the negative electrode potential is resulted from depolarization by the increasing diffusion limiting current density with the increasing oxygen pressure. The active carbon electrode was effective as an oxygen consuming auxiliary electrode. The internal pressure of the cell could be maintained below 200mmHg even at one hour rate charge and overcharge by the use of active carbon electrode as an auxiliary electrode.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.420-425
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• 2016

N-doped carbon nanofibers as catalysts for oxygen-reduction reactions are synthesized using electrospinning and carbonization. Their morphologies, structures, chemical bonding states, and electrochemical performance are characterized. The optimized N-doped carbon nanofibers exhibit graphitization of carbon nanofibers and an increased nitrogen doping as well as a uniform network structure. In particular, the optimized N-doped carbon nanofibers show outstanding catalytic activity for oxygen-reduction reactions, such as a half-wave potential ($E_{1/2}$) of 0.43 V, kinetic limiting current density of $6.2mAcm^{-2}$, electron reduction pathways (n = 3.1), and excellent long-term stability after 2000 cycles, resulting in a lower $E_{1/2}$ potential degradation of 13 mV. The improvement in the electrochemical performance results from the synergistic effect of the graphitization of carbon nanofibers and the increased amount of nitrogen doping.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.770-775
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• 2014

According to ICNIRP guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields up to 300GHz, magnetic flux density which range from 3Hz to 150kHz are regulated to lower than $6.25{\mu}T$. In order to comply with its standard, OLEV(On-Line Electric Vehicle) have been designed considering EMF(Electro-Magnetic Field) reduction. However, if a current flowing in power line would be bigger for increasing power transfer efficiency, the established shield system no longer acts their role properly. In this paper, therefore, FCCL(Flexible Copper Clad Laminate) is applied to power line and pick-up devices to solve the problems. Though, the FCCL is normally utilized to insulator on circuit board, because of its high heat resistance characteristic, flexibility and thin properties, it makes effectiveness in the shielding device as well. 4 types of FCCL shielding structure are introduced to power line and pick-up devices. From the results, the FCCL which are placed in proposed positions shows maximum EMF reduction compared to the established shielding structure. Henceforth, if OLEV is applied FCCL shielding structure in practice, it will not only be more safe but also step forward to commercialization near future.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.82-88
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• 2017

MET (Microbial Electrochemical Technology), such as MFC (Microbial Fuel Cell) and MEC (Microbial Electrolysis Cell), is a promising technology for producing sustainable biogas from an anaerobic digester (AD). At current stage, however, the most likely limiting factors, large internal resistances, should be overcome for successful scale up of this technology. Various researchers reported that application of electrode materials containing high current density, increase of ion strength and conductivity, configuration of electrode are good methods for minimizing internal resistances. Recently, stainless steel is receiving great attention because of not only high performance and durability but also low cost. Therefore, in this study, we evaluate electrochemical characteristics and biogas production rate using various electrode materials and configuration (graphite carbon coated with catalysts ($GC-C_M$) or not (GC), stainless steel mesh (SUS-M) and plate (SUS-P)). As the results, current densities of $GC-C_M$, GC, SUS-P, SUS-M were 2.03, 1.36, 1.04, $1.13A/m^2$, respectively. Methane yields of $GC-C_M$, GC, SUS-P, SUS-M were 0.27, 0.14, 0.19, 0.21 $L-CH_4/g-COD_{rem}$., respectively. Stainless steel shows high current density and methane yield, which are similar as graphite carbon coated with catalysts.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.380-387
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• 2015

A lead slowing-down spectrometer (LSDS) system is a promising nondestructive assay technique that enables a quantitative measurement of the isotopic contents of major fissile isotopes in spent nuclear fuel and its pyroprocessing counterparts, such as $^{235}U$, $^{239}Pu$, $^{241}Pu$, and, potentially, minor actinides. The LSDS system currently under development at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (Daejeon, Korea) is planned to utilize a high-flux ($>10^{12}n/cm^2{\cdot}s$) neutron source comprised of a high-energy (30 MeV)/high-current (~2 A) electron beam and a heavy metal target, which results in a very intense and complex radiation field for the facility, thus demanding structural shielding to guarantee the safety. Optimization of the structural shielding design was conducted using MCNPX for neutron dose rate evaluation of several representative hypothetical designs. In order to satisfy the construction cost and neutron attenuation capability of the facility, while simultaneously achieving the aimed dose rate limit (< $0.06{\mu}Sv/h$), a few shielding materials [high-density polyethylene (HDPE)eBorax, $B_4C$, and $Li_2CO_3$] were considered for the main neutron absorber layer, which is encapsulated within the double-sided concrete wall. The MCNP simulation indicated that HDPE-Borax is the most efficient among the aforementioned candidate materials, and the combined thickness of the shielding layers should exceed 100 cm to satisfy the dose limit on the outside surface of the shielding wall of the facility when limiting the thickness of the HDPE-Borax intermediate layer to below 5 cm. However, the shielding wall must include the instrumentation and installation holes for the LSDS system. The radiation leakage through the holes was substantially mitigated by adopting a zigzag-shape with concrete covers on both sides. The suggested optimized design of the shielding structure satisfies the dose rate limit and can be used for the construction of a facility in the near future.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.329-334
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• 2013

A pine needle-embedded graphite enzyme electrode, of which bonding agent is CSM rubber, was newly designed and its electrochemistry was studied based on the amperometry. It involved a ground green leaves of pine tree as a zymogen together with electrochemical mediator, ferrocene within the paste. The plots of ln($i(1-e^{nf{\eta}})$) vs. ${\eta}$ and Lineweaver-Burk at the low potential (-100 to -500 mV) showed good linearities indicating that the amperometric response is by the catalytic power of pine peroxidase. Electrochemical parameters obtained, symmetry factor (${\alpha}$, 0.17), limiting current ($i_1$, 1.99 $A/cm^2$), exchange current density ($i_0$, $5.86{\times}10^{-5}\;A/cm^2$), Michaelis constant ($K_M$, $1.68{\times}10^{-3}$ M) and many others showed that pine peroxidase discharges the role of catalyst quantitatively on the electrode surface. Those proved that the practical use of pine peroxidase is promising in place of the marketed.