• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.15-21
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• 2012

MTBE (Methyl tertiary-butyl ether) has been commonly used as an octane enhancer to replace tetraethyl lead in gasoline, because MTBE increases the efficiency of combustion and decreases the emission of carbon monoxide. However, MTBE has been found in groundwater from the fuel spills and leaks in the UST (Underground Storage Tank). Fenton's oxidation, an advanced oxidation catalyzed with ferrous iron, is successful in removing MTBE in groundwater. However, Fenton's oxidation requires the continuous addition of dissolved $Fe^{2+}$. Zero-valent iron is available as a source of catalytic ferrous iron of MFO (Modified Fenton's Oxidation) and has been studied for use in PRBs (Permeable Reactive Barriers) as a reactive material. Therefore, this study investigated the condition of optimization in MFO-PRBs using waste zero-valent iron (ZVI) with the waste steel scrap to treat MTBE contaminated groundwater. Batch tests were examined to find optimal molar ratio of MTBE : $H_2O_2$ on extent to degradation of MTBE in groundwater at pH 7 with 10% waste ZVI. As the results, the ratio of optimization of MTBE to hydrogen peroxide for MFO was determined to be 1:300[mM]. The column experiment was conducted to know applicability of MFO-PRBs for MTBE remediation in groundwater. As the results of column test, MTBE was removed 87% of the initial concentration during 120days of operational period. Interestingly, MTBE was degraded not only within waste ZVI column but also within sand column. It means the aquifer may affect continuously the MTBE contaminated groundwater after throughout the waste ZVI barrier. The residual products showed acetone, TBF (Tert-butyl formate) and TBA (Tert-butyl acetate) during this test. The results of the present study showed that the recycled materials can be effectively used for not only a source of catalytic ferrous iron but also a reactive material of the MFO-PRBs to remove MTBE in groundwater.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.45-52
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• 2003

A gas-substrate degrading bacterium, Nocardia SW3, was isolated from the gasoline contaminated aquifer using propane and butane as carbon and energy sources. We have examined the effects of substrate concentration, temperature and pH on the gas substrate degradation as well as MTBE cometabolic degradation. The result for the effect of substrate concentration showed that the maximum degradation rates of propane and butane were 30.6 and 25.4 (n㏖/min/mg protein) at 70 $\mu$㏖, respectively. The optimum temperature and pH for the degradation of gas substrate were $30^{\circ}C$ and 7, respectively. Substrate degradation activity, however, was still active in broad range of pH from 5 to 8 and temperature between $15^{\circ}C$and$35^{\circ}C$. The degradation activity of Nocardia SW3 for the MTBE was similar to the both substrates. The observed maximal transformation yields ($T_y$) were 46.7 and 35.0 (n㏖ MTBE degraded $\mu$㏖ substrate utilized), and the maximal transformation capacities ($T_c$) were 320 and 280 (n㏖MTBE degraded/mg biomass used) for propane and butane oxidizing activity on MTBE, respectively. And also, TBA was detected as by-product of MTBE and it was continuously degraded further.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.336-342
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• 2008

The effect of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and its metabolites like tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), and formaldehyde (FA) on microbial activity and diversity in tidal mud flat was studied. MTBE, TBA, and FA with different concentrations were added into microcosms containing tidal mud samples, and placed at room temperature for 30 days. Then the physico-chemical properties such as pH, moisture contents and organic matter contents in the microcosms were measured. In addition, the total viable cell number and dehydrogenase activity were measured. Bacterial communities in the microcosms were monitored using a 16S rRNA-PCR-DGGE (Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) fingerprinting method. As a result, the exposure concentrations of MTBE and its metabolites showed no correlation with the physico-chemical factors (P>0.05). Dehydrogenase activity and total viable cell number were decreased with increasing MTBE, TBA and FA concentrations (P<0.05). The toxic effect was higher the following order: FA > MTBE > TBA. Dominant species in the microcosms contaminated with MTBE and its metabolites were Sphingobacteria, Flavobacteria, delta-proteobacteria, gamma-proteobacteria. The diversity of bacterial community was not significantly influenced by MTBE and its metabolites.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.37-44
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• 2003

Fuel oxygenates, such as Methyl tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) is additive in gasoline used to reduce air pollution. Gasoline components and fuel additives can leak: form underground storage tanks. MTBE is far more water soluble than gasoline hydrocarbons like BTEX then it travels at essentially the same velocity as groundwater. MTBE in drinking water causes taste and odor problems. Therefore, the purpose of the this study is to examine the ability of ground tire to sorb MTBE in water. The study consisted of running both batch and column tests to determine the sorption capacity, the required sorption equilibration time, and the flow through utilization efficiency of ground tire. The batch test result indicated that ground tire can attain equilibrium sorption capacities about 0.5 mg of MTBE. The result of column test indicate that ground tire has on the 36% utilization rate. Finally, it is clear that ground tire represented an attractive and relatively inexpensive sorption medium for a MTBE. Authors thought that to determine the economic costs of ground tire utilization, the cost to sorb a given mass of contaminant by ground tire will have to be compared to currently accepted sorption media. The cost comparison will also have to include regeneration and disposal cost.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.767-773
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• 2010

In recent years, there has been considerable concern over the release of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), a gasoline additive, into the aquifers used as potable water sources. MTBE readily dissolves in water and has entered the environment via gasoline spills and leaking storage tanks. In this study air stripping and ozonation of MTBE in aqueous solution were performed in a laboratory scale batch reacter. The mass transfer rate (N) was evaluated and a values about $1.24{\times}10^{-6}\;mol{\cdot}sec^{-1}$ was found. In the ozonation of MTBE a 8.3% decrease of the COD and a 6.5% decrease of the TOC lead to BOD/COD = 0.03. The peudo first-order rate constants of the ozonation of MTBE was $3.75{\times}10^{-5}\;sec^{-1}$. The resulting Ea of 4.80 kcal；mol-1 was observed for molecular ozone reactions.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.289-295
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• 2004

The objective of this study is to delineate removal efficiency of the MTBE in solution by $TiO_2$ photocatalytic degradation as a function of the following different experimental conditions: Initial concentration of MTBE, air flow rate in solution, $H_2O_2$ dosage and pH of the solution. Photodegradation rate was increased with decreasing initial concentration of MTBE. The removal efficiency was 82% after 180 min in the case of MTBE concentration of 100 mg/L but 100% after 180 min in the case of 20 mg/L. Removal efficiency was increased with increasing pH, $H_2O_2$ dosage and air flow rate in solution.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.176-179
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• 2003

Fuel oxygenates, such as Methyl tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) is additive in gasoline used to reduce air pollution. Gasoline components and fuel additives can leak form underground storage tanks. MTBE is far more water soluble than gasoline hydrocarbons like BTEX then it travels at essentially the same velocity as groundwater. MTBE in drinking water causes taste and odor problems. Therefore, the purpose of the this study is to examine the ability of ground rubber to sorb MTBE form water. The study consisted of running both batch and column tests to determine the sorption capacity and the flow through utilization efficiency of ground rubber. The result of Column test indicate that ground tire rubber has on the 36% utilization rate. Finally, it is clear that ground rubber present an attractive and relatively inexpensive sorption medium for a MTBE. The Author thought that to determine the economic costs of ground rubber utilization, the cost to sorb a given mass of contaminant by ground rubber will have to be compared to currently accepted sorption media.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.103-106
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• 2002

Solubilization isotherms for methyl tort-butyl ether (MTBE) in sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS), dowfax 8390, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) were investigated for application to micellar enhanced remediation. Dowfax 8390 showed maximum extent of solubilization among surfactants tested in this study. It seems that sulfate group in anionic surfactants playes a important role in solublization of MTBE. Chemical shiftes in NMR of surfactant and MTBE supports this point.

• Journal of the korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.24-27
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• 1989

MTBE(Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether)는 PMMA(Poly Methyl Methacrylate)를 생산하기 위한 석유화학 중간원료로 사용되는 것이 일반적이나, 무연휘발유 사용의 세계적인 추세에 힘입어 (정유산업에 있어서 그 수요가 날로 증가하고 있으며) 정유산업의 옥탄가 문제를 해결해 주는 유효적절한 수단으로 보급이 확대되고 있는 실정이다. 여기에서는 MTBE의 전반적인 특성 및 사용에 따른 효과 및 장단점을 소개하고자 한다.

• Journal of the korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.25-34
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• 1991

휘발유는 가솔린엔진을 구동하기 위한 에너지원으로서, 원유로부터 정제된 탄화수소 혼합물을 주성분으로 하고 알콜, 에테르와 같은 함산소화합물이나 특정 성능을 보완해주기 위한 첨가제 등이 배합되기도 한다. 본 고에서는 최근 환경오염방지와 관련하여 휘발유 배합재로 각광받고 있는 MTBE의 전반적인 특성과 MTBE가 배합된 휘발유의 차량에서의 실용 성능에 관해 살펴보고자 한다.