• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.154-161
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• 2022

The carbon-neutrality induced by the global warming is important for the modern society. Hydrogen has been received the attention as a new energy source to replace the fossil fuels. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, which convert the chemical reaction energy of hydrogen into electric power directly, are a type of eco-friendly power for future vehicles. Due to the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction and costly Pt catalyst in the cathode, the research related to the replacement of Pt-based catalysts has been vitally carried out. In this case, however, the performance is significantly different from each other and a variety of factors have existed. In this review paper, we rearrange and summarize relevant papers published within 5 years approximately. The selection of precursors, synthesis method, and co-catalyst are represented as a core factor, while the necessity of research for the further enhancement of activity may be raised. It can be anticipated to contribute to the replacement of precious metal catalysts in the various fields of study. The final objective of the future research is depicted in detail.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.171-178
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• 2008

Metal filter elements were newly introduced to the high temperature filter(HTF) system in the low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste vitrification plant. In order to evaluate the performance of various metal materials as filter media, elements made of AISI 316L, AISI 904L, and Inconel 600 were included to the test set of filter elements. At the visual inspection to the elements performed after completion of each test, a few dark spots were observed on the surface of some elements. Especially they were found much more at the AISI 316L elements than others. To check the dark spots are the corrosion phenomena or not, two kinds of analyses were performed to the tested filter elements. Firstly, the surfaces or the cross sections of filter specimens cut out from both normal area and dark spot area of elements were analyzed by SEM/EDS. The results showed that the dark spots were not evidences of corrosion but the deposition of sodium, sulfur and silica compounds volatilized from waste or molten glass. Secondly, the ring tensile strength were analyzed for the ring-shape filter specimens cut out from each kind of element. The result obtained from the strength tested showed no evidence of corrosion as well. Conclusionally, depending on the two kinds of analysis, no evidences of corrosion were found at the tested metal filter elements. But the dark spots formed on the surface could reduce the effective filtering area and increase the overall pressure drop of HTF system. Thus, continuous heating inside filter housing up to dew point will be required normally. And a few long-period test should be followed for the exact evaluation of corrosion of the metal filter elements.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.421-433
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• 2023

The final disposal of spent nuclear fuel(SNF) from nuclear power plants takes place in a deep geological repository. The metal canister encasing the SNF is made of cast iron and copper, and is engineered to effectively isolate radioactive isotopes for a long period of time. The SNF is further shielded by a multi-barrier disposal system comprising both engineering and natural barriers. The deep disposal environment gradually changes to an anaerobic reducing environment. In this environment, sulfide is one of the most probable substances to induce corrosion of copper canister. Stress-corrosion cracking(SCC) triggered by sulfide can carry substantial implications for the integrity of the copper canister, potentially posing a significant threat to the long-term safety of the deep disposal repository. Sulfate can exist in various forms within the deep disposal environment or be introduced from the geosphere. Sulfate has the potential to be transformed into sulfide by sulfate-reducing bacteria(SRB), and this converted sulfide can contribute to the corrosion of the copper canister. Bentonite, which is considered as a potential material for buffering and backfilling, contains oxidized sulfate minerals such as gypsum(CaSO4). If there is sufficient space for microorganisms to thrive in the deep disposal environment and if electron donors such as organic carbon are adequately supplied, sulfate can be converted to sulfide through microbial activity. However, the majority of the sulfides generated in the deep disposal system or introduced from the geosphere will be intercepted by the buffer, with only a small amount reaching the metal canister. Pyrite, one of the potential sulfide minerals present in the deep disposal environment, can generate sulfates during the dissolution process, thereby contributing to the corrosion of the copper canister. However, the quantity of oxidation byproducts from pyrite is anticipated to be minimal due to its extremely low solubility. Moreover, the migration of these oxidized byproducts to the metal canister will be restricted by the low hydraulic conductivity of saturated bentonite. We have comprehensively analyzed and summarized key research cases related to the presence of sulfates, reduction processes, and the formation and behavior characteristics of sulfides and pyrite in the deep disposal environment. Our objective was to gain an understanding of the impact of sulfates and sulfides on the long-term safety of high-level radioactive waste disposal repository.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.291-299
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• 2001

A method of separation and purification of Sm for quantitation of Sm isotopes from various fission products in PWR spent nuclear fuels has been studied. Simulated solution containing inactive metal ions(Cs, Ba, Gd, Eu, Sm and Nd) in place of radioactive fission products was prepared. Sm was separated with 0.5 M $HNO_3$/80% MeOH after washing with 1 M $HNO_3$/90% MeOH on AG $1{\times}8$, anion exchange resin. Sm was purified on cation exchange resin, AG $50W{\times}8$, pretreated with 0.2 M alpha-hydroxisobutyric acid(pH 4.5-4.6) to remove Ba causing isobaric effect Sm from PWR spent fuel. As a result of mass spectrometric measurement, eluted Sm portion did not include isobars form other elements such as Gd, Eu, Pm, Nd and BaO. The contents of Sm and its isotopes($^{147}Sm$, $^{148}Sm$, $^{149}Sm$, $^{150}Sm$, $^{151}Sm$, $^{152}Sm$ and $^{154}Sm$) in spent fuel were determined by isotope dilution mass spectrometric method spiking $^{154}Sm$.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.183-193
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• 2011

This study made a comparative analysis of behavioral reaction of squid to red (624nm), green (524nm), blue (460nm) & white LED light, its arrival time for the shadow section by making the shadow section in the central section of a water tank just like the bottom part of a squid jigging vessel, and on-site catching efficiency of LED fishing lamp with control fishing vessel. The color LED light showing the highest squidgathering rate as against the shadow section was found to be blue LED light with 39.3% rate under the dark (0.05lx) condition. Under the brighter condition than 0.05lx, white LED light was found to have the highest gathering rate of 41.5%. In addition, it was found that squid gathering rate was high at the shadow section which showed 6.3-fold brightness difference between the shadow section and bright section. As for the arrival time for the shadow section, blue LED light was found to be the fastest in attracting squids in 192.7 seconds under the dark condition while the red LED light was the fastest in luring squids in 164.6 seconds under the bright condition. The ratio of the squid-jigging operation and sailing in fuel consumption of the fishing vessel loaded with LED fishing lamp is about 7 to 1, showing most of the fuel is consumed more in sailing than in squid-jigging operation. As for a catch of squid, the control vessel loaded with MH (Metal Halide) fishing lamp had more catch of 600-7,080 squids than the vessel loaded with LED fishing lamp having a catch of 260-1,700 squids. In addition, even in the comparison of a catch per automatic jigging machine, the catch of the vessel loaded with MH fishing lamp excelled that of the vessel loaded with LED fishing lamp in 6 operations of squid jigging out of 9 operations. The ratio of hand-jigging and automatic jigging machine (one line) in the LED fishing lamp vessel was 1:1.1 excepting the case of having a catch only using an automatic jigging machine, showing almost the same with each other in catches, while in case of a MH fishing lamp vessel, its ratio against hand-jigging was 1 to 5.8, showing hand-jigging excelled in catches.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.112-118
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• 2018

In order to meet the strict emission regulations for internal combustion engines based on fossil fuel, the proportion of after-treatments for vehicles and vessels is gradually increasing. Diesel engines have high power, good fuel economy, and lower $CO_2$ emissions, and their market shares are increasing in commercial vehicles and passenger cars. However, NOx is generated in the localized high-temperature combustion regions, and particulate matter is formed in the zones of diffusion combustion. LNT and urea-SCR catalysts have been developed for after-treatment of the exhaust gas to reduce NOx in diesel vehicles. This study aims to improve the NOx reduction performance of Cu SCR catalyst, which is widely used in light, medium, and heavy-duty diesel engines. The de-NOx performance of $5Cu-2ZrO_2$/93Zeolyst(Si/Al=13.7) SCR catalyst was about 5-50% higher than that of $5Cu-2ZrO_2$/93Zeolite(Si/Al=2.9) at catalyst temperatures of $300^{\circ}C$ or higher. The zeolite had lower metal dispersion than zeolyst, and the reaction rate of the catalyst decreased as the average particle size increased. The $10Cu-2ZrO_2$/88Zeolyst catalyst loaded with 10wt% Cu had the highest NOx conversion rate of 40% at $200^{\circ}C$ and about 65% at $350^{\circ}C$. The ion exchange rate of Cu ions increased with that of Al, the crystalline compound of zeolite, and the de-NOx performance was improved by 20-40% compared to other catalysts.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.136-142
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• 2010

Combustion reactivity and thermal behavior of two imported coals used as a pulverized fuel of commercially thermal power plant were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and large scale test furnace of 200 kg/hr. TGA results showed that combustion efficiency of high moisture coal has lower than reference coal due to the slow combustion completion rate although it has the low ignition temperature, and activation energies of high moisture coal with 79 kJ/mol for overall combustion was higher than reference coal of 53 kJ/mol. Test furnace results ascertained that flame of black band of high moisture coal during the combustion in boiler broke out compared to reference coal and then it becomes to unburned carbon due to the less reactivity and combustion rate. But, Blending combustion of high moisture coal with design coal of high sulfur are available because sulfur content of high moisture coal was too low to generate the low SOx content in flue gas from boiler during the combustion. The ash analysis results show that it was not expected to be associated with slagging and fouling in pulverized coal fired systems due to the low alkali metal content of $Na_2O$ and $K_2O$ compared to bituminous coal.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.229-236
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• 2012

A molten salt technology using $Li_2O$-LiCl has been extensively investigated to recover uranium metal from spent fuels in the field of nuclear energy. In the reduction process, it is an important point to maintain the concentration of $Li_2O$. $ZrO_2$ is inevitably contained in the spent fuels because Zr is one of the main components of fuel rod hulls. Therefore, the fate of $ZrO_2$ in $Li_2O$-LiCl molten salt has been investigated. It was found that $Li_2ZrO_3$ and $Li_4ZrO_4$ were formed chemically and electrochemically and they were not reduced to Zr. The recycling of $Li_2O$ is the key mechanism ruling the total reaction in the electrolytic reduction process. However, $ZrO_2$ will have a role as a $Li_2O$ sink.

• KEPCO Journal on Electric Power and Energy
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.285-291
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• 2016

In chemical-looping combustion, pure oxygen is transferred to fuel by solid particles called as oxygen carrier. Chemical-looping combustion process usually utilizes a circulating fluidized-bed process for fuel combustion and regeneration of the reduced oxygen carrier. The performance of an oxygen carrier varies with the active metal oxide and the raw support materials used. In this work, spraydried Mn-based oxygen carriers were prepared with different raw support materials and their physical properties and oxygen transfer performance were investigated to determine that the raw support materials used are suitable for spray-dried manganese oxide oxygen carrier. Oxygen carriers composed of 70 wt% $Mn_3O_4$ and 30 wt% support were produced using spray dryer. Two different types of $Al_2O_3$, ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ and ${\alpha}-Al_2O_3$, and $MgAl_2O_4$ were applied as starting raw support materials. The oxygen carrier prepared from ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ showed high mechanical strength stronger than commercial fluidization catalytic cracking catalyst at calcination temperatures below $1100^{\circ}C$, while the ones prepared from ${\alpha}-Al_2O_3$ and $MgAl_2O_4$ required higher calcination temperatures. Oxygen transfer capacity of the oxygen carrier prepared from ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ was less than 3 wt%. In comparison, oxygen carriers prepared from ${\alpha}-Al_2O_3$ and $MgAl_2O_4$ showed higher oxygen transfer capacity, around 3.4 and 4.4 wt%, respectively. Among the prepared Mn-based oxygen carriers, the one made from $MgAl_2O_4$ showed superior oxygen transfer performance in the chemical-looping combustion of $CH_4$, $H_2$, and CO. However, it required a high calcination temperature of $1400^{\circ}C$ to obtain strong mechnical strength. Therefore, further study to develop new support compositions is required to lower the calcination temperature without decline in the oxygen transfer performance.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.156-160
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• 2015

Experiments using a metal oxide of a non-nuclear material as a fuel are very useful to develop a new electrolytic reducer for pyroprocessing. In this study, the titanium oxides (TiO and $TiO_2$) were selected and investigated as the non-nuclear fuel for the electrolytic reduction. The immersion tests of TiO and $TiO_2$ in a molten 1.0 wt.% $Li_2O$-LiCl salt revealed that they have solubility of 156 and 2100 ppm, respectively. Then, the Ti metals were successfully produced after the separate electrolytic reduction of TiO and $TiO_2$ in a molten 1.0 wt.% $Li_2O$-LiCl salt. However, Ti was detected on the platinum anode used for the electrolytic reduction of $TiO_2$ unlike TiO due to the dissolution of $TiO_2$ into the salt.