• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2024

This research investigated the preparation of activated carbon derived from Krabok (Irvingia malayana) seed shells to improve the quality of crude glycerol obtained during biodiesel production. The activated carbon was prepared using a dry chemical activation method with NaOH, utilizing an innovative biomass incinerator. The results revealed that the resulting KC/AC-two-step exhibited favorable physicochemical adsorption properties, with a high surface area of 758.72 m²/g and an iodine number of 611.10 mg/g. These values meet the criteria of the industrial product standard for activated carbon No. TIS 900-2004, as specified by the Ministry of Industry in Thailand. Additionally, the adsorption efficiency for methylene blue reached an impressive 99.35 %. This developed activated carbon was then used to improve the quality of crude glycerol obtained from biodiesel production. The experimental results showed that the KC/AC-two-step increased the purity of crude glycerol to 73.61 %. In comparison, commercially available activated carbon (C/AC) resulted in a higher crude glycerol purity of 81.19 %, as analyzed by the GC technique. Additionally, the metal content (Zn, Cu, Fe, Pb, Cd, and Na) in purified glycerol using KC/AC-two-step was below the standards for heavy metals permitted in food and cosmeceuticals by the Food and Drug Administration of Thailand and the European Committee for Food Contact Materials and Articles. As a result, it can be inferred that Krabok seed shells have favorable properties for producing activated carbon suitable as an adsorbent to enhance crude glycerol purity. Furthermore, the improved crude glycerol from this research has potential for various industrial applications.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.11
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• pp.3940-3955
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• 2023

A new method of numerical simulating prediction and decontamination effect evaluation for abrasive jet decontamination to radioactively contaminated metal is proposed. Based on the Computational Fluid Dynamics and Discrete Element Model (CFD-DEM) coupled simulation model, the motion patterns and distribution of abrasives can be predicted, and the decontamination effect can be evaluated by image processing and recognition technology. The impact of three key parameters (impact distance, inlet pressure, abrasive mass flow rate) on the decontamination effect is revealed. Moreover, here are experiments of reliability verification to decontamination effect and numerical simulation methods that has been conducted. The results show that: ⁶⁰Co and other homogeneous solid solution radioactive pollutants can be removed by abrasive jet, and the average removal rate of Co exceeds 80%. It is reliable for the proposed numerical simulation and evaluation method because of the well goodness of fit between predicted value and actual values: The predicted values and actual values of the abrasive distribution diameter are Ф57 and Ф55; the total coverage rate is 26.42% and 23.50%; the average impact velocity is 81.73 m/s and 78.00 m/s. Further analysis shows that the impact distance has a significant impact on the distribution of abrasive particles on the target surface, the coverage rate of the core area increases at first, and then decreases with the increase of the impact distance of the nozzle, which reach a maximum of 14.44% at 300 mm. It is recommended to set the impact distance around 300 mm, because at this time the core area coverage of the abrasive is the largest and the impact velocity is stable at the highest speed of 81.94 m/s. The impact of the nozzle inlet pressure on the decontamination effect mainly affects the impact kinetic energy of the abrasive and has little impact on the distribution. The greater the inlet pressure, the greater the impact kinetic energy, and the stronger the decontamination ability of the abrasive. But in return, the energy consumption is higher, too. For the decontamination of radioactively contaminated metals, it is recommended to set the inlet pressure of the nozzle at around 0.6 MPa. Because most of the Co elements can be removed under this pressure. Increasing the mass and flow of abrasives appropriately can enhance the decontamination effectiveness. The total mass of abrasives per unit decontamination area is suggested to be 50 g because the core area coverage rate of the abrasive is relatively large under this condition; and the nozzle wear extent is acceptable.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.59-72
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• 2009

In order to utilize sewage sludge as a heat source of energy, it goes without saying that the fuel should be clean and pose no threat to the environment. As a consequent, it should not contain even minute quantities of heavy metals / impurities. The SOCA (Sludge-Oil-Coal- Agglomerates) fuel can meet all these requirements. SOCA being a solid fuel can be gasified for the production of clean energy. Wet catalytic gasification is the most appropriate process for SOCA containing nearly 60% water. It is important to note that the SOCA thus obtained inherits ca. 40~50% of sulfur from the coal used. It can poison the catalyst during catalytic gasification process. Consequently, it becomes important to choose a proper catalyst for the gasification. Calcium was found to be ideal choice as a catalyst for the gasification of SOCA. The optimal gasification was performed at $850^{\circ}C$ with water vapor. The role of fuel-N is of utmost importance in the gasification of SOCA. The gasification should be controlled to reduce the production of HCN to a minimum and enhance its conversion to $N_2$ and/or $NH_3$.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.36-47
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• 2009

Microbial and related biochemical mass of composts are important for optimization of its process and end-products. This study was carried out to assess the specific microbial and related biochemical mass which could be used as an indicator for compost maturity during composting stages. The samples from five compost plants were collected at three stages (Initial, Thermophilic and Mature) and analyzed for total aerobic bacteria (TAB), Coliforms, Escherichia coli, Actinomycetes and fungi. Significantly, the coliforms and E.coli counts decreased during the thermophilic stage and were completely eliminated during mature stage. However, the other microbial mass were completely eliminated during mature stage. Which disclosed that Coliforms and E.coli communities can be used as compost maturity indicator. Interestingly, the microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen ratio (MBC/MBN) were decreased a little during the thermophilic stage due to the decreasing number of coliforms, Ecoli and fungi, while the ratio increased during the mature stage due to increasing fungal and aerobic bacterial counts. In addition the heavy metals were shown strong negative correlation with Actenomycetes. This study provides insight to the evaluation of compost maturity as well as the quality by the metal-microbial interactions.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.393-398
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• 2012

We investigated the changes in chemical properties of paddy field soils at 300 different sampling sites containing 4 topography in Jeonbuk province, Korea. The soil samples were collected 43.0% from local valley and fans, 39.3% from fluvio-marine deposits, 15.0% from alluvial plains, and 2.7% from diluvium sites. The optimal values of soil properties in the total soil samples were as follows: 65.3% of total samples in soil pH value, 48.3% of total samples in cation exchange capacity (CEC) value, and 22.3% of total samples in available phosphorus content, whereas the deficient values of soil properties were 63.3% of total samples in soil organic matter (SOM) content, 75.7% of total samples in available silicate content, and 61.3%, 51.0%, and 59.3% of total samples in exchangeable $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, and $Mg^{2+}$ concentrations, respectively. There were different soil types in the paddy fields: that is, 34.4% immature paddy and 33.6% sandy paddy in the local valley and fans, 57.8% sandy paddy in the alluvial plains, 47.4% normal paddy in the fluvio-marine deposits, and 75.7% immature paddy in the diluvium. Soil textures were also different: 53.5% loam in the local valley and fans, 37.8% sandy loam in the alluvial plains, and 55.1% silty loam in the fluvio-marine deposits. Soil pH and SOM contents were not different among the different topographical sampling sites. However, the mean value of available phosphorus content, 224 mg $kg^{-1}$, was exceeded optimal values in the diluvium. The contents of exchangeable cations were optimal in all the sites, except exchangeable $Ca^{2+}$ contents in the local valley and fans. The contents of available silicate ranged between 112 and 127 mg $kg^{-1}$ in all the sites, which were lower than optimal value. In addition, soil pH values were proportionally correlated to the order of available silicate, exchangeable $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Na^+$, CEC, and exchangeable $K^+$. The contents of SOM were proportionally correlated to the order of CEC, available $P_2O_5$, exchangeable $Ca^{2+}$, and available silicate. The contents of heavy metals, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, were only 10% of the threshold levels of the metals, and As content was about 20 to 30% of the threshold level.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.39-50
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• 2015

Stabilization of heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu was evaluated in contaminated soil treated with poultry manure (PM) as well as its biochars pyrolyzed at $300^{\circ}C$ (PBC300) and $700^{\circ}C$ (PBC700) at the application rates of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 wt% along with the control, prior to 21-days incubation. After incubation, soil pH was increased from 6.94 (control) to 7.51, 7.24, and 7.88 in soils treated with PM 10 wt%, PBC300 10 wt%, and PBC700 10 wt% treatments, respectively, mainly due to alkalinity of treatments. In the soil treated with PM, the concentrations of the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP)-extractable Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu were increased by up to 408, 77, 24, and 955%, respectively, compared to the control. These increases may possibly be associated with an increased dissolved organic carbon concentration by the PM addition. However, in the soil treated with PBC700, TCLP-extractable Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu concentrations were reduced by up to 23, 38, 52, and 36%, respectively, compared to the control. Thermodynamic modelling using the visual MINTEQ was done to predict the precipitations of $Pb(OH)_2$, $Cu(OH)_2$ and P-containing minerals, such as chloropyromorphite [$Pb_5(PO_4)_3Cl$] and hydroxypyromorphite [$Pb_5(PO_4)_3OH$], in the PBC700 10 wt% treated soil. The SEM-elemental dot mapping analysis further confirmed the presence of Pb-phosphate species via dot mapping of PBC700 treated soil. These results indicate that the reduction of Pb concentration in the PBC700 treated soil is related to the formations of chloropyromorphite and hydroxypyromorphite which have very low solubility.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.111-121
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• 2003

The objective of this study is to investigate the physical and chemical properties for environmental assessment of water system affected by acid mine drainage (AMD) from coal mining activities in the Youngwol, Jungseon and Pyungchang areas in Korea. During November 2000 to July 2002, 6 times of water samples were collected season-ally from acid mine drainage and nearby streams at 13 coal mines in the study area. The physical and chemical properties including pH, Eh, TDS, salinity, bicarbonates and DO were measured in the field. Eighteen cations includ-ing Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn and Zn, and 6 anions including nitrates and sulfates were also analyzed by ICP-AES and If, respectively. Acid water from the Jungam coal mine has typical characteristics of AMD with very low pH(3∼4) and high TDS(1,000∼5,000 mg/1). Relatively high concentrations(mg/kg) of heavy meals, especially for Al(380), Fe(80), Mn(44) and Zn(8), were found in water samples from the Jungam coal mine area. Water samples from the Seojin, Sebang and Sungjin coal mines also contained over 50 mg/l of Al, >100 mg/1 of Fe and )10 mg/1 of Mn. In addition to anioins, over 1,000 mg/l of sulfate was found in several water samples. Seasonally, the concentrations of metals and sulfates varied; wet season samples were relatively higher in metals and sulfates than dry season samples. It is needed to establish the proper remediation and environmental monitoring of the AMD continuously.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.381-398
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• 1975

Present work was executed to evaluate effects of adjuvants. stabilizers. moisture. pH and heavy metals on the stability of Fenitrothion in the emulsifiable concentrate. In addition, susceptibility ' of Fenitrothion in various formulations, to UV-irradiation has been also examined. The results are summarized as follows; 1. Xylene and benzene were found to be satisfactory solvents for Fenitrothion emulsifiable concentrate. As expected, polar sol vents such as aliphatic alcohols considerably reduced stability of the pesticides. 2. Of the two non-ionic emulsifiers, an alkyl aryl type Sorpol-1200, in contrast to sorbitan type Tweens, substantially reduced decomposition of Fenitrothion in the emulsifiable concentrates. Moisture and pH of emulsifiers. in the ranges studied. affected little if any. on the stabi ity of the Fenitrothion during the experiment periods. 3. Maleic anhydride, p-toluene sulfonic acid, sulfosalicylic acid, maleic anhydride-sulfosalicylic acid reduced decomposition of Fenitrothion in the emulsifiable concentrate. Addition of organic acids, however, increased liability of Fenitrothion in the emulsifiable concentrate. 4. Presence of either zinc or copper metals in the emulsifiable concentrate containing Tween-80 as a emulsifier, reduced stability of the Fenitrothion. 5. UV-irradiation, as expected, brought decomposition of Fenitrothion. The liability of Fenitrothion formulations decreased in the order, wettable powder ${\gg}$ dust > emulsifiable concentrate.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.27 no.1 s.45
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• pp.25-43
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• 1994

To estimate the factors to the inclination of the criminal violence, the content of trace minerals and toxic metals in the scalp hair were measured during the period from May 1992 to October 1992. One hundred eleven violent and 89 nonviolent criminal inmates of Taegu Correctional Institute were selected. The inmates of violent criminals were imprisoned by murder, robber, rape, injury and violent acts. Those of nonviolent criminals were swindle, larceny, and adultery and had no history of institutional violence. The contents of two toxic metals (cadmium, lead) and five trace minerals (Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg, Na) were determined by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (IL. 551). The contents of cadmium and lead in hair of violent criminals were significantly higher as $0.56{\pm}0.14ppm,\;11.53{\pm}3.32ppm$, respectively, than $0.42{\pm}0.20ppm,\;9.63{\pm}4.31ppm$ of nonviolent group (p<0.01). But the level of copper was significantly lower than nonviolent group (p<0.05). The factors that had a significant correlation with the inclination of violence in multiple logistic regression analysis were cadmium (odds ratio=98.09), unmarried (odds ratio=0.39), many times of criminal history(odds ratio=1.57) and residence of rural area (odds ratio=0.44). The results suggest that the sub-toxic contents of cadmium and lead in the hair may be of potential effect on behavior, and the mineral analysis may be an important adjunctive diagnostic procedure. Further studies into this problem are necessary.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-20
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• 2004

This study focuses on the hydrochemical characteristics in goundwater affected by reclamation at 2000 Sydney Olympic Games site, Sydney, Australia. The Olympic Games site can be divided into three areas, i.e. reclaimed areas; landfill areas and non-infilled areas. In the current work, 'reclaimed areas' were previously estuarine, and were filled with waste materials and are now above present high tide level, whereas 'landfill areas' are areas where deposition of waste materials occurred above sea level. No deposition of waste took place in 'non-infilled areas'. This study was also evaluated by three different types such as deep boreholes, shallow boreholes and standpipes. The hydrochemishy of groundwaters in reclaimed and non-in-filled areas is characterized by Mg- and Ca-enrichment, whereas groundwaters in landfill areas are elevated in K and NO₃. Na, K and Mg are the dominant cations in groundwater from reclaimed areas and Na and K are the dominant cations in groundwater in landfill areas. Na and Mg are the dominant cations in groundwater in deep boreholes, whereas Na and K are the dominant cations in groundwater in shallow boreholes and standpipes. There is no distinct trend in heavy metals with electrical conductivity in the groundwater between the re-claimed, landfill and non-infilled areas. Fe and Mn in landfill areas with respect to reclaimed areas and non-infilled areas show a distinct increase in concentration with declining pH. Mean electrical conductivity values in the deep and shallow boreholes are higher than that of standpipes, but the minimum and maximum value of electrical conductivity in groundwater in standpipes shows remarkably different value, probably due to perched pond. There is no correlation between Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr concentrations in groundwater with pH, from deep boreholes, shallow boreholes and standpipes, except for Fe and Mn, which demonstrate increasing concentrations with declining pH. The results revealed a close association between elevated concentrations in groundwater and the presence of fill materials at the site. Trace metals teachability from re-claimed soils adjacent to estuary plays a significant role in determining their potential environmental risk to surrounding environment.