• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
• /
• v.39 no.8
• /
• pp.633-643
• /
• 2015

In this study, we develop a highly efficient conical-air diffuser that generates fine bubble. By inserting a sufficient number of aerotropic microorganisms with dissolved oxygen from an air diffuser and minimizing the air-channel blockages within the air diffuser, we expect to improve the efficiency and durability of the decomposition process for organic waste. To upgrade the conventional air diffuser, we perform experiments and numerical analysis to develop a conical-type that generates fine bubble, and which is free from nozzle blockage. We complement the air-diffuser design by numerically analyzing the internal air-flow pattern within the diffuser. Then, by applying the diffuser to a mockup bioreactor, we experimentally and numerically study the bubble behavior observed in the diffuser and the 2-phase fluid flow in the bioreactor. The results obtained include statistics of the cord length and increased velocity, and we investigate the mechanisms of the fluid-flow characteristics including bubble clouds. Throughout the study, we systemize the design procedures for the design of efficient air diffusers, and we visualize the fluid-flow patterns caused by bubble generation within the mockup bioreactor. These results will provide a meaningful basis for further study as well as the detection of oxygen transfer and fluid-flow characteristics in real-scale bio-reactors using sets of air diffusers.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.260-269
• /
• 2002

The fire resistance of particulate polypropylene composite systems were investigated by using various reinforced particles such as zeolite, talc, $CaCO_3$ particles. In this study, The effect of particle size on the thermal properties of composite and the effect of reinforced particles on the fire resistance were studied. The inorganic reinforced particles used in this study were recycled zeolite(average particle diameter=85.34 $mu extrm{m}$), $CaCO_3$ (33.93 $mu extrm{m}$), and talc (18.51 $mu extrm{m}$). The fire resistance of composite systems was thoroughly examined by measuring limited oxygen index (LOI, ASTM D2863) and cone calorimetry (ASTM E1354, ISO 5660). Thermal stability of composite systems was thoroughly examined by measuring TGA. The flame retardants (DBDPO) and reinforced particles reduce the maximum heat release rate (M-HRR) in the order of Talc > $CaCO_3$ > recycled Zeolite. Comparing the cone calorimetry experimental results of the particle reinforced polymer composite system exhibited twice higher efficiency than DBDPO in polypropylene systems, and the LOI also showed similar trends to the cone calorimetry experiments. The optical and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to investigate the composites ash layer and the core fracture surfaces in the burning process. The reinforcing inorganic particles seemed to accumulate at the surface of ash layer, and subsequently intercept the oxygen transport and heat transfer into the core area.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.31 no.12
• /
• pp.1113-1122
• /
• 2009

In order to find the way to solve the problem of sewage sludge discharge into the ocean, the sludge solubilization by ultrasonic and the improvement methods of wastewater treatment process were studied. In the membrane bioreactor the sludge retention time was stepwise increased from 5.1 day to 442 days where the biomass average concentration has been increased from $c_B$=3.4 $gTSSL^{-1}$ to $c_B$=14.5 $gTSSL^{-1}$ respectively. At the same time, the biomass yield coefficients were reduced from 0.5-0.7 at SRT=5.1 day to 0.005-0.007 at SRT=442 days which means the reduction of sludge production. Oxygen mass transfer coefficients and ${\alpha}$-factor were investigated with changing stirrer speed to find the relation between the high biomass concentration and aeration efficiency in the propeller loop reactor. As a result of sludge solubilization, the solubilization of sludge by ultrasound was increased with increasing energy input and it led to improved anaerobic digestion rate with more biogas production than that of nonsolubilized sewage sludge.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.541-548
• /
• 2018

In this work, the $N_2O$ decomposition catalyst and reaction characteristics to control the $N_2O$ removal were described. Experiments were carried out by using Rh as an active metal catalyst on various supports and the $Rh/CeO_2$ catalyst with $CeO_2$ support showed the best activity for the $N_2O$ decomposition when it was prepared under the constant heat treatment condition ($500^{\circ}C$-4 hr). $H_2-TPR$ and XPS analyzes were performed to confirm the effect of the physical and chemical properties of the catalyst on $N_2O$ decomposition. As a result, it was found that the increase of the oxygen transfer capacity of the catalyst due to the increase of both the redox property and $Ce^{3+}$ amount affected the decomposition reaction of $N_2O$. In addition, the future work will include a treatment process capable of decomposition $N_2O$ and NO under the condition that $N_2O$ and NO are simultaneously generated and its characteristics of $N_2O$ decomposition reaction.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.48 no.5
• /
• pp.397-403
• /
• 2015

Heavy metals reduce the photosynthetic efficiency and disrupt metabolic reactions in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, by replacing the metal ions in metalloproteins that use essential metal ions, such as Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe, as co-factors, heavy metals ultimately lead to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These, in turn, cause destruction of the cell membrane through lipid peroxidation, and eventually cause the plant to necrosis. Given the aforementioned factors, this study was aimed to understand the physiological responses of rice to cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) toxicity and the effect of essential metal ions on homeostasis. In order to confirm the level of physiological inhibition caused by heavy metal toxicity, hydroponically grown rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Dongjin) plants were exposed with $0-50{\mu}M$ cadmium (Cd, $CdCl_2$) and arsenic (As, $NaAsO_2$) at 3-leaf stage, and then investigated malondialdehyde (MDA) contents after 7 days of the treatment. With increasing concentrations of Cd and As, the MDA content in leaf blade and root increased with a consistent trend. At 14 days after treatment with $30{\mu}M$ Cd and As, plant height showed no significant difference between Cd and As, with an identical reduction. However, As caused a greater decline than Cd for shoot fresh weight, dry weight, and water content. The largest amounts of Cd and As were found in the roots and also observed a large amount of transport to the leaf sheath. Interestingly, in terms of Cd transfer to the shoot parts of the plant, it was only transported to upper leaf blades, and we did not detect any Cd in lower leaf blades. However, As was transferred to a greater level in lower leaf blades than in upper leaf blades. In the roots, Cd inhibited Zn absorption, while As inhibited Cu uptake. Furthermore, in the leaf sheath, while Cd and As treatments caused no change in Cu homeostasis, they had an antagonist effect on the absorption of Zn. Finally, in both upper and lower leaf blades, Cd and As toxicity was found to inhibit absorption of both Cu and Zn. Based on these results, it would be considered that heavy metal toxicity causes an increase in lipid peroxidation. This, in turn, leads to damage to the conductive tissue connecting the roots, leaf sheath, and leaf blades, which results in a reduction in water content and causes several physiological alterations. Furthermore, by disrupting homeostasis of the essential metal ions, Cu and Zn, this causes complete heavy metal toxicity.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.113-120
• /
• 2006

Wastewater generated through the food waste recycling process have known high concentration, BOD 20,000~150,000 mg/L, which has to treat to the proper level because of a ban on reclamation. But it is impossible to treat less than 10 days by existing water treatment plant. Ecodays Ltd. is to treat this wastewater during 2~4 days by ER-1, which can simultaneously induce the modified PFR(Plug Flow Reactor) of the oxygen transfer rate, MLVSS concentration, and influent concentration to top from bottom of reactor. We tested the pilot test about low concentration food wastewater(BOD 16,500 mg/L) and high concentration food wastewater(64,431 mg/L) at the food waste recycling plant of H-Gun(20t/d). Hydraulic retention time(HRT) of ER-1 for low concentration food wastewater is 2.5day. In low concentration conditions, ER-1 treatment efficiency is to appear BOD 99%, COD 98%, TN 97%, and TP 96%. While ER-1 process for high concentration food wastewater treatment is composed 2 stages, which are to be HRT 2.5day for law wastewater and HRT 1.5 day for secondary treatment. In high concentration conditions, ER-1 treatment efficiency is to appear BOD 97%, COD 84%, TN 66%, and TP 95%. It is treated without temperature control about high temperature($50^{\circ}C$) to appear low treatment efficiency in high concentration conditions.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.7-15
• /
• 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficiency of nicotinic acid on sperm cryosurvival and fertilization ability in frozen-thawed boar semen. Boar semen was collected by glove-hand method and was frozen using freezing solution treated to 0, 5, 10 and 20 mM of nicotinic acid. The frozen sperm for sperm characteristic analysis was thawed such as viability, acrosome reaction, and mitochondrial integrity. The frozen-thawed sperm was estimated by SYBR14/PI double staining for viability, FITC-PNA/PI double staining for acrosome reaction and Rhodamine123/PI double staining for mitochondrial integrity using a flow cytometry. The embryo was estimated in vitro development and DCFDA staining for reactive oxygen species assessment. As results, frozen-thawed sperm viability was significantly higher in 5 and 10 mM ($61.1{\pm}1.5%$,$64.7{\pm}2.0%$) of nicotinic acid than other groups (0 mM, $52.1{\pm}2.3%$; 20 mM, $47.8{\pm}5.1%$, P<0.05). The live sperm with acrosome reaction was significantly higher in 5 and 10 mM of nicotinic acid ($26.1{\pm}1.8%$, $24.9{\pm}1.5%$) than other groups (0 mM, $35.3{\pm}0.8%$; 20 mM, $36.5{\pm}1.9%$, P<0.05). The live sperm with mitochondrial integrity was significantly higher in 5 and 10 mM ($84.2{\pm}3.6%$, $88.4{\pm}2.3%$) of nicotinic acid than other groups (0 mM, $77.3{\pm}4.4%$; 20 mM, $73.3{\pm}3.6%$, P<0.05). Blastocyst rate of in vitro development was significantly higher in 10 mM ($17.0{\pm}1.3%$) of nicotinic acid than other groups (0 mM, $9.4{\pm}0.5%$; 5mM, $12.6{\pm}0.8%$; 20 mM, $5.0{\pm}1.0%$, P<0.05). Moreover, total cell number was higher in 5 and 10 mM ($53.6{\pm}2.9%$, $57.9{\pm}2.8%$) of nicotinic acid than other groups (0 mM, $41.0{\pm}1.4%$; 20 mM, $23.2{\pm}2.8%$, P<0.05). Hydrogen peroxide in embryos was lower in 5 mM nicotinic acid ($0.7{\pm}0.1%$) than other groups (0 mM, $1.0{\pm}0.1%$; 10mM, $0.9{\pm}0.0%$; 20 mM, $1.4{\pm}1.0%$, P<0.05). In conclusion, nicotinic acid-treated semen improves cryosurvival and quality of spermatozoa. Also, the fertilized oocytes with nicotinic acid improve quality of embryo and blastocyst formation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.331-340
• /
• 2000

The existing two-phase biological fluidized bed has some problems such as limit of oxygen transfer and blockade of fluidized distributor. In this study, three-phase swirl flow biological fluidized bed has designed to solve the problems and to investigate its running characteristics. TOC of influent synthetic wastewater was approximately $70mg/{\ell}$. HRT of reactor was 1.6 hours. Mean particle size of sand, as packing media, was 0.397mm and packing volume was varied from $200m{\ell}/{\ell}$ to $600m{\ell}/{\ell}$ by stages in the bed. The amount of biomass and effluent water quality was throughly investigated in the bed. Showing experiment results from the above conditions, it was possible to solve the problems of existing fluidized bed and to keep DO of $3mg/{\ell}$ or more. And it was also TOC removal rate of 91 to 94 %, MLVSS of 2,360 to $3,860mg/{\ell}$, MLVSS per g-media of 8.4 to 17.3 mg/g, F/M ratio of 0.59 to $1.04kg-TOC/kg-MLVSS{\cdot}day$, biofilm thickness of $35{\sim}71{\mu}m$ and sludge productivity of 1.03 to $2.35kg-SS/m^3{\cdot}day$. Optimal conditions in this experimental were as follows.; those were biofilm thickness of approximately $54{\mu}m$. MLVSS per g-media of 13 mg and media packing volume of 350 to $400m{\ell}/{\ell}$ when F/M ratio was low, treatment efficiency was high and sludge productivity was low. Showing the media with optics microscope in this optimal condition, attached microbes such as Epistylis sp. were observed. From SEM photographs, it showed that Coccus adhere to and grow on the media surface.