• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.555-567
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• 2022

With the introduction of the tele-monitoring system (TMS) in South Korea, monitoring of the concentration of pollutants discharged from nationwide water quality TMS attachments is possible. In addition, the Ministry of Environment is implementing a smart sewage system program that combines ICT technology with wastewater treatment plants. Thus, many institutions are adopting the automatic operation technique which uses process operation factors and TMS data of sewage treatment plants. As a part of the preliminary study, a multilayer perceptron (MLP) analysis method was applied to TMS data to identify predictability degree. TMS data were designated as independent variables, and each pollutant was considered as an independent variables. To verify the validity of the prediction, root mean square error analysis was conducted. TMS data from two public sewage treatment plants in Chungnam were used. The values of RMSE in SS, T-N, and COD predictions (excluding T-P) in treatment plant A showed an error range of 10%, and in the case of treatment plant B, all items showed an error exceeding 20%. If the total amount of data used MLP analysis increases, the predictability of MLP analysis is expected to increase further.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.580-586
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• 2017

The fractionation characteristics of organic matter were investigated in inflow and effluent of each other pollution sources and river. While the DOC/TOC ratio in the influent of public sewage treatment plant and livestock disposal facilities was above 0.58, the POC/TOC ratio of human livestock Night soil treatment plant and stormwater runoff was more than 0.7. The TOC removal efficiency of public sewage treatment plant and human livestock Night soil treatment plant were 88.5 % and 99.6 %, respectively. Although the concentration distribution of organic matter pollution most of total organic carbon (TOC) in effluent of pollution sources accounted for dissolved organic carbon (DOC) type (DOC/TOC ratio >0.89) and Refractory-DOC (RDOC)/TOC ratio was higher (>0.65). The fractionation characteristics of organic matter in river were similar with that of sewage treatment plant and TOC concentration showed the positive correlation with DOC ($r^2=0.93$) and RDOC ($r^2=0.89$) concentration. The decay rate of Labile DOC (LDOC) (avg. $0.128day^{-1}$) was higher than labile particulate organic carbon (LPOC) ($0.082day^{-1}$), while that of DOC ($0.008day^{-1}$) was lower than POC ($0.039day^{-1}$) (paired t-test, p < 0.001, n = 5). These study results suggested that it should consider important both TOC and DOC as the target indicator to control refractory organic matter in pollution sources.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.524-531
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• 2014

Korea has been trying to manage water quality of rivers and lakes in many ways. Ministry of Environment is making continuous efforts of operation control improvement such as strengthening effluent standards in sewage treatment plants and expanding Tele-Monitoring System (TMS). However, evaluation method for operations of sewage treatment plants and establishment system of effluent standards are inadequate. The objective of this study is to evaluate for operations of sewage treatment plants using statistics technique such as frequency analysis, percentile, normal distribution analysis. We used the effluent data (BOD, COD, SS) collected at 299 plants in 2012. The values were very low by comparison with standards. The Data followed a normal distribution. We think that distribution characteristics are closely related with effluent standards, especially T-P and BOD. Statistics technique attempted in this study can be used to evaluate for operations of sewage treatment plants and assess the appropriateness of effluent standards based on TBEL(Technology-based effluent limitation). And, this technique can be used to figure out the overall level of plants, the status of each plant and the favorable treatment process for each item (BOD, COD etc.). Data acquired through this method can be used to improve facilities and operation techniques and decide on a sewerage policy.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.399-408
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• 2019

The average annual water quality at Yongchon Bridge, Bonggok 2 Bridge, and Gasuwon Bridge in upstream of Gapcheon in 2018 was Ib grade (good) in organic matters, including BOD and TOC compared to the local environmental standard in Daejeon. However, their monthly changes for TOC partially exceeded the standard during the busy farming season at Bonggok 2 Bridge and Gasuwon Bridge. Although the annual average TP was within the standard, the monthly change at Bonggok 2 Bridge partially exceeded the standard. For Dugyecheon, the annual average water quality in 2018 at Umyeon-dong Bridge and Wonjeong Bridge, which are downstream of the Gyeryong public sewage treatment plant, exceeded the local environmental standard in BOD. COD was exceeded, and TP was within the standard. It seemed that the causes of deteriorated water quality downstream of Dugyecheon were discharges of agricultural water from agricultural land and effluent from the Gyeryong public sewage treatment plant. Assuming the pollution load of 100% based at the Mulangil point of the mainstream of Gapcheon, the ratio of BOD load and TOC load were as high as 58% and 47%, respectively. At the basin of Bonggok 2 Bridge and Mulangil, the loads downstream of Dugyecheon including the Gyeryong public sewage treatment plant were as high as 43% for TN and 56% for TP, respectively, indicating that Dugyecheon had a major impact on the water quality at the mainstream of Gapcheon.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.535-545
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• 2020

This study aims to conserve and monitor energy use in public sewage treatment plants by utilizing data from the SCADA system and by controlling the aeration rate required for maintaining effluent water quality. Power consumption in the sewage treatment process was predicted using the equipment's uptime, efficiency, and inherent power consumption. The predicted energy consumption was calibrated by measured data. Additionally, energy efficiency indicators were proposed based on statistical data for energy use, capacity, and effluent quality. In one case study, a sewage treatment plant operated via the SBR process used ~30% of energy consumed in maintaining the bioreactors and treated water tanks (included decanting pump and cleaning systems). Energy consumption analysis with the K-ECO Tool-kit was conducted for unit processing. The results showed that about 58.7% of total energy consumed was used in the preliminary and biological treatment rotating equipment such as the blower and pump. In addition, the energy consumption rate was higher to the order of 19.2% in the phosphorus removal process, 16.0% during sludge treatment, and 6.1% during disinfection and discharge. In terms of equipment energy usage, feeding and decanting pumps accounted for 40% of total energy consumed following 27% for blowers. By controlling the aeration rate based on the proposed feedback control system, the DO concentration was reduced by 56% compared pre-controls and the aeration amount decreased by 28%. The overall power consumption of the plant was reduced by 6% via aeration control.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2016

Recently, the demand of sewage treatment facilities have increased by growing the population growth of city and industrialization. However, most of public sewage treatment facilities lack the preparations of design criteria by increasing sewage water amount in the future. In order to respond to this situation, the government has consistently promoted the sewage treatment construction project. This study conducted a survey targeting residents and sewage treatment facilities, civil engineering a VE project professionals for effectively operating the sewage treatment facilities and improving its value to be built in the future. Based on this survey, this study will introduce the list of performance measurements which can not only save cost but also reflect opinion of users and residents. In addition, using Multi-Level Performance Measurement and AHP analyzed the weights of performance measurement which is more objective than existing things for applying efficient VE process

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.96-105
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• 2000

Field experiment was performed from August 1996 to December 1999 to examine the performance of constructed wetland system for wastewater treatment in rural area. The constructed wetland system was installed in Konkuk University and the effluent from septic tank of school building was used as an influent to the treatment basin. The treatment basin was composed of sand bed with planted reed. From August 1996 to June 1998 the hydraulic loading rate was fixed with about 15.63cm/day and theoretical detention time was 1.38 days, and from July 1998 to December 1999 the hydraulic loading rate was about 6.25cm/day and theoretical detention time was 3.5days. It worked continuously even during winter time, and the sewage flowed without freezing even when average daily air temperature was below -1$0^{\circ}C$. Average removal rate of BOD , COD, and SS was about 70%, T-P removal rate was about 50.8% , and T-N removal rate was 23.9%. The reason for poor T-N removal might be due to high influent concentration and short retention times. At the later years BOD and COD removal rates were increased , and SS and T-P removal rates did not change significantly , but T-N removal rates were decreased. The effluent of the wetland system often effluent water quality standards for sewage treatment plant, therefore, further treatment would be required if the effluent need to be discharged to the public water. Wetland system involves relatively large land area and could be suitable for rural area. Therefore, utilization of reclaimed sewage for agricultural purpose or subsequent land treatment is recommended as a ultimate disposal of sewage for agricultural purpose or subsequent land treatment is recommended as a ultimate disposal of sewage in rural area.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.381-389
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• 2009

Confined spaces are inherently dangerous workplace and many fatal and nonfatal accidents have been reported. Even though these accidents occur in various kinds of confined spaces, there has rarely been reported on the health hazard agent, i.e., the types of gases and their concentration ranges. Therefore in this study, we evaluated several toxic and asphyxiating gas concentrations in various confined spaces. We surveyed 57 manholes, 3 sewage treatment plants, 2 yellow radish manufacturing companies and 7 barges to measure the concentrations of oxygen($O_2$), hydrogen sulfide($H_2S$), carbon monoxide(CO), ammonia($NH_3$). Lower Explosion Limits(LEL) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Those four types of confined spaces occupies 56% of accidents during last 9 years in Korea. In 57 manholes, the concentration varied according to the types of manholes; rainfall and sewage, and by location; residential and industrial areas. Sewage manhole in industrial area was evaluated as the most hazardous than other types of manhole like rainfall manholes, residential sewage manholes. The highest $H_2S$ concentration and the lowest $O_2$ concentration at sewage manhole in industrial area were 300 ppm, 8.7% respectively. In 3 sewage treatment plants, $H_2S$ and $NH_3$ concentrations were reached up to the 500 ppm and 200 ppm respectively. Two yellow radish manufacturing companies showed the concentrations of 316 ppm, 505.2 ppm, 90 ppm and 15.7% for $H_2S$, CO, VOCs and $O_2$, respectively. Seven barges showed 15.9%~20.9% oxygen concentration. Gas species and concentration ranges varied by the types and location of confined spaces; CO, $H_2S$, $O_2$ could be hazardous in manhole, especially manhole connected to sewage plants. CO, $H_2S$, LEL, $O_2$, $NH_3$ should be controlled in sludge silo and sluge pumping confined spaces in sewage treatment plant. The activity of lifting out radish from the storage tank was evaluated more hazardous rather than the other activities in yellow radish manufacturing industry. The employers must conduct the survey to identify all possible confined spaces in their local workplace prior to performing the tasks. At the national level to reduce the accidents in the confined spaces, we suggest that systemic approach and active education program including possible hazards, standard operation procedures, ventilation plan, and personal protective equipment in confined spaces should be implemented.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.296-314
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• 2014

In recent years, Ministry of Environment (MOE) has been implementing a phased strengthening of the effluent standards for sewage treatment plants. In this regard, a comprehensive system should be developed to help check the appropriateness of such standards by specifying the grounds for standard-setting and investigating the current operation of sewage treatment plants clearly. It is necessary to establish a new standard-setting system for the effluent that is in a closer connection with the environmental criteria and rating systems. In the United States, the federal government provides guidelines on the least provisions and requirements for the Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs). Local governments set the same or stricter guidelines that reflect the characteristics of each state. In Japan, the sewage treatment plants are subject to both the effluent standards and the discharge acceptable limits to pubic waters under the sewerage law. Specific requirements and limits are set in accordance with local government regulations. The European Union imposes sewage treatment plants with different provisions for effluent standards, depending on the sensitivity of public waters to eutrophication. The effluent standards for sewage treatment plants are classified by pollutant loads discharged to receiving waters. MOE also needs to introduce systems for setting new parameter standards on a POTW effluent by applying statistical means and treatment efficiencies or optimal treatment techniques, as seen in the cases of the US National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) or the EU Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC).

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.495-502
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• 2020

The 37 indicators for performance evaluation of public sewage management agencies are divided into four major categories (agency manpower management ability, wastewater treatment plant operation and management, sludge and water reuse, service quality) in the first stage, and the necessity and score acquisition for the detailed indicators by each major category in the second stages. Priority was investigated through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis technique for ease and relevance of company efforts. Also, based on the results of this analysis, integrated type weighting and relative importance were analyzed. As a result of the analysis, the weight and relative importance of the first stage classification were in the order of wastewater treatment plant operation and maintenance, operation agency manpower management ability, sludge and water reuse, and service quality. As a result of analyzing the weights and priorities of the detailed performance indicators in the second stage, it was found that operator's career years, the percentage of certification holding rate in operators, compliance with the effluent water quality standards, training times for operators, and efforts to manage hazardous chemicals were important. Some of the indicators of operation agency performance evaluation may include indicators in which the performance of the company's efforts is underestimated or overestimated. In order to improve this, it is necessary to give weights in consideration of the necessity of the indicator, the relevance of the company's efforts, and the ease of obtaining scores.