• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.579-587
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• 2014

Various kinds of micro organic pollutants have frequently been detected from a water system. Therefore, it is considered to be very important part in the drinking water treatment system. And the research about removal process and processing efficiency have been being conducted briskly. In this study, the removal efficiency was evaluated using advanced water treatment process and nanofiltration process. The removal efficiency of nanofiltration process was very different according to physical and chemical characteristics of materials. The molecular weight of cutoff was the most influential factor in the removal efficiency. And when pKa value was higher than pH of raw water or Log Kow value was below 2, the removal efficiency of material was decreased. In case of oxidation reaction, the bigger the molecular weight of material was and the more hydrophobic a material was, the less oxidation reaction occurred. And the removal efficiency was decreased. Most unoxidized materials were removed by absorption. And the more actively oxidation reaction occurred by $H_2O_2$, the more absorption reaction increased.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.419-430
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• 2023

In response to the periodic occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms in Korean freshwaters, various types of cyanobacteria removal technologies are being developed and implemented. Due to the differing principles behind these technologies, it is difficult to compare and evaluate their removal efficiencies. In this study, a standardized method for evaluating cyanobacteria removal efficiency was proposed by utilizing the results of removal operations using a mobile cyanobacteria removal device in the Seohwacheon area of Daechung Reservoir. During removal operations, the decrease in chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration (ΔChl-a) in the working area was calculated based on the amount of collected sludge, the efficiency rate, and the concentration of chl-a. Additionally, the required working days (WD) to reduce the chl-a concentration to 1 mg/m³ in the target area was calculated based on the area of the target zone, the maximum daily working area, and the efficiency rate. A method for calculating the cyanobacteria removal capacity was proposed based on the reduction rate of chl-a concentration in the water before and after the operation, the treatment capacity of the removal technology, and the water volume of the target area. The cyanobacteria removal capacity of the mobile cyanobacteria removal device used in this study was 6.64%/day (targeting the Seohwacheon area of Daechung Reservoir, approximately 500,000 m²), which was higher compared to other physical or physicochemical cyanobacteria removal technologies (0.02~4.72%/day). Utilizing the evaluation method of cyanobacteria removal efficiency presented in this study, it will be possible to compare and evaluate the cyanobacteria removal technologies currently being applied in Korea. This method could also be used to assess the performance and efficiency of physical or physicochemical combined cyanobacteria removal techniques in the "Guidelines for the Installation and Operation of Algae Removal Facilities and the Use of Algae Removal Agents" operated by the National Institute of Environmental Research.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.45-51
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• 2006

Biological enhanced treatment and send filtration are established being operated to remove nutrients and MBAS(Methylene Blue Activate Substance) in the most of Waste Water Treatment Plant(WWTP) in Korea. However, untreated synthetic detergents and nutrients which directly run into the water system present an unpleasant view because of the foam, taste and odor generating filamentous periphytic algae and interrupting self-purification in the stream. Therefore, this research was enforced to know the MBAS removal efficiency of the sand filtration about G WWTP which reuses effluent as urban stream management water. As a result, the maximum removal efficiency using sand filtration was 63% after 24 hours and particularly 30% after 2 or 4 hours which turned out to be not that effective. In conclusion, It is recognized that other methods of MBAS removal and a research will be needed which reuse effluent as urban stream management water from now on. Because the MBAS removal with sand filtration is insufficient with economical efficiency from the fact that it needs long hours for a sand filtration treatment and the removal efficiency was almost below the expectation.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.363-368
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• 2021

On the assessment results of the non-point source pollutant removability of bio-block using waste sewage sludge, at the reactor's initial operation stage, the removal efficiency of COD was slightly unstable. However, after the reactor was stabilized, the COD removal efficiency was higher in the reactor filled with bio-blocks compared to the reactor filled with broken stones. In terms of nitrogen and phosphorus, their removal efficiency was unstable at the initial stage of the reactor operation. This phenomenon was investigated through the bio-block elution experiments. Results indicated that nitrogen and phosphorus were eluted from the bio-blocks affecting their removal at the initial operation. Furthermore, based on elution tests conducted after the dry ashing of the waste sewage sludge, part of the nitrogen and phosphorus was eluted similar to the bio-block elution test results, although considerable amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus were reduced compared to the sludge cake. Prior to the use of the waste sewage sludge bio-blocks as a filter medium to remove non-point source pollutants, a stabilization period of 10 days was required. After the stabilization process, results showed similar characteristics as general aggregates. Moreover, to use the bio-block as a filter medium for the non-point pollutant removal, the filling ratio of 75% was the most suitable as it resulted in the highest nitrogen removal efficiency after the stabilization. The results of this study suggested that waste sewage sludge can be suitably recycled as a mixed raw material for the bio-blocks, with satisfactory application as a filter medium in artificial wetlands, stormwater runoff problems, stream water pollutants to eliminate non-point source pollutants.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.1830-1837
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• 2023

The thermal cutting of contaminated or activated metals during decommissioning nuclear power plants inevitably results in the release of radioactive aerosol. Since radioactive aerosols are pernicious particles that contribute to the internal dose of workers, air conditioning units with a HEPA filter are used to remove radioactive aerosols. However, a HEPA filter cannot be used permanently. This study evaluates the efficiency and lifetime of filters in actual metal cutting condition using a plasma arc cutter and a high-resolution aerosol detector. The number concentration and size distribution of aerosols from 6 nm to 10 ㎛ were measured on both the upstream and downstream sides of the filter. The total aerosol removal efficiency of HEPA filter satisfies the standard of removing at least 99.97% of 0.3 ㎛ airborne particles, even if the pressure drop increases due to dust feeding load. The pressure drop and particle size removal efficiency at 0.3 ㎛ of the HEPA filter were found to increase with repeated cutting experiments. By contrast, the efficiency of used HEPA filter reduced in removing nano-sized aerosols by up to 79.26%. Altogether, these results can be used to determine the performance guidance and replacement frequency of HEPA filters used in nuclear power plants.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2019

LID facilities do not consider environmental factors, and due to inappropriate vegetation planting causing degradation in efficiency due to plant damage and difficulty in maintenance. Therefore, in this study, assessment of impact environmental factor by seasonal variation of chlorophyll and growth of vegetation planted in LID technologies and change of pollutant reduction were conducted. In the case of B-SJ and B-RI, growth rate decreased after summer (August), and B-MG showed steady growth until autumn (September). Chlorophyll was found to increase during spring season while it decreased during autumn season. The chlorophyll concentration was found to affect the plant growth pattern. TN reduction efficiency was highest with greater than 80% efficiency in summer, and it was analyzed that plants were identified as the main factor affecting the seasonal reduction efficiency of TN. Also, temperature and relative humidity were analyzed to affect plant growth, activity and pollutant removal efficiency. Plant type and growth pattern are considered as factors to be considered in selection of appropriate plant types in LID technologies.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.141-148
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• 2017

Globalization, industrialization, mining, and uncontrolled population growth have fostered a shortage of potable water. Therefore, it has become imperative to understand an effective and reasonable water purification technique. A renewed interest in electrocoagulation (EC) has been spurred by the search for reliable, cost-effective, water-treatment processes. This paper has elucidated a technical approach for getting rid of heavy metals and total suspended solids (TSS) from synthetic water using an aluminum electrode. The effect of operational parameters, such as current density, inter-electrode distance, operating time, and pH, were studied and evaluated for maximum efficiency. This study corroborates the correlation between current density and removal efficiency. Neutral pH and a low electrode gap have been found to aid the efficacy of the EC setup. The outcome indicates that a maximum TSS removal efficiency of 76.6% occurred at a current density of $5.3mA/cm^2$ during a contact time of 30 min. In the case of heavy metals remediation, 40 min of process time exhibited extremely reduced rates of 99%, 59.2%, and 82.1%, for Cu, Cr, and Zn, respectively. Moreover, kinetic study has also demonstrated that pollutants removal follows first-and second-order model with current density and EC time being dependent.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.417-423
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• 2006

The purification ability of indoor plants for volatile organic compounds was investigated. Philodendron selloum and Spathiphyllum sp. were tested for removal of toluene and trichloroethylene in the artificially contaminated reactor under laboratory conditions. Each plant was placed in right side of the reactor and the TCE and toluene concentration change with time were monitored. In the reactor with Philodendron, the TCE concentrations of left and right sides were compared to examine the removal effects by plant. In the reactor with Spathiphyllum, air was circulated before sampling, and thus average removal effects by plants on target VOC were observed. Both plants showed clear effects on removal of VOCs from contaminated indoor air. The removal efficiency of Philodendron and Spathiphyllum were similar and showed 30 - 46% and 31 - 47% of purification effects, respectively. The results of this study showed that air purification using plants is an effective means of reduction on indoor VOCs concentration level and reduce related health risk though, supplementary purifying aids or proper ventilation were also suggested.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.291-304
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• 2023

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have become an increasing concern in terms of human health risks as well as aesthetic impairment due to their toxicity. The reduction of water pollutants, especially nutrients from non-point sources in a reservoir watershed, is fundamental for HABs prevention. We investigated the pollutant removal efficiencies of a constructed wetland to evaluate its feasibility as a method for controlling non-point sources located in the Annaecheon stream within the Daecheong Reservoir watershed. The overall removal efficiencies of pollutants were as follows: BOD 14.3%, COD 17.9%, SS 50.0%, T-N 19.0%, and T-P 35.4%. These results indicate that constructed wetlands are effective in controlling pollutants from non-point sources. The seasonal variation in removal efficiency depended on the specific pollutants. The removal efficiencies of BOD, COD, and T-N were stable throughout the year, except during winter, which might have been influenced by lower microorganism activity. In contrast, T-P showed a consistent removal efficiency even during the winter season, suggesting that the wetland can reduce external phosphorus loading to the reservoir. Regarding the effects of pollutant loadings on removal efficiency, the effluent concentrations of all pollutants were significantly decreased compared to those in the influent in case of middle and high loadings. This demonstrates that constructed wetlands can handle high pollutant loads, including the initial runoff during rainfall, to prevent reservoir eutrophication. Despite the various strengths of wetland water purification, there are limitations as passive treatment. Therefore, more case studies should be conducted to suggest optimum operational conditions for constructed wetlands, taking into consideration reservoir-specific characteristics.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.707-713
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• 2012

There are a lot of parameters affecting microbial acclimation/cultivation characteristics such as dynamic conditions, F/M ratio and substrate affinity. From the process control point of view, the effect of high salinity on the removal efficiencies of BOD and SS have been documented by few researchers. In this research, lab-scale CAS(Conventional Activated Sludge) process and modified $A_2O$(Anaerobic/Anoxic/Oxic) process were operated and monitored to evaluate the characteristics of microbial acclimation and cultivation under high salinity wastewater during the period of three weeks. As a result of acute microbial activity test(6hr) at various $Cl^-$ concentration, the appropriate $Cl^-$ concentration for microbial growth and acclimation ranged under 3,100 mg/l. As a result of acclimation/cultivation test, the trend of COD removal efficiency reduced gradually as time elapsed. It is considered that $NH_4$-N removal phenomenon of the conventional pollutants removal mechanisms gave little effect to the microbial acclimation/cultivation under high salinity wastewater.