• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.38 no.11
• /
• pp.107-118
• /
• 2022

The social need for stable hydrogen storage technologies that respond to the increasing demand for hydrogen energy is increasing. Among them, underground hydrogen storage is recognized as the most economical and reasonable storage method because of its vast hydrogen storage capacity. In Korea, low-depth hydrogen storage using artificial protective structures is being considered. Further, establishing corresponding safety standards and ground stability evaluation is becoming essential. This study evaluated the hydro-mechanical behavior of the ground during a hydrogen gas leak from a low-depth underground hydrogen storage facility through the HM coupled analysis model. The predictive reliability of the simulation model was verified through benchmark experiments. A parameter study was performed using a metamodel to analyze the sensitivity of factors affecting the surface uplift caused by the upward infiltration of high-pressure hydrogen gas. Accordingly, it was confirmed that the elastic modulus of the ground was the largest. The simulation results are considered to be valuable primary data for evaluating the complex analysis of hydrogen gas explosions as well as hydrogen gas leaks in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.169-178
• /
• 2024

While stable mid- to large-scale underground hydrogen storage infrastructures are needed to meet the rapidly increasing demand for hydrogen energy, evaluating the safety of explosion vibrations in adjacent buildings is becoming important because of gas explosions in underground hydrogen storage facilities. In this study, a numerical analysis of vibration safety effects on nearby building structures was performed assuming a hydrogen gas explosion disaster scenario in a low-depth underground hydrogen storage facility. A parametric study using a meta-model was conducted to predict changes in ground dynamic behavior for each combination of ground properties and to analyze sensitivity to geotechnical influencing factors. Directly above the hydrogen storage facility, the unit weight of the ground had the greatest influence on the change in ground vibration due to the explosion, whereas, farther away from the facility, the sensitivity of dynamic properties was found to be high. In addition, in evaluating the vibration stability of ground building structures based on the predicted ground vibration data and blasting vibration tolerance criteria, in the case of large reinforced concrete building structures, the ground vibration safety was guaranteed with a separation distance of about 10-30 m.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.222-229
• /
• 2018

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate gas concentrations such as oxygen in ginger storage tunnels, which are the causes of asphyxiation in confined spaces and suggest directions for safety and health management at ginger farms. Methods: Five farms in the Seosan and Taean areas which use underground ginger storage tunnels were chosen and examined with a walk-through survey and direct reading device for oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and carbon monoxide. Results: The oxygen concentration in the storage tunnels with no ventilation was found to be under 18% in summer, which may cause health effects. The concentration in those with ventilation was about 19%. The difference in temperature by measurement day had little effect on the concentration of oxygen. Conclusions: Even though some of farms had used compulsory ventilation systems, none of the farms visited possessed any direct reading device for oxygen. Warning systems using a direct reading device can be more effective, helpful, and required compared to ventilation, considering the difficulty and expense of periodical maintenance of ventilation systems and the fact that a farmer can be placed in danger when unaware of the malfunction of the ventilation system. In addition, a warning system may make farmers more cognitive of agricultural safety and health actions while a ventilation system can cause them to become passive and ignorant of workplace hazards.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.221-232
• /
• 2023

Carbon neutrality requires carbon dioxide reduction technology and alternative green energy sources. Palygorskite is a clay mineral with a ribbon structure and possess a large surface area due to the nanoscale pore size. The clay mineral has been proposed as a potential material to capture carbon dioxide (CO₂) and possibly to store eco-friendly hydrogen gas (H2). We report our preliminary results of grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations that investigated the adsorption isotherms and mechanisms of CO₂ and H₂ into palygorskite nanopores at room temperature. As the chemical potential of gas increased, the adsorbed amount of CO₂ or H₂ within the palygorskite nanopores increased. Compared to CO₂, injection of H₂ into palygorskite required higher energy. The mean squared displacement within palygorskite nanopores was much higher for H₂ than for CO₂, which is consistent with experiments. Our simulations found that CO₂ molecules were arranged in a row in the nanopores, while H₂ molecules showed highly disordered arrangement. This simulation method is promising for finding Earth materials suitable for CO₂ capture and H₂ storage and also expected to contribute to fundamental understanding of fluid-mineral interactions in the geological underground.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.15-21
• /
• 2012

MTBE (Methyl tertiary-butyl ether) has been commonly used as an octane enhancer to replace tetraethyl lead in gasoline, because MTBE increases the efficiency of combustion and decreases the emission of carbon monoxide. However, MTBE has been found in groundwater from the fuel spills and leaks in the UST (Underground Storage Tank). Fenton's oxidation, an advanced oxidation catalyzed with ferrous iron, is successful in removing MTBE in groundwater. However, Fenton's oxidation requires the continuous addition of dissolved $Fe^{2+}$. Zero-valent iron is available as a source of catalytic ferrous iron of MFO (Modified Fenton's Oxidation) and has been studied for use in PRBs (Permeable Reactive Barriers) as a reactive material. Therefore, this study investigated the condition of optimization in MFO-PRBs using waste zero-valent iron (ZVI) with the waste steel scrap to treat MTBE contaminated groundwater. Batch tests were examined to find optimal molar ratio of MTBE : $H_2O_2$ on extent to degradation of MTBE in groundwater at pH 7 with 10% waste ZVI. As the results, the ratio of optimization of MTBE to hydrogen peroxide for MFO was determined to be 1:300[mM]. The column experiment was conducted to know applicability of MFO-PRBs for MTBE remediation in groundwater. As the results of column test, MTBE was removed 87% of the initial concentration during 120days of operational period. Interestingly, MTBE was degraded not only within waste ZVI column but also within sand column. It means the aquifer may affect continuously the MTBE contaminated groundwater after throughout the waste ZVI barrier. The residual products showed acetone, TBF (Tert-butyl formate) and TBA (Tert-butyl acetate) during this test. The results of the present study showed that the recycled materials can be effectively used for not only a source of catalytic ferrous iron but also a reactive material of the MFO-PRBs to remove MTBE in groundwater.