• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.332-338
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• 2017

The objective of this work was to study the low temperature vacuum adsorption technology applicable to small and medium scale painting plants, which is the main emission source of volatile organic compounds. The low-temperature vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) technology is the way that the adsorbates are removed by reducing pressure at low temperature ($60{\sim}90^{\circ}C$) to compensate disadvantages of the existing thermal swing adsorption (TSA) technology. Commercial activated carbon was used and the absorption and desorption characteristics of toluene, a representative VOCs, were tested on a lab scale. Also based on the lab scale experimental results, a $30m^3min^{-1}$ VSA system was designed and applied to the actual painting factory to assess the applicability of the VSA system in the field. As a result of lab scale experiments, a 2 mm pellet type activated carbon showed higher toluene adsorption capacity than that of using 4 mm pellet type, and was used in a practical scale VSA system. Optimum conditions for desorption experiments were $80{\sim}90^{\circ}C$ and 100 torr. In the practical scale system, the adsorption/desorption cycles were repeated 95 times. As a result, VOCs discharged from the painting factory can be effectively removed upto 98% or more even after repeated adsorption/desorption cycles when using VSA technology indicating potential field applicabilities.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.56-75
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• 2018

Korean Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) have been established since the late 2001 to monitor ambient air concentrations of VOC species, which would enhance understanding photo-chemical formation of ozone and subsequently contribute to developing efficient ozone control strategies. The present study aims at identifying major VOC species and examining their trends by analyzing PAMS monitoring data collected from the year 2006 to 2016. All the 18 PAMS sites operated by the Ministry of Environment were included in the study. PAMS monitored the 56 target VOC species, which are classified into four groups, alkenes, lower alkanes ($C{\leq}3$), higher alkanes ($C{\geq}4$), aromatics. The higher alkanes and aromatics dominated over the lower alkanes and alkenes in the type 2 and 3 PAMS sites except Joongheung site. N-butane was a major alkane species, toluene was a major aromatic species and most of VOCs showed decreasing trends in these sites. On the other hand, only the alkenes showed decreasing trends at the Joongheung site in Yeosu. Major sources of abundant species such as ethane, propane, n-butane, toluene were estimated by analyzing seasonal variations, correlation with other VOC species, and emission profiles. A major source of n-butane was identified as LPG cars, while major sources of toluene varied considerably from one site to another. The lower alkanes were composed of ethane and propane, both of which showed a strong seasonal variation, low in the summer and high in the winter, indicating that a major source might be the heating by gaseous fuels. Ozone formation potentials of VOC species were evaluated by applying MIR and POCP to the measured VOC species concentrations. Toluene contributed the most to total ozone forming potentials followed by m,p-xylene for all the type 2 and 3 PAMS sites except for two sites in Yeosu-Gwangyang. Ethylene and propylene were the first and second contributors to total ozone forming potentials at Joongheung site in Yeosu.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.91-98
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• 2013

In order to study the seasonal patterns and possible origins of air concentrations of volatile organic compounds(VOC), measurements were taken with GC-MS at 3 sampling sites in Jinju for 12 months from Mar. 2010 to Feb. 2011. Atmospheric VOC are sampled on tubes containing solid adsorbents(Tenax TA) with a time resolution of 2hrs. Composition and concentration of VOC are analysed with a GC system equipped with thermal desorption apparatus(ATD). The most abundant compound appeared to be Toluene, Ethylbenzene and m,p-Xylene. The mean concentrations of Benzene were 0.20 ppb at GN site, 0.18 ppb at DA site, and 0.25 ppb at SP site, respectively. VOC concentration showed a strong seasonal variation, with higher concentrations during the spring and lower concentrations during the summer. The results showed that monthly fluctuations in measured VOC concentrations depended on variations in the strength of sources, as well as on photochemical activity and meteorological conditions. In Jinju, the total VOC emissions for 2009 were estimated to be 4,407 ton/year by Clean Air Policy Support System(CAPSS). It is shown that solvent use 57.5%(2,534 ton/yr), waste treatment and disposal 23.3%(1,025 ton/yr), and mobil source-road traffic 12.2%(537 ton/yr) are the most significant anthropogenic source.

• Clean Technology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.200-208
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• 2012

This study was performed to prevent the health damage of environmental contaminants in Industrial Complex Area. And, this study aimed to identify the concentration levels and distribution characteristics of environmental contaminants and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) at soil in Industrial Complex Area and control area. The concentration of the soil pollution standard such as the heavy metals in the soil, VOCs, PAHs, and PCB were measured and analyzed using the soil specimens in the Industrial Complex Area and control area. Soil specimens from the Industrial Complex Area (the direct exposure area) and the control area were surveyed. Songdo-dong, Haedo-dong and Jechul-dong, which are in the direct exposure area and near the emission source, showed relatively high concentrations of contaminant materials when compared with Jangki-myeon, which is far off and in the control area. The concentration of zinc was 20.8-58.9% of the level of concern (300 mg/kg) in the 1st region, which is a relatively high concentration. The concentration of fluoride was under the standard in every region, but it was about 74% of the level of concern (400 mg/kg) in the 1st region. It is recommended that controlling fluoride emissions is necessary. Levels of organic phosphate, phenol, and VOCs like benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene were under the detection limit of the analysis instruments. The concentration of TPH was high in Songdo-dong. The concentration of contaminants in Jechul-dong was high. In addition, it was observed that the level of soil contamination changed depending on the distance from the emission source. The concentration of PAH compounds in the soil was 18.71-1744.59 ng/g, and the concentration of six potential cancer-causing PAH materials was 6.54-695.94 ng/g. The highest concentration was in Songdo-dong. The PAH concentration in the direct exposure area near the complex was relatively high compared to the indirect exposure area.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.651-658
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• 2018

Particulate matter (PM) emitted from fossil fuel-combustion facilities can be classified as either filterable or condensable PM. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defined condensable PM as material that is in the phase of vapor at the stack temperature of the sampling location which condenses, reacts upon cooling and dilution in the ambient air to form solid or liquid in a few second after the discharge from the stack. Condensable PM passed through the filter media and it is typically ignored. But condensable PM was defined as a component of primary PM. This study investigates the change of condensable PM according to the variation in the sulfur dioxide of combustion gas. Domestic oil boilers were used as the source of emission ($SO_2$) and the level of $SO_2$ concentration (0, 50, 80, and 120 ppm) was adjusted by diluting general light oil and marine gas oil (MGO) that contains sulfur less than 0.5%. Condensable PM was measured as 2.72, 6.10, 8.38, and $13.34mg/m^3$ when $SO_2$ concentration in combustion gas were 0, 50, 80, and 120 ppm respectively. The condensable PM tended to increase as the concentration of $SO_2$ increased. Some of the gaseous air pollutants emitted from the stack should be considered precursors of condensable PM. The gas phase pollutants which converted into condensable PM should reduced for condensable PM control.

• KEPCO Journal on Electric Power and Energy
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2022

Ultrafine Particle number and size distributions were simultaneously measured at rural area around the power plant in Dangjin, South Korea. New Particle formation and growth events were frequently observed during January, 2021 and classified based on their strength and persistence as well as the variation in geometric mean diameter(GMD) on January 12, 21 and 17. In this study, we investigated mechanisms of new particle growth based on measurements using a high resolution time of flight aerosol mass spectrometer(HR-ToF-AMS) and a scanning mobility particle sizer(SMPS). On Event days(Jan 12 and 21), the total average growth rate was found to be 8.46 nm/h~24.76 nm/hr. These growth rate are comparable to those reported for other urban and rural sites in South Korea using different method. Comparing to the Non-Event day(Jan 17), New Particle Growth mostly occurred when solar radiation is peaked and relative humidity is low in daytime, moreover enhanced under the condition of higher precusors, NO₂ (39.9 vs 6.2ppb), VOCs(129.5 vs 84.6ppb), NH₃(11 vs 4.7ppb). The HR-ToF-AMS PM_1.0 composition shows Organic and Ammoniated nitrate were dominant species effected by emission source in domestic. On the other hand, The Fraction of Ammoniated sulfate was calculated to be approximately 16% and 31% when air quality is inflow from China. Longer term studies are needed to help resolve the relative contributions of each precusor species on new particle growth characteristics.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.457-468
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• 2018

To improve understanding of the physico-chemical characteristics of aerosols in the national park and comparing the air pollution between national park and the urban area nearby national park, the aerosol characterization study was conducted in Bukhansan National Park, Seoul, from July through September 2017. Semi-continuous measurements of $PM_{2.5}$ using PILS (Particle Into Liquid System) coupled with IC (Ion Chromatography) and TOC (Total Organic Carbon) analyzer allowed quantification of concentrations of major ionic species($Cl^-$, $SO_4{^{2-}}$, $NO_3{^-}$, $Na^+$, $NH_4{^+}$, $K^+$, $Mg{^{2+}}$ and $Ca{^{2+}}$) and water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) with 30-minute time resolution. The total mass concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ was measured by T640 (Teledyne) with 5-minute time resolution. The black carbon (BC) and ozone were measured with a minute time resolution. The timeline of aerosol chemical compositions reveals a strong influence from urban area (Seoul) at the site in Bukhansan National Park. Inorganic aerosol composition was observed to be dominated by ammoniated sulfate at most times with ranging from $0.1{\sim}32.6{\mu}g/m^3$ (6.5~76.1% of total mass of $PM_{2.5}$). The concentration of ammonium nitrate, a potential indicator of the presence of local source, ranged from below detection limits to $20{\mu}g/m^3$ and was observed to be highest during times of maximum local urban (Seoul) impact. The total mass of $PM_{2.5}$ in Bukhansan National Park was observed to be 10~23% lower than the total mass of $PM_{2.5}$ in urban area (Gireum-dong and Bulgwang-dong, Seoul). In general, ozone concentration in Bukhansan National Park was observed to be similar or higher than urban sites in Seoul, suggesting additional biogenic VOCs with $NO_x$ from vehicle emission were to be precursors for ozone formation in Bukhansan National Park.

• Clean Technology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.131-137
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• 2022

The semiconductor process currently emits various by-products and unused gases. Emissions containing pollutants are generally classified into categories such as organic, acid, alkali, thermal, and cabinet exhaust. They are discharged after treatment in an atmospheric prevention facility suitable for each exhaust type. The main components of organic exhaust are volatile organic compounds (VOC), which is a generic term for oxygen-containing hydrocarbons, sulfur-containing hydrocarbons, and volatile hydrocarbons, while the main components of alkali exhaust include ammonia and tetramethylammonium hydroxide. The purpose of this study was to determine the combustion characteristics and analyze the NO_X reduction rate by maintaining a direct combustion and temperature to process organic and alkaline exhaust gases simultaneously. Acetone, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), and propylene glycol methyl ether acetate (PGMEA) were used as VOCs and ammonia was used as an alkali exhaust material. Independent and VOC-ammonia mixture combustion tests were conducted for each material. The combustion tests for the VOCs confirmed that complete combustion occurred at an equivalence ratio of 1.4. In the ammonia combustion test, the NO_X concentration decreased at a lower equivalence ratio. In the co-combustion of VOC and ammonia, NO was dominant in the NO_X emission while NO₂ was detected at approximately 10 ppm. Overall, the concentration of nitrogen oxide decreased due to the activation of the oxidation reaction as the reaction temperature increased. On the other hand, the concentration of carbon dioxide increased. Flameless combustion with an electric heat source achieved successful combustion of VOC and ammonia. This technology is expected to have advantages in cost and compactness compared to existing organic and alkaline treatment systems applied separately.