• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2022

The increased production and consumption of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-based products over the past several decades has resulted in the discharge of countless tons of PET waste into the marine environment. PET microparticles resulting from the physical erosion of general PET wastes end up in the ocean and pose a threat to the marine biosphere and human health, necessitating the development of new technologies for recycling and upcycling. Notably, enzyme-mediated PET degradation is an appealing option due to its eco-friendly and energy-saving characteristics. PETase, a PET-hydrolyzing enzyme originating from Ideonella sakaiensis, is one of the most thoroughly researched biological catalysts. However, the industrial application of PETase-mediated PET recycling is limited due to the low stability and poor reusability of the enzyme. Here we developed the whole-cell catalyst (WCC) in which functional PETase is attached to the outer membrane of Escherichia coli. Immunoassays are used to identify the surface-expressed PETase, and we demonstrated that the WCC degraded PET microparticles most efficiently at 30℃ and pH 9 without agitation. Furthermore, the WCC increased the PET-degrading activity in a concentration-dependent manner, surpassing the limited activity of soluble PETase above 100 nM. Finally, we demonstrated that the WCC could be recycled up to three times.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.16 no.6 s.84
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• pp.767-776
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• 2004

Polymer concrete shows excellent mechanical properties and chemical resistance compared with conventional normal cement concrete. The polymer concrete is drawing a strong interest as high-performance materials in the construction industry. Resins using recycled PET offer the possibility of a lower source cost of materials for making useful polymer concrete products. Also the recycling of PET in polymer concrete would help solve some of the solid waste problems posed by plastics and save energy. The purposed of this paper is to propose the model for the stress-strain relation of recycled-PET polymer concrete at monotonic uniaxial compression and is to investigate for the stress-strain behavior characteristics of recycled-PET polymer concrete with different variables(strength, resin contents, curing conditions, addition of silane and ages). The maximum stress and strain of recycled-PET polymer concrete was found to increase with an increase in resin content, however, it decreased beyond a particular level of resin content. A ascending and descending branch of stress-strain curve represented more sharply at high temperature curing more than normal temperature curing. Addition of silane increases compressive strength and postpeak ductility. In addition, results show that the proposed model accurately predicts the stress-strain relation of recycled-PET polymer concrete

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2008

The effects of calcium type catalysts addition on the thermal decomposition of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin have been studied in a thermal analyze. (TGA, DSC) and a small batch reactor. The calcium type catalysts tested were calcinated dolomite, lime, and calcinated oyster shell. As the results of TGA experiments, pyrolysis starting temperature for LDPE varied in the range of $330{\sim}360^{\circ}C$ according to heating rate, but EVA resin had the 1st pyrolysis temperature range of $300{\sim}400^{\circ}C$ and the 2nd pyrolysis temperature range of $425{\sim}525^{\circ}C$. The calcinated dolomite enhanced the pyrolysis rate in LDPE pyrolysis reaction, while the calcium type catalysts reduced the pyrolysis rate in EVA pyrolysis reaction. In the DSC experiments, addition of calcium type catalysts reduced the melting point, but did not affect to the heat of fusin. Calcinated dolomite reduced 20% of the heat of pyrolysis reaction. In the batch system experiments, the mixing of calcinated dolomite and lime enhanced the yield of fuel oil, but did not affect to the distribution of carbon numbers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.249-255
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• 1993

To minimize the waste amount of surface layer kochujang during aging, the effects of the three finishing methods(nothing, salt scatering and Polyethylene film on the kochujang surface) and sunning(conventional aging method) or nonsunning aging(cap covering) on water content, redness and spreadability, film forming yeast occurance and salinity of surface layer kochujang during 120 days aging were investigated. In the case of sunning aging, film forming yeast was not visually found on the surface. The surface layer kochujang was so low spreadability(zero) and very high salinity(18-30%) that could not eat. However, the aging method after PE-film covering on the kochujang surface, and then cap covering(nonsunning) was very effective in keeping of soundness of surface layer kochujang without film forming yeast growth on the surface kochujang, especially was greatly effective in keeping of redness, moderate moisture content and spreadability. The PE-film and cap covering aging were effective in prevention of water evaporation and $CO_2$ release, and in accumulation of ethanol and organic acids between the PE-film and surface layer of kochujang.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.209-222
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• 1997

Authors surveyed the ground water near the waste disposed from a fiberglass production factory to confirm the presence of glassfiber in the water and to determine the effect of sampling conditions and storage on the recovery of fibrous materials in the ground water. Sample was collected at every 4 hours for 48 hours consecutively. After finishing the 48 hours sample, water sampling was done from each tap after repeated turning on and off the water for 30 seconds at each time. Sample was collected in the two 1.5 liter polyethylene bottle after vigorously shaking the bottle with the same water several times with the flowing tap water. At each paired sample, one bottle was stored stand still at room temperature, and the other sample was filtered immediately after sampling. Water was filtered on the Mixed Cellulose Ester filter with negative pressure. Each sample was divided into upper and lower layer. The other bottle was stored at room temperature standstill for 7 days and filtered in the same fashion as the other pair of sample did. Each MCE filter was divided into 4 pieces and one piece was treated with acetone to make it transparent. Each prepared sample was observed by two researchers under the light and polarizing microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ra microanalysis. Fibers were classified by the morphology and polarizing pattern under the polarizing microscope, and count was done. 1. There was a significant fluctuation in number of the fibers, but there was no specific demonstrable pattern. 2. Non-polarizing fibers frequently disappeared after 7 days's storage. But cluster of fibers were found at the wall of the same container by scratching technique. 3. Polarizing fibers were usually found in between the filter and the manicure pasted area. Possible explanations for this phenomenon will be that either these fibers are very light or have electronic polarity. Hence, these fibers are not able to be attached on the surface of slide glass. 4. Under the scanning electron microscopic examination, the fibers which are not refractive under the light microscopy were identified as glassfiber. Other fibers which is refractive under the polarizing microscopy were identified as magnesium silicate fibers. It is strongly suggested that development of standardized method of sample collection and measurement of fibrous material in the water is needed.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.17 no.3 s.87
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• pp.329-334
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• 2005

The use of Polymer Concrete (PC) is growing very rapidly in many structural and construction applications such as box culverts, hazardous waste containers, trench lines, floor drains and the repair and overlay of damaged cement concrete surfaces in pavements, bridges, etc. However, PC has a defect economically because resin which be used for binder is expensive. Therefore the latest research is being progressed to replace existing resin with new resin which can reduce the high cost. Here, Polymer concrete using the recycled PET(polyethylene terephthalate) has some merits such as decrease of environmental destruction, decrease of environmental pollution and development of new construction materials. The variables of this study are amount of resin, curing condition and maximum size of coarse aggregate to find out mechanic properties of this. Stress-strain curve was obtained using MTS equipment by strain control. The results indicated that modulus of elasticity was increased gradually in an ascending branch of curve, as an increase of resin content. Compressive strength was the highest for resin content of $13\%$. And Compressive strength was increased as maximum size of coarse aggregate increases. The strain at maximum stress increases with an increase of resin content and size of coarse aggregate. For the descending branch of stress-strain curve the brittle fracture was decreased when it was cured at the room temperature compared to high temperature.

• Composites Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.175-180
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• 2017

Currently, since carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs) are lightweight and have excellent physical properties, their demand has increased dramatically. Many works have studied the CFRPs based on recycled thermoplastics. In this study, the applicability of recycled composite was evaluated using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PET was collected from waste materials used in beverage bottles and processed to produce PET films. Optimal thermoforming temperature and time were analyzed by comparing the mechanical properties with forming temperature and time difference for producing PET films. CF mat and PET film were used to determine the suitable parameters for the optimum thermoforming of CF/PET composites. The mechanical properties of each thermoforming condition were verified by bending test. The degree of impregnation of the PET film into the CF mat was evaluated by cross-sectional photographs, whereas the interfacial properties were evaluated by interlaminar shear strength (ILSS). Ultimately, it was confirmed that the thermoforming condition for forming the CF/recycled PET composites yielding the optimal mechanical and interfacial properties was at $270^{\circ}C$ for 5 minutes.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.303-309
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• 2009

The effects of zeolite type catalysts addition on the thermal decomposition of low density polyethylene(LDPE) and ethylene vinyl acetate(EVA) resin have been studied in a thermal analyzer(TGA, DSC) and a small batch reactor. The zeolite type catalysts tested were natural zeolite, FCC catalyst, used FCC catalyst, and catalyst A. As the results of TGA experiments, addition of antifogging-agent decreased the pyrolysis point to $250^{\circ}C$, but addition of longevity-agent and clay reduced the pyrolysis rate in EVA resin. Addition of the zeolite type catalysts in the LDPE resin increased the pyrolysis rate in the order of catalyst A > used FCC catalyst > natural zeolite > LDPE resin. Addition of the zeolite type catalysts in the EVA resin increased the pyrolysis rate in the order of used FCC catalyst > natural zeolite > catalyst A > EVA resin. In the DSC experiments for LDPE resin, addition of zeolite type catalysts decreased the melting point and the heat of pyrolysis reaction in the order of catalyst A > used FCC catalyst > natural zeolite> LDPE resin. In the batch system experiments, the mixing of natural zeolite enhanced the yield of liquid fuel oil.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.950-955
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• 2007

Non-point source control system which had been designed only for oil-water separation in the fields of oil refinery and garage was upgraded in this research for the removal of runoff pollutants in impervious urban area. Pollutants including oil from driveway and bridge were eliminated by two types of pathway in the system. One is the coalescence mechanism that the oil droplets in the runoff come into contact with each other in the spiral buoyant media surface and form larger coalesced droplets of oil that are carried upstream to the oil layer. The other is the precipitation that solids in runoff were settled by gravity in the system. In this research, coalescing characteristics of oil and water separation were investigated through image analyses, and efficiencies of the non-point source control system were evaluated using dust in driveway and waste engine oil. Media made of high density and high molecular weight polyethylene was indeterminate helical shape and had sleek surface by analysing SEM photographs and BET. Surface area and specific gravity of media which were measured directly were 1,428 $mm^2$ and 45.3 $kg/m^3$ respectively. From the image analyses of the oil droplets photographs which were taken by using microscope, it was proved clearly that the coalescence was the main pathway in the removal of oil from the runoff. Finally, the performances of the non-point source control system filled up with the media were suspended solid $86.6\sim95.2%$, $COD_{Cr}$, $87.3\sim95.4%$, n-Hexane extractable materials $71.8\sim94.8%$ respectively.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.153-161
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• 2023

The worldwide effects of COVID-19 have led to a surge in online shopping and contactless services. The consumption pattern has caused the issues such as the environmental pollution together with the increase of plastic waste. Reducing the reliance on the petroleum based plastic use for the package and replacing it with environmentally friendly material are the simple ways in order to solve those problems. Paper is an eco-friendly product with high recyclability as the food packaging materials but has still poor barrier properties. A barrier coating on surface of the paper can be achieved with the proper packaging materials featuring water, gas and grease barrier. Polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) coatings which are generally laminated or coated to paper are widely used in food packaging applications to protect products from moisture and provide water or grease resistance. However, recycling of packaging containing PE or PP matrix is limited and costly because those films are difficult to degrade in the environment. This study investigated the recyclability of modified acrylic emulsion coating papers compared to PE and PP polymer matrixes as well as their mechanical and gas barrier properties. The results showed that PE or modified acrylic emulsion coated papers had better mechanical properties compared to the uncoated paper as a control. PE or PP coating papers showed strong oil resistance property, achieving a kit rating of 12. Those papers also had a significantly higher percentage of screen reject during the recycling process than modified acrylic coated paper which had a screen rejection rate of 6.25%. In addition an uncoated paper had similar value of a screen rejection rate. It may suggest that modified acrylic emulsion coating paper can be more easily recycled than PE or PP coating papers. The overall results of the study found that modified acrylic emulsion coating paper would be a viable alternative to suggest a possible solution to an environmental problem as well as enhancing the weak mechanical and poor gas barrier properties of the paper against moisture.