• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.37-48
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• 2024

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are obligated to reduce carbon emissions as a part of public sector greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets. However, Sewage Statistics(2022) shows that CO₂ emissions per wastewater treatment volumes have decreased by only 3.03 % compared to 2020, which is far from enough to meet the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets. This study aimed to find operational conditions of biological reactors that minimize total carbon footprint (CFP). Total CFP considers both direct emissions from biological processes and indirect emissions from energy consumption. A study was conducted using a computer simulation program which is called as EQPS for a 4-stage BNR WWTP. The results showed that total CFP was reduced by 10.97% compared to the design condition when the mixed liquor recirculation (MLR) was set to 100 % of the influent flow. The N₂O emission factor (EF) of the target WWTP was calculated to be 0.138-0.199 %, which is significantly lower than the IPCC default value of 1.6 %. This study proposes a method to minimize total CFP in WWTPs by optimizing biological reactor operation and emphasizes the need for further research on N₂O emission reduction.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2009

There has been a rapid progress for flexible polymer-based MEMS(Microelectromechanical Systems) technology. Polycarbonate (PC) and Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA), so-called acrylic, have many advantages for optical, non-toxic and micro-device application. We studied dry etching of PC and PMMA as a function of % gas ratio in the $O_2/SF_6/CH_4$ temary plasma. A photoresist pattern was defined on the polymer samples with a mask using a conventional lithography. Plasma etching was done at 100 W RIE chuck power and 10 sccm total gas flow rate. The etch rates of PMMA were typically 2 times higher than those of PC in the whole experimental range. The result would be related to higher melting point of PC compared to that of PMMA. The highest etch rates of PMMA and PC were found in the $O_2/SF_6$ discharges among $O_2/SF_6$, $O_2/CH_4$ and $SF_6/CH_4$ and $O_2/SF_6/CH_4$ plasma composition (PC: ${\sim}350\;nm/min$ at 5 sccm $O_2/5$ sccm $SF_6$, PMMA: ${\sim}570\;nm/min$ at 2.5 sccm $O_2/7.5$ sccm $SF_6$). PC has smoother surface morphology than PMMA after etching in the $O_2/SF_6/CH_4$ discharges. The surface roughness of PC was in the range of 1.9$\sim$3.88 nm. However, that of PMMA was 17.3$\sim$26.1 nm.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.531-536
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• 2013

We developed a simple, sensitive, and specific analytical method for prometryn using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Prometryn is a selective herbicide used for the control of annual grasses and broadleaf weeds in cotton and celery crops. On the basis of high specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility, combined with simple analytical operation, we propose that our newly developed method is suitable for use as a Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS, Korea) official method in the routine analysis of individual pesticide residues. Further, the method is applicable in clams. The separation condition for GC-MS was optimized by using a DB-5MS capillary column ($30m{\times}0.25mm$, 0.25 ${\mu}m$) with helium as the carrier gas, at a flow rate of 0.9 mL/min. We achieved high linearity over the concentration range 0.02-0.5 mg/L (correlation coefficient, $r^2$ >0.998). Our method is specific and sensitive, and has a quantitation limit of 0.04 mg/kg. The average recovery in clams ranged from 84.0% to 98.0%. The reproducibility of measurements expressed as the coefficient of variation (CV%) ranged from 3.0% to 7.1%. Our analytical procedure showed high accuracy and acceptable sensitivity regarding the analytical requirements for prometryn in fishery products. Finally, we successfully applied our method to the determination of residue levels in fishery products, and showed that none of the analyzed samples contained detectable amounts of residues.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.329-343
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• 2001

The deep environment and geochemical evolution of the Bugok geothennal waters, located in the Kyeongnam Province, was re-interpreted based on the hydrochemical and isotopic data published by Yun et al. (1998). The geothermal waters of the Bugok area is geochemically divided into three groups; Geothennal water I, II and III groups. Groups I and II are geochemically similar; high temperature (55.2-77.2$^{\circ}$C) and chemically belonging to Na-S04 types. However, pH and Eh values are a little different each other and Group II water is highly enriched in S04 compared to Group I water. Group III water, occurring from peripheral sites of the central part of the geothennal waters, shows temperature range of 29.3 to 47.0$^{\circ}$C and belongs to $Na-HCO_3-S0_4$ types. The deep environment and geochemical evolution of the Bugok geothennal waters, showing the diversity of geochemistry, can be interpreted as follows; I) Descending to great depth of meteoric waters that originated at high elevation and reacting with sediments and/or granites in depth. The $S0_4$ concentration of the waters has been increased by the dissolution of sulfate minerals in sediments. 2) During the continuous descending, the waters has met with the reduction environment, producing the $H_2S$ gas due to sulfate reduction. The waters has been heated up to 130$^{\circ}$C and the extent of water-rock reaction was increased. At this point, pH of waters are increased, S04 concentration decreased and calcite precipitated, therefore, the waters show the $Na-S0_4$ type. 3) Ascending of the geothennal waters along the flow path of fluids and mixing with less-deeply circulated waters. The $S0_4$ concentration is re-increased due to the oxidation of $H_2S$ gas and/or sulfide minerals in sediments. During continuous ascending, these geothennal waters are mixed with shallow groundwater.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.368-375
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• 2006

Single and complex metal oxide catalysts supported onto a commercial DT51D $TiO_2$ have been investigated for gas-phase TCE oxidation in a continuous flow type fixed-bed reaction system to develop a better design approach to catalysts for this reaction. Among the $TiO_2$-supported single metal oxides used, i.e., $CrO_x,\;FeO_x,\;MnO_x,\;LaO_x,\;CoO_x,\;NiO_x,\;CeO_x\;and\;CuO_x$, with the respective metal contents of 5 wt.%, the $CrO_x/TiO_2$ catalyst was shown to be most active for the oxidative TCE decomposition, depending significantly on amounts of $CrO_x\;on\;TiO_2$. The use of high $CrO_x$ loadings greater than 10 wt.% caused lower activity in the catalytic TCE oxidation, which is probably due to production of $Cr_2O_3$ crystallites on the surface of $TiO_2$. $CrO_x/TiO_2$-supported $CrO_x$-based bimetallic oxide catalysts were of particular interest in removal efficiency for this TCE oxidation reaction at reaction temperatures above $200^{\circ}C$, compared to that obtained with $CrO_x$-free complex metal oxides and a 10 wt.% $CrO_x/TiO_2$ catalyst. Catalytic activity of 5 wt.% $CrO_x-5$ wt.% $LaO_x$ in the removal reaction was similar to or slightly higher than that acquired for the $CrO_x$-only catalyst. Similar observation was revealed for 5 wt.% $CrO_x$-based bimetallic oxides consisting of either 5 wt.% $MnO_x,\;CoO_x,\;NiO_x\;or\;FeO_x$. These results represent that such $CrO_x$-based bimetallic systems for the catalytic TCE oxidation on significantly minimize the usage of $CrO_x$ that is well known to be one of very toxic heavy metals, and offer a very useful technique to design new type catalysts for reducing chlorinated volatile organic substances.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2007

The ultimate objective of this study is to develop oxygen-enriched combustion techniques applicable to the system of practical industrial boiler. To this end the combustion characteristics of lab-scale LNG combustor were investigated as a first step using the method of numerical simulation by analyzing the flame characteristics and pollutant emission behaviour as a function of oxygen enrichment level. Several useful conclusions could be drawn based on this study. First of all, the increase of oxygen enrichment level instead of air caused long and thin flame called laminar flame feature. This was in good agreement with experimental results appeared in open literature and explained by the effect of the decrease of turbulent mixing due to the decrease of absolute amount of oxidizer flow rate by the absence of the nitrogen species. Further, as expected, oxygen enrichment increased the flame temperatures to a significant level together with concentrations of $CO_2$ and $H_2O$ species because of the elimination of the heat sink and dilution effects by the presence of $N_2$ inert gas. However, the increased flame temperature with $O_2$ enriched air showed the high possibility of the generation of thermal $NO_x$ if nitrogen species were present. In order to remedy the problem caused by the oxygen-enriched combustion, the appropriate amount of recirculation $CO_2$ gas was desirable to enhance the turbulent mixing and thereby flame stability and further optimum determination of operational conditions were necessary. For example, the adjustment of burner with swirl angle of $30\sim45^{\circ}$ increased the combustion efficiency of LNG fuel and simultaneously dropped the $NO_x$ formation.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.4 s.109
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• pp.436-447
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• 2004

Wetland plants have evolved specialized adaptations to survive in the low-oxygen conditions associated with prolonged flooding. The development of internal gas space by means of aerenchyma is crucial for wetland plants to transport $O_2$ from the atmosphere into the roots and rhizome. The formation of tissue with high porosity depends on the species and environmental condition, which can control the depth of root penetration and the duration of root tolerance in the flooded sediments. The oxygen in the internal gas space of plants can be delivered from the atmosphere to the root and rhizome by both passive molecular diffusion and convective throughflow. The release of $O_2$ from the roots supplies oxygen demand for root respiration, microbial respiration, and chemical oxidation processes and stimulates aerobic decomposition of organic matter. Another essential mechanism of wetland plants is downward water movement across the root zone induced by water uptake. Natural and constructed wetlands sediments have low hydraulic conductivity due to the relatively fine particle sizes in the litter layer and, therefore, negligible water movement. Under such condition, the water uptake by wetland plants creates a water potential difference in the rhizosphere which acts as a driving force to draw water and dissolved solutes into the sediments. A large number of anatomical, morphological and physiological studies have been conducted to investigate the specialized adaptations of wetland plants that enable them to tolerate water saturated environment and to support their biochemical activities. Despite this, there is little knowledge regarding how the combined effects of wetland plants influence the biogeochemistry of wetland sediments. A further investigation of how the Presence of plants and their growth cycle affects the biogeochemistry of sediments will be of particular importance to understand the role of wetland in the ecological environment.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.136-152
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• 2017

The thermodynamic models, PC-SAFT (Perturbed-Chain Statistical Associated Fluid Theory) state equation and the Two-model approach liquid activity coefficient model NRTL (Non Random Two Liquid) + Henry + Peng-Robinson, for modeling the Rectisol process using methanol aqueous solution as the $CO_2$ removal solvent were compared. In addition, to determine the new binary interaction parameters of the PC-SAFT state equations and the Henry's constant of the two-model approach, absorption equilibrium experiments between carbon dioxide and methanol at 273.25K and 262.35K were carried out and regression analysis was performed. The accuracy of the newly determined parameters was verified through the regression results of the experimental data. These model equations and validated parameters were used to model the carbon dioxide removal process. In the case of using the two-model approach, the methanol solvent flow rate required to remove 99.00% of $CO_2$ was estimated to be approximately 43.72% higher, the cooling water consumption in the distillation tower was 39.22% higher, and the steam consumption was 43.09% higher than that using PC-SAFT EOS. In conclusion, the Rectisol process operating under high pressure was designed to be larger than that using the PC-SAFT state equation when modeled using the liquid activity coefficient model equation with Henry's relation. For this reason, if the quantity of low-solubility gas components dissolved in a liquid at a constant temperature is proportional to the partial pressure of the gas phase, the carbon dioxide with high solubility in methanol does not predict the absorption characteristics between methanol and carbon dioxide.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.213-222
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• 2014

In this study, 2-stage recirculation membrane process was developed for purification of high purity bio-methane for the vehicle fuel application. Pure gas permeation and mixture gas permeation test were done as a function of methane content and pressure in the feed using polysulfone membrane modules. 2-stage membrane plant was designed, constructed in a food waste treatment cite. Dehumidification, dry desulfurization, and desiloxane plants are installed for the removal of $H_2O$, $H_2S$ and siloxane in the biogas. Permeation test were done with the pre-treated methane mixture in terms of methane purity and recovery by adjusting the ratio of membrane area (1:1, 1:3, 2:2) in the first and second membrane modules in the plant. When membrane area of 2 stage increased to $3m^2$ from $1m^2$ at 1-stage membrane area of $1m^2$, the feed rate and $CH_4$ recovery at 95% methane purity were increased from 47.1% to 92.5% respectively. When the membrane area increased two-fold (1:1 to 2:2), $CH_4$ recovery increased from 47.1% to 88.3%. When the feed flow rate was increased, in 1:3 ratio, final purity of the methane is reduced, the methane recovery is increased. When operating pressure was increased, the feed rate was increased and recovery was slightly decreased. From this result, membrane area, feed pressure and feed rate could be the important factor to the performance of the membrane process.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.146-152
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• 2005

The activated carbon was produced from Sancheong bamboo by carbon dioxide gas activation methods. The carbonization of raw material was conducted at $900^{\circ}C$, and $CO_2$ activation reactions were conducted under various conditions: activation temperatures of $750-900^{\circ}C$, flow rates of carbon dioxide $5-30cm^3/g-char{\cdot}min$, and activation time of 2-5 h. The yield, adsorption capacity of iodine and methylene blue, specific surface area and pore size distribution of the prepared activated carbons were measured. The adsorption capacity of iodine (680.8-1450.1 mg/g) and methylene blue (23.5-220 mg/g) increased with increasing activation temperature and activation time. The adsorption capacity of iodine and methylene blue increased with the $CO_2$ gas quantity in the range of $5-18.9cm^3/g-char{\cdot}min$. But those decreased over those range due to the pore shrinkage. The specific volume of the mesopore and macropore of bamboo activated carbon were $0.65-0.91cm^3/g$. Because of this large specific volume, it can be used to the biological activated carbon process. Bamboo activated carbon phisically adsorbed the $CO_2$ of maximum 106 mg/g-A.C in the condition of 90% $CO_2$ and adsorption temperature of $20^{\circ}C$. The $CO_2$ adsorption ability of bamboo activated carbon was not changed in the 5 cyclic test of desorption and adsorption.