• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.47-62
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• 2024

Abu Gurdi area is located in the South-eastern Desert of Egypt which considered as volcanic massive sulfide deposits (VMS). The present work aims at investigating the ore mineralogy of Abu Gurdi region in addition to the effectiveness of the hydrometallurgical route for processing these ores using alkaline leaching for the extraction of Zn, Cu, and Pb in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, has been investigated. The factors affecting the efficiency of the alkaline leaching of the used ore including the reagent composition, reagent concentration, leaching temperature, leaching time, and Solid /Liquid ratio, have been investigated. It was noted that the sulfide mineralization consists mainly of chalcopyrite, sphalerite, pyrite, galena and bornite. Gold is detected as rare, disseminated crystals within the gangue minerals. Under supergene conditions, secondary copper minerals (covellite, malachite, chrysocolla and atacamite) were formed. The maximum dissolution efficiencies of Cu, Zn, and Pb at the optimum leaching conditions i.e., 250 g/L NaCO₃ - NaHCO₃ alkali concentration, for 3 hr., at 250 ℃, and 1/5 Solid/liquid (S/L) ratio, were 99.48 %, 96.70 % and 99.11 %, respectively. An apparent activation energy for Zn, Cu and Pb dissolution were 21.599, 21.779 and 23.761 kJ.mol^-1, respectively, which were between those of a typical diffusion-controlled process and a chemical reaction-controlled process. Hence, the diffusion of the solid product layer contributed more than the chemical reaction to control the rate of the leaching process. High pure Cu(OH)₂, Pb(OH)₂, and ZnCl₂ were obtained from the finally obtained leach liquor at the optimum leaching conditions by precipitation at different pH. Finally, highly pure Au metal was separated from the mineralized massive sulfide via using adsorption method.

• Clean Technology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.91-97
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• 2019

Oxidative desulfurization (ODS) has received much attention in recent years because refractory sulfur compounds such as dibenzothiophenes can be oxidized selectively to their corresponding sulfoxides and sulfones, and these products can be removed by extraction and adsorption. In this work, The oxidative desulfurization of marine diesel fuel was performed in a batch reactor with hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) in the presence of various supported heteropoly acid catalysts. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, XRF, XPS and nitrogen adsorption isotherm techniques. Based on the sulfur removal efficiency of promising silica supported heteropoly acid catalysts, the ranking of catalytic activity was: $30\;H_3PW_{12}/SiO_2$ > $30\;H_3PMo_{12}/SiO_2$ > $30\;H_4SiW_{12}/SiO_2$, which appears to be related with their intrinsic acid strength. The $30\;H_3PW_{12}/SiO_2$ catalyst showed the highest initial sulfur removal efficiency of about 66% under reaction conditions of $30^{\circ}C$, $0.025g\;mL^{-1}$ (cat./oil), 1 h reaction time. However, through the recycle test of the $H_3PW_{12}/SiO_2$ catalyst, significant deactivation was observed, which was attributed to the elution of the active component $H_3PW_{12}$. By introducing cesium cation ($Cs^+$) into the $H_3PW_{12}/SiO_2$ catalyst, the stability of the catalyst was improved with changing the solubility, and the $Cs^+$ ion exchanged catalyst could be recycled for at least five times without severe elution.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.18-35
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• 2019

The Korea District Heating Corporation operates a gas engine generator with a capacity of $4500m^3 /day$ of biogas generated from the sewage treatment plant of the Nanji Water Recycling Center and 1,500 kW. However, the actual operation experience of the biogas power plant is insufficient, and due to lack of accumulated technology and know-how, frequent breakdown and stoppage of the gas engine causes a lot of economic loss. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare technical fundamental measures for stable operation of the power plant In this study, a series of process problems of the gas engine plant using the biogas generated in the sewage treatment plant of the Nanji Water Recovery Center were identified and the optimization of the actual operation was made by minimizing the problems in each step. In order to purify the gas, which is the main cause of the failure stop, the conditions for establishing the quality standard of the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon were established through the analysis of the components and the adsorption test for the active carbon being used at present. In addition, the system was applied to actual operation by applying standards for replacement cycle of activated carbon to minimize impurities, strengthening measurement period of hydrogen sulfide, localization of activated carbon, and strengthening and improving the operation standards of the plant. As a result, the operating performance of gas engine # 1 was increased by 530% and the operation of the second engine was increased by 250%. In addition, improvement of vent line equipment has reduced work process and increased normal operation time and operation rate. In terms of economic efficiency, it also showed a sales increase of KRW 77,000 / year. By applying the strengthening and improvement measures of operating standards, it is possible to reduce the stoppage of the biogas plant, increase the utilization rate, It is judged to be an operational plan.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.593-599
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• 2017

In order to enhance ultra battery performances, the electrochemical characteristics of nano Pb/AC anode composite was investigated. Through nano Pb adsorption onto activated carbon, nano Pb/AC was synthesized and it was washed under vacuum process. The prepared anode materials was analysed by SEM, BET and EDS. The specific surface area and average pore size of nano Pb/AC composite were $1740m^2/g$ and 1.95 nm, respectively. The negative electrode of ultra battery was prepared by nano Pb/AC dip coating on lead plate. The electrochemical performances of ultra battery were studied using $PbO_2$ (the positive electrode) and prepared nano Pb/AC composite (the negative electrode) pair. Also the electrochemical behaviors of ultra battery were investigated by charge/discharge, cyclic voltammetry, impedance and rate capability tests in 5 M $H_2SO_4$ electrolyte. The initial capacity and cycling performance of the present nano Pb/AC ultra battery were improved with respect to the lead battery and the AC-coated lead battery. These experimental results indicate that the proper addition of nano Pb/AC into the negative electrode can improve the discharge capacity and the long term cycle stability and remarkably suppress the hydrogen evolution reaction on the negative electrode.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.77-77
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• 2016

Thin films synthesized by plasma processes have been widely applied in a variety of industrial sectors. The structure control of thin film is one of prime factor in most of these applications. It is well known that the structure of this film is closely associated with plasma parameters and species of plasma which are electrons, ions, radical and neutrals in plasma processes. However the precise control of structure by plasma process is still limited due to inherent complexity, reproducibility and control problems in practical implementation of plasma processing. Therefore the study on the fundamental physical properties that govern the plasmas becomes more crucial for molecular scale control of film structure and corresponding properties for new generation nano scale film materials development and application. The thin films are formed through nucleation and growth stages during thin film depostion. Such stages involve adsorption, surface diffusion, chemical binding and other atomic processes at surfaces. This requires identification, determination and quantification of the surface activity of the species in the plasma. Specifically, the ions and neutrals have kinetic energies ranging from ~ thermal up to tens of eV, which are generated by electron impact of the polyatomic precursor, gas phase reaction, and interactions with the substrate and reactor walls. The present work highlights these aspects for the controlled and low-temperature plasma enhanced chemical vapour disposition (PECVD) of Si-based films like crystalline Si (c-Si), Si-quantum dot, and sputtered crystalline C by the design and control of radicals, plasmas and the deposition energy. Additionally, there is growing demand on the low-temperature deposition process with low hydrogen content by PECVD. The deposition temperature can be reduced significantly by utilizing alternative plasma concepts to lower the reaction activation energy. Evolution in this area continues and has recently produced solutions by increasing the plasma excitation frequency from radio frequency to ultra high frequency (UHF) and in the range of microwave. In this sense, the necessity of dedicated experimental studies, diagnostics and computer modelling of process plasmas to quantify the effect of the unique chemistry and structure of the growing film by radical and plasma control is realized. Different low-temperature PECVD processes using RF, UHF, and RF/UHF hybrid plasmas along with magnetron sputtering plasmas are investigated using numerous diagnostics and film analysis tools. The broad outlook of this work also outlines some of the 'Grand Scientific Challenges' to which significant contributions from plasma nanoscience-related research can be foreseen.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.236-240
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• 2015

Previously we reported that the hyperthermophilic archaeon, Thermococcus onnurineus NA1 is capable of producing hydrogen (H₂) from formate, CO or starch. In this study, we describe the immobilization of T. onnurineus NA1 as an alternative means of H₂ production. Amine-coated silica particles were effective in immobilizing T. onnurineus NA1 by electrostatic interaction, showing a maximum cell adsorption capacity of 71.7 mg-dried cells per g of particle. In three cycles of repeated-batch cultivation using sodium formate as the sole energy source, immobilized cells showed reproducible H₂ production with a considerable increase in the initial production rate from 2.3 to 4.0 mmol l⁻¹ h⁻¹, mainly due to the increase in the immobilized cell concentration as the batch culture was repeated. Thus, the immobilized-cell system of T. onnurineus NA1 was demonstrated to be feasible for H₂ production. This study is the first example of immobilized cells of hyperthermophilic archaea being used for the production of H₂.

• Journal of Korea Foresty Energy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2006

Properties of wood charcoal made from the domestic wood species at $300-900^{\circ}C$ have investigated to understand the correlation between carbonization temperature and chemical and physical characteristics of wood charcoal. In terms of charcoal yield at particular carbonization temperatures, it was drastically decreased until the temperature reaches up to $600^{\circ}C$ and the decrease ratio of yield was reduced at higher temperatures. As the carbonization temperature increased, pH of the wood charcoal increased so that it became basic at last. The wood charcoal prepared at $600{\sim}700^{\circ}C$ showed the highest caloric value and those of wood charcoals made at higher temperature became plateau at a little lower level than the peak. The caloric value of Japanese larch charcoal was a bit higher than that of Red oak charcoal. The carbon content in the wood charcoal was increased as the carbonization temperature increased, whereas the hydrogen content was decreased. Specific surface area of the wood charcoal became larger with increase in temperature up to $600^{\circ}C$ but it was decreased or reduced in the increasing ratio after, and then it rose again at higher temperature than $800^{\circ}C$. Absorption capacity of the wood charcoal against iodine and gaseous acetic acid became greater as the carbonization temperature increased. Japanese larch charcoal presented higher absorption capacity than Red oak charcoal. As the above results, it is revealed that carbonization temperature affects the chemical and physical properties of wood charcoal. Therefore, to use wood charcoal with maximum effect it should be prepared at optimum temperature for proper use.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.121-129
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• 2017

Pd based catalysts were prepared by impregnating palladium precursor using incipient wetness method on $TiO_2$, $Al_2O_3$, $ZrO_2$, and $SiO_2$ and were applied for the selective oxidation of $H_2$ in the presence of CO. Their physicochemical properties were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), $N_2$-sorption, temperature programmed desorption of CO (CO-TPD) and (CO+$H_2O$)-TPD, temperature programmed reduction of CO (CO-TPR) and XPS a. The results of CO- and (CO+$H_2O$)-TPD showed the correlation between peak temperature of TPD and catalytic activities for $H_2$ and CO conversion. The $Pd/ZrO_2$ catalyst exhibited the highest conversion of $H_2$. The addition of $H_2O$ vapor promotes the conversion of $H_2$ and CO by inducing easy desorption of CO and $H_2$ in the competitive adsorption of $H_2O$, CO and $H_2$.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.50-60
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• 2008

The majority of the described experimental results deal with relatively pure aluminium. Variations were made in the pretreatment of the aluminum substrates and an investigation was performed on the resulting changes in oxide layer composition and chemistry. Subsequently, the bonding behavior of the surfaces was investigated by using model adhesion molecules. These molecules were chosen to represent the bonding functionality of an organic polymer. They were applied onto the pretreated surfaces as a monolayer and the bonding behavior was studied using infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy. A direct and clear relation was found between the hydroxyl fraction on the oxide surfaces and the amount of molecules that subsequently bonded to the surface. Moreover, it was found that most bonds between the oxide surface and organic functional groups are not stable in the presence of water. The best performance was obtained using molecules, which are capable of chemisorption with the oxide surface. Finally, it was found that freshly prepared relatively pure aluminum substrates, which are left in air, rapidly lose their bonding capacity towards organic functional groups. This can be attributed to the adsorption of contamination and water to the oxide surface. In addition the adhesion of a typical epoxy-coated aluminum system was investigated during exposure to water at different temperatures. The coating was found to quite rapidly lose its adhesion upon exposure to water. This rapid loss of adhesion corresponds well with the data where it was demonstrated that the studied epoxy coating only bonds through physisorptive hydrogen bonding, these bonds not being stable in the presence of water. After the initial loss the adhesion of the coating was however found to recover again and even exceeded the adhesion prior to exposure. The improvement could be ascribed to the growth of a thin oxyhydroxide layer on the aluminum substrate, which forms a new, water-stable and stronger bond with the epoxy coating. Two routes for improvement of adhesion are finally decribed including an interphasial polymeric thin layer and a treatment in boiling water of the substrate before coating takes place. The adhesion properties were finely also studied as a function of the Mg content of the alloys. It was shown that an enrichment of Mg in the oxide could take place when Mg containing alloys are heat-treated. It is expected that for these alloys the (hydr)oxide fraction also depends on the pre-treatment and on the distribution of magnesium as compared to the aluminium hydroxides, with a direct impact on adhesive properties.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.754-758
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• 2009

To develop soybean cake as a functional food material, the anti-oxidative and cytotoxic activities against human colon cancer cells of crude saponins isolated from 70% (v/v) ethanol extracts of cake were investigated. The Diaion HP-20 adsorption method was used for isolation of crude saponins, which were then eluted with 100% ethanol. The non-saponin fraction was removed by elution with $H_2O$ and 20% (v/v) ethanol. The results of thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis confirmed that crude saponins were present in the 100% ethanol extract of soybean cake. The hydrogen-donating properties of saponins were more than 60% at a concentration of $1,000\;{\mu}g/mL$. malondialdehyde(MDA) production was $1,200\;{\mu}mol\;MDA/g$ in mouse liver homogenate treated with crude saponins at the concentration of $1,000\;{\mu}g/mL$. This value was lower than that of the control, which was $3,700\;{\mu}mol\;MDA/g$. Saponins inhibited the growth of colon cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Saponins also resulted in a decrease in the proportion of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, whereas the cell proportion in G2/M phase was increased with $1,000\;{\mu}g/mL$ saponins. Thus, we conclude that saponins may induce G2/M cell cycle arrest.