• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2014

Methane oxidation and the production potentials of ground soil (soil A) and garden soil (soil B, C, & D) in an urban school were evaluated, and the methanotrophic and methanogen communities in the soil samples were quantified using quantitative realtime PCR. The methanotrophic community in the raw soil A sample possessed a $6.1{\times}10^3$ gene copy number/g dry weight soil, whereas those in the raw soils B~D samples were $1.6-1.9{\times}10^5$ gene copy numbers/g dry weight soil. Serum bottles added with the soil samples were enriched with methane gas, and then evaluated for their methane oxidation potential. The soil A sample had a longer induction phase for methane oxidation than the other soils. However, soil A showed a similar methane oxidation potential with soils B~D after the induction phase. The methanotrophic community in the enriched soil A sample was increased by up to $2.3{\times}10^7$ gene copy numbers/g dry weight soil, which had no significantly difference compared with those in soils B~D ($1.2-2.8{\times}10^8$ gene copy numbers/g dry weight soil). Methane production showed a similar tendency to methane oxidation. The methanogens community in raw soil A ($1.7{\times}10^5$ gene copy number/g dry weight soil) was much less than those in raw soils B~D ($1.3-3.4{\times}10^7$ gene copy numbers/g dry weight soil). However, after methane gas was produced by adding starch to the soils, soil samples A~D showed $10^7$ gene copy numbers/g dry weight soil in methanogens communities. The results indicate that methanotrophic and methanogenic bacteria have coexisted in this urban school's soils. Moreover, under appropriate conditions for methane oxidation and production, methanotrophic bacteria and methanogens are increased and they have the potential for methane oxidation and production.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 2019

In tidal flats that lack plants, methane ($CH_4$) fluxes are both positive (gas emission) and negative (gas "sinking") in nature. The levels of methanotroph populations significantly affect the extent of $CH_4$ sinking. This preliminary study examined $CH_4$ flux in tidal flats using a circular closed-chamber method to understand the effects of macroinvertebrate burrowing activity. The chamber was deployed over decapods (mud shrimp, Laomedia astacina and crab, Macrophthalmus japonicus) burrows for ~ 2 h, and the $CH_4$ and $CO_2$ concentrations were continuously monitored using a closed, diffuse $CH_4/CO_2$ flux meter. We found that Laomedia astacina burrow (which is relatively long) site afforded higher-level $CH_4$ production, likely due to diffusive emission of $CH_4$ in deep-layer sediments. In addition, the large methanotrophic bacteria population found in the burrow wall sediments has $CH_4$ oxidation (consumption) potential. Especially, nitrite-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) may occur within burrows. The proposed $CH_4$-oxidation process was supported by the decrease in the ${\delta}^{13}C$ of headspace $CO_2$ during the chamber experiment. Therefore, macroinvertebrate burrows appear to be an important ecosystem environment for controlling atmospheric $CH_4$ over tidal flats.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.152-156
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• 2012

Methanotrophic communities from freshwater wetland (FW), seawater wetland (SW), forest (FS), and landfill soils (LS) around Seoul of South Korea, were characterized using comparative sequence analyses of clone libraries. Proportions of Methylocaldum, Methlyococcus and Methylosinus were found to be greater in FW and SW, while Methylobacter and Methylomonas were more notable in FS and Methylocystis and Methylomicrobium more prominent in LS. Lag periods behind the initiation of methane oxidation significantly varied amongst the soils. Methane oxidation rates were greater in $FW{\geq}LS{\geq}SW>FS$ (p<0.05). Thus, the environmental setting is a significant factor influencing the communities and capabilities of methanotrophs.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.252-258
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• 2011

Nickel fiber mat was investigated as a potential structured catalyst for steam reforming of biogas in the temperature range of $600-700^{\circ}C$. The activity of as-received catalyst was very low owing to the smooth surface of fibers. Pretreatment of the catalyst by oxidation followed by reduction under methane partial oxidation condition significantly improved the catalytic activity, although degradation of the activity was found during the reaction due to oxidation and sintering. This deactivation was retarded by supplying additional hydrogen in the inlet gases or by coating $CeO_2$ over the catalyst surfaces.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.325-330
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• 1999

This study aims to observe the inhibition of methane generation, the decomposition of organic matter, and the trend of outflowing leachate, using the simulated column of the anaerobic sanitary landfill structure of sulfate addition type which is made by adding sulfate to a current anaerobic landfill structure, and the simulated column of semi-aerobic landfill structure in the laboratory which is used in the country like Japan in order to inhibit methane from a landfill site among the gases caused by a global warming these days, and at the same time to promote the decomposition of organic matter, the index of stabilization of landfill site. As a result of this study, it is thought that the ORP(Oxidation Reduction Potential) of the column of semi-aerobic landfill structure gradually represents a weak aerobic condition as time goes by, and that the inside of landfill site is likely to by in progress into anaerobic condition, unless air effectively comes into a semi-aerobic landfill structure in reality as time goes by. In addition, it can be seen that the decomposition of organic matter is promoted according to sulfate reduction in case of $R_1$, a sulfate-added anaerobic sanitary landfill structure, and that the stable decomposition of organic matter in $R_1$ makes a faster progess than $R_2$. Moreover it can be estimated that $R_1$, a sulfate-added anaerobic sanitary landfill structure has an inhibition efficiency of 55% or so, compared with $R_2$, a semi-aerobic landfill structure, in the efficiency of inhibiting methane.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.128-128
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• 2013

Fabrication of heterogeneous catalysts using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) has recently been attracting attention of surface chemists and physicists. In this talk, I will present recent results about structures and chemical activities of various catalysts prepared by ALD, particularly focusing on Ni-based catalysts. Ni has been considered as potential catalysts for $CO_2$ reforming of methane (CRM); however, Ni often undergoes rapid decrease in catalytic activity with time, and therefore, application of Ni as catalysts for CRM has been regarded as difficult so far. Deactivation of Ni catalysts during CRM reaction is from either coke formation on Ni surface or sintering of Ni particles during reaction. Two different strategies have been used for enhancing stability of Ni-based catalysts; $TiO_2$ nanoparticles were deposited on micrometer-size Ni particles by ALD, which turned out to reduce coke formation on Ni surfaces. Ni nanoparticles deposited by ALD on mesoporous silica showed high activity and long-term stability from CRM without coke deposition and sintering during CRM reaction. Ni-based catalysts have been also used for oxidation of toluene, which is one of the most notorious gases responsible for sick-building syndrome. It was shown that onset-temperature of Ni catalysts for toluene oxidation is as low as $120^{\circ}C$. At $250\circ}C$, total oxidation of toluene to $CO_2$ with a 100% conversion was found.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.167-173
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• 2015

Green manure crops are organic materials that can supply organic matter and substitute chemical fertilizer, yet emit methane while being decomposed. Therefore, we experimented with different kinds of Green manure crops and tillage depth in order to decrease the amount of methane emitted when utilizing Green manure crops in paddy soil. The amount of methane emitted during the cultivation period of rice started to increase after transplanting and peaked at 63, and 74 days after transplanting, than decreased to almost none starting from 106 days. According to the kind of Green manure crop, it was highest in barley, then hairy vetch and chemical fertilizer. Depending on the tillage depth, the amount of methane emitted decreased by 22.5% in chemical fertilizer, 12.4% in hairy vetch and 11.7% in barley in 20cm tillage compared to 10cm tillage. The air temperature of methane test period was $30{\sim}40^{\circ}C$, and the soil temperature was more than about $2{\sim}10^{\circ}C$ lower than the air temperature. Due to the irrigation started before transplanting, the oxidation-reduction potential (Eh) of soil was rapidly reduced, and showed negative (-) values. Eh values mostly kept the range of -300~-500 mV during rice cultivation. It rapidly increased 106 days after transplanting. Rice yield the highest in hairy vetch and did not show differences according to tillage depth. Methane emission could be effectively reduced if the paddy soil was tilled by 20 cm during the application of hairy vetch.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.68-76
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• 2021

Climate change problems occur during the use of fossil fuel and the process of biogas production. Research continues to convert carbon dioxide and methane, the major causes of climate change, into high-quality energy sources. in order to present the performance potential for the novel plasma-recuperative burner reformer, the reforming characteristics for each variable were indentified. The optimal operating condition of was an O2/C ratio of 1.0 and a total gas supply of 20 L/min. At this time, CH4 conversion was 64%, H2 selectivity was 39%, and H2/CO ratio was 1.13, which were the results applicable to the solid oxide fuel cell fuel stack for RPG, or Residential Power Generator. Recirculation of reformed gas increases the amount of H2 and CO, which are combustible gases, especially the amount of H2. As a result, the H2 selectivity is improved, and high-quality gas can be produced.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.322-329
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• 2017

Two pilot-scale biocovers (PBCs) were installed in a landfill, and the methane ($CH_4$) concentrations at their inlets and outlets were monitored for 240 days to evaluate the methane removability. Consequently, the packing materials were sampled from the PBCs, and their potential $CH_4$ oxidizing abilities were evaluated in serum vials. The $CH_4$ concentration at the inlet of the biocovers was observed to be in the range of 23.7-47.9% (average = 41.3%, median = 42.6%). In PBC1, where a mixture of soil, earthworm cast, and compost (7:2:1, v/v) was employed as the packing material, the $CH_4$ removal efficiency was evaluated to be between 60.7-85.5%. In PBC2, which was filled with a mixture of soil, earthworm cast, perlite, and compost (4:2:3:1, v/v), the removal efficiency was evaluated to be between 29.2-78.5%. Although the packing materials had an excellent $CH_4$ oxidizing potential (average oxidation rate for $CH_4=180-199{\mu}g\;CH_4{\cdot}g\;packing\;material^{-1}{\cdot}h^{-1}$), $CH_4$ removal efficiency in PBC1 and PBC2 decreased to the range of 0-30% once the packing materials in the PBCs were clogged and channeled. Furthermore, seasonal effects exhibited no significant differences in the $CH_4$ removal efficiency of the biocovers. The results of this study can be used to design and operate real-scale biocovers in landfills to mitigate $CH_4$ buildup.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1629-1637
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• 2015

To develop various usable water from coal seam gas (CSG) water that needs to be pumped out from coal seams for methane gas production, a feasibility study was carried out, evaluating and analysing a recent report (Coal Seam Gas Water Management Policy 2012) from Queensland State Government in Australia to suggest potential CSG water treatment options for fit-for-purpose usable water production. As CSG water contains intrinsically high salinity-driven total dissolved solid (TDS), bicarbonate, aliphatic carbon, $Ca^{+2}$, $Mg^{+2}$ and so on, it was found that appropriate treatment technologies are required to reduce the hardness below 60 mg/L as $CaCO_3$ by setting the reduction rates of $Ca^{+2}$, $Mg^{+2}$ and Na+ concentrations, as well as TDS reduction. Also, Along with fiber filtration and membrane separation, an oxidation degradation process was found to be required. Along with salinity reduction, as CSG water contains organic compounds (TOC: 248 mg/L, $C_6-C_9$: <20 mg/L and $C_{10}-C_{36}$: <60 mg/L), compounds with relatively high molecular weights ($C_{10}-C_{36}$) need to be treated first. Therefore, this study suggests a combined system design with filtration (Reverse osmosis) and oxidation reduction (electrolysis) technologies, offering proper operating conditions to produce fit-for-purpose usable water from CSG water.