• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2010

Transition metal based spent catalysts (Ni-Mo and Co-Mo), which were scrapped from the petrochemical industry, were reused for the removal processes of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Especially the optimum regeneration procedures were determined using the removal efficiency of VOCs. In this work, the spent Ni-Mo and spent Co-Mo catalysts were pretreated with different physic-chemical treatment procedure: 1) acid aqueous solution, 2) alkali solution, 3) chemical agent and 4) steam. The various characterization methods of spent and its regenerated catalysts were performed using nitrogen adsorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). It was found that all spent catalysts were found to be potentially applicable catalysts for catalytic oxidation of benzene. The experimental results also indicated that among the employed physico-chemical pretreatment methods, the oxalic acid aqueous (0.1 N, $C_2H_2O_4$) pretreatment appeared to be the most efficient in increasing the catalytic activity, although the catalytic activity of spent Ni-Mo and spent Co-Mo catalysts in the oxidation of benzene were greatly dependent on the pretreatment conditions. The pretreated spent catalysts at optimum condition could be also applied for removing other aromatic compounds (Toluene/Xylene).

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.89-91
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• 2000

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds are highly carcinogenic chemicals and common groundwater contaminants that are observed to persist in soils. The adherence and slow release of PAHs in soil is an obstacle to remediation and complicates the assessment of cleanup standards and risks. Biological degradation of PAHs in soil has been an area of active research because biological treatment may be less costly than conventional pumping technologies or excavation and thermal treatment. Biological degradation also offers the advantage to transform PAHs into non-toxic products such as biomass and carbon dioxide. Ample evidence exists for aerobic biodegradation of PAHs and many bacteria capable of degrading PAHs have been isolated and characterized. However, the microbial degradation of PAHs in sediments is impaired due to the anaerobic conditions that result from the typically high oxygen demand of the organic material present in the soil, the low solubility of oxygen in water, and the slow mass transfer of oxygen from overlying water to the soil environment. For these reasons, anaerobic microbial degradation technologies could help alleviate sediment PAH contamination and offer significant advantages for cost-efficient in-situ treatment. But very little is known about the potential for anaerobic degradation of PAHs in field soils. The objectives of this research were to assess: (1) the potential for biodegradation of PAH in field aged soils under denitrification conditions, (2) to assess the potential for biodegradation of naphthalene in soil microcosms under denitrifying conditions, and (3) to assess for the existence of microorganisms in field sediments capable of degrading naphthalene via denitrification. Two kinds of soils were used in this research: Harbor Point sediment (HPS-2) and Milwaukee Harbor sediment (MHS). Results presented in this seminar indicate possible degradation of PAHs in soil under denitrifying conditions. During the two months of anaerobic degradation, total PAH removal was modest probably due to both the low availability of the PAHs and competition with other more easily degradable sources of carbon in the sediments. For both Harbor Point sediment (HPS-2) and Milwaukee Harbor sediment (MHS), PAH reduction was confined to 3- and 4-ring PAHs. Comparing PAH reductions during two months of aerobic and anaerobic biotreatment of MHS, it was found that extent of PAHreduction for anaerobic treatment was compatible with that for aerobic treatment. Interestingly, removal of PAHs from sediment particle classes (by size and density) followed similar trends for aerobic and anaerobic treatment of MHS. The majority of the PAHs removed during biotreatment came from the clay/silt fraction. In an earlier study it was shown that PAHs associated with the clay/silt fraction in MHS were more available than PAHs associated with coal-derived fraction. Therefore, although total PAH reductions were small, the removal of PAHs from the more easily available sediment fraction (clay/silt) may result in a significant environmental benefit owing to a reduction in total PAH bioavailability. By using naphthalene as a model PAH compound, biodegradation of naphthalene under denitrifying condition was assessed in microcosms containing MHS. Naphthalene spiked into MHS was degraded below detection limit within 20 days with the accompanying reduction of nitrate. With repeated addition of naphthalene and nitrate, naphthalene degradation under nitrate reducing conditions was stable over one month. Nitrite, one of the intermediates of denitrification was detected during the incubation. Also the denitrification activity of the enrichment culture from MHS slurries was verified by monitoring the production of nitrogen gas in solid fluorescence denitrification medium. Microorganisms capable of degrading naphthalene via denitrification were isolated from this enrichment culture.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.25-34
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• 1999

The effects of copper on the anaerobic degradation of propionate were studied using anaerobic batch reactors. The apparent inhibitory effects of copper on the anaerobic degradation of propionate could be observed from behaviors of intermediates, ultimate methane yield(UMY) and specific methanogenic activity(SMA) There was little inhibition at the concentration of $2.5mg\;Cu^{2+}/L$. Beyond this concentration, the inhibitory effects increased with increasing dose of coppers. The 50% inhibition of UMY and SMA occurred at copper dosage of 33.8 and $24.1mg\;Cu^{2+}/gVSS$, respectively. The inhibitory effect based on the UMY was gradually reduced with the operation time dueprobably to the acclimation of microorganisms and/or binding of the added copper by ligands(and possibly ion exchange sites)contained on the cell membrane and extracellular polymer matrix whereas it based on the SMA might exclude the this phenomena. Therefore, the methodology for interpretation of inhibition data based on the SMA was more accurated than the UMY. There was no inhibitory effect in batch reactors supplemented with sulfate due to an antagonistic action of the sulfate reducing bacteria. Propionate degradation was initially retarded for copper inhibited samples but it gradually degraded afterward. Based on the mass removal considering take into account the propionate to acetate conversion, propionate degradation may appeal more affected than acetate. This result revealed that the hydrogenotrophic methanogens were the most affected by copper.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2008

Sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) is universally distributed in the sediment, especially in marine environment. SRB reduce sulfate as electron acceptor to hydrogen sulfide in anaerobic condition. Hydrogen sulfide is reducing agent enhancing the reduction of the organic and inorganic compounds. With SRB, therefore, the degradability of organic contaminants is expected to be enhanced. Ferrous iron reduced from the ferric iron which is mainly present in sediment also renders chlorinated organic compounds to be reduced state. The objectives of this study are: 1) to investigate the reduction of TCE by hydrogen sulfide generated by tht growth of SRB, 2) to estimate the reduction of TCE by ferrous iron generated due to oxidation of hydrogen sulfide, and 3) to illuminate the interaction between SRB and ferrous iron. Mixed bacteria was cultivated from the sludge of the sewage treatment plant. Increasing hydrogen sulfide and decreasing sulfate confirmed the existence of SRB in mixed culture. Although hydrogen sulfide lonely could reduce TCE, the concentration of hydrogen sulfide produced by SRB was not sufficient to reduce TCE directly. With hematite as ferric iron, hydrogen sulfide produced by SRB was consumed to reduce ferric ion to ferrous ion and ferrous iron produced by hydrogen sulfide oxidation decreased the concentration of TCE. Tests with seawater confirmed that the activity of SRB was dependent on the carbon source concentration.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.259-265
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• 2006

Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) consists of some growth factors which can stimulate cell activity, and PVA has been widely utilized in the area of wound dressing as hydrogel which is easy to be removed from wounds. In this study, native SIS sheets were coated with PVA by immersing them into 2, 4, and 10 wt% of PVA solution and then lyophilized on two type of molds to endow the prepared wound dressing with easy removal property from wounds. The mechanical properties were examined through tensile test. Moreover, enzymatic degradation, water uptake, and in vitro test were carried out to characterize the prepared SIS sheets. The tensile strength of the SIS sheets coated with PVA (PVA-SIS) were decreased, whereas the elongation were increased. Degradation ratio of the PVA-SIS sheets was decreased compare to native SIS. Water uptake ability was improved at 2 and 4 wt% of PVA. The degree of fibroblast attachment was lower than the native SIS sheets. In conclusion, this study suggests that the PVA coated SIS sheets have a potential for the applications of wound dressing and biodegradable injectable materials.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2005

Seasonal variations of remineralization and inorganic nitrogen removal capacity were measured from Dec. 2001 to Apr. 2004 in a tidal flat located in south-western pan of Gwanghwa island, Korea by measuring the sediment oxygen demand (SOD) and denitrification. SOD was higher in muddy sediment (Dong-Mak; three year average=$683;m^{-2}d^{-1}$) than sandy sediment(Yeocha; three year average=$457;m^{-2}d^{-1}$). The SOD was high in summer and tended to be lower in winter. During the sediment incubation in Apr. 2002, production of oxygen from sediment was observed implying active benthic photosynthesis. Denitrification was also higher in muddy sediment (Dong-Mak: $5.4;m^{-2}d^{-1}$) than sandy sediment (Yeocha; $3.4;m^{-2}d^{-1}$). The denitrification rate corresponds to the carbon remineralization rate of 9.3 and $5.9\;mg-C\;m^{-2}d^{-1}$ in Dong-Mak and Yeocha, respectively. The denitrification rates were lower compared to rates observed in other coastal area $(0{\sim}200\;{\mu}mole\;m^{-2}h^{-1})$. Although Kwanghwa tidal flat sediments are replete in organic matter, remineralization activity seems to be limited by the availability of labile organic matter. The Kwangwha tidal flat may have potential to effectively remove large load of organic matter. Net remineralization rates were 196 and $132\;mg-C\;m^{-2}d^{-1}$ in Dong-Mak and Yeocha, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.467-471
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• 2012

This study was conducted to evaluate the bactericidal activity of weakly alkalic electrolyzed water (WEW) against Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus on perilla leaves. The influences of organic matter, inform of bovine serum, and the ratio of WEW to perilla leaves on bactericidal activity of WEW were also examined. Treatment of these organisms with 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm WEW was performed for 1 min, 3 min and 5 min, respectively. Higher bactericidal activity was observed after a treatment with 100 ppm WEW compared to a treatment with 25 ppm WEW by 0.7 $log_{10}CFU/g$. The bactericidal activity of WEW also decreased with increasing bovine serum concentration. At the ratio of 10:1 (WEW: perilla leave), levels of Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus were only reduced by 0.57 and 0.79 $log_{10}CFU/g$, respectively. It is suggested that the removal of organic debris prior to application of sanitizers and treatment above the ratio of 25:1 (WEW: perilla leave) is needed in order to improve WEW activity.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.574-581
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• 2008

The optimum regeneration conditions for the regeneration of three way spent catalysts (TWCs), which were taken from automobiles with different driving conditions, were investigated to evaluate the suitability as alternative catalysts for removing VOCs. The spent catalysts were washed with five different acids ($HNO_3$, $H_2SO_4$, $C_2H_2O_4$, $C_6H_8O_7$, and $H_3PO_4$) to remove contaminants and examine the optimum conditions for recovering the catalytic activity. The physicochemical properties of spent and its regenerated TWCs were evaluated by using nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, XRD, and ICP. The relative atomic ratios of contaminants and platinum group metals (PGMs) of the spent TWCs were greatly dependent on the placed positions. The main contaminants formed were lubricant oil additives and metallic components. Also, the regeneration treatment increased the PGMs ratio, BET surface area, and average pore diameter of TWCs. The catalytic activity results indicated that the spent TWCs have the possibility for removing VOCs. Moreover, the employed acid treatments greatly enhanced the catalytic activity of the spent TWCs. Especially, nitric and oxalic acids provided the most improvement in the catalytic behavior. The catalytic activities of the regenerated TWCs were significantly influenced by the containing platinum ratios rather than the removal ratios of contaminants and the changes in the structural properties offered by the acid treatments.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.289-297
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• 2004

In this study, membranes were coupled to a sequencing batch reactor for simultaneous removal of organic matter and nitrogen, and the influences of MLSS (mixed liquor suspended solid) concentration and the sludge loading rate on membrane fouling and bioactivity were investigated. The amount of membrane fouling slightly increased with MLSS concentration at both non-aeration and aeration conditions, but effect of MLSS concentration was more significant at aeration condition. Although the effect of MLSS concentration on membrane fouling was found to be insignificant at low concentration level, extremely low sludge loading, which were generated by the maintenance of large amount of biomass in the reactor, caused severe membrane fouling, and air scouring effect decreased significantly in this condition. Specific bioactivity was constantly reduced as sludge loading rate decreased. In spite of high MLSS concentration over 17,000 mg/L, the activity of the reactor decreased at extremely low sludge loading rate presumably due to the lower oxygen transfer and the competition of biomass to deficient substrate.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.66-69
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• 2002

In this work, cost effective venting is considered by comparing flow rates of 5$m\ell$/min, 10$m\ell$/min, and 20$m\ell$/min. Studies were performed on a soil artificially contaminated with diesel oil (the initial TPH(Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon) concentration of 7098mg/kg), and nutrient condition was C:N:P rate of 100:10:1. The soil has a sandy texture with pH of 6.8, 2.16 ~2.38% organic matter, a total porosity of 47~52% and field capacity 16.2~ 17.2%. The column experiments was made of glass column of 60cm length and 10cm I.D. at controlled temperature of 2$0^{\circ}C$($\pm$2.5$^{\circ}C$). The efficiency of continuous flow rate of 5, 10 and 20$m\ell$/min resulted in separately 61.3%, 58.1%, and 55% reduction of initial TPH concentration(7098mg/kg). Hydrocarbon utilizing microbial count and dehydrogenase activity in air flow of 5$m\ell$/min were higher than those of the others. The first order degradation rate of n-alkanes ranging from C10 to C28 was higher than that of pristane and phytane as isoprenoids. The $C_{17}$/pristane and $C_{18}$phytane ratios for monitoring the degree of biodegradation were useful only during the early stages of oil degradation. Degradation contributed from about 89% to 93% of TPH removal. Volatilization loss of diesel oil in contaminated soil was about 7% to 11%, which was significantly small compared to degradation.n.