• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.314-320
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: Run off from agricultural sites contaminates water bodies with nitrogen which is toxic and causes eutrophication when excessively accumulated. Hence, the interest in monitoring nitrogen toxicity in aquatic environment has been continuously increasing. METHODS AND RESULTS: To detect a real time toxicity of various nitrogen compounds, we applied biomonitoring method (biosensor) based on sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB). The toxicity biomonitoring test was conducted in semi-continuous mode in a reactor filled with sulfur particles (2~4 mm diameter) under aerobic condition. Relative toxicity was simply determined by measuring the change in electrical conductivity (EC). Various nitrogenous compounds at different concentrations were evaluated as a potential toxic substance. Nitrite was found to be very toxic to SOB with a 90% inhibition even when the concentration as low as 3 mg/L. However, nitrate and ammonia have any inhibitory effect on SOB's activity. CONCLUSION: The biosensor based on SOB responded sensitively to nitrite even at substantially low concentrations. Therefore, it can be used as a reliable biological alarm system for rapid detection of contaminants due to its simplicity and sensitive nature.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.3-13
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• 1983

Fiber mats were made at five density levels, using fibers from kraft pulp screening rejects, rice straw and a 50/50 mixture of the two. They were soaked in the sulfur compounds. Specimens cut from the composite panels were tested in flexure at time intervals for one year to study the effect of aging. Modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) were determined. Under optimum conditions of fiber mat preparation and saturation with molten sulfur and modified sulfur, composites were produced which exhibited mechanical properties comparable to conventional fiberglass in some properties and superior to conventional wood-based composition boards, For example. the moduli of elasticity of the reinforced composites made from pulp screening rejects, with a density of 0.35 gm/$cm^3$, were greater than 1,000,000 psi as compared 800.000 psi for high-density hardboard (1.28 gm/$cm^3$). Modulus of rupture of the best reinforced composites was about 7,000 psi, comparable to 6,000 psi of high-density hardboard.

• Clean Technology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.88-94
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• 2014

During the past decades much attention has been paid to the desulfurization of diesel oil which is important as a source for the fuel cells to prevent the sulfur poisoning of both diesel steam reforming catalyst and electrode of fuel cell. Although alternative desulfurization techniques have been investigated, desulfurization for ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is still challenged. Therefore, this research focuses on the desulfurization of commercial ULSD for the application to molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC). Herein, the performances of several kinds of commercial adsorbents based on activated carbons, zeolites, and metal oxides for desulfurization of ULSD were screened. The results showed that metal oxides based materials can feasibly reduce sulfur concentration in ULSD to a level of 0.1 ppmw while activated carbons and zeolites did not reach this level at current conditions.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.199-207
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• 2022

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) have emerged as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their high energy density and economic viability. In addition, all-solid-state LSBs, which use solid-state electrolytes, have been proposed to overcome the polysulfide shuttle effect while improving safety. However, the high interfacial resistance and poor ionic conductivity exhibited by the electrode and solid-state electrolytes, respectively, are significant challenges in the development of these LSBs. Herein, we apply a poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based composite solid-state electrolyte with oxide Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ (LLZO) solid-state electrolyte in an all-solid-state LSB to overcome these challenges. We use an electrochemical method to evaluate the degradation of the all-solid-state LSB in accordance with the carbon content and loading weight within the cathode. The all-solid-state LSB, with sulfur-carbon content in a ratio of 3:3, exhibited a high initial discharge capacity (1386 mAh g^-1), poor C-rate performance, and capacity retention of less than 50%. The all-solid-state LSB with a high loading weight exhibited a poor overall electrochemical performance. The factors influencing the electrochemical performance degradation were revealed through systematic analysis.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.77-86
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• 1998

The concentrations of atmospheric dimethylsulfide (DMS) and the relevant environmental parameters were measured as part of the 3rd year project (August 1997-July 1998) to investigate the long range transport of atmospheric pollutants (LRTAP) between China and Korea. The main purpose of this study was to derive the contribution of natural sulfur emissions (represented by oceanic DMS fluxes) in estimating the total budgets of sulfur transported across the Yellow Sea. To this end, DMS concentrations were determined from the two western coastal monitoring sites (Cheju and Kang Hwa islands) during three field intensive experiments covering fall, winter, and spring seasons. From these series of experiments, we found that DMS concentrations of Cheju and Kang Iffwa were averaged at 74 $\pm$ 49.5 (range: 19~282 pptv (N=81)) and 63.7 $\pm$ 35.1 (range:25.8~131 pptv (N=19)), respectively. By combining these 3rd year data with those measured previously from the 2nd year, we were able to derive some general pictures of seasonal distribution patterns of DMS. Although DMS data were difficult to derive relationships with other parameters determined simultaneously, they were rarely exhibiting good correlations with temperature or wind speed. The oceanic flux of DMS for the western coastal regions of Korea, when estimated based on our data from two islands, was found on the range of 8.8~12.2 GgS/yr. By considering the relationship between DMS and non-seasalt sulfate, we could also provide rough estimate of relative significance of natural emissions of sulfur. If oceanic DMS emitted from those regions is entirely converted to sulfate, it could represent 10 to 25% of total sulfur budgets in the western Sea of Korea.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.180-187
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• 2005

Nine chemolithoautotrophic and 12 chemolithoheterotrophic sulfur oxidizing bacteria were isolated using enrichment technique in modified Starkey's medium. All isolates reduced pH of the growth medium through oxidation of elementai sulfur to sulfuric acid. Isolates utilized the thiosulfate as energy source except LCH. None of the isolates grew anaerobically and utilization of glucose was found only in chemolithoheterotrophic isolates SGA6 and JIG. In vitro sulfate production from elemental sulfur was found maximum for chemoiithoautotroph LCH ($43.2mg\;100\;mL^{-1}$) and least for chemolithoheterotroph JIG ($10.04mg\;100\;mL^{-1}$). The above tests suggested that all isolates belong to the member of Thiobacillus. For field inoculation of Thiobacillus, clay based pellet formulation was developed with the cell load of $2.5{\times}10^7cfu\;g^{-1}$ of pellet. It is easy to handle by the farmers and more likely to lead to successful farming.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.776-784
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• 2023

Objective: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the inclusion of dietary nontoxic sulfur (NTS) on growth performance, immune response, sulfur amino acid composition and meat characteristics in growing-finishing pigs. Methods: A total of 140 crossbred pigs ([Yorkshire×Landrace]×Duroc) with an average body weight of 34.73±0.66 kg were used for the 12-week feeding trial. Experimental pigs were allotted to one of 5 treatments in 4 replicates of 7 pigs per pen in a randomized complete block (RCB) design. The experimental treatments were as follows (0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.4% NTS levels): i) Control, corn soybean meal (SBM)-based diet; ii) NTS 0.1, basal diet + NTS 0.1%; iii) NTS 0.2, basal diet + NTS 0.2%; iv) NTS 0.4, basal diet + NTS 0.4%. Results: Body weight increased linearly as dietary NTS levels increased up to 0.2% (linear; p = 0.04) in the early finishing phase (9 weeks). During the whole experimental period, body weight and average daily gain linearly increased as the dietary NTS level increased in the diet (linear; both p = 0.01), but quadratic responses in body weight and average daily gain were observed with the addition of NTS 0.4% (quadratic, both p = 0.01). In the late finishing period, the IgG concentration increased linearly (linear; p = 0.01) as the dietary NTS level increased up to 4%. In the finishing period, a linear response was observed as a dietary NTS level was added (linear; p = 0.03), and supplementation with 0.2% NTS resulted in a higher methionine content than the other treatments (quadratic; p = 0.01). NST 0.2% had a lower value of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (quadratic; p = 0.01). Conclusion: Consequently, supplementation with dietary NTS up to 0.2% could improve growth performance, amino acid composition in hair and meat antioxidation capacity.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.421-427
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• 2012

To improve the lubricity of ultra low sulfur diesel, vegetable oil-based alkanol amide derivatives were prepared and their lubricity properties were studied. To synthesize the alkanol amides, we conducted the amidation reaction of diethaolamine High Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR) and the fatty acid methyl esters, obtained by the continuous transesterification of methanol and several vegetable oil, such as soybean oil, palm oil and coconut oil. The synthesized amides were soluble in ultra low sulfur diesel in the concentration range of ca. 1 wt%; the lubricating properties of ultra low sulfur diesel containing 120 ppm of amides were measured using an HFRR method. It was found that the wear scar diameter in the pure ultra low sulfur diesel decreased significantly from 581 ${\mu}m$ to 305~323 ${\mu}m$ upon the addition of the amides, indicating that lubricating properties of the diesel were improved. On the other hand, the types of vegetable oils did not affect the wear scar diameters, implying that lubricating properties of the diesel did not depend strongly on the structures of alkyl groups of alkanol amide derivatives. When we measured the lubricating properties of the one type of diesels containing various amounts of alkanol amide, we observed that the wear scar diameter decreased drastically with increasing the amide concentration, meaning that the lubricity improved with the amide concentration.

• ETRI Journal
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.265-271
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• 2016

We analyzed the interface characteristics of Zn-based thin-film buffer layers formed by a sulfur thermal cracker on a $Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$ (CIGS) light-absorber layer. The analyzed Zn-based thin-film buffer layers are processed by a proposed method comprising two processes - Zn-sputtering and cracker-sulfurization. The processed buffer layers are then suitable to be used in the fabrication of highly efficient CIGS solar cells. Among the various Zn-based film thicknesses, an 8 nm-thick Zn-based film shows the highest power conversion efficiency for a solar cell. The band alignment of the buffer/CIGS was investigated by measuring the band-gap energies and valence band levels across the depth direction. The conduction band difference between the near surface and interface in the buffer layer enables an efficient electron transport across the junction. We found the origin of the energy band structure by observing the chemical states. The fabricated buffer/CIGS layers have a structurally and chemically distinct interface with little elemental inter-diffusion.

• Clean Technology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.212-217
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• 2014

In order to regenerate the sulfidated desulfurization sorbent, oxygen is used as the oxidant agent on the regeneration process. The small amount of oxygen un-reacted in regeneration process is flowed into direct sulfur recovery process. However, the reactivity for $SO_2$ reduction can be deteriorated with the un-reacted oxygen by various reasons. In this study, the deactivation effects of un-reacted oxygen contained in the off-gas of regeneration process flowed into direct sulfur recovery process of hot gas desulfurization system were investigated. Sn-Zr based catalysts were used as the catalyst for $SO_2$ reduction. The contents of $SO_2$ and $O_2$ contained in the regenerator off-gas used as the reactants were fixed to 5.0 vol% and 4.0 vol%, respectively. The catalytic activity tests with a Sn-Zr based catalyst were for $SO_2$ reduction performed at $300-450^{\circ}C$ and 1-20 atm. The un-reacted oxygen oxidized the elemental sulfur produced by $SO_2$ catalytic reduction and the conversion of $SO_2$ was reduced due to the production of $SO_2$. However, the temperature for the oxidation of elemental sulfur increased with increasing pressure in the catalytic reactor. Therefore, it was concluded that the decrease of reactivity at high pressure is occurred by catalytic deactivation, which is the re-oxidation of lattice oxygen vacancy in Sn-Zr based catalyst with the un-reacted oxygen on the catalysis by redox mechanism. Meanwhile the un-reacted oxygen oxidized CO supplied as the reducing agent and the temperature in the catalyst packed bed also increased due to the combustion of CO. It was concluded that the rapidly increasing temperature in the packed bed can induce the catalytic deactivation such as the sintering of active components.