• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.65-84
• /
• 2013

Electrical resistivity is a property associated with both the physical and chemical characteristics of concrete. It allows the evaluation of the greater or lesser difficulty with which aggressive substances penetrate the concrete's core before the dissolution of the passive film process and the consequent reinforcement's corrosion begin. This work addresses the capillary absorption of self-compacting concrete (SCC) with various types and contents of additions, correlating it with its electrical resistivity. To that effect, binary and ternary mixes of SCC were produced using fly ashes (FA) and limestone filler (LF). A total of 11 self-compactable mixes were produced: one with cement (C) only; three with C + FA in 30%, 60% and 70% substitution ratios; three with C + LF in 30%, 60% and 70% substitution ratios; four with C + FA + LF in combinations of 10-20%, 20-10%, 20-40% and 40-20% substitution ratios, respectively; and four reference mixes according to the LNEC E 464 specification, which refers to the NP EN 206-1 norm. The evaluation of the capillarity of the mixes produced was made through the determination of the water absorption by capillarity coefficient according to the LNEC E 393 specification. The electrical resistivity was evaluated using the European norm proposal presented by the EU-Project CHLORTEST (EU funded research Project under 5FP GROWTH programme) and based on the RILEM TC-154 EMC technical recommendation. The results indicate that SCC's capillarity is strongly conditioned by the type and quantity of the additions used. It was found that FA addition significantly improves some of the properties studied especially at older ages.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.299-307
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of low temperature thermal pre-treatment on biodegradation of waste activated sludge for anaerobic digestion as a countermeasure for increasing sludge generation. The experimental condition was accomplished in 2 %, 4 %, and 6 % TS concentration, and $70^{\circ}C$, $80^{\circ}C$, $90^{\circ}C$ of temperature for a maximum of 120 minutes retention time. Then, it was followed by analysis of physical/chemical properties, BMP test and composition of biogas. The biogas characteristic was evaluated by applying the modified Gomperz model. As a result, solubility of dissolved substrate, such as $SCOD_{Cr}$, soluble carbohydrate, and soluble protein, and biogas production increased as temperature increased. Solubilization efficiency at $90^{\circ}C$ was 18.4 %, 17.03 % and 16.88% in 2 %, 4 %, and 6 % TS concentration respectively. Also, solubilization rates of carbohydrate and protein similarly increased. BMP test results also showed that methane production in excess sludge increased to 0.194, 0.187 and $0.182m^3/kg$ VS. respectively, and lag phase decreased to 0.145, 0.220, 0.351 day due to acceleration of the hydrolysis step. Consequently, low-temperature thermal pre-treatment could increase biodegradability of sludge, positively affecting biogas production and sludge reduction.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.362-369
• /
• 2019

In this study, biodegradation efficiency improvement of mixed sludge for the anaerobic digestion process in wastewater treatment plant was investigated. In order to release the organic material contained in the sludge cell and promote the hydrolysis step, mixed sludge of 7% TS (Total Solids) was physically shear-treated at a shear strength of 1,000 ~ 4,000 rpm and a maximum of 120 mins. As a result of the comparison between mixed sludge before and after the treatment, the concentration of $SCOD_{Cr}$(Soluble Chemical Oxygen Demand-chromium method) was increased through the conversion of granular organic matter into dissolved organic matter as shear strength and treatment time increases. The solubilization efficiency increased rapidly after 30 min of solubilization application time, and they were 11.23 %, 20.10 %, 22.52 % and 25.43% at 120 min for each shear strength conditions, respectively. Additionally, the BMP(Biochemical Methane Potential) test was conducted with the optimized samples to determine the increase of methane production by the shear pre-treatment. Consequently, methane production of each samples were 0.275, 0.310, 0.323 and $0.335m^3/kg\;VS_{add}$, which indicates that methane production was increased to a maximum of 21.28% compared to the control without the solubilization process ($0.262m^3/kg\;VS_{add}$). As a result, the physical shear-treatment is a promising process for sewage sludge pre-treatment to reduce the organic waste and increase the energy production.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.177-183
• /
• 2023

Rendering, is attracting attention as a technology that can stably and quickly process livestock carcasses. However, large amounts of livestock carcass solid residues are discharged in this process and limited methods are available for recycling them. In this study, rendered animal carcass solid residues were pyrolyzed to produce carbonized materials (350℃; RACR-C) and their chemical properties were investigated. Further, RACR-C were applied to cabbage cultivation for investigating their crop growth characteristics and soil improvement effects. RACR-C contained large amounts of fertilizer components such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and showed no toxic effects on the seedling growth of crops. The content of water-soluble nutrients released from RACR-C under the reaction time increased rapidly within 30 min, but was insignificant compared to the total content. Thus, most fertilizer components in RACR-C were not readily soluble in water. The optimal application amount for applying RACR-C to cabbage cultivation based on the changes in cabbage growth, inorganic content, and soil chemistry was 200 kg/10a. Overall, pyrolysis of solid residues after rendering livestock carcass to produce carbonized material as a soil improver is an effective method to recycle the waste discharged from the rendering process.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.332-341
• /
• 2023

The controversy is becoming a hot issue after informed that the water release from Canadian oil sands tailings may initiate within a few years. The surface-mined bitumen extraction in open pit generates wastewater inevitably, which has been conveyed to store in tailings ponds. Currently, the size of tailings pond is getting seriously larger. It is known that tailings treatment is very difficult because the generation of MFT (mature fine tailings) layer is hardly processable. It would be the key process to separate solids and liquid placed within MFT where fine particles are well dispersed. In this paper, the surface-mined bitumen extraction process was first introduced, and followed by presenting the components of tailings as well as the characteristics of MFT. In addition, MFT process options were evaluated. It is expected that successful MFT treatments may be achieved by dewatering process using effective polymer flocculants in near future.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
• /
• v.56 no.3
• /
• pp.208-218
• /
• 2023

Photocatalysts are advanced materials which accelerate the photoreaction by providing ordinary reactions with other pathways. The catalysts have various advantages, such as low-cost, low operating temperature and pressure, and long-term use. They are applied to environmental and energy field, including the air and water purification, water splitting for hydrogen production, sterilization and self-cleaning surfaces. However, commercial photocatalysts only absorb ultraviolet light between 100 and 400 nm of wavelength which comprises only 5% in sunlight due to the wide band gap. In addition, rapid recombination of electron-hole pairs reduces the photocatalytic performance. Recently, studies on blackening photocatalysts by laser, thermal, and plasma treatments have been conducted to enhance the absorption of visible light and photocatalytic activity. The disordered structures could yield mid-gap states and vacancies could cause charge carrier trapping. Herein, liquid phase plasma (LPP) is adopted to synthesize Ag-doped black ZnO for the utilization of visible-light. The physical and chemical characteristics of the synthesized photocatalysts are analyzed by SEM/EDS, XRD, XPS and the optical properties of them are investigated using UV/Vis DRS and PL analyses. Lastly, the photocatalytic activity was evaluated using methylene blue as a pollutant.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.254-260
• /
• 2024

This study is to manufacture a titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photocatalyst by recycling sludge generated using titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄) as a coagulant. Compared to general sewage, a TiCl₄ coagulant was applied to dyeing wastewater containing a large amount of non-degradable organic compounds to evaluate its performance. Then the generated sludge was dried and fired to prepare a photocatalyst (TFS). Scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and nitrogen oxide reduction experiments were conducted to analyze the surface properties and evaluate the photoactive ability of the prepared TFS. After using titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄) as a coagulant in the dyeing wastewater, the water quality characteristics were measured at 84 mg/L of chemical oxygen demand (COD), 10 mg/L of T-N, and 0.9 mg/L of T-P to satisfy the discharge water quality standards. The surface properties of the TFS were investigated and the anatase crystal structure was observed. It was confirmed that the ratio of Ti and O, the main components of TiO₂, accounted for more than 90 %. As a result of the nitric oxide (NO) reduction experiment, 1.56 uMol of NO was reduced to confirm a removal rate of 20.60 %. This is judged to be a photocatalytic performance similar to that of the existing P-25. Therefore, by applying TiCl₄ to the dyeing wastewater, it is possible to solve the problems of the existing coagulant and to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide generated, using an eco-friendly sludge treatment method. In addition, it is believed that environmental and economic advantages can be obtained by manufacturing TiO₂ at an eco-friendly and lower cost than before.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.213-223
• /
• 2011

The status and changes of water quality of national fishing harbors and designated ports in East Coast of Korea were analyzed to support establishment effective water environmental management. COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) concentration was satisfied to designated water quality criteria in most areas, but TN (Total Nitrogen) and TP (Total Phosphorus) exceeded the criteria frequently. Also, peak concentration was summer in COD and SS (Suspended Solid), but winter in TP. Eutrophication index of Ganggu and Pohang (old) area were the highest. Pollution index by function of COD, TN, and TP of Ganggu, Pohang, Jumunjin, and Guryongpo was high with gradual increasing recently, on the contrary, that of Samcheok, Imwon, and Chuksan was decreased. Pollution index involving multi-indictors relation to organics and inorganics was necessary for water quality assessment. Designated water quality criteria needed to be improved because the criteria of Jukbyun and Chuksan was applied more strictly compared to the other regions although without difference of environmental characteristics. Furthermore, the criteria notified lately needed to be related to management pollutants from land-based sources. The continuous diagnosis and monitoring on sediment quality within the study area were necessary for prevention of water pollution and eco-friendly disposal of dredged sediment. Especially, monitoring of Designated Ports was implemented partially, however monitoring ratio of National Fishing Har-bors was 7% to whole part. Therefore, systematic and integrated environmental monitoring for ports and harbors with charge of national management was reestablished by strengthening and securing a legal basis.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.319-337
• /
• 2010

Major objective of this study was to determine interannual and seasonal water quality along with characteristics of longitudinal gradients along the reservoir axis of the riverine zone (Rz)-to-lacustrine zone (Lz). Water quality dataset of five years during 2003~2007 used here were obtained from Ministry of Environment, Korea and ten physical, chemical and biological parameters were analyzed in the study. Similarity analysis, based on moropho-hydrological variables of reservoir surface area, watershed area, total inflow, and outflow, showed that the reservoirs were categorized as three groups of large-dam reservoirs (Chungju Reservoir, Daecheong Reservoir and Soyang Reservoir), mid-size reservoirs (Andong Reservoir, Yongdam Reservoir, Juam Reservoir and Hapcheon Reservoir), and small-size reservoirs (Hoengseong Reservoir and Buan Reservoir). According to the data comparison of high-flow year (2003) vs. lowflow year (2005), dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, biological oxygen demand (BOD), suspended solids (SS), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), chlorophyll-a (CHL) and electrical conductivity (EC) declined along the longitudinal axis of Rz to Lz and water transparency, based on Secchi depth (SD), increased along the axis. These results indicate that transparency was a function of Values of pH, DO, SS, SD, and EC at each site were greater in the low-flow year (2005) than the high-flow year (2003), whereas values of BOD, COD, TN, TP and CHL were greater in the high-flow year (2003). When values of TN, TP, CHL and SD in nine reservoirs were compared in the three zones of Rz, Tz, and Lz, values of TN, TP and CHL declined along longitudinal gradients and SD showed the opposite due to the sedimentation processes from the water column. Values of TN were not statistically correlated with TP values. The empirical linear models of TP-CHL and CHL-SD showed significant (p<0.05, $R^2$>0.04). In the mid-size reservoirs, the variation of CHL was explained ($R^2$=0.2401, p<0.0001, n=239) by the variation of TP. The affinities in the correlation analysis of mid-size reservoirs were greater in the CHL-SD model than any other empirical models, and the CHL-SD model had an inverse relations. In the meantime, water quality variations was evidently greater in Daecheong Reservoir than two reservoirs of Andong Reservoir and Hoengseong Reservoir as a result of large differences of water quality by long distance among Rz, Tz and Lz.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.311-322
• /
• 2008

The objectives of the study were to analyze chemical water quality and physical habitat characteristics in the urban streams (Miho and Gap streams) along with evaluations of fish community structures and ecosystem health, throughout fish composition and guild analyses during 2006$\sim$2007. Concentrations of BOD and COD averaged 3.5 and 5.7 mg L$^{-1}$, in the urban streams, while TN and TP averaged 5.1 mg L$^{-1}$ and 274 ${\mu}g$ L$^{-1}$, indicating an eutrophic state. Especially, organic pollution and eutrophication were most intense in the downstream reach of both streams. Total number of fish was 34 species in the both streams, and the most abundant species was Zacco platypus (32$\sim$42% of the total). In both streams, the relative abundance of sensitive species was low (23%) and tolerant and omnivores were high (45%, 52%), indicating an typical tolerance and trophic guilds of urban streams in Korea. According to multi-metric models of Stream Ecosystem Health Assessments (SEHA), model values were 19 and 24 in Miho Stream and Gap Stream, respectively. Habitat analysis showed that QHEI (Qulatitative Habitat Evaluation Index) values were 123 and 135 in the two streams, respectively. The minimum values in the SEHA and QHEI were observed in the both downstreams, and this was mainly attributed to chemical pollutions, as shown in the water quality parameters. The model values of SEHA were strongly correlated with conductivity (r=-0.530, p=0.016), BOD (r=-0.578, p< 0.01), COD (r=-0.603, p< 0.01), and nutrients (TN, TP: r>0.40, p<0.05). This model applied in this study seems to be a useful tool, which could reflect the chemical water quality in the urban streams. Overall, this study suggests that consistent ecological monitoring is required in the urban streams for the conservations along with ecological restorations in the degradated downstrems.