• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.290-298
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• 2021

This study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of applying phytoremediation technology by investigating soil and native plants in waste coal landfills exposed to heavy metal contamination for a long period of time. The ability of native plants to accumulate heavy metals using greenhouse cultivation experiments was alse evaluated. Plants were investigated at an abandoned coal mine in Hwajeolyeong, Jeongseon, Gangwon-do. Two species of native plants (Carex breviculmis. R. B. and Salix koriyanagi Kimura ex Goerz.) located in the study area and three Korean native plants (Artemisia japonica Thunb. Hemerocallis hakuunensis Nakai., and Saussurea pulchella (Fisch.) Fisch.) were cultivated in a greenhouse for 12 weeks in artificially contaminated soil. Soils contaminated with arsenic and lead were generated with arsenic concentration gradients of 25, 62.5, 125, and 250 mg kg^-1 and lead concentration gradients of 200, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg kg^-1, respectively. Results showed that none of the five plants could survive at high arsenic concentration treatment (125 and 250 mg kg^-1) and some plants died in 2000 mg kg^-1 lead concentration treatment soil. The plant translocation factor (TF) was highest in H. hakuunensis in arsenic treatments, and A. japonica in lead treatments, respectively. The bioaccumulation factor (BF) of plants was more than 1 in all species in arsenic treatment, whereas it was highest in H. hakuunensis. BF for all species was less than 1 in lead treatment. Particularly, in 2000 mg kg^-1 concentration lead treatment, A. japonica accumulated more than 1000 mg kg^-1 lead and was expected to be a lead hyperaccumulator. In conclusion, A. japonica and H. hakuunensis were excellent in the accumulation of arsenic heavy metals, and S. koriyanagi was excellent in lead accumulation ability. Therefore, the above mentioned three plants are considered to be strong contenders for application of the phytoremediation technology.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.584-595
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• 2021

In this study, the correlation between operating stages of waste air-treating system composed of two alternatively-operating UV/photocatalytic reactors, and the deactivation of photocatalyst used in each operating stage, was investigated by instrumental analysis thereon. The repeated deactivation and subsequent re-generation of photocatalyst used in the waste air treating system of previous investigation performed by Lee and Lim (Korean Chem. Eng. Research, 59(4), 574-583(2021)), were characterized on virgin photocatalyst-carrying porous SiO₂ media (A4), used photocatalyst-carrying porous SiO₂ media (A1, A2 and A3) collected from the corresponding photocatalytic reactor upon 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd run, respectively, regenerated photocatalyst-carrying porous SiO₂ media upon 1 time-run (AD1) and 3 times regenerated photocatalyst-carrying porous SiO₂ media upon 3 time-runs (AD3) by instrumental analysis including BET analysis, SEM, XPS, SEM-EDS and FT-IR. As a result, the proper regeneration-temperature for deactivated photocatalyst to be regenerated several times (more than 3 times), was suggested below 200 ℃. Such temperature of deactivated photocatalyst-regeneration was almost consistent to the one, according to BET analysis, at which tiny nano-pores blocked by adsorbed ethanol-oxidative and degraded intermediates (AEODI), were regenerated to be reopened through almost complete mineralization of AEODI. In particular, the results of XPS analysis indicated an incurrence of insignificant deactivation of photocatalysis upon 1^st run of UV/photocatalytic reactor (A or C) of the previous investigation. In addition, the results of XPS analysis were consistent with the experimental results of the previous investigation in that 1) deactivation of photocatalyst incurred during 2^nd run of the UV/photocatalytic reactor (A or C) resulted in decreased removal efficiency, by ca. 5% and 5%, of ethanol and hydrogen sulfide, respectively, compared with its 1^st run; 2) there was insignificant difference between the removal efficiencies of its 2^nd run and 3^rd run. Furthermore, the removal efficiencies of ethanol and hydrogen sulfide for hypothetical 4^th run of photocatalytic reactor in the previous investigation, using AD3, were expected to decrease, compared with its 3^rd run, by much more than those for 2^nd run in the previous investigation did, compared with its 1^st run.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.574-583
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• 2021

Waste air containing ethanol (100 ppmv) and hydrogen sulfide (10 ppmv) was continuously treated by waste air-treating system composed of two annular photocatalytic reactors (effective volume: 1.5 L) packed with porous SiO₂ media carrying TiO₂-anatase photocatalyst, one of which was alternately operated for 32 d/run while the other was regenerated by 100 ℃ hot air with 15 W UV(-A)-light on. As its elimination-behavior of ethanol, the removal efficiencies of ethanol at 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd operation of the photocatalytic reactor system(A), turned out to be ca. 60, 55 and 54%, respectively, at their steady state condition. Unlike the elimination-behavior of ethanol, its hydrogen sulfide-elimination behavior showed repeated decrease of hydrogen sulfide removal efficiency by its resultant arrival at a lower level of steady state condition. Nevertheless, the removal efficiencies of hydrogen sulfide at 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd operation of the photocatalytic reactor system, turned out to be ca. 80, 75 and 73%, respectively, at their final steady state condition, higher by ca. 20, 20 and 19% than those of ethanol, respectively. Therefore, assuming that adsorption on porous SiO₂-photocatalyst carrier was regarded to belong to a reversible deactivation and that decreased % of removal efficiency due to the reversible deactivation of photocatalyst including the adsorption was independent of the number of its use upon regeneration, the increments of the decreased % of removal efficiency of ethanol and hydrogen sulfide, due to an irreversible deactivation of photocatalyst, for the 3^rd use of regenerated photocatalyst, compared with the 2^nd use of regenerated photocatalyst, were ca. 1 and 2%, respectively, which was insignificant or the less than those of ca. 5 and 5%, respectively, for the 2^nd use of regenerated photocatalyst compared with the 1^st use of virgin photocatalyst. This trend of the photocatalytic reactor system was observed to be similar to that of the other alternately-operating photocatalytic reactor system.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.116-124
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• 2022

In this study, waste air containing ethanol and hydrogen sulfide, was treated by an integrated hybrid system composed of two alternatively-operating UV/photocatalytic reactor-process and biofilter processes of a biofilter system having two units with an improved design (R reactor) and a conventional biofilter (L reactor). Both a pressure drop (△p) per unit process of the integrated hybrid system and a microbe-population-distribution of each biofilter process were observed. The △p of the UV/photocatalytic reactor process turned out very negligible. The △p of the L reactor was observed to increase continuously to 4.0~5.0 mmH₂O (i.e., 5.0~6.25 mmH₂O/m). In case of R reactor, its △p showed the one below ca. 16~20% of the △p of the L reactor. Adopting such microbes-carrying biofilter media with high porosity as waste-tire crumb media, and the improved biofilter design, contributed to △p of this study, reduced by ca. 37~50% and 40~53%, respectively, from the reported △p of conventional biofilter packed with biofilter media of the mixture (50:50) of wood chip and wood bark. In addition, the △p of R reactor in this study, reduced by ca. 80% from the reported △p of conventional biofilter packed with biofilter media of the mixture (75:25) of scoria with high porosity and compost, was mainly attributed to adopting the improved biofilter design. On the other hand, in case of L reactor, the CFU counts in its lowest column was analyzed double as much as those in any other columns. However, in case of R reactor, its CFU counts were bigger by 50% than the one of L reactor and its microbes were evenly distributed at its higher and lower columns of R_dn reactor and R_up reactor. This phenomena was attributed to an even moisture distribution of 50~55% of R reactor at its higher and lower columns. Therefore, R reactor showed superb characteristics in terms of both △p and microbe-population-distribution, compared to L reactor.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.807-813
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• 2014

The Ag-impregnated activated carbon was produced from bamboo activated carbon by soaking method of silver nitrate solution. The carbonization and activation of raw material was conducted at $900^{\circ}C$. Soaking conditions are the variation of silver nitrate solution concentration (0.002~0.1 mol/L) and soaking time (maximum 24 h). The specific surface area and pore size distribution of the prepared activated carbons were measured. Also, NO and activated carbon reaction were conducted in a thermogravimetric analyzer in order to use for de-NOx agents of used activated carbon. Carbon-NO reactions were carried out with respect to reaction temperature ($20{\sim}850^{\circ}C$) and NO gas partial pressure (0.1~1.8 kPa). As results, Ag amounts are saturated within 2h, Ag amounts increased 1.95 mg Ag/g (0.2%)~ 88.70 mg Ag/g (8.87%) with the concentration of silver nitrate solution in the range of 0.002~0.1 mol/L. The specific volume and surface area of bamboo activated carbon of impregnated with 0.2% silver were maximum, but decreased with increasing Ag amounts of activated carbon due to pore blocking. In NO reaction, the reaction rate of impregnated bamboo activated carbon was retarded as compare with that of bamboo activated carbon. Measured reaction orders of NO concentration and activation energy were 0.63[BA], 0.69l[BA(Ag)] and 80.5 kJ/mol[BA], 66.4 kJ/mol[BA(Ag)], respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.955-960
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• 2006

Catalytic decomposition over HZSM-5 was carried out in semi-batch reactor to recover gasoline from waste plastics(HDPE). To enhance the liquid yield with a molecule range of gasoline, the properties of catalytic decomposition were investigated over a commercial Si/ZSM-5 catalyst and HZSM-5 catalysts modified with P and Mg. Optimum loadings of P and Mg on HZSM-5 were 0.5 wt% and 2.0 wt%, respectively, based on conversion and liquid yield. $NH_3-TPD$ profile indicated that strong and weak acid sites totally decreased in P loading on HZSM-5 catalyst, strong acid sites moderately decreased and weak acid sites sharply reduced in Mg loading on HZSM-5 catalyst. In the case of Si/ZSM-5 catalyst, all acid sites almost disappeared, subsequently, catalytic decomposition significantly decreased, and little liquid product was produced. When HZSM-5 catalyst was modified with P and Mg, the carbon distribution of liquid product was shifted to lower carbon number and its all components was within a molecular range of gasoline($C_5-C_{11}$). Especially, over Mg(2.0 wt%)/ZSM-5 catalyst, 55.8% of liquid yield with 100% of a molecular range of gasoline, was obtained at $400^{\circ}C$, suggesting it as a promising catalyst for recycle of waste plastics.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.832-846
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• 2020

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the vapor permeability of nine different species of domestic softwood and the vapor permeability evaluation through the production of small wall structures for the developing applications, utilizing the vapor permeability of wood. In addition, the permeability evaluation was attempted by means of the production of a small wall structure injected with a waste material, bottom ash, as a moisture absorbent for improving the permeability. Consequently, the results of the vapor permeability evaluation by means of S_d value are as follows: (1) It was observed that Abies holiphylla, Picea jezoensis, Ginkgo biloba, Pinus koraiensis and Pinus rigida are permeable to moisture among 9 species of domestic softwood in Korea. (2) By means of this, semi-permeability efficiency was evaluated when producing a small wall structure. (3) Besides, improved effects of permeability were evaluated when producing a small wall structure inserted with bottom ash. As a result, it was confirmed that the S_d value of Pinus koraiensis turned out to be 1.63, which is superior to other 8 tree species.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1095-1104
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• 2009

The objective of this research was to evaluate the feasibility of using oyster-shell and eggshell wastes for the stabilization of arsenic-contaminated soil. Artificial As(V) contaminated soil was mixed with 0~5% oyster-shell and eggshell wastes and each sample was incubated for 30 days in a controlled environment. The efficiency of each treatment was evaluated using various single extractants (1 N HCl, 0.1 N NaOH and 0.5 N $H_2SO_4$). The concentration of As(V) was reduced by 10% upon a 5% oyster-shell or eggshell waste treatments based on the Korea Standard Test method (1 N HCl extraction). Analogous trends were observed in the 0.1 N NaOH or 0.5 N $H_2SO_4$ extractions. In addition, the oyster-shell and eggshell waste treatments increased the pH of each soil from 6.54 (Control) to 7.62~7.94. The exchangeable Ca in each soil also sharply increased from 6.87 cmol(+)/kg (Control) to 12.77~20.18 cmol(+)/kg. Further research is needed to increase the effectiveness of the oyster-shell and eggshell waste for the stabilization of As(V) in the contaminated soil.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.180-185
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• 2017

For the management of mercury-containing products, the products were selected to do material flow analysis in preference of not having selected in previous studies. Domestically mercury have been added to pigment for prevention of bacterial growth. So, in this study paint containing pigment was selected as a target. 71 samples of paint products collected in 2014 and data of 38 samples of wastes (dust, sludge, paint) analyzed in 2010 were used in material flow analysis. The result shows that mercury was 0~0.25 mg/kg in products and 0.23~0.69 mg/kg in the wastes. In the material flow analysis, the amount of flow in the process of distribution was 10.06 kg/year, but the amount of flow in disposal like a landfill, incineration and recycling was much than distribution as 25.27 kg/year. It was caused by different sampling period between collecting products and data of wastes. Therefore, It could be possible to be affected from regulation by RoHS like decreasing usage of mercury in paint products or eradicated in the industry. Mercury contents in current paint products are very low to affect discharging to the environment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.626-634
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• 2005

The objectives of this study was to assess pollution level and contamination status on tailings and soil in the vicinity of four disused metal mines in Kangwon province. As the result of total metal concentrations analysis, the pollution degree of tailings and soil decreased in the order of Wondong > Second Yeonhwa > Sinyemi ${\fallingdotseq}$ Sangdong mines. Total metal concentrations of mine tailings in this study were $1.2{\sim}78.2$ and $1.1{\sim}80.6$ times higher than those in the background soil and the tolerable levels suggested by Kloke, respectively. From these results, we found that tailings served as contamination source of nearby soil. According to sequential extraction of metals, large proportion of heavy metals in all mine tailings existed in the form of a residual fraction, and heavy metals in non-residual form was mainly associated with Fe-Mn oxide fraction and sulfidic-organic fraction. Fe-Mn oxide fraction and sulfidic-organic fraction of heavy metals may be released into and contaminated the nearby environment under the oxidation or reduction condition in long-term. In particular, the proportions of the exchangeable and carbonate fraction of Cd in mine tailings from Second Yeonhwa mine were relatively high. This suggests that Cd may be easily released into and contaminated the nearby environment in the near time. Concentrations of heavy metals in mine tailings and the nearby soil exceeded the standard (agricultural area) of Soil Environment Conservation Law. So it was thought that remediation for mine tailings and the nearby soil is needed. The pollution indices of the samples in this study were for higher than 1.0 and the pollution degree was very serious. Priority remediation site for these mines was Wondong. As Results of danger indices, it was showed that exchangeable form in Wondong and Fe-Mn oxide form in the rest mines should be removed preferentially.