• Resources Recycling
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.81-87
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• 2022

Energy consumption per unit weight of metal (kwh/kg of metal) is one of the most important economic indicators in the process of molten salt electrolysis. It is related to the heat loss of salt bath and the current efficiency of the process. The current efficiency is highly dependent on electrolysis temperature. On the other hand, the temperature of salt bath may increase significantly due to the difference (larger energy input than consumption) in heat balance at the beginning of electrolysis, which may cause different electrolysis temperature from an initially targeted value. This results in a bad effect on current efficiency. Therefore, it will be helpful to the reduction of energy consumption to compare the calculated and measured values of the temperature change of salt bath through the heat balance review at the early stage of electrolysis and to evaluate the energy loss to outside. In this study, based on the authors' experimental data, the heat balance was reviewed at the beginning of the electrolysis, and it was possible to evaluate the energy loss to the outside and the increase of the temperature of the salt bath quantitatively. Through such a method, heat loss reduction plan can be derived and current efficiency can be improved so that energy consumption can be reduced.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2022

The mechanical and thermal properties of the rock masses can affect the performance associated with both the isolating and retarding capacities of radioactive materials within the deep geological disposal system for High-Level Radioactive Waste (HLW). In this study, the essential parameters for the site descriptive model (SDM) related to the rock mechanics and thermal properties of the HLW disposal facilities site were reviewed, and the technical background was explored through the cases of the preceding site descriptive models developed by SKB (Swedish Nuclear and Fuel Management Company), Sweden and Posiva, Finland. SKB and Posiva studied parameters essential for the investigation and evaluation of mechanical and thermal properties, and derived a rock mechanics site descriptive model for safety evaluation and construction of the HLW disposal facilities. The rock mechanics SDM includes the results obtained from investigation and evaluation of the strength and deformability of intact rocks, fractures, and fractured rock masses, as well as the geometry of large-scaled deformation zones, the small-scaled fracture network system, thermal properties of rocks, and the in situ stress distribution of the disposal site. In addition, the site descriptive model should provide the sensitivity analysis results for the input parameters, and present the results obtained from evaluation of uncertainty.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.539-544
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• 2023

The subject of this study is the Maae Buddha statue in granodiorite of the Mesozoic Cretaceous period, which is concerned about stability as a standing stone cultural property located in ◯◯-dong, Gyeongsangbuk-do. For stability analysis, three-dimensional face mapping, geological properties of joints, three-dimensional scanning, ultrasonic velocity, polarization microscopy, electron microscopy analysis and XRD analysis were performed. In addition, the safety factor of the Maaebul was calculated by analyzing the damage status investigation, stereographic projection analysis, rock classification, and limit equilibrium analysis. The types and scales of damage and possible collapse by section depend on the degree of weathering of the rock and the orientation and characteristics of the joints, but wedge-failure and toppling-failure are expected to be small-scale. The safety factor of Maaebul in dry and wet conditions is less than 1.2, so stability is concerned. The types of damage were mainly observed, such as exfoliation, cracking, granular decomposition, and vegetation growth. The Maaebul rock is granodiorite, and the surface discoloration materials are K, Fe, and Mg. The 4 sets of joints are developed, J1 is tensile joint and the others are shear joint. The uniaxial compressive strength estimated by ultrasonic exploration is 514kgf/cm2, which corresponds to most soft rocks and some weathered rocks. Rock classification(RMR) is estimated to be grade 5, very poor rock mass. These technique along with the existing methods of safety diagnosis of cultural properties are expected to be a reasonable tool for objective interpretation and stability review of stone cultural properties.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.515-532
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• 2023

Bentonite, predominantly consists of expandable clay minerals, is considered to be the suitable buffering material in high-level radioactive waste disposal repository due to its large swelling property and low permeability. Additionally, the bentonite has large cation exchange capacity and specific surface area, and thus, it effectively retards the transport of leaked radionuclides to surrounding environments. This study aims to review the thermodynamic sorption models for four radionuclides (U, Am, Se, and Eu) and eight bentonites. Then, the thermodynamic sorption models and optimized sorption parameters were precisely analyzed by considering the experimental conditions in previous study. Here, the optimized sorption parameters showed that thermodynamic sorption models were related to experimental conditions such as types and concentrations of radionuclides, ionic strength, major competing cation, temperature, solid-to-liquid ratio, carbonate species, and mineralogical properties of bentonite. These results implied that the thermodynamic sorption models suggested by the optimization at specific experimental conditions had large uncertainty for application to various environmental conditions.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.343-352
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• 2024

Composition analysis and lead isotope ratio analysis were conducted to determine the coloring machanism on lead glaze used in Gyeongbokgung Palace and the provenance of the lead used as a flux. 31 blue tiles were classified into green, blue, and yellow. The chemical analysis of lead glazes on the blue tiles revealed that Pb, Si, and Cu were the main components, and trace amounts of Fe, Ca, Mg, and Al were detected. The Cu content was high in blue lead glaze, while Cu was not detected in yellow or brown lead glaze which instead had high Fe content. Therefore, it was found that lead was used as a flux and copper oxide as a coloring agent in the production of lead glaze. In addition, the lead isotope ratios of the lead glaze used in the blue tiles of Gyeongbokgung palace were plotted in zone 3 on the distribution map of lead isotope ratios on the Korean Peninsula, which includes Chungcheong-do and Jeolla-do. It is presumed that the flux for the lead glaze was sourced from galena found in these regions. The lead isotope ratios of the green glaze from the Three Kingdoms and Unified Silla period were mostly located outside the Korean Peninsula, showing that the provenance of lead had changed. In particular, the lead isotope ratios of the green glaze from the Three Kingdoms and Unified Silla period suggest exchange with neighboring countries. Also the lead isotope ratios of the green glazes from the same temple are different, so it is believed that they were made at different times or in different workshops.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.693-698
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• 2024

As there are various types of discontinuities developing along with various rock types, the orientation and density of each type of discontinuities were measured to analyze the behavior of groundwater within the rock mass. Among the orientations of discontinuities, the strike was measured in azimuth and expressed as a discontinuity trajectory, and the density of discontinuities was quantified as the sum of the lengths of discontinuities developed per unit area. The overall discontinuity trajectory in the study area is predominantly in the northeast direction, the north-south and east-west directions are dominant in the igneous rock distribution area, and the east-west and northeast directions are dominant in the sedimentary rock distribution area. Among the types of discontinuities, they show discontinuity trajectories similar to the northeast direction, which is the dominant orientation of stratum boundaries, stratification, and foliation. The discontinuity density ranges from 0.1 m^-1 to 1,000 m^-1. The density distribution of discontinuities was expressed in the form of discontinuity contour diagrams. As a result, the crushed rock near Demiseam in the southern and southwestern part of the study area, the igneous rock area around Maryeong-myeon, the igneous rock area near Yongdam Dam in the northeast, and the igneous rock area near Unilam and Banilam in the northwest showed the highest density of discontinuities at over 100m^-1., the sedimentary rock area near Maisan Mountain showed relatively low values. It suggests that the results of geophysical exploration and drilling survey data in the existing study area, as well as the geological structure and density and trajectory of discontinuities, may be important factors in the behavior of groundwater in rock mass in the future.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.667-675
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• 2020

An Alum-sludge based adsorbent (ASBA) was synthesized by the hydrothermal treatment of alum sludge obtained from settling basin in water treatment plant. ASBA was applied to remove fluoride and arsenic in artificially-contaminated aqueous solutions and mine drainage. The mineralogical crystal structure, composition, and specific surface area of ASBA were identified. The result revealed that ASBA has irregular pores and a specific surface area of 87.25 ㎡ g-1 on its surface, which is advantageous for quick and facile adsorption. The main mineral components of the adsorbent were found to be quartz(SiO2), montmorillonite((Al,Mg)2Si4O10(OH)2·4H2O) and albite(NaAlSi3O8). The effects of pH, reaction time, initial concentration, and temperature on removal of fluoride and arsenic were examined. The results of the experiments showed that, the adsorbed amount of fluoride and arsenic gradually decreased with increasing pH. Based on the results of kinetic and isotherm experiments, the maximum adsorption capacity of fluoride and arsenic were 7.6 and 5.6 mg g-1, respectively. Developed models of fluoride and arsenic were suitable for the Langmuir and Freundlich models. Moreover, As for fluoride and arsenic, the increase rate of adsorption concentration decreased after 8 and 12 hr, respectively, after the start of the reaction. Also, the thermodynamic data showed that the amount of fluoride and arsenic adsorbed onto ASBA increased with increasing temperature from 25℃ to 35℃, indicating that the adsorption was endothermic and non-spontaneous reaction. As a result of regeneration experiments, ASBA can be regenerated by 1N of NaOH. In the actual mine drainage experiment, it was found that it has relatively high removal rates of 77% and 69%. The experimental results show ASBA is effective as an adsorbent for removal fluoride and arsenic from mine drainage, which has a small flow rate and acid/neutral pH environment.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.703-715
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• 2023

This study was conducted to investigate the fermentation characteristics and anti-obesity effects of acetic acid fermentation products of coffee wine. The live cell counts, soluble solids, pH and total acidity of the acetic acid unfermented coffee wine (AUFCW; day 0, before fermentation) were 6.35 log CFU/mL, 8.10 °Brix, 3.88, and 1.29%, respectively, while the acetic acid fermented coffee wine (AFCW; day 15, after fermentation) were 4.40 log CFU/mL, 8.57 °Brix, 3.07, and 7.45%, respectively. Pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity tended to increase as the acetic acid fermentation period increased. The anti-obesity effects of AFCW on 3T3-L1 cells, which was induced by MDI, were evaluated based on the lipid accumulation rate, leptin expression, and fat production-related gene expression (PPAR-γ and SREBP-1c) at the mRNA level. In the case of AFCW, the lipid accumulation rate and leptin expression were decreased to 69.37% and 50.20% at a concentration of 200 ㎍/mL, respectively, and the expression levels of PPAR-γ and SREBP-1c at the mRNA level were decreased to 79.89% and 48.81%, respectively. These results indicate that anti-obesity effect of acetic acid fermentation products could be increased by acetic acid fermentation of coffee wine.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.287-303
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• 2009

Rock mass in Baekrokdam at the summit of Hallasan in Jeju island is composed of two volcanic rock types: Baekrokdam trachybasalt at the eastern region and Hallasan trachyte at the western region. On-going rockfall and subsequent collapse of Baekrokdam wall rock are closely linked to the weathering of trachyte distributed in the western region of Baekrokdam. Samples of Hallasan trachyte showing different weathering grades had been collected and the polarizing microscopic observation, X-ray diffraction analysis and analysis for chemical weathering had been conducted. Formation of secondary minerals, especially clay minerals, by chemical weathering has not been identified, but the change of chemical weathering indices indicated that chemical weathering process had been proceeded to the degree for increasing and decreasing the contents of some chemical components. Changes in physical and mechanical rock properties due to weathering has also been examined. Artificial weathering test of freezing-thawing reveals that the process of crack initiation and propagation deteriorated the mechanical characteristics of Hallasan trachyte and $D_B$ = 1.5 or porosity = $20{\sim}21%$ would be the ultimate limiting value induced by the mechanical weathering processes.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.53-58
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• 2015

Engineers should take great care of characterizing the engineering properties of mudrock, because the uncemented mudrock can be considered as a hard rock in appearance. Therefore, the mudrock samples obtained from the cut slope in Gyeongki-do were tested to evaluate the strength characteristics of uncemented mudrock in this study. The performed tests are index properties, slake durability, and swelling tests for the classification of the mudrock for engineering practice. To evaluate the effect of water on the engineering properties of the uncemented mudrock, resonant column, triaxial compression and direct shear tests with various water contents were performed. With the increasing water contents, stiffness at very small to small strain region and the cohesion value of the strength parameters decrease. Based on the test results, engineers should take great care of evaluating the engineering properties of uncemented mudrock.