• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.345-350
• /
• 2012

To investigate the exposure and health risk assessment for the residents near the D-asbestos mine in Chungbuk, Korea. We analyzed asbestos in the 20 ambient air and 23 activity based samples near the mine. The airborne sample results are showed that 8 of 20 samples ranged between 0.0025 to 0.0029 f/cc (fiber per cubic centimeter) and the others were below the detection limit by phase contrast microscopy (PCM). In addition, asbestos fibers were under the detection limit or not being by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Based on interview and survey targeting the local residents, we made the activity based sampling (ABS) scenarios fit to the conditions of field. At the same time, we calculated the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) of these ABS scenarios according to the ELCR average value and 95% upper confidence limit (UCL). At the case of weed whacking, soil digging and sweeping yard scenario, 95% UCL of ELCR exceeded the $1{\times}10^{-4}$, acceptable risk range for exposure. Based on our study results, it is necessary safety measures such as risk communication, abatement or management of naturally occurring asbestos (NOA).

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.19-27
• /
• 2012

The open-top chamber (OTC) system is designed for long term studies on the climate change impact on the major tree species and their community in Korea. In Korea Forest Research Institute (KFRI), the modified OTC system has been operating since September 2009. The OTC facility consists of six decagon chambers (10 meters in diameter by 7 meters high) with controlled gas concentration. In each chamber, a series of vertical vent pipes are installed to disperse carbon dioxide or normal air into the center of the chamber. The OTC is equipped with remote controlled computer system in order to maintain a stable and elevated concentration of carbon dioxide in the chamber throughout the experimental period. The experiment consisted of 4 treatments: two elevated $CO_2$ levels ($1.4{\times}$ and $1.8{\times}$ ambient $CO_2$) and two controls (inside and outdoors of the OTC). Average operational rate was the lowest (94.2%) in June 2010 but increased to 98% in July 2010 and was 100% during January to December 2011. In 2010~2011, $CO_2$ concentrations inside the OTCs reached the target programmed values, and have been maintained stable in 2011. In 2011, $CO_2$ concentrations of 106%, 100% and 94% of target values has been recorded in control OTC, $1.4{\times}$ $CO_2$-enriched OTC and $1.8{\times}$ $CO_2$-enriched OTC, respectively. With all OTC chambers, the difference between outside and inside temperatures was the highest ($1.2{\sim}2.0^{\circ}C$) at 10 am to 2 pm. Temperature difference between six OTC chambers was not detected. The relative humidity inside and outside the chambers was the same, with minor variations (0~1%). The system required the highest amount of $CO_2$ for operation in June, and consumed 11.33 and 17.04 ton in June 2010 and 2011, respectively.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.179-190
• /
• 2012

This study was performed to obtain a heat saving effect and enhance the efficiency of a greenhouse by using a hot water piping in order to minimize the operating costs of a greenhouse as oil prices continue to rise. This method also reduces the likelihood of accidents caused by snowdrifts in regions with heavy snowfall. In general, the experimental plot was $2.0{\sim}6.0^{\circ}C$ higher than the control plot. When the skylight felt was opened, the minimum temperature was in the range of $3.0{\sim}12.0^{\circ}C$. Therefore, we judged that damage caused by snowdrifts may be prevented partly by active heating. The temperature difference inside of the greenhouse by height was insignificant. The maximum heating load of the greenhouse according to crop was respectively about $37,000kcal{\cdot}h^{-1}$ and $41,700kcal{\cdot}h^{-1}$. During the experiment, the heat value of each designed temperature in the range of the minimum ambient temperature $-11.9{\sim}4.0^{\circ}C$ was about 95,000~322,000 kcal and it was in the range of $6,050{\sim}20,900kcal{\cdot}h^{-1}$. If it is compared with the maximum heating load, it can be shown that about 15~56% of the heating energy can be supplied. The total heat value and the amount of power consumption were 2,629,025 kcal and 677.3 kWh respectively during the experiment. If it is heated with diesel, a fossil fuel, the consumption during the experiment was 291 L and the cost was 331,700won. Total cost of using electric power was about 24,400 won and it is shown that it is about 7.5% of the cost of diesel consumption. Also, if the total amount of power consumption is converted into energy, it is approximately 582,200 kcal and the energy was just about 22% of the total heat value.

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.81-90
• /
• 2019

A dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor packed with $Ni-CeO_2/{\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ catalyst was used for the dry ($CO_2$) reforming of propane (DRP) to improve the production of syngas (a mixture of $H_2$ and CO) and the catalyst stability. The plasma-catalytic DRP was carried out with either thermally or plasma-reduced $Ni-CeO_2/{\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ catalyst at a $C_3H_8/CO_2$ ratio of 1/3 and a total feed gas flow rate of $300mL\;min^{-1}$. The catalytic activities associated with the DRP were evaluated in the range of $500{\sim}600^{\circ}C$. Following the calcination in ambient air, the ${\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ impregnated with the precursor solution ($Ni(NO_3)_2$ and $Ce(NO_3)_2$) was subjected to reduction in an $H_2/Ar$ atmosphere to prepare $Ni-CeO_2/{\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ catalyst. The characteristics of the catalysts were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), temperature programmed reduction ($H_2-TPR$), temperature programmed desorption ($H_2-TPD$, $CO_2-TPD$), temperature programmed oxidation (TPO), and Raman spectroscopy. The investigation revealed that the plasma-reduced $Ni-CeO_2/{\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ catalyst exhibited superior catalytic activity for the production of syngas, compared to the thermally reduced catalyst. Besides, the plasma-reduced $Ni-CeO_2/{\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ catalyst was found to show long-term catalytic stability with respect to coke resistance that is main concern regarding the DRP process.

• Particle and aerosol research
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.153-169
• /
• 2018

To identify a variety of organic compounds in the ambient aerosols, the two-dimensional gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC) system (2DGC) has been applied. While 2DGC provides more peaks, the amount of the generated data becomes huge. A two-step approach has been proposed to efficiently interpret the organic aerosol analysis data. The two-dimensional 2DGC data were divided into 6 chemical groups depending on their volatility and polarity. Using these classification standards, all the peaks were subject to both qualitative and quantitative analyses and then classified into 8 classes. The aerosol samples collected in Seoul in summer 2013 and winter 2014 were used as the test case. It was found that some chemical classes such as furanone showed seasonal variation in the high polarity-volatile organic compounds (HP-VOC) group. Also, for some chemical classes, qualitative and quantitative analyses showed different trends. Limitations of the proposed method are discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.84-97
• /
• 2016

This study was to investigate the user's thermal environments of the children's parks according to pavements and sunscreen types during periods of heat waves. The measurements were conducted at the sand pits, rubber chip pavement, shelters, and green shade ground of the two children's parks located in Jinju, Korea(Chilam: $N\;35^{\circ}11^{\prime}1.4{^{\prime}^{\prim}}$, $E\;128^{\circ}5^{\prime}31.7{^{\prime}^{\prime}}$, elevation 38m, Gaho: $N\;35^{\circ}09^{\prime}56.8{^{\prime}^{\prime}}$, $E\;128^{\circ}6^{\prime}41.1{^{\prime}^{\prime}}$, elevation 24m) over three days during 11-13, August, 2016. The highest ambient air temperatures at the Jinju Meteorological Office during the three measurement days were $35.9{\sim}36.8^{\circ}C$, which corresponded with the extremely hot weather. A series of experiments measured air temperature, relative humidity, wind velocity, black globe temperature, and long-wave and short-wave radiation of the six directions 0.6 m above ground level. The wet bulb globe temperature(WBGT) and the universal thermal climatic index(UTCI) were used to evaluate thermal stress. Surface temperature images of the play equipment were also taken using infrared thermography. Surface temperatures of the play equipment and grounds were used to evaluate burn risk through contact with playground materials. The results showed the following. The maximum air temperatures averaged over 1-hour period for three days were $36.6{\sim}39.4^{\circ}C$. The sun shades reduced those temperatures by up to $2.8^{\circ}C$(green shade) and $1.0^{\circ}C/2.3^{\circ}C$(shelters). The minimum relative humidity values averaged over 1-hour period for three days were 44~50%. The sun shades increased those humidity values by up to 6%(green shade) and 4%/6%(shelters). The risk of heat related illness at the measurement sites of the children's parks were extreme and high in the daytime hours. The maximum WBGT values averaged over a 30-minute period for three days were $31.2{\sim}33.6^{\circ}C$. The sun shades reduced those WBGT values by up to $2.4^{\circ}C$(green shade) and $0.5^{\circ}C/2.1^{\circ}C$(shelters) compared to sandpits, but would not block the risk of heat related illness in the daytime hours. The category of heat stress at the measurement sites of the children's parks were extreme and very strong in the daytime hours. The maximum UTCI values averaged over a 30-minute period for three days were $39.9{\sim}48.1^{\circ}C$. The sun shades reduced those UTCI values by up to $7.8^{\circ}C$(green shade) and $4.1^{\circ}C/8.2^{\circ}C$(shelters) compared to sandpits, but could not lower heat stress category from extreme and very strong to strong and moderate in the daytime hours. According to the burn threshold criteria when skin was in contact with playground materials, the maximum surface temperature of the stainless steels($70.8^{\circ}C$) surpassed three seconds $60^{\circ}C$ threshold for uncoated steel, that of the rubber chip($76.5^{\circ}C$) surpassed five seconds $74^{\circ}C$ threshold for the plastic, that of the plastic slide($68.5^{\circ}C$) and seats($71.0^{\circ}C$) surpassed the one min $60^{\circ}C$ threshold for plastic, respectively. The surface temperatures of shaded play equipment were lower approximately $20^{\circ}C$ than those of play equipment exposed to the sun. Therefore, sun shades can block the risk of burns in daytime hours. Because of the extreme and high risk of heat related illness and extreme and high heat stress at the children's parks during periods of heat waves, parents and administrators must protect children from the use of playgrounds. The risk of burn when contact with play equipments and grounds at the children's parks during periods of heat waves, was very high. The sun shades are essential to block the risk of burn from play equipments and grounds at the children's parks during heat waves.