• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.469-474
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• 2019

Fermentation of palm oil mill effluent (POME) produces biohydrogen in a mixture at a specific set condition. This research was conducted to purify the produced mixed biohydrogen via absorption and membrane techniques. Three different solvents, methyl ethanolamine (MEA), ammonia ($NH_3$) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) solutions, were used in absorption technique. The highest $H_2$ purity was found using 1M MEA solution with 5.0 ml/s feed mixed gas flow rate at 60 minutes absorption time. Meanwhile, the purified biohydrogen using a polysulfone membrane had the highest $H_2$ purity at 2~3 bar operating pressure. Upon testing with proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), the highest current and power produced at 100% $H_2$ were 1.66 A and 8.1 W, while the lowest were produced at 50/50 vol% $H_2/CO_2$ (0.32 A and 0.49 W). These results proved that both purification techniques have significant potential for $H_2$ purification efficiency.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.49-55
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• 2003

Total phosphorous removal rate was examined of a subsurface-flow treatment wetland system which was constructed on floodplain in the down reach of the Kwangju Stream in Korea from May to June 2001. Its dimensions were 29 meter in length, 9 meter in width and 0.65 meter in depth. A bottom layer of 45 cm in depth was filled with crushed granite with about 15~30 mm in diameter and a middle layer of 10 cm in depth had pea pebbles with about 10 mm in diameter. An upper layer of 5 cm in depth contained course sand. Reeds(Phragmites australis) were transplanted on the surface of the system. They were dug out of natural wetlands and stems were cut at about 40 cm height from their bottom ends. Water of the Kwangju Stream flowed from a submerged dam into it via a pipe by gravity flow and treated effluent was funneled back into the Stream. The number of reed stems increased from 80 stems/$m^2$ in July 2001 to 136 stems/$m^2$ in September 2001. The hight of stems was 44.2 cm in July 2001 and 75.3 cm in September 2001. The establishment of reeds at early operating stage of the system was good. Volume and water quality of inflow and outflow were investigated from July 2001 through December 2001. The average inflow was 40 $m^3$/day and hydraulic detention time was about 1.5 days. The concentration of total phosphorous n influent and effluent was 0.83 and 0.33 mg/L, respectively. The removal rate of total phosphorous averaged about 60%. The removal efficiency was slightly higher, compared with that of subsurface-flow wetlands operating in North America, whose retention rate of total phosphorous was reported to be about 56%. The good abatement rate could be attributed to sedimentation of particle phosphorous in pores of the media and adsorption of phosphorous to the biofilm developed on the surface of them. Increase of standing density of reeds within a few years will develop root zones which may lead to increment in the phosphorous retention rate.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.1016-1027
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• 2010

The phosphorus contribution rate on water quality of North and South-Han River, and Gyungan-cheon by effluents from environmental fundamental facilities located in upstream basin of Paldang Lake were analyzed. QUALKO2 model was selected for the analysis of contrubution rate, and was constructed considering the location of the main point sources and all facilities in study area. The pollutant loading rates and arrival rates for each unit-watershed in study area were calculated for model operation. For the calibration and verification of model, 2006 water quality dataset from Ministry of Environment and the effluent loadings of the environmental fundamental facilities were used. Reliability Index (RI) method was used to estimate the validity of the results of calibration and verification. The phosphorous contribution rate(%) for each environmental fundamental facility were analyzed by excepting the effluent loading of the facility. The contribution rate was analyzed for each facility, facility groups separated by each main river and each unit-watershed. The main results of analysis for each facility are as follows; (i) the phosphorous contribution of B1 facility is 50%, which is the highest phosphorous contribution rate among those of nine facilities in the North-Han River Basin; (ii) the highest phosphorous contribution is 55.6% from J facility among eight facilities in the Gyungan Stream Basin; (iii) 40% from E treatment facility is the highest among those of twenty eight facilities in the South-Han River Basin.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.647-653
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• 2010

The objectives of this research are to evaluate and compare the oxygen transfer coefficients($K_{La}$) in both a general bubbles reactor and a micro-nano bubbles reactor for effective operation in sewage treatment plants, and to understand the effect on microbial kinetic parameters of biomass growth for optimal biological treatment in sewage treatment plants when the micro-nano bubbles reactor is applied. Oxygen transfer coefficients($K_{La}$) of tap water and effluent of primary clarifier were determined. The oxygen transfer coefficients of the tap water for the general bubbles reactor and micro-nano bubbles reactor were found to be 0.28 $hr^{-1}$ and 2.50 $hr^{-1}$, respectively. The oxygen transfer coefficients of the effluent of the primary clarifier for the general bubbles reactor and micro-nano bubbles reactor were found be to 0.15 $hr^{-1}$ and 0.91 $hr^{-1}$, respectively. In order to figure out kinetic parameters of biomass growth for the general bubbles reactor and micro-nano bubbles reactor, oxygen uptake rates(OURs) in the saturated effluent of the primary clarifier were measured with the general bubbles reactor and micro-nano bubbles reactor. The OURs of in the saturated effluent of the primary clarifier with the general bubbles reactor and micro-nano bubbles reactor were 0.0294 mg $O_2/L{\cdot}hr$ and 0.0465 mg $O_2/L{\cdot}hr$, respectively. The higher micro-nano bubbles reactor's oxygen transfer coefficient increases the OURs. In addition, the maximum readily biodegradable substrate utilization rates($K_{ms}$) for the general bubbles reactor and micro-nano bubbles reactor were 3.41 mg COD utilized/mg active VSS day and 7.07 mg COD utilized/mg active VSS day, respectively. The maximum specific biomass growth rates for heterotrophic biomass(${\mu}_{max}$) were calculated by both values of yield for heterotrophic biomass($Y_H$) and the maximum readily biodegradable substrate utilization rates($K_{ms}$). The values of ${\mu}_{max}$ for the general bubbles reactor and micro-nano bubbles reactor were 1.62 $day^{-1}$ and 3.36 $day^{-1}$, respectively. The reported results show that the micro-nano bubbles reactor increased air-liquid contact area. This method could remove dissolved organic matters and nutrients efficiently and effectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.82-92
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• 2010

Removal rates of NO3-N and TN in a free water surface wetland system during emergent plant growing season and non-growing were investigated. The system was established on floodplain in the down reach of the Gwangju Stream in 2008. Its dimensions were 46 meters in length and 5 meters in width. Typha angustifloria L. growing in pots about two years were planted on the half area of the system and Zizania latifolia Turcz on the other half. Water of the stream was funneled into it by gravity flow and its effluent was discharged back into it. Volumes and water quality of inflow and outflow were analyzed from October 2008 to September 2009. Inflow into the system averaged approximately 715 $m^3$/day and hydraulic residence time was about 1.5 hr. Average influent and effluent $NO_3$-N concentration was 3.37 and 2.74 mg/L, respectively and $NO_3$-N retention amounted to 18.7%. Influent and effluent TN concentration averaged 4.67 and 3.69 mg/L, respectively and TN abatement reached to 20.9%. $NO_3$-N removal rate (%) during plant growing season ($22.67{\pm}3.70$, mean ${\pm}$ standard error) was significantly high (p<0.001) when compared with that during plant non-growing one ($15.02{\pm}3.23$). TN abatement rate (%) during plant growing season ($27.42{\pm}5.98$) was also significantly high (p<0.001) when compared with that during plant non-growing one ($13.66{\pm}3.08$).

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.75-81
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• 2014

Methanotrophic denitrification under a non-aerated condition (without external supply of oxygen or air) was investigated in a bioreactor coupled with a membrane diffuser. Batch experiment demonstrated that both methane consumption and nitrogen production rates were not high in the absence of oxygen, but most of the nitrate was reduced into $N_2$ with 88% recovery efficiency. The methane utilized for nitrate reduction was determined at 1.63 mmol $CH_4$/mmol $NO_3{^-}$-N, which was 2.6 times higher than the theoretical value. In spite of no oxygen supply, methanotrophic denitrification was well performed in the bioreactor, due to enhanced mass transfer of the methane by the membrane diffuser and utilization of oxygen remaining in the influent. The denitrification efficiency and specific denitrification rate were 47% and 1.69 mg $NO_3{^-}-N/g\;VSS{\cdot}hr$, respectively, which were slightly lower than for methanotrophic denitrification under an aerobic condition. The average concentration of total organic carbon in the effluent was as low as 2.45 mg/L, which indicates that it can be applicable as a post-denitrification method for the reclamation of secondary wastewater effluent. The dominant fatty acid methyl ester of mixed culture in the bioreactor was $C_{16:1{\omega}7c}$ and $C_{18:1{\omega}7c}$, which was predominantly found in type I and II methanotrophs, respectively. This study presents the potential of methanotrophic denitrification without externally excess oxygen supply as a post-denitrification option for various water treatment or reclamation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.315-324
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• 2006

This research was conducted to clarify the characteristics of electrochemical decolorization of effluent discharged from a biological animal wastewater treatment process and to finally establish parameters or mode for optimum operation of electrolysis system. Average color unit of wastewater was about 1,200 and DSA(Dimensionally Stable Anode) was used as electrode. Experiments were performed with two different operation conditions or modes, fixed voltage-free current(Run A) and free voltage-fixed current(Run B). Color removal rate was proportional to the electrode area and electrical conductivity, and an equation subject to them at a condition of fixed voltage was derived as follows; Ct=C0ekt, k=[{0.0121×ａ(dm2)× c(mS/cm)}+0.0288], [where, C0: initial color, Ct: color unit after treatment for t, k: reaction coefficient, t: time(min.), ａ: electrode area, c: conductivity]. From the study on the effects of current density on color removal, it was revealed that the removal efficiency of color was function of the current density, showing direct proportion. However, when considered energy consumption rate, maintenance of low current density was an economical way. Based on the obtained results, it was concluded that supplementation of electrolyte is not necessary for the removal of color from the effluent of secondary treatment process and operation with the mode of free voltage-fixed current, rather than operation with fixed voltage-free current mode, would be an efficient way to increase the removal performance and capacity per consumed energy.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.87-92
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• 2011

The anaerobic digestion of food waste effluent through single- and two-phase process was estimated and compared in this study. The treatment efficiencies for total solid(TS), volatile solid(VS), tCOD(total COD) and sCOD(soluble COD) were invariably higher in the single-phase process, which was accounted for by the fact that the treatment efficiency of organic wastes usually showed an inverse relationship with organic loading rate in the anaerobic digestion. In fact, the organic loading rate was lower for single-phase process. The concentration of tCOD were significantly lower in two-phase process but much more biogas was produced, compared to single-phase anaerobic digestion process, which might be explained partly by the relatively higher stability of two-phase process resulting from the separation of acid phase from methane phase.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.24-29
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• 2002

Nitrate removal rate in three cattail wetland cells was investigated. They were a part of a pond-wetland system for stream water treatment demonstration. The system was composed of two ponds and six wetland cells. The acreage of each cell was approximately $150m^2$. The earth works for the system were finished from April 2000 to May 2000 and cattails were planted in the three cells in June 2000. Waters of Sinyang Stream flowing into Kohung Estuarine Lake were pumped into a primary pond, whose effluent was discharged into a secondary pond. The reservoir was formed by a tidal marsh reclamation project and located in southern coastal area of Korean Peninsula. Effluents from the secondary pond were funneled into the three cells. Volumes and water quality of inflow and outflow were analyzed from July 2000 through January 2001. Inflow and outflow averaged $20.2m^3/day$ and $19.8m^3/day$, respectively. Hydraulic retention time was about 1.6 days. Average influent and effluent nitrate concentration was $1.98mg/{\ell}$, $1.38mg/{\ell}$, respectively. Nitrate removal rate averaged $82.6mg\;m^{-2}\;day^{-1}$. Seasonal changes of nitrate retention rates were closely related to those of wetland cell temperatures. The average nitrate removal rate in the cells was a little lower, compared with that of $125.0mg\;m^{-2}\;day^{-1}$ for the wetlands operating in North America. This could be attributed to the initial stage of the cells and inclusion of three cold months into the seven-month study period. Root rhizosphere in wetland soils and litter-soil layers on cell bottoms could not developed. Increase of standing density of cattails within a few years will establish both root zones suitable for the nitrification of ammonia to nitrates and substrates beneficial to the denitrification of nitrates into nitrogen gases, which may lead to increase of the nitrate retention rate.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2008

In this study, we investigated the nitrification/denitrification rate and classification of output nitrogen of a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system with the variation of COD loads ; COD loads of 0.3, 0.4, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 1.0 and $1.2kgCOD/m^3{\cdot}d$ were tested to determine the optimum conditions for the operation of the SBR and increase its nitrogen removal efficiency. As the COD loads increased, the nitrification rate at aerobic(I) period and the denitrification rate at anoxic(I) period were decreased. With the variation of COD loads, the amounts of nitrogen removed in the clarified water effluent were 63.9, 54.2, 34.7, 22.5, 13.7, 12.5 and 26.5 mg/cycle, respectively. The amounts of nitrogen removed during the sludge waste process were 19.5, 26.6, 41.0, 47.3, 58.1, 72.4 and 88.1 mg/cycle, respectively. The amounts of nitrogen removed by denitrification were 66.8, 69.3, 68.9, 56.5, 39.5, 7.3 and 0.0 mg/cycle, respectively, indicating that COD load more than $0.7kgCOD/m^3{\cdot}d$ decreases the amounts of denitrified nitrogen. The nitrogen mass balances were calculated as the percentages of nitrogen removed in the clarified water effluent or by denitrification and sludge waste processing in each cycle of SBR operation and were 99.0, 98.5, 95.4, 82.1, 73.0, 60.5 and 74.8% for COD loads of 0.3, 0.4, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 1.0 and $1.2kgCOD/m^3{\cdot}d$, respectively.