• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
• /
• 2008.11a
• /
• pp.442-442
• /
• 2008

Hydrogen was produced by water plasma excited in very high frequency inductively coupled tube reactor. Mass spectrometry was used to monitor gas phase species at various process conditions. Water dissociation rate depend on the process parameters such as ICP power, flow-rate and pressure. Water dissociation percent in ICP reactor decrease with increase of chamber pressure and $H_2O$ flow rate, while increase with increase of ICP power. In our experimental range, maximum water dissociation rate was 65.5% at the process conditions of 265 mTorr, 68 sccm, and 400 Watt. The effect of $CH_4$ addition to a water plasma on the hydrogen production has been studied in a VHF ICP reactor. With the addition of $CH_4$ gas, $H_2$ production increases to 12% until the $CH_4$ flow rate increases up to 15 sccm. But, with the flow rate of $CH_4$ more than 20 sccm, chamber wall was deposited with carbon film because of deficiency of oxygen in gas phase, hydrogen production rate decreased. The main roles of $CH_4$ gas are to reacts with O forming CO, CHO and $CO_2$ and releasing additional $H_2$ and furthermore to prevent reverse reaction for forming $H_2O$ from $H_2$ and $O_2$. But, $CH_4$ addition has negative effects such as cost increase and $CO_x$ emission, therefore process optimization is required.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.181-191
• /
• 2007

The gemological charateristics of Gwangdong tektites and Baikdusan obsidians were investigated, using microscopy, density and refractive index measurements, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass spectrometry, X-ray powder diffraction, and electron microprobe analysis. The Gwangdong tektites and Baikdusan obsidians are both black in colour and slightly trans-lucent with various shades of brown when cut into a few mm thick. Both the materials yield conchoidal fracture on broken surface. The tektites occur as tear-drop shapes, ranging from 4 to 10 cm long, and in spheres, from 3 to 5 cm in diameter. On the surface numerous shallow pits up to 3 mm in diameter are present. Mohs' hardness and specific gravity are 5 to 5.5 and 2.66, respectively. The tektites are singly refractive, with an refractive index of 1.51. Numerous spherical air bubbles are randomly scattered throughout the tektites, and silica-rich glass inclusions are occasionally seen. X-ray powder diffraction analysis verifies that they are non-crystalline. The Baikdusan obsidians show very similar properties to those of the Gwangdong tektites, especially in hardness, amorphous nature and fracture. Nevertheless, the Baikdusan obsidian can readily be distinguished from the Gwangdong tektites by refractive index ($1.49{\sim}1.50$), specific gravity (2.67 to 2.68), and inclusions (absence of bubbles and presence of sanidine and magnetite crystals).

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.252-261
• /
• 2017

Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) increase radiation exposure to the public as these materials are concentrated through artificial manufacturing processes by human activities. This study focuses on the development of a method for the quantitative analysis of $^{232}Th$, $^{235}U$, and $^{238}U$ in building materials. The accuracy and precision of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for determination of digestion processes was evaluated for certified reference materials (CRMs) digested using various mixed acid (e.g., aqua regia, hydrofluoric acid, and perchloric acid) digestions and a $LiBO_2$ fusion method. The method validation results reveal that a $LiBO_2$ fusion and $Fe(OH)_3$ co-precipitation should be applied as the optimal sample digestion process for the quantitative analysis of radionuclides in building materials. The radioactivity of $^{232}Th$, $^{235}U$, and $^{238}U$ in a total of 51 building material (e.g., board, brick, cement, paint, tile, and wall paper) samples was quantitatively analyzed using an established process. Finally, the values of $^{238}U$ and $^{232}Th$ radioactivity were comprehensively compared with those from the indirect method using ${\gamma}$-spectrometry.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.359-367
• /
• 2016

Background: As new legislation has come into force implementing radiation safety management for the use of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM), it is necessary to establish a rapid and accurate measurement technique. Measurement of $^{238}U$ and $^{232}Th$ using conventional methods encounter the most significant difficulties for pretreatment (e.g., purification, speciation, and dilution/enrichment) or require time-consuming processes. Therefore, in this study, the applicability of ED-XRF as a non-destructive and rapid screening method was validated for raw materials and by-product samples. Materials and Methods: A series of experiments was conducted to test the applicability for rapid screening of XRF measurement to determine activity of $^{238}U$ and $^{232}Th$ based on certified reference materials (e.g., soil, rock, phosphorus rock, bauxite, zircon, and coal ash) and NORM samples commercially used in Korea. Statistical methods were used to compare the analytical results of ED-XRF to those of certified values of certified reference materials (CRM) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results and Discussion: Results of the XRF measurement for $^{238}U$ and $^{232}Th$ showed under 20% relative error and standard deviation. The results of the U-test were statistically significant except for the case of U in coal fly ash samples. In addition, analytical results of $^{238}U$ and $^{232}Th$ in the raw material and by-product samples using XRF and the analytical results of those using ICP-MS ($R^2{\geq}0.95$) were consistent with each other. Thus, the analytical results rapidly derived using ED-XRF were fairly reliable. Conclusion: Based on the validation results, it can be concluded that the ED-XRF analysis may be applied to rapid screening of radioactivities ($^{238}U$ and $^{232}Th$) in NORM samples.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.37-45
• /
• 2023

The surge in food delivery systems during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic necessitated this study of heavy metal migration from food contact materials (FCMs). A total of 104 samples of FCMs, comprising 51 polypropylene (PP), 21 polyethylene (PE), and 32 polystyrene (PS) samples of six different types of FCMs (containers, covers, table utensils, cups, pouches, and wrappers) used for food delivery distributed in Korea, were collected and investigated for migration of three heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and As) using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine whether they complied with Korea's Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers, and Packages. Acetic acid (4%, v/v) was used as the food simulant, and tests were performed at 100℃ (in harsh conditions) for 30 min. Linearity of Pb, Cd, and As showed acceptable results with a coefficient of determination (R²) value of 0.9999. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of Pb, Cd, and As were 0.001, 0.001, and 0.001 ㎍/L and 0.002, 0.003, and 0.003 ㎍/L, respectively. Accuracy and precision results complied with the criteria presented in the European Commission Joint Research Centre guidelines. The average concentration of Pb, Cd, and As migration detected in a total of 104 samples was 0.009-0.260 ㎍/L, which was very low compared with the migration specification set in the Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers, and Packages. The maximum level of Pb corresponded to 0.23% of the migration limit. There were no samples exceeding the limit. Thus, this study confirmed that the heavy metal contents of FCMs used for delivery food distributed in Korea were safely managed. The data from this study represent an invaluable source for science-based safety management of hazardous heavy metals migrating from FCMs used in the food delivery industry.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.61 no.4
• /
• pp.391-395
• /
• 2018

There is an increasing concern over arsenic (As) contamination of paddy soil and rice with regard to food safety. This study was conducted to investigate total and inorganic As concentration in one hundred husked and polished rice samples collected at the non-contaminated paddy soil in Korea. Arsenic species in rice samples were extracted using 1% nitric acid ($HNO_3$) with a microwave oven and were measured using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Mean concentrations of total As in husked rice and polished rice were 0.18 and $0.11mg\;kg^{-1}$, respectively. Also, average inorganic As concentrations in husked rice and polished rice were 0.11 and $0.07mg\;kg^{-1}$, respectively. These levels are lower than the standard guideline value 0.35 and $0.2mg\;kg^{-1}$ for inorganic As in husked and polished rice recommended by Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, respectively. The mean of the inorganic As ratio for the total amount of As was 0.65 and 0.67 for husked rice and polished rice, respectively, and the range was from 0.08 to 1.0. For health risk assessment, the average value of cancer risk probability was $9.24{\times}10^{-5}$ and ranged from $2.30{\times}10^{-5}$ to $1.90{\times}10^{-5}$. Therefore, human exposure to As through dietary intake of surveyed rice samples might considered to be a low health risk.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
• /
• v.18 no.2_spc
• /
• pp.227-235
• /
• 2020

In this study, we discussed the limitations of gross alpha measurements for the characterization of radioactive wastes produced in nuclear facilities through experimental tests and Monte Carlo N-particle transport simulations. The determination of gross alpha is essential for the disposal of radioactive waste produced in nuclear facilities in Korea. The measurements of gross alpha are easy to perform and yield rapid analytical results, but it cannot be used for quantitative analysis. The error of counting efficiency for gross alpha with various masses of the deposit on planchets using KCl and ²⁴¹Am was determined. The relative deviation of the counting efficiency in samples having the same mass was 20%. Uranium was extracted from the soil through acid leaching and extraction chromatography, and the concentration of U determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was compared with the results for gross alpha. The gross alpha was underestimated by 50% compared to the U concentration by ICP-MS. The counting efficiency depended on the energy from the alpha emitters, which differed by up to three times in determination of the counting efficiency depending on the kinds of alpha radionuclides of interest. Therefore, the gross alpha is not compatible with the sum of radioactivity for each alpha emitter and is suitable as a screening method.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.146-156
• /
• 1998

Fly ash produced in coal combustion is a fine-grained material consisting mostly of spherical, glassy, and porous particles. A physical, morphological, and chemical characteristic of fly ash has been analyzed. This study may contribute to the data base of domestic fly ash, the improvement of combustion efficiency, ash recycling and ash collection in the electrostatic precipitator. The physical property of fly ash is determined using a particle counter for the measurement of ash size distribution and gravimeter. Morphological characteristic of fly ash is performed using a scanning electron micrograph and an optical microscope. The chemical components of fly ash are determined using an inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP). The distribution of fly ash size was ranged from 15 to 25 $\mu$m in mass median diameter. Exposure conditions of flue gas temperature and duration within the combustion zone of the boiler played an important role on the morphological properties of the fly ash such as shape, relative opacity, coloration, cenosphere and plerosphere. The spherical fly ash might be generated at the condition of complete combustion. The size of fly ash was found to be increased the with particle-particle interaction of agglomeration and coagulation. Fly ash consisted of $SiO_2\;Al_2O_3\;and\;Fe_2O_3$ with 85% and carbon with 3~10% of total mass.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.89-94
• /
• 2014

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity, setting time and compressive strength of MTA and two novel tricalcium silicate-based endodontic materials, Bioaggregate (BA) and Biodentine (BD). Materials and Methods: Cytotoxicity was evaluated by using a 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-((phenylamino)carbonyl)-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide (XTT) assay. Measurements of 9 heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel, and zinc) were performed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) of leachates obtained by soaking the materials in distilled water. Setting time and compressive strength tests were performed following ISO requirements. Results: BA had comparable cell viability to MTA, whereas the cell viability of BD was significantly lower than that of MTA. The ICP-MS analysis revealed that BD released significantly higher amount of 5 heavy metals (arsenic, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc) than MTA and BA. The setting time of BD was significantly shorter than that of MTA and BA, and the compressive strength of BA was significantly lower than that of MTA and BD. Conclusions: BA and BD were biocompatible, and they did not show any cytotoxic effects on human periodontal ligament fibroblasts. BA showed comparable cytotoxicity to MTA but inferior physical properties. BD had somewhat higher cytotoxicity but superior physical properties than MTA.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.55 no.3
• /
• pp.472-477
• /
• 2011

The concentration of selenium in grain samples was determined using isotope dilution method in ORC-ICPMS. The experimental conditions were optimized to $H_2$ mode and the flow rate was $4.0\;mL\;min^{-1}$. ORC in $H_2$ mode proved to eliminate most of polyatomic interferences except $BrH^+$ when Br is present in sample matrix. Chemical removal of Br was very difficult and the mathematical correction was successfully employed. The fraction of $BrH^+$ generated from Br at the current experimental condition was 14.1%. The signal on m/z 82 was corrected and calculated for isotope dilution. The analytical reliability of the propose method was successfully evaluated by analyzing the certified standard reference material NIST SRM 1566 and 1567. The method was applied to real samples and the results are $0.034{\pm}0.001\;{\mu}g\;g^{-1}$ for white rice, $0.059{\pm}0.002_5\;{\mu}g\;g^{-1}$ for brown rice, $0.029{\pm}0.001_4\;{\mu}g\;g^{-1}$ for black rice, and $0.034{\pm}0.002\;{\mu}g \;g^{-1}$ for barley. The detection limits ($3\sigma$) for Se was $0.012\;ng\;g^{-1}$.