• Resources Recycling
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.39-45
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• 2021

Spent photovoltaic module is one of the important resource of silver, while related research concerning silver recovery remains limited. In our previous research, HNO3 was utilized to dissolve Ag(I) and Al(III) from the spent silicon solar cells. In order to recover Ag(I) from the leachate of a silicon solar cell, the present study made use of a nitrate solution containing Ag(I) and Al(III), which was subjected to a solvent extraction process with 5,8-diethyl-7-hydroxydodecan-6-oxime (LIX63). Ag(I) was selectively extracted with LIX63 over Al(III) from the nitrate leach solution. Subsequently, quantitative stripping of Ag(I) from the loaded LIX63 was performed by using 20% ammonia water. The McCabe-Thiele plots for the extraction and stripping isotherms of Ag(I) were also constructed. Extraction and stripping simulation tests confirmed an Ag(I) extraction and stripping efficiency of >99.99% and 98.9%, respectively with high purity Ag (99.998%) and Al (99.99%) solution. A process flow sheet for Ag(I) recovery from the nitrate leach solution was proposed.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.2174-2181
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• 2024

In this work, Sr_0.5Zr₂(PO₄)₃-SmPO₄ dual-phase ceramics were prepared via in-situ synthesis process, which is a potential novel nuclear waste form for immobilizing the fission product ⁹⁰Sr and the trivalent actinide radionuclides in high-level waste (HLW). And the preparation technology, microstructure and chemical durability of Sr_0.5Zr₂(PO₄)₃-SmPO₄ dual-phase ceramics were systematically investigated. It was confirmed that the optimum microwave-sintering temperature (1050 ℃) and heat preservation time (1.5 h) is estimated by Archimedes method. Besides, the as-prepared samples that were consisted of strontium zirconium phosphate (SrZP) and monazite showed the remarkable densification, in which the two crystalline phases were intermixed well with each other. Meanwhile, the formation and evolution of microstructure was also consistent with the variational rule of Sr_0.5Zr₂(PO₄)₃/SmPO₄, indicating that there was not mutual reaction during the in-situ synthesis process. The PCT and MCC-1 experimental results demonstrated that the elemental normalized leaching rates of tested samples are all at a low level (LR_Sr ~10^-4 g·m^-2·d^-1, LR_Zr ~10^-8-10^-6 g·m^-2·d^-1, LR_Sm ~10^-7-10^-5 g·m^-2·d^-1 and LR_P ~10^-4 g·m^-2·d^-1). It is indicated that Sr_0.5Zr₂(PO₄)₃-SmPO₄ dual-phase ceramics possesses excellent chemical durability for HLW disposal.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.8-19
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• 2008

The physicochemical properties of soils having high uranium content, located around Duckpyungri in Korea, were investigated and the lab scale soil washing experiments to remove uranium from the soil were preformed with several washing solutions and on various washing conditions. SPLP (Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure), TCLP (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure), and SEP (Sequential Extraction Procedure) for the soil were conducted and the uranium concentration of the extracted solution in SPLP was higher than Drinking Water Limit of USEPA (30 ${\mu}g$/L), suggesting that the continuous dissolution of uranium from soil by the weak acid rain may generate the environmental pollution around the research area. For the soil washing experiments, the uranium removal efficiency of pH 1 solution for S2 soil was about 80 %, but dramatically decreased as pH of solution was > 2, suggesting that strong acidic solutions are available to remove uranium from the soil. For solutions with 0.1M of HCl and 0.05 M of ${H_2}{SO_4}$, their removal efficiencies at 1 : 1 of soil vs. washing solution ratio were higher than 70%, but the removal efficiencies of acetic acid, and EDTA were below 30%. At 1 : 3 of soil vs. solution, the uranium removal efficiencies of 0.1M HCl, 0.05 M ${H_2}{SO_4}$, and 0.5M citric acid solution increased to 88%, 100%, and 61% respectively. On appropriate washing conditions for S2 soil such as 1 : 3 ratio for the soil vs. solution ratio, 30 minute for washing time, and 2 times continuous washing, TOC (Total Organic Contents) and CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity) for S2 soil were measured before/after soil washing and their XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) and XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) results were also compared to investigate the change of soil properties after soil washing. TOC and CEC decreased by 55% and 66%, compared to those initial values of S2 soil, suggesting that the soil reclaimant may need to improve the washed soils for the cultivated plants. Results of XRF and XRD showed that the structural change of soil after soil washing was insignificant and the washed soil will be partially used for the further purpose.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.305-314
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• 2010

The stabilization process using limestone ($CaCO_3$) and steel making slag as the immobilization amendments was investigated for As contaminated farmland soils around Chonam abandoned mine, Korea. Batch and continuous column experiments were performed to quantify As-immobilization efficiency in soil and the analyses using XRD and SEM/EDS for secondary minerals precipitated in soil were also conducted to understand the mechanism of Asimmobilization by the amendments. For the batch experiment, with 3% of limestone and steel making slag, leaching concentration of As from the contaminated soil decreased by 62% and 52% respectively, compared to that without the amendment. When the mixed amendment (2% of limestone and 1% of steel making slag) was used, As concentration in the effluent solution decreased by 72%, showing that the mixed of limestone and steel making slag has a great capability to immobilize As in the soil. For the continuous column experiments without the amendment, As concentration from the effluent of the column ranged from 50 to $80\;{\mu}g/L$. However, with 2% limestone and 1% steel making slag, more than 80% diminution of As leaching concentration occurred within 1 year and maintained mostly below $10\;{\mu}g/L$. Results from XRD and SEM/EDS analysis for the secondary minerals created from the reaction of the amendments with $As^{+3}$ (arsenite) investigated that portlandite ($Ca(OH)_2$), calcium-arsenite (Ca-As-O) and calcite ($CaCO_3$) were main secondary minerals and the distinct As peaks in the EDS spectra of the secondary minerals can be observed. These findings suggest that the co-precipitation might be the major mechanisms to immobilize As in the soil medium with limestone and steel making slag.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.54-63
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• 2021

Vanadium and tungsten can be obtained by separating/recovering the leaching solution from a spent SCR DeNO_X catalyst using the soda roasting-water leaching process. Therefore, in this study, the adsorption/desorption mechanism of vanadium and tungsten in an ion-exchange column was investigated using Lewatit MonoPlus MP 600, a strong basic anion exchange resin. The operating conditions for the separation of vanadium and tungsten in the ion-exchange column was intended to present. By conducting a continuous adsorption experiment in a pH 8.5 solution, the adsorption capacity of vanadium and tungsten was found to be 44.75 and 64.92 mg/(g of resin), respectively, which showed that the adsorption capacity of tungsten was larger than that of vanadium because of the difference in ion charge. Vanadium has a higher affinity for MP 600 than tungsten. Consequently, as the vanadium-containing solution is eluted through the ion exchange resin onto which tungsten is adsorbed, the adsorbed tungsten is exchanged with vanadium and desorbed. A continuous experiment was performed with a solution of vanadium and tungsten prepared at the same concentration as the spent SCR DeNO_X catalyst leachate. The adsorption capacity of vanadium was found to be 48.72 mg/(g of resin) and 80% of the supplied vanadium was adsorbed; in contrast, almost no tungsten was adsorbed. Therefore, vanadium and tungsten were separated effectively. The ion exchange resin was treated with 2 M HCl at 15 mL/h, and 97.7% of the vanadium(99% purity) could be desorbed. After desorption, NH₄Cl was added to precipitate ammonium polyvanadate at 90℃ and recover 93% of the vanadium.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.201-213
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• 1990

Mineralogy, chemistry, physical property, and fossil abundance have been studied for the samples collected from three weathering profiles, two from the Duho Formation and one from the Hagjeon Formation in the Tertiary sediments in the Pohang area. The mineralogy of the samples from the Duho Formation shows somewhat different from that of the Hagjeon Formation. Kaolinite is more abundant and shows higher crystallinity in samples from the Duho Formation than those in the Hagjeon Formation, but clay mineral assemblage in each weathering profile remain fairly constant with depth. This difference in mineral distribution seems to be inherited from original source materials. It indicates that little or not severe leaching has been taking place in these three weathering profiles. Weathering indicies indicate different degrees of susceptibility to chemical weathering in these two formations. The Duho Formation has a higher degree of susceptibility to weathering than that of the Hagjeon Formation which is mainly due to differences in clay mineral assemblages in both formations. A noticeble colour difference between oxidized and unoxidized zones in each profile can be easily recognized which is definetely due to different decomposition rate organic carbon by various oxidation state from surface to bottom of the profile. Weathering process have also intensively influenced microfossil preservation about up to 7-10 m in depth in the Duho Formation. Consequently, characteristics observed at weathering surface should be used as a subsidiary tool in setting geologic boundary or establishing formation. Great care must be taken to choose sampling site for microfossil study.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2001

The activity of microorganisms is an important factor that determines the efficiency of the bacterial recovery of precious metals from low-grade ore. Metal-leaching microorganisms must have a tolerance, within the concentration levels encountered to leached metals. In this study, the tolerance levels of Thiobacillus ferroxidans to the single and mixed metal ions systems, composed of $Zn^{2+}$, $Cu^{2+}$, $Ni^{2+}$, and $Cd^{2+}$ were investigated. When single metal ions of $Zn^{2+}$ (10~60 g/L), $Cu^{2+}$ (1~6 g/L), $Ni^{2+}$ (1~6 g/L), or $Cd^{2+}$ (1~6 g/L) were added to the growth medium of T. ferrooxidans, the iron oxidation rate of this bacterium was not significantly inhibited. The maximum inhibition percentage observed on the iron oxidation rate of T. ferrooxidans was approximately 50% in the medium supplemented with two or three mixed metal ions of $Cu^{2+}$, $Ni^{2+}$, and $Cd^{2+}$. However, when $Zn^{2+}$ was also added to the medium with the other metal ions, the inhibitory effect on the iron oxidation activity of T. ferroxidans was remarkably increased.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.53-69
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• 2000

To reveal the origin of the Chuncheon nephrite deposit, radiogenic isotopes of Sr and Pb, stable isotopes of 0 and H, and rare earth elements concentrations were analyzed. Such geochemical data were integrated to track the stepwise changes during the various ore formation stages. All the samples from the nephrite deposit have significantly low 0 isotopic ratios compared with the marble from which they had been formed, which reflects the very important role of the crustal circulating water with low 6180 and 6D in every stage of ore formation. There were progressive decrease of 6180 and 6D during the genesis of Chuncheon nephrite deposit. Newly formed minerals during the ore formation reveal disequilibrium with existing minerals in the respect of 0 isotope, which suggests that the ore-forming fluid of circulating water origin was involved with significant water-rock ratios in every step of ore formation process. The ore samples have Sr and Pb isotopic ratios similar to the values of Kyeonggi gneiss complex within which the deposit is located, which also suggests the important role of crustal circulating water in the genesis of the deposit. In conclusion, all the geochemical data support that major portion of the ore-forming fluid of Chuncheon nephrite deposit was derived ultimately from the surface water of meteoric origin. The meteoric water supplied Sr and Pb through leaching the rocks surrounding the ore deposits.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.3-15
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• 2008

Different toxic wastes are disposed of in our surroundings and these will ultimately threaten the existence of living organisms. Biohydrometallurgy, which includes the processes of bioleaching and bioremediation through the activities of microorganisms such as bacterial or fungal species, is a technology that has the potential to overcome many environmental problems at a reasonable economic cost. Bioleaching were carried out for dissolution of metals from different materials using most important metal mobilizing bacteria such as Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, Thiobacillus thiooxidans and Laptospirillum ferrooxidans. According to the reaction, bioleaching is parted as direct and indirect mechanism. In direct mechanism the bacteria oxidize the sulphides minerals by accepting electron and producing sulphuric acid in leaching media for their growth and metabolism. In other hand the indirect bioleaching is demonstrated as the oxidation of sulphides mineral by the oxidant like $Fe^{3+}$ produced by the iron oxidizing bacteria. Through this process, substantial amount of metal can be recovered from low-grade ores, concentrates, industrial wastes like sludge, tailings, fly ash, slag, electronic scrap, spent batteries and spent catalysts. This may be alternative technology to solve the high deposition of waste, which moves toward a healthy environment and green world.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.955-960
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• 2012

In most agricultural soils, ammonium ($NH_4{^+}$) from fertilizer is quickly converted to nitrate ($NO_3{^-}$) by the process of nitrification which is crucial to the efficiency of N fertilizers and their impact on the environment. The salinity significantly affects efficiency of N fertilizer in reclaimed tidal soil, and the soil pH may influence the conversion rate of ammonium to nitrate and ultimately affect nitrogen losses from the soil profile. Several results suggest that pH has important effects on recovery of fall-applied N in the spring if field conditions are favorable for leaching and denitrification except that effects of soil pH are not serious under unfavorable conditions for N loss by these mechanisms. Soil pH, therefore, deserves attention as an important factor in the newly reclaimed tidal soils with applying N. However, fate of N studies in a newly reclaimed tidal soils have been rarely studied, especially under the conditions of saline-sodic and high pH. Therefore, understanding the fate of nitrogen species transformed from urea treated into the reclaimed tidal soil is important for nutrient management and environmental quality. In this article, we reviewed yields of rice and fate of nitrogen with respect to the properties of reclaimed tidal soils.