• Journal of the Korean Society of Combustion
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.19-25
• /
• 2015

An experimental study was conducted to find the effect of a pilot flame on the flammability of inert-gas-diluted methane and propane. The diffusion pilot flame was formed with propane at the innermost nozzle of a concentric triple co-flow burner. The main diffusion flame was formed with nitrogen-diluted methane or propane at the outermost nozzle of the burner. An air flow was located in-between. The results showed that the existence of the pilot flame helped stabilizing the main flame even at the flammability limit concentration of nitrogen-diluted fuel. The co-flow burner generated re-circulation zones and local variation of equivalence ratio depending on the flow rates of the reactants, which are known to help flame stabilization. Hot-wire experiments confirmed that both heating of the reactants and supplying of active chemical species by the pilot flame contributed to stabilization of the main flame. The results of this study would suggest a design concept for an efficient SVRU system that minimizes the emission of unburned hydrocarbon fuel from ship fuel tanks.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2006.06a
• /
• pp.85-88
• /
• 2006

A fluidized bed reactor made of quartz with 0.055m I.D. and 1.0m in height was employed for the thermocatalytic decomposition of propane to produce $CO_2$-free hydrogen. The fluidized bed was proposed for the continuous withdraw of product carbons from the reactor. The propane decomposition rate used carbon black N33O as a catalyst. The propane decomposition reaction was carried out at the temperature range of $600{\sim}800^{\circ}C$, paropane gas velocity of $1.0 U_{mf}\;3.0U_{mf}$ and the operating pressure of 1.0 atm. Effect of operating parameters such as reaction temperature, gas velocity on the reaction rates was investigated. The carbon which was by-product of methane decomposition reaction was deposited on the catalyst surface that was observed by SEM. Resulting production in our experiment were not only hydrogen but also several by products such as methane, ethylene, ethane, and propylene.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
• /
• v.7 no.3 s.20
• /
• pp.44-50
• /
• 2003

The axisymmetric methane-air counterflow flame was simulated to investigate changes in the flame structure due to the fuel concentration and to evaluate the numerical method. The global strain rates $a_g=20,\;60,\;90\;s^{-1}$ and the mole fractions of methane $x_m=20,\;50,\;80\%$ in the fuel stream were taken to be numerical parameters. The axisymmetric simulation was conducted by using the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) which employed a mixture fraction combustion model, and the results were compared with those of OPPDIF, which is an one-dimensional flamelet code and includes detail chemical reactions. In all the cases tested, there was good agreement in the temperature and axial velocity profiles between the axisymmetric and one-dimensional simulations. It was shown that the flame thickness and peak flame temperature increase and the flame radius decreases as the fuel concentration increases.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.110-118
• /
• 2018

Purpose: In this study, the potential for biogas production, degradation rates, and lag-phase of diauxic growth of carbohydrate-based material, which is one of the proximate compositions, were investigated. Methods: This study was conducted using starch as a carbohydrate-based material. In experimental condition 1, the biogas potential of carbohydrate-based material was measured. In experimental condition 2, the effect of feed to microorganism ratio (F/M ratio) on lag-phase of diauxic growth from carbohydrate-based material was tested. Biochemical methane potential tests were performed at five different feed to microorganism ratios (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0) under mesophilic conditions. The biogas production patterns, lag-phase, total volatile fatty acids to total alkalinity ratio (TVFA/TA ratio), and time required for 90 percent biogas production were used to evaluate biogas production based on the biochemical methane potential tests. Results: In experimental condition 1, unlike previous studies, biogas was produced in the TVFA/TA ratio ranging from 1.131 to 2.029 (approximately 13-19 days). The methane content in the biogas produced from the digesters was 7% on day 9 and increased rapidly until approximately day 27 (approximately 72%). In experimental condition 2, biogas yield was improved when the feed to microorganism ratio exceeded 0.6, with an initial lag-phase. Conclusions: Even if the TVFA/TA ratio was greater than 1.0, the biogas production was processed continuously, and the $CO_2$ content of the biogas production was as high as 60%. The biogas yield was improved when the F/M ratio was increased more than 0.6, but the lag-phase of carbohydrate-based material digestion became longer starting with high organic loading rate. To clarify the problem of the initial lag-phase, our future study will examine the microbial mechanisms during anaerobic digestion.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.152-156
• /
• 2012

Methanotrophic communities from freshwater wetland (FW), seawater wetland (SW), forest (FS), and landfill soils (LS) around Seoul of South Korea, were characterized using comparative sequence analyses of clone libraries. Proportions of Methylocaldum, Methlyococcus and Methylosinus were found to be greater in FW and SW, while Methylobacter and Methylomonas were more notable in FS and Methylocystis and Methylomicrobium more prominent in LS. Lag periods behind the initiation of methane oxidation significantly varied amongst the soils. Methane oxidation rates were greater in $FW{\geq}LS{\geq}SW>FS$ (p<0.05). Thus, the environmental setting is a significant factor influencing the communities and capabilities of methanotrophs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.13 no.11
• /
• pp.1593-1597
• /
• 2000

In the quiescent state, cattle-manure slurry stratifies into three discernible layers, namely a floating scum layer, a bottom sludge layer and a watery middle layer. The proportions of top (scum), middle and bottom (sludge) layers were approximately 20, 60 and 20% respectively of the volume of the whole slurry. Particulate matter from the different stratified layers was characterised for particle size distribution and cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin composition. Total solids concentrations of top, middle and bottom layers were 12.7, 2.8 and 7.4% respectively. Larger particles were found in the top layer compared with the bottom. The top layer contained the highest amounts of Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF), cellulose and hemicellulose, but the lowest amount of Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN). The bottom layer contained the highest amounts of Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL) and TKN. With increase in particle size, there were increases in NDF, ADF, cellulose and hemicellulose, accompanied by decreases in ADL and TKN. Biochemical methane potential of the three layers was also measured. The top layer was found to produce the most methane with the middle layer producing the least. Biomethanation rate from the top layer was also the highest. Differences in biomethanation rates and biochemical methane potential were attributed to differences in chemical composition of the particulate matter. About 48%, 23% and 30% of the total chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the top, middle and bottom layers respectively of the slurry was found to be degradable.

• Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.75-81
• /
• 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 the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.19 no.3 s.67
• /
• pp.124-129
• /
• 2004

To evaluate the numerical method in simulation of diffusion flames and to see the effects of strain rate and fuel concentration on the flame radius and thickness, the nonpremixed methane-air counterflow flames in microgravity were simulated axisymmetrically by using the MST Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS). The $1000^{\circ}C$ based flame radius and thickness were investigated for the mole fraction of methane in the fuel stream, $X_m=20,\;50,\;and\;80\%$ and the global strain rates $a_g=20,\;60,\;and\;90s^{-1}$ for each mole fraction. The flame radius increased with the global strain rate while the flame thickness decreased linearly as the global strain rate increased. The flame radius decreased as the mole fraction increased, but it was not so sensitive to the mole fraction compared with the global strain rate. Since there was good agreement in the nondimensional flame thickness obtained with OPPDIF and FDS respectively, it was confirmed that FDS is capable of predicting well the counterflow flames in a wide range of strain rate and fuel concentration.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
• /
• v.36 no.5
• /
• pp.357-363
• /
• 2003

The aim of this work is the synthesis of a-C:H films from methane gas using surface spark discharge at the atmospheric pressure. Properties of these films have been investigated as functions of energy W delivered per a methane molecule in the discharge. The method enables the coatings to be deposited with high growth rates (up to $100 \mu\textrm{m}$/hour) onto large-area substrates. It is shown that the films consist of spherical granules with diameter of 20∼50 nm formed in the spark channel and then deposited onto the substrate. The best film characteristics such as minimum hydrogen-to-carbon atoms ratio H/C=0.69, maximum hardness $H_{v}$ =3 ㎬, the most dense packing of the granules and highest scratch resistance has been obtained under the condition of highest energy W of 40 eV. The deposited a-C:H coatings were found to be more soft and hydrogenated compared to the diamond-like hydrogenated (a-C:H) films which obtained by traditional plasmaenhanced chemical vapor deposition methods at low pressure (＜10 Torr). Nevertheless, these coatings can be potentially used for scratch protection of soft plastic materials since they are of an order harder than plastics but still transparent (the absorption coefficient is about $10^4$∼$10^{5}$ $m^{-1}$ At the same time the proposed method for fast deposition of a-C:H films makes this process less expensive compared to the conventional techniques. This advantage can widen the application field of. these films substantially.y.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.33 no.7
• /
• pp.886-894
• /
• 2023

During the rhizoremediation of diesel-contaminated soil, methane (CH₄), a representative greenhouse gas, is emitted as a result of anaerobic metabolism of diesel. The application of methantrophs is one of solutions for the mitigation CH₄ emissions during the rhizoremediation of diesel-contaminated soil. In this study, CH₄-oxidizing rhizobacteria, Methylocystis sp. JHTF4 and Methyloversatilis sp. JHM8, were isolated from rhizosphere soils of tall fescue and maize, respectively. The maximum CH₄ oxidation rates for the strains JHTF4 and JHM8 were 65.8 and 33.8 mmol·g-DCW^-1·h^-1, respectively. The isolates JHTF4 and JHM8 couldn't degrade diesel. The inoculation of the isolate JHTF4 or JHM8 significantly enhanced diesel removal during rhizoremediation of diesel-contaminated soil planted with maize for 63 days. Diesel removal in the tall fescue-planting soil was enhanced by inoculating the isolates until 50 days, while there was no significant difference in removal efficiency regardless of inoculation at day 63. In both the maize and tall fescue planting soils, the CH₄ oxidation potentials of the inoculated soils were significantly higher than the potentials of the non-inoculated soils. In addition, the gene copy numbers of pmoA, responsible for CH₄ oxidation, in the inoculated soils were significantly higher than those in the non-inoculated soils. The gene copy numbers ratio of pmoA to 16S rDNA (the ratio of methanotrophs to total bacteria) in soil increased during rhizoremediation. These results indicate that the inoculation of Methylocystis sp. JHTF4 and Methyloversatilis sp. JHM8, is a promising strategy to minimize CH₄ emissions during the rhizoremediation of diesel-contaminated soil using maize or tall fescue.