• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.391-398
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• 2011

The U metal chips generated in developing nuclear fuel and a gamma radioisotope shield have been stored under immersion of water in KAERI. When the water of the storing vessels vaporizes or drains due to unexpected leaking, the U metal chips are able to open to air. A new oxidation treatment process was raised for a long time safe storage with concepts of drying under vacuum, evaporating the containing water and organic material with elevating temperature, and oxidizing the uranium metal chips at an appropriate high temperature under conditions of controlling the feeding rate of oxygen gas. In order to optimize the oxidation process the uranium metal chips were completely dried at higher temperature than $300^{\circ}C$ and tested for oxidation at various temperatures, which are $300^{\circ}C$, $400^{\circ}C$, and $500^{\circ}C$. When the oxidation temperature was $400^{\circ}C$, the oxidized sample for 7 hours showed a temperature rise of $60^{\circ}C$ in the self-ignition test. But the oxidized sample for 14 hours revealed a slight temperature rise of $7^{\circ}C$ representing a stable behavior in the self-ignition test. When the temperature was $500^{\circ}C$, the shorter oxidation for 7 hours appeared to be enough because the self-ignition test represented no temperature rise. By using several chemical analyses such as carbon content determination, X-ray deflection (XRD), Infrared spectra (IR) and Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) on the oxidation treated samples, the results of self-ignition test of new oxidation treatment process for U metal chip were interpreted and supported.

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 1995.11a
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• pp.25-25
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• 1995

Liquid phase sintering of 90W-6Ni-4Mn alloy has been investigated as functions of sintering atmosphere, heating rate, and reduction temperature. The present work accounts for the thermodynamic oxidatiodreduction reactions of constituent powders of W, Ni and Mn. By discounting these reactions, the previous investigations would obtain only the alloy with large pores and the lowered relative sintered density, by the liquid phase sintering under a dry hydrogen atmosphere. the sintering cycle consisted of a rapid heating to reduction temperatures under high purity nitrogen atmosphere, and holding for 4 hours and sintering at $1260^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour under a dry hydrogen gas. The relative density of the sintered alloy increased with increasing heating rate. As the reduction temperature increased, the relative density increased to the lm theotical density at the duction temture above $1150^{\circ}C$. The mimsturcatre of sintered alloys has been analysed by a scanning election microscope. The sintered density was compared with those obtained from the other investigators. It was found that the reduction $1150^{\circ}C$ results in the lowered densification of 90W-6Ni-4Mn alloy. This is caused by the fact that reducing reactions of W and Ni oxides contained in W an Ni powders concomitantly leads to oxidizing reaction of Mn powder the oxidized Mn is hardly reduced at sintering temperature and thereby remains large pores in the alloy. It is concluded that the W-Ni-Mn alloy with full density can be obtained by the precise control of atmosphere, heating rate, and sintering temperature.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2010.02a
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• pp.54-54
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• 2010

Zinc oxide is metal oxide semiconductor with the 3.37 eV bandgap energy. Zinc oxide is very attractive materials for many application fields. Zinc Oxide has many advantages such as high conductivity and good transmittance in visible region. Also it is cheaper than other semiconductor materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO). Therefore, ZnO is alternative material for ITO. ZnO is attracting attention for its application to transparent conductive oxide (TCO) films, surface acoustic wave (SAW), films bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR), piezoelectric materials, gas-sensing, solar cells and photocatalyst. In this study, we synthesized ZnO nanoparticles and defined their physical and chemical properties. Also we studied about the application of ZnO nanoparticles as a photocatalyst and try to find a enhancement photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanorticles.. We synthesized ZnO nanoparticles using spray-pyrolysis method and defined the physical and optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles in experiment I. When the ZnO are exposed to UV light, reduction and oxidation(REDOX) reaction will occur on the ZnO surface and generate ${O_2}^-$ and OH radicals. These powerful oxidizing agents are proven to be effective in decomposition of the harmful organic materials and convert them into $CO_2$ and $H_2O$. Therefore, we investigated that the photocatalytic activity was increased through the surface modification of synthesized ZnO nanoparticles. In experiment II, we studied on the stability of ZnO nanoparticles in water. It is well known that ZnO is unstable in water in comparison with $TiO_2$. $Zn(OH)_2$ was formed at the ZnO surface and ZnO become inactive as a photocatalyst when ZnO is present in the solution. Therefore, we prepared synthesized ZnO nanoparticles that were immersed in the water and dried in the oven. After that, we measured photocatalytic activities of prepared samples and find the cause of their photocatalytic activity changes.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.295-312
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: Global warming is one of the most pressing environmental issues which concomitantly complicates global climate change. Methane emission is a balance between methanogenesis and methane consumption, both of which are driven by microbial actions in different ecosystems producing methane, one of the major greenhouse gases. Paddy fields are major sources of anthropogenic methane emissions and could be compounded by organic fertilization. METHODS AND RESULTS: Literature reviews were conducted to give an overview of the global warming conditions and to present the relationship of carbon and methane to greenhouse gas emissions, and the need to understand the underlying processes of methane emission. A more extensive review was done from studies on methane emission in paddy fields under organic fertilization with greater emphasis on long term amendments. Changes in paddy soils due to organic fertilization include alterations of the physicochemical properties and changes in biological components. There are diverse phylogenetic groups of methanogens and methane oxidizing bacteria involved in methane emission. Also, multiple factors influence methanogenesis and methane oxidation in rice paddy fields under organic fertilization and they should be greatly considered when developing mitigating steps in methane emission in paddy fields especially under long term organic fertilization. CONCLUSION(S): This review showed that organic fertilization, particularly for long term management practices, influenced both physicochemical and biological components of the paddy fields which could ultimately affect methanogenesis, methane oxidation, and methane emission. Understanding interrelated factors affecting methane emission helps create ways to mitigate their impact on global warming and climate change.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.116-124
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• 2019

The rapid development of the poultry industry has led to the production of large amounts of manure, which produce substances like hydrogen sulfide ($H_2S$) that contribute to odor pollution. $H_2S$ is a highly undesirable gas component and its removal from the environment is therefore necessary. Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) are widely known to remove contaminating $H_2S$ due to their ability to oxidize reduced sulfur compounds. In this study, three potential SOB (designated AH18, AH25, and AH28) that were previously isolated from a hot spring in Malaysia were identified by 16S rRNA gene analysis. Laboratory-scale biological deodorization experiments were conducted to test the performance of the three isolates-in the form of pure or mixed cultures, with the cells immobilized onto alginate as a carrier-in reducing the $H_2S$ from chicken manure. On the basis of 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis, isolate AH18 was identified as Pseudomonas sp., whereas isolates AH25 and AH28 were identified as Achromobacter sp. The most active deodorizing isolate was AH18, with an $H_2S$ reduction rate of 74.7% (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the reduction rates for isolates AH25 and AH28 were 54.2% and 60.8% (p > 0.05), respectively. However, the $H_2S$ removal performance was enhanced in the mixed culture, with a reduction rate of 81.9% (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the three potential SOB isolates were capable of reducing the $H_2S$ from chicken manure in the form of a pure culture immobilized on alginate, and the reduction performance was enhanced in the mixed culture.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Methane is a major greenhouse gas attributed to global warming partly contributed by agricultural activities from ruminant fermentation and rice paddy fields. Methanotrophs are microorganisms that utilize methane. Their unique metabolic lifestyle is enabled by enzymes known as methane monooxygenases (MMOs) catalyzing the oxidation of methane to methanol. Rice absorbs, transports, and releases methane directly from soil water to its stems and the micropores and stomata of the plant epidermis. Methylobacterium species associated with rice are dependent on their host for metabolic substrates including methane. METHODS AND RESULTS: Methylobacterium spp. isolated from rice were evaluated for methane oxidation activities and screened for the presence of sMMO mmoC genes. Qualitatively, the soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) activities of the selected strains of Methylobacterium spp. were confirmed by the naphthalene oxidation assay. Quantitatively, the sMMO activity ranged from 41.3 to 159.4 nmol min^-1 mg of protein^-1. PCR-based amplification and sequencing confirmed the presence and identity of 314 bp size fragment of the mmoC gene showing over 97% similarity to the CBMB27 mmoC gene indicating that Methylobacterium strains belong to a similar group. CONCLUSION(S): Selected Methylobacterium spp. contained the sMMO mmoC gene and possessed methane oxidation activity. As the putative methane oxidizing strains were isolated from rice and have PGP properties, they could be used to simultaneously reduce paddy field methane emission and promote rice growth.

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

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.165-174
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• 2004

In order to simultaneously vitrify the ion exchange resin(IER) and combustible dry active waste(DAW) generated from Korean nuclear power plants, a vitrification pilot test was conducted using an induction cold crucible melter(CCM) . The energy necessary for startup of the glass using a Ti-ring was evaluated as about 290 kWh. The power supplied from a high frequency generator to melt the glass properly was ranged from 160 to 190 kW without any interruption. When the mixture of the IER and DAW was fed into the CCM, the concentration of CO was lowered up to 1/40 compared to feeding the IER solely. It may be caused by the DAW which can produce about 1.8 times higher heat compared to the IER. When the swelling phenomenon occurred in the glass melt, the concentration of $NO_2$, oxidizing gas, was higher than NO, reducing gas. Total feed amounts of the IER and DAW were 368 and 751 kg, respectively. And then, about 74 of volume reduction factor was achieved.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.29-41
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• 1993

In order to surface Hydrophobilization of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fiber samples were treated in the atmosphere of CF$_{4}$ or $C_{2}$F$_{6}$glow discharge. The sample used in this study was PET film which is 75$\mu$m thick made by Teijin, O-Type(Japan). The cleaned samples were placed in plasma reactor made of pyrex glass cylinder, and plasma processing was carried out by glow discharge of CF$_{4}$ or $C_{2}$F$_{6}$ gas, being continuously fed by gas flow and continuously pumped out by a vacuum system. Electric power source for generate plasma state was sustained alternating current(60Hz) and voltage was sustained 600 volt. The duration of plasma treatment varied from 15 to 120 seconds except special case, the monomer gase pressure varied from 0.02 to 0.3 Torr and power range was 10 to 90 watts. The hydrophobic features of changed PET surface were evaluated by contact angle measurement and surface chemical characteristics were analyzed by ESCA. Results can be summerized as follows. 1. The most favorable setting position of substrate was the center area between the two electrodes. 2. $C_{2}$F$_{6}$ discharge current was lower than that of CF$_{4}$ when same voltage was sustained. Treated efficiency between CF$_{4}$ and $C_{2}$F$_{6}$ did not revealed significant differences under same electric power(wattage). 3. When monomer pressure is very low below 0.02 torr, as though substrate is exposed to CF$_{4}$ or $C_{2}$F$_{6}$ plasma, it tend to be hydrophilic through a little of fluorine bond and a great deal of oxidizing reaction. 4. There brought good hydrophobilization when monomer pressure was more 0.1 torr and duration of glow discharge treatment was over 45 seconds. When monomer pressure was too high, discharge current became low. Although prolong the duration, there was no more high hydrophobilization. 5. According to ESCA analysis, there were a little CF bond and a prevailing CF$_{2}$ bond in CF$_{4}$-treated substrate. There were CF$_{3}$, a little CF and a prevailing CF$_{2}$ bond in $C_{2}$F$_{6}$-treated substrate.d substrate.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.283-288
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• 2019

MCrAlY overaly coatings are used as oxidation barrier coatings to prevent degradation of the underlying substrate in high temperature and oxidizing environment of the hot section of gas turbines. Therefore, oxidation resistance in high temperature is important property of MCrAlY coatings. Also, coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) of MCrAlY have middle value of that of Ni-based superalloys and oxides, which have the effect of preventing the delamination of the surface oxides. Cyclic oxidation test is one of the most useful methods for evaluating the high temperature durability of coatings used in gas turbines. In this study, NiCoCrAlY overlay coatings were formed on Inconel 792(IN 792) substrates by vacuum plasma spraying process. Vacuum plasma sprayed NiCoCrAlY coatings and IN 792 susbstrates were exposed to 1000℃ one-hour cyclic oxidation environment. NiCoCrAlY coatings showed lower weight gain in short-term oxidation. In long-term oxidation, IN 792 substrates showed higher weight loss due to delamination of surface oxide but NiCoCrAlY coatings showed lower weight loss. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed α-Al2O3 and NiCr₂O₄ was formed during the cyclic oxidation test. Through cross-section observation using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron back scatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis, thermally grown oxide (TGO) layer composed of α-Al₂O₃ and NiCr₂O₄ was formed and the thickness of TGO increased during 1000℃ cyclic oxidation test. β phase in upper side of NiCoCrAlY coating was depleted due to oxidation of Al and outer beta depletion zone thickness also increased as the cyclic oxidation time increased.