• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.87-97
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• 2016

First of all, Fe or/and Mn immobilized granular activated carbons (Fe-GAC, Mn-GAC, (Fe, Mn)-GAC) were synthesized and tested to remove arsenate (As(V)). The results in batch test indicated that Fe-GAC removed As(V) effectively, even though the surface area of Fe-GAC was reduced largely. Moreover, adsorption isotherm test indicated that the experimental data fit well with Langmuir model and the maximum adsorption capacity ($q_{max}$) of Fe-GAC for As(V) was $3.49mg\;g^{-1}$, which was higher than GAC ($2.24mg\;g^{-1}$). In column test, the simulated water, which consisted of As(V), Fe(III), Mn(II) and Ca(II) in tap water, was used. Fe-GAC column with 1 hr of pre-washing time treated As(V) effectively while GAC column removed Fe(III) better than Fe-GAC column. Moreover, the increasing pre-washing time from 1 to 9 hour in Fe-GAC column enhanced Fe(III) removal with little negative impact of As(V) removal. Mostly, the column filled with Fe-GAC and GAC (i.e. the mass ratio of Fe-GAC:GAC = 2:8) showed the higher treatability of both As(V) and Fe(III), even it operated with 1 hr pre-washing time.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.46-52
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• 2007

As flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater contains high concentrations of nitrate and is very low in organic carbon, the feasibility of nitrate removal by autotrophic denitrification using Thiobacillus denitrificans was studied. This autotrophic bacteria oxidizes elemental sulfur to sulfate while reducing nitrate to elemental nitrogen gas, thereby eliminating the need for addition of organic compounds such as methanol. Owing to the unusually high concentrations of dissolved salts $(Ca^{2+},\;Mg^{2+},\;Na^+,\;K^+,\;B^+,\;SO_4^{2-},\;Cl^-,\;F^-,)$ in the FGD wastewater, extensive laboratory-scale and pilot-scale tests were carried out in sulfur-limestone reactors (1) to determine the effect of salinity on autotrophic denitrification, (2) to evaluate the use of limestone for pH control and as source of inorganic carbon for microbial growth, and, (3) to find the optimum environmental and operational conditions for autotrophic denitrification of FGD wastewater. The experimental results demonstrated that (1) autotrophic denitrification is not inhibited up to 1.8 mol total dissolved salt content; (2) inorganic carbon and inorganic phosphorus must be present in sufficiently high concentrations; (3) limestone can supply effective buffering capacity and inorganic carbon; (4) the high calcium concentration may interfere with pH control, phosphorus solubility and limestone dissolution, hence requiring pretreatment of the FGD wastewater; and, 5) under optimum conditions, complete autotrophic denitrification of FGD wastewater was obtained in a sulfur-limestone packed bed reactor with a sulfur:limestone volume ratio of 2:1 for volumetric loading rates up to 400g $NO_{3^-}N/m^3.d$. The interesting interactions between autotrophic denitrification, pH, alkalinity, and the unusually high calcium and boron content of the FGD wastewater are highlighted. The engineering significance of the results is discussed.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.129-137
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• 2017

In this study, we have developed cation-exchange membranes (CEMs) which can efficiently separate heavy-metal ions among the cations contained in a water system. Sulfonated polyetheretherketone (SPEEK) was used as a base polymer and a powdered chelating resin with strong binding ability to heavy-metal ions was added into it. In order to optimize the performance of the CEM, the content of chelating resin powder and the ion exchange capacity of SPEEK have been controlled. As a result, it was confirmed that the removal efficiency of heavy metal ion was improved by more than 20% by applying the CEM to membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI).

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.209-214
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• 1999

Objective of the research is to estimate neutralization capacity and to determine practical running parameters required in packing tower design of waste oyster shells using Bohart-Adams equation. It is expected that waste oyster shells are able to be recycled for removal of heavy metals through neutralization of plating wastewater because those contain approximate 93% $CaCO_3$. By applying the results of the continuous experiment to Bohart-Adams equation, service time decreases in the order of Cr>Fe>Cu, while removal efficiencies of metals become less in the order of Fe>Cr>Cu.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.61 no.6
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• pp.339-345
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• 2017

Carbonaceous adsorbent (CA-WTP) was prepared by heat treatment at $400^{\circ}C$ for 2 h in N2 atmosphere using waste tire powder (WTP). WTP and CA-WTP were first characterized by thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), specific surface area analysis (BET) and FT-IR spectroscopy. Then, they were tested as adsorbents for removal of Cd in water. CA-WTP exhibited much higher specific surface area and total pore volume than WTP itself and showed higher adsorption capacity for Cd. Equilibrium data of adsorption were analyzed using Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. It was seen that both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms have correlation coefficient $R^2$ value larger than 0.95. The results of studies indicate that CA-WTP developed from WTP by heat treatment could be used as efficient adsorbent for the removal Cd from water.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.209-221
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• 2016

As a highly hydrophilic fibrillar mineral in nature, attapulgite (ATP) is a promising new additive for preparation of ultrafiltration (UF) hybrid membrane. In this work, ATP particles, which were grafted with a new Gemini surfactant of Ethyl Stearate-di(octadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride) to detach the crystal bundles to single crystal and enhance the uniform dispersion in an organic polymer matrix, were incorporated into poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrix, and PVDF/Gemini-ATP hybrid membranes for adsorptive removal of Ni(II) ions from aqueous solution were prepared via a phase inversion method. Chemical composition, crystalization and morphology of the modified ATP were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The morphology of the hybrid membrane was characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the performance of permeability, hydrophilicity and adsorption of Ni(II) ions were studied, and the adsorption kinetics of the PVDF/ATP hybrid membranes were particular concerned. The results showed that the hybrid membrane displayed a good thermal stability and hydrophilicity. Comparing with PVDF membrane, the hybrid membrane possessed good adsorption capacity for Ni(II) ions, and the adsorption kinetics fit well with Lagergren second-order equation.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.76-83
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• 2013

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are regarded as a promising alternative to replace the existing automotive power sources. To get high performance and long-term durability for PEMFC systems, novel water management is essential. To this end, a comprehensive understanding of dynamics of the liquid water droplets within an operating PEMFC plays an important role. In this work, direct visualization of dynamic behaviors of the water droplet in the ex situ unit flow channel of a PEMFC including gas diffusion layer (GDL) is carried out as one of the fundamental studies for novel water management. Water droplet dynamics such as the movement and growth of liquid water droplets are mainly presented. Effects of GDL characteristics and inlet air flow rate on the water droplet transport and its removal from the flow channel are also discussed. The data obtained in this study can contribute to build up the fundamental operating strategy including balanced water removal capacity for automotive PEMFC systems.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2014

While coupling wastewater treatment with microalgal bioenergy production is very promising, new approaches are needed to enhance microalgal growth and lipid accumulation in wastewater. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of iron on the growth, nutrient removal, and lipid accumulation of Scenedesmus sp. LX1 in both artificial wastewater and domestic secondary effluents. When increasing the iron concentration from 0 to 2 mg/l in the artificial wastewater, the biomass production of Scenedesmus sp. LX1 increased from 0.17 to 0.54 g/l; the nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency increased from 15.7% and 80.6% to 97.0% and 99.2%, respectively; and the lipid content was enhanced 84.2%. The relationship between the carrying capacity/maximal population growth rate of Scenedesmus sp. LX1 and the initial iron concentration were also in accordance with the Monod model. Furthermore, when increasing the iron concentration to 2 mg/l in four different domestic secondary effluent samples, the lipid content and lipid production of Scenedesmus sp. LX1 was improved by 17.4-33.7% and 21.5-41.8%, respectively.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.94-103
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• 2014

In this study washing efficiency and desorption isotherms for heavy petroleum oil (HPO), Zn, and Pb bound to complex contaminated soils were examined using various soil flushing agents. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), methanol, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), and citric acid were selected as soil flushing agents. 3% (w/v) and 4% SDS showed the highest removal efficiency for HPO, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Thus, 3% SDS was chosen as the best soil flushing agent for HPO. In the case of heavy metals, 0.1-M EDTA showed the highest removal efficiencies. But 0.05-M citric acid was selected due to its economic and eco-friendly strengths. The desorption isotherms obtained using Freundlich and Langmuir models indicated that the maximum desorption characteristics ($K_F$ and $Q_{max}$) of HPO with 4% SDS and 90% methanol and heavy metals with 0.1-M EDTA and 0.1-M citric acid, respectively, were markedly lower than in other cases. In addition, when 4% SDS and 90% methanol were used for HPO in the range of $C_e$ higher than 600 mg/L, and when 0.1M citric acid and 0.1M EDTA were used for Zn and Pb in the range of $C_e$ higher than 300 and 100 mg/L, respectively, the distribution constant converged to certain levels. Thus, constant values of $K_U$ and $K_L$ were determined. It was found that these constants represent the maximum desorption capacity and they can be used as distribution coefficients of desorption equilibrium for the flushing agents. The results of this study provided fundamental information for the selection of the best agents as well as for the process design and operation of soil washing/soil flushing of complex contaminated soils.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.91-97
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• 2019

Application of bioretention systems in Korea is highly considered due to its minimal space requirements, appropriateness as small landscape areas and good pollutant removal and peak hydraulic flow reduction efficiency. In this study, the efficiency of two lab-scale bioretention types having different physical properties, media configuration and planted with different shrubs and perennials was investigated in reducing heavy metal pollutants in stormwater runoff. Type A bioretention systems were planted with shrubs whereas type B were planted with perennials. Chrysanthemum zawadskii var. latilobum (A-CL) and Aquilegia flabellata var. pumila (A-AP) respectively were planted in each type A bioretention reactors while Rhododendron indicum linnaeus (B-RL) and Spiraea japonica (B-SJ), respectively were planted in each type B bioretention reactors. Results revealed that the four lab-scale bioretention reactors significantly reduced the influent total suspended load by about 89 to 94% (p<0.01). Type B-RL and B-SJ reactors reduced soluble Cr, Cu, Zn, and Pb by 28 to 45% that were 15 to 35% greater than the soluble metal reduction of type A-CL and A-AP reactors, respectively. Among the pollutants, total Cr attained the greatest discharged fraction of 0.52-0.81. Excluding the effect of soil media, total Pb attained the greatest retention fraction in the bioretention systems amounting to 0.15-0.34. Considering the least discharge fraction of heavy metal in the bioretention system, it was observed that the bioretention systems achieved effectual reduction in terms of total Cu, Zn and Pb. These findings were associated with the poor adsorption capacity of the soil used in each bioretention system. The results of this study may be used for estimating the maintenance requirements of bioretention systems.