• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2021

In this study, we successfully developed a highly reliable ultrasonic sediment sensor to detect the sediment levels in sewer pipes in harsh environments. The ultrasonic transducer employed in the ultrasonic sediment sensor was designed so as to possess a simple structure. The developed sensor was carefully optimized by simulating the electromechanical characteristics, radiated sound wave pressures, and directivity via finite element analysis. It was also designed to possess a simple mounting structure minimizing the flow disturbance in a 400-mm sewer pipe; additionally, eight ultrasonic transducers were arranged in a four-channel mode, allowing for measurement of the sediment height in five easy steps. Through experimental evaluations, we verified the performance of the ultrasonic sediment-level sensor and its industrial applicability. The results suggested that although the precision value was notably low at 15 mm, the sediment detection performance was adequate; therefore, the developed sensor can potentially be used in industrial applications.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.644-653
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• 2018

Landslides occur frequently due to the effects of heavy rainfall and typhoons caused by climate change. Erosion control measures are needed to effectively prevent landslide damage. In order to improve their efficiency, it is necessary to quantitatively measure the sediment discharge from the mountain stream. In this study, a load cell sensor was installed in a mountain stream and the measured values were compared according to the applicability and load test type in the mountain stream. The result of the load test showed that the effect of the loading type (load test 1, 2) was low at average (loadings) of 0.4kgf and 0.6kgf at sites 1 and 2, respectively. The load factor was also derived by regression analysis to increase the accuracy of the measured values. According to the results of the load factor (normalized) to the load-cell measurement value, the output value increased by 14.8% and 24.6% in sites 1 and 2, respectively, and was calculated to be similar to the reference value. The load cell sensor enabled us to quantitatively estimate the amount of sediment discharge in the mountain stream through time series analysis with the water level and rainfall information. If the monitoring is carried out for a long time, it can be used to find the sediment discharge mechanism for the mountain stream. In addition, applying sensors such as load-cells to a mountain stream is expected to contribute to the development of related industries, such as the manufacturing of measurement sensors.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.39-43
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• 2015

This study extends the Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) application to delineate the saturated zones in shallow sediment and evaluate the groundwater flow in both downward and upward directions. Dry, partially and fully saturated zones and water level in the subsurface can be recognized from this study. High resolution seepage velocity in vertical direction was estimated from the temperature data in the fully saturated zone. By a single profile, water level can be detected and seepage velocity in saturated zone can be estimated. Furthermore, thermal gradient analysis serves as a new technique to verify unsaturated and saturated zones in the subsurface. The vertical seepage velocity distribution in the recognized saturated zone is then analyzed with improvement of Bredehoeft and Papaopulos' model. This new approach provides promising potential in real-time monitoring of groundwater movement.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.325-335
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• 2015

Concerns about water quality in the Nakdong River have been raised because the Nakdong River will change from a lotic environment to a lentic environmental due to the installation of eight weirs to be constructed as part of the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project. The rapid urbanization and industrialization of the middle and the lower reaches of Nakdong River causes the indiscreet discharge of uncleanly living sewage and industrial wastewater. And the water quality of lower reaches of Nakdong River is getting seriously worse. Owing to the water shortage of Nakdong River and the closing of reaches because of the estuary dyke in the dry season, the velocity of a moving fluid is almost accumulated under 0.03m/sec. Then a pollutant is piled up on the bottom of the river. Polluted sediment is formed and nutrition level of water is increased more and more. The eutrophication state propagated to dark brown or green from eutrophication often comes out. Therefore in this study, we measured Chl. a of chlorophyll sensor (YSI6600V2) and aceton extraction through field observation in the Nakdong River and Samrangjin. And we evaluated the reliability of chlorophyll sensor. In correlation analysis between chlorophyll sensor and aceton extraction, it shows high relation in general. And it also shows high relation among the chlorophyll sensor and aceton extraction of the dominant diatom (Skeletonema costatum), Dinophyta (Prorocentrum minimum) in the Nakdong River estuary by laboratory analysis results.