• Resources Recycling
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2016

Small household appliances such as electric rice cooker, a vacuum cleaner, an electric fan, etc. are diverse and complex due to the materials and components and waste streams from the manufacturing processes. In the present study, physical characterization of small e-wastes was analyzed on major items including electric rice cooker after manual dismantling. Small household appliances is an important potential source of waste plastic, however, recycling plastics from small e-waste is still unusual. The present communication gives results of separation processes on black plastics and the limitations of these sorting processes in used small household appliances.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.47-54
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• 1996

UASB reactor was operated for treating wastewater containing high sulfate to assess their performance, competition between sulfate-reducing bacteria(SRB) and methane-producing bacteria(MPB), and the change in the characteristics of microbial granules according to change of hydraulic retention time(HRT) in the reactor. The reactor was fed with a synthetic moderate strength wastes(glucose, 2000 mgCOD/l) containing high sulfate($2400mgSO_4{^{2-}}/l$). The organic loading rate(OLR) ranged from 1.5 to 3.0 gCOD/l.d as HRT maintained 15 to 30 hrs in the stage I. The COD removal efficiency was between 80 to 92%. During this period, methane yield rapidly decreased from 0.3 to 0.1 1 $CH_4$/gCODremoved. While sulfide concentration in the effluent increased from 80 to 200 mgS/l. This indicates that SRB becomes dominant over MPB at a relatively long HRT in the excess sulfate. When OLR of reactor maintained from 5 to 8 gCOD/l.d in the stage II, methane yield increased from 0.1 to 0.17 1 $CH_4$/gCODremoved regardless of decrease of COD removal efficiency. This indicates that SRB is more sensitive to the change of a short HRT than MPB. In the competition between SRB and MPB, about 30% of the removed COD was utilized by SRB at HRT of 30 hrs during the start-up period, while about 73% was used by SRB at HRT of 15hrs at the final step of second experimental stage. Whereas after shock exposure of OLR about 62% was utilized by SRB at HRT of 5hrs. It indicates that SRB is strongly suppressed by the wash-out of significant dispersed SRB since a large electron flow is distributed to the MPB. In addition, the granulation in the presence of high sulfate is unfavoured at a long HRT because of substrate transport limitations into MPB like Methanothrix spp. which is an important factor in the composition of the granules. Accordingly, granule sizes in the UASB reactor decreased with time due to weak network frame of granules by the decreased activity of MPB.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.9-18
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• 2014

London Convention on the prevention of marine pollution by dumping of wastes and other matter prohibits the deliberate disposal of paper mill sludges at sea. In order to explore the alternative plan on the prohibition of sludge disposal at sea, the biodegradable seedling pot was developed by mixing the sludge with old newspaper (ONP) in appropriate mixing ratios. The C/N ratio of the mixed sludge was below 20, leading to rapid deterioration of the organic matters composing the seedling pot. The increased ONP contents in the seedling pot resulted in the increase of pot thickness and thereafter in the decrease of pot density. Cellulose fibers in ONP promoted water absorption of the pot but AKD addition helped the seedling pot to repel water during raising seedling. Breaking length and burst strength of the seedling pot were improved by addition of wet strength additives but air permeability was a little diminished. Biodegradable rate of the seedling pot in a soil was accelerated by the attack of soil microbes at the beginning, and finally the pot was completely degraded in 150 days in a soil.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.205-213
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• 2021

The present study aimed to determine the effect of co-pyrolysis of sawdust biomass and scrap tyre waste employing different blending ratios of sawdust to waste tyre such as 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100. The thermochemical characterization of feedstocks was carried out by employing the proximate, ultimate analysis, and thermogravimetric (TGA) analyses, calorific values, and scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive x-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) to select the blending ratio having better bioenergy potential amongst the studied ratios. The blending ratio of 25:75 (sawdust to waste tyre) was selected for the co-pyrolysis study in a fixed-bed pyrolysis reactor system based on its solid biofuels properties such as heating value (30.18 MJ/kg), and carbon (71.81 wt%) and volatile matter (63.82 wt%) contents. The pyrolysis temperatures were varied as 500, 600 and 700 ℃ while the other parameters such as heating rate and nitrogen flowrate were maintained at 30 ℃/min and 0.5 L/min respectively. The bio-oil yields as 31.9, 47.1 and 61.2 wt%, bio-char yields as 34.5, 34.2 and 31.4 wt% and gaseous product yields as 33.6, 18.60 and 7.3 wt% at the pyrolysis temperatures of 500, 600 and 700 ℃ respectively were obtained. The blends of sawdust and waste tyres showed the improved energy characteristics which could provide the solution for the beneficial management of sawdust and scrape tyre wastes via co-pyrolysis processing.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.584-590
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• 2018

The adults of Hermetia illucens collected in Korea were about the same size as those from their origin. The body part with the largest size variation was the antenna 2 followed by the head width and the abdomen width. It can be the baseline of selection of superior individuals for organic waste decomposition and compost production. In regards to the habitat, the adult Hermetia illucens were collected from 22 of the 51 localities. Although geographical characteristics such as coordinates and altitude may not affect the insects, the presence of organic matters could affect them. The distribution pattern of the insects may act as an indicator of natural recycling of organic wastes.

• Journal of Korea Society of Waste Management
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.762-769
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• 2018

This study was carried out to examine the improvement plan by analyzing the characteristics of imported wastes, operation rate, and benefits of energy recovery for incineration facilities with a treatment capacity greater than 50 ton/day. The incineration facility capacity increased by 3,280 tons over 15 years, and the actual incineration rate increased to 2,783 ton/day. The operation rate dropped to 76% in 2010 and then rose again to 81% in 2016. The actual calorific value compared to the design calorific value increased by 33.8% from 94.6% in 2002 to 128.4% in 2016. The recovery efficiency decreased by 29% over 16 years from 110.7% to 81.7% in 2002. Recovery and sales of thermal energy from the incinerator (capacity 200 ton/day) dominated the operation cost, and operating income was generated by energy sales (such as power generation and steam). The treatment capacity increased by 11% to 18% after the recalculation of the incineration capacity and has remained consistently above 90% in most facilities to date. In order to solve the problem of high calorific value waste, wastewater, leachate, and clean water should be mixed and incinerated, and heat recovery should be performed through a water-cooled grate and water cooling wall installation. Twenty-five of the 38 incineration facilities (about 70%) are due for a major repair. After the main repair of the facility, the operation rate is expected to increase and the operating cost is expected to decline due to energy recovery. Inspection and repair should be carried out in a timely manner to increase incineration and heat energy recovery efficiencies.

• Journal of Korea Society of Waste Management
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.692-700
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• 2018

In this study, the results of PBDEs and HBCDs of the products and waste that contain BFRs such as domestic electronic products, automobiles and textile products were compared with international management standards, and their excess rates were calculated. Deca-BDE was detected among the PBDEs in TV rear cover plastics, car seats, automotive interior plastics, and automobile shredding residues of products and waste containing BFRs. The comparison with Basel Convention management standards (1,000 mg/kg) for PBDE-containing wastes (4 types in total) shows that the excess rate of all samples was less than 1.5%. The estimated excess rate compared to the EU and Basel convention management standards (1,000 mg/kg) for PBDEs (4 species + deca-BDE) and TV rear cover plastics was 37.5% (30 of 80 samples exceeded the standards). The estimated excess rate compared to the Basel convention management standards (1,000 mg/kg) for HBCD, building materials products and waste was 15.7% (17 of 108 samples exceeded the standards). In the case of PBDEs, it is necessary to remove only the rear cover of CRT TV among the electric and electronic products and treat it in the flame retardant treatment facility to improve the recycling collection system. In the case of HBCD, it is necessary to appropriately dispose of the recycled materials, heat insulation materials, TV plastics, and styrofoam in marine fishery among construction materials and restrict the use as recycled raw materials.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.12
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• pp.3952-3965
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• 2021

In this study, volcanic ash was used as raw material to prepare waste forms with different silicon/aluminum (Si/Al) molar ratios to immobilize sodium-salt waste (SSW) containing simulated ¹³⁷Cs. Effects of Si/Al molar ratios (3:1 and 2:1) and sodium salts on sintering behavior of waste forms and immobilization mechanism of Cs⁺ were investigated. Results indicated that the main mineral phase of sintered waste-form matrixes was albite, and the formation of major phases was found to depend on Si/Al molar ratios. Si/Al molar ratio of 2 was favorable for the formation of pollucite, and the formation and crystallization of mineral phases were also decided based on physicochemical characteristics of sodium salts. Furthermore, product consistency test results indicated that the immobilization of Cs⁺ was related to Si/Al molar ratio, types of sodium salts, and glassy phase. Waste forms with Si/Al molar ratio of 2 exhibited better ability to immobilize Cs⁺, whereas the influence of sodium salts and glassy phases on the immobilization of SSW showed more complicated relationship. In waste forms with Si/Al molar ratio of 2, Cs⁺ leaching concentrations of samples containing Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O and NaOH were low. Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O easily transformed into liquid phase during sintering to consequently achieve low temperature liquid-phase sintering, which is beneficial to avoid the volatilization of Cs⁺ at high temperature. Results clearly reveal that waste forms with Si/Al molar ratio of 2 and containing Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O show excellent immobilization of Cs⁺.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2022

The increased production and consumption of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-based products over the past several decades has resulted in the discharge of countless tons of PET waste into the marine environment. PET microparticles resulting from the physical erosion of general PET wastes end up in the ocean and pose a threat to the marine biosphere and human health, necessitating the development of new technologies for recycling and upcycling. Notably, enzyme-mediated PET degradation is an appealing option due to its eco-friendly and energy-saving characteristics. PETase, a PET-hydrolyzing enzyme originating from Ideonella sakaiensis, is one of the most thoroughly researched biological catalysts. However, the industrial application of PETase-mediated PET recycling is limited due to the low stability and poor reusability of the enzyme. Here we developed the whole-cell catalyst (WCC) in which functional PETase is attached to the outer membrane of Escherichia coli. Immunoassays are used to identify the surface-expressed PETase, and we demonstrated that the WCC degraded PET microparticles most efficiently at 30℃ and pH 9 without agitation. Furthermore, the WCC increased the PET-degrading activity in a concentration-dependent manner, surpassing the limited activity of soluble PETase above 100 nM. Finally, we demonstrated that the WCC could be recycled up to three times.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.161-172
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• 2022

Purpose : The study was to promote patient safety by analyzing the effect of dental hygienist's perception of patient safety culture on infection control activities. Methods : The study is based on a survey of 210 dental hygienists in total working in dental settings. To find out infection control activities according to patient safety culture awareness, there were 6 general characteristics, 3 teamwork within the department, 2 infection control systems, 4 surface management, 9 equipment washing, disinfection, and laundry management, 4 infectious wastes, and 3 personal protection phrases.The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 20.0, and p<.05 was adopted to decide on significance. Results : The longer dental hygienists have worked n the dental settings, the more active they become in infection control activities. Among the different types of dental care settings, general (university) hospitals had the largest number of infection control activities, followed by dental clinics, and network dental clinics, in descending order. The dental settings possessing a higher number of dental hygienists were found to conduct more infection control activities than other dental settings. In addition, it was found that when a dental setting adopts a patient safety policy across all the units in the hospital, more systems and procedures for patient safety tend to be established, and that stricter management response to error leads to improvement of infection control activities. Conclusion :In order to enhance infection control activities, infection control activity programs should develop and implement periodic reinforcement of infection control education. regular monitoring of infection control activities.