• Clean Technology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.286-292
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• 2020

This study confirmed the effect of the Cu/CeO2-X catalyst on the CO oxidation activity at low temperature through the catalyst's structure and reaction characteristics. The catalyst was prepared by the wet impregnation method. Cu/CeO2_X catalysts were manufactured by loading Cu (active metal) using CeO2 (support) formed at different calcination temperatures (300-600 ℃). Manufactured Cu/CeO2_X catalysts were evaluated for the low-temperature activity of carbon monoxide. The Cu/CeO2_300 catalyst showed an activity of 90% at 125 ℃, but the activity gradually decreased as the calcination temperature of the CeO2-X and Cu/CeO2_600 catalysts showed an activity of 65% at 125 ℃. Raman, XRD, H2-TPR, and XPS analysis confirmed the physicochemical properties of the catalysts. Based on the XPS analysis, the lower the calcination temperature of the CeO2 was, the higher the unstable Ce3+ species (non-stoichiometric species) ratio became. The increased Ce3+ species formed a solid solution bond between Cu and CeO2-X, and it was confirmed by the change of the CeO2 peak in Raman analysis and the reduction peak of the solid solution structure in H2-TPR analysis. According to the result, the formation of the solid solution bond between Cu and Ce has been enhanced by the redox properties of the catalysts and by CO oxidation activity at low temperatures.

• Clean Technology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.239-250
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• 2020

Biomass is an abundant renewable energy resource that can replace fossil fuels for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG). Indonesia has a large number of cheap biomass feedstocks, such as reforestation (waste wood) and palm residues (empty fruit bunch or EFB). In general, raw biomass contains more than 20% moisture and lacks calorific value, energy density, grindability, and combustion efficiency. Those properties are not acceptable fuel attributes as the conditions currently stand. Recently, torrefaction facilities, especially in European countries, have been built to upgrade raw biomass to solid fuel with high quality. In Korea, there is no significant market for torrefied solid fuel (co-firing) made of biomass residues, and only the wood pellet market presently thrives (~ 2 million ton yr-1). However, increasing demand for an upgraded solid fuel exists. In Indonesia, torrefied woody residues as co-firing fuel are economically feasible under the governmental promotion of renewable energy such as in feed-in-tariff (FIT). EFB, one of the chief palm residues, could replace coal in cement kiln when the emission trading system (ETS) and clean development mechanism (CDM) system are implemented. However, technical issues such as slagging (alkali metal) and corrosion (chlorine) should be addressed to utilize torrefied EFB at a pulverized coal boiler.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.600-605
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• 2022

In this study, nitrogen oxide (NO_x) removal experiments were performed using a graphene based ceramic filter coated with a V₂O₅-WO₃-TiO₂ catalyst. Graphene oxide (GO) was prepared by Hummer's method using graphite, and the reduced graphene oxide was produced by reducing with hydrazine (N₂H₄). Vanadium (V), Tungsten (W), and Titanium (Ti) were coated by the sol-gel method, and then a metal oxide-supported filter was prepared through a calcination process at 350 ℃. A NO_x removal efficiency test was performed for the catalytic ceramic filters with UV light in a humid condition. When graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were present on the filter, the NOx removal efficiency was superior to that of the conventional ceramic filter. Most likely, this is due to an improvement in the adsorption properties of NOx molecules on graphene coated surfaces. As the concentration of graphene increased, higher NO_x removal efficiency was confirmed.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.21-27
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• 2021

We developed non-metallic electrodes that can replace metallic electrodes of the electrostatic precipitator(ESP) for the purpose of light weight, corrosion resistance, cost reduction. We manufactured three types of collection electrodes made of stainless steel (M), Carbon ink coating layer-Plastic sheet-Carbon ink coating layer (CPC), and Plastic sheet-Carbon ink coating layer-Plastic sheet (PCP). We studied the collection efficiency of a two-stage ESP using oil mist particles with and without collection stage by changing the flow rate, the material of collection electrode, and the applied voltage of the pre-charger module and the collection module. Here we measured concentrations of particles at diameters of 0.45 ㎛ (CMD; count median diameter) and 3.0 ㎛ (MMD : mass median diameter), as well as PM_2.5 and PM₁₀. As a result of the experiment, two-stage ESP had 22~25% higher collection efficiency in PM_2.5 than one-stage ESP at the same applied voltage. The difference in collection efficiency by varying the materials of collection electrodes was less than 5%. The weight of the non-metallic electrode was only one eighth the weight of the metal electrode. CPC electrode had a thickness of 0.27 mm, which was 1.5 times thinner than a thickness of PCP electrode, so when the flow rate increased, the CPC electrodes couldn't be kept at equal intervals due to the fluttering unlike PCP electrodes. In addition, the PCP-CPC collection module of the present experiment followed the theoretical efficiency based on Deutsch equation and Cochet's charging theory.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2022

Recently, intelligent packaging of foods has been increasingly developed in response to the growing interest of consumers in checking food quality. Indicators, an important element in intelligent packaging, change color to detect specific substances or indicate food quality changes. Gas indicators can be built into food packaging to detect volatile substances that are released when food quality changes. Ethylene gas is produced as climacteric fruits ripen. Climacteric fruit ripening results from a rapid increase in ethylene production and respiration. In the case of packaged fruits, the ethylene gas concentration in the headspace is closely related to the ripeness of each fruit variety. If an ethylene gas indicator that can be used in fruit packaging is available, the consumer will be able to eat the fruit at the optimal time. In this paper, the characteristics and pros and cons of the ethylene gas indicators developed so far were analyzed by reviewing various types of indicators such as metal reduction-based indicator, fluorescence-based indicator, pH indicator-based indicator, and liposome-based indicator.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.719-725
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• 2022

This study aimed to measure, quantitatively evaluate, and set the criteria for the minimum lead(Pb) shield thickness per level of clinically applied electron beam energy. The lead shield thickness per electron beam energy was measured using the primary field 95% reduction based on the open field at the depth of maximum dose (d_max) and depth from the surface as the reference depth of tissue dose(10 mm). The measured values were 1.906 mmPb and 1.992 mmPb at the d_max and 10 mm, respectively, regarding the lead shield thickness for 6 MeV electron beam; 2.746 mmPb and 3.743 mmPb for 9 MeV electron beam, 3.718 mmPb and 6.093 mmPb for 12 MeV electron beam, 7.300 mmPb and 15.270 mmPb for 16 MeV electron beam, and 16.825 mmPb and 25.090 mmPb for 20 MeV electron beam. Consequently, a thicker lead shield was required if the measurement was at 10 mm. The required lead shield thickness was also higher than that of the theoretical formula for electron beams of ≥ 16 MeV.

• Clean Technology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.174-181
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• 2022

Biomass is a sustainable alternative resource for production of liquid fuels and organic compounds that are currently produced from fossil fuels including petroleum, natural gas, and coal. Because the use of fossil fuels can increase the production of greenhouse gases, the use of carbon-neutral biomass can contribute to the reduction of global warming. Although biological and chemical processes have been proposed to produce petroleum-replacing chemicals and fuels from biomass feedstocks, it is difficult to replace completely fossil fuels because of the high oxygen content of biomass. Production of petroleum-like fuels and chemicals from biomass requires the removal of oxygen atoms or conversion of the oxygen functionalities present in biomass derivatives, which can be achieved by catalytic hydrodeoxygenation. Hydrodeoxygenation has been used to convert raw biomass-derived materials, such as biomass pyrolysis oils and lignocellulose-derived chemicals and lipids, into deoxygenated fuels and chemicals. Multifunctional catalysts composed of noble metals and transition metals supported on high surface area metal oxides and carbons, usually selected as supports of heterogeneous catalysts, have been used as efficient hydrodeoxygenation catalysts. In this review, the catalysts proposed in the literature are surveyed and hydrodeoxygenation reaction systems using these catalysts are discussed. Based on the hydrodeoxygenation methods reported in the literature, an insight for feasible hydrodeoxygenation process development is also presented.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.64-72
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• 2023

Biopolymer is a versatile material used in food processing, medicine, construction, and soil reinforcement. 𝛽-glucan is one of the biopolymers that improves the soil water content and ion adsorption in a drought or toxic metal contaminated land for plant survival. We analyzed drought stress damage reduction in sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas L. cv. Sodammi) by measuring the growth and major protein expression and activity under 𝛽-glucan soil amendment. The result showed that sweet potato leaf length and width were not affected by drought stress for 14 days, but sweet potatoes grown in 𝛽-glucan-amended soil showed an effect in preventing wilting caused by drought in phenotypic changes. Under drought stress, sweet potato leaves did not show any changes in electrolyte leakage, but the relative water content was higher in sweet potatoes grown in 𝛽-glucan-amended soil than in normal soil. 𝛽-glucan soil amendment increased the expression of plasma membrane (PM) H⁺-ATPase, but it decreased the aquaporin PIP2 (plasma membrane intrinsic protein 2) in sweet potatoes under drought stress. Moreover, water maintenance affected the PM H⁺-ATPase activity, which contributed to tolerance under drought stress. These results indicate that 𝛽-glucan soil amendment improves the soil water content during drought and affects the water supply in sweet potatoes. Consequently, 𝛽-glucan is a potential material for maintaining soil water contents, and analysis of the major PM proteins is one of the indicators for evaluating the biopolymer effect on plant survival under drought stress.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.674-678
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• 2023

The effect of Pt was investigated to the catalytic methane decomposition of CH₄ to H₂ over Pt(1)-Fe(30)/MCM-41 and Fe(30)/MCM-41 using a fixed bed flow reactor under atmosphere. The Fe₂O₃ and Pt crystal phase behavior of fresh Pt(1)-Fe(30)/MCM-41 were obtained via XRD analysis. SEM, EDS analysis, and mapping were performed to show the uniformed distribution of nano particles such as Fe, Pt, Si, O on the catalyst surface. XPS results showed O^2-, O^- species and metal ions such as Pt⁰, Pt²⁺, Pt⁴⁺, Ft⁰, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺ etc. When 1 wt% of Pt was added to Fe(30)/MCM-41, automic percentage of Fe2p increased from 13.39% to 16.14%, and Pt4f was 1.51%. The yield of hydrogen over Pt(1)-Fe(30)/MCM-41 was 3.2 times higher than Fe(30)/MCM-41. The spillover effect of H₂ from Pt to Fe increased the reduction of Fe particles and moderate interaction of Fe, Pt and MCM-41 increased the uniform dispersion of fine nanoparticles on the catalyst surface, and improved hydrogen yield.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.45-56
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• 2024

Heavy metals emitted from urban development do not decompose in the soil and remain for long periods, continually impacting the environment. Since the mid-1990s, there has been increasing societal concern in South Korea regarding soil contamination, prompting various legislative revisions to reduce pollution. This study utilizes the Environmental Impact Assessment Support System (EIASS) to investigate projects in the metropolitan area that have exceeded the Ministry of Environment's soil contamination concern levels from 1989 to 2022 and to examine improvements in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process. The results reveal that the average concentrations of nine contaminants-cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), hexavalent chromium (Cr6+), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and fluoride (F)-have all increased over the years. Among these, Zn had the highest relative proportion, with 37.5% of the 40 sites exceeding environmental concern levels. Investigation of 19 specific projects at these exceedance sites showed that only 7 had documented analyses of contamination causes and remediation plans, and just one had contracted additional remediation services, though results from these efforts were found to be lacking. Furthermore, since 2019, a significant proportion of these sites were involved in residential developments, likely due to government initiatives in new city development and extensive housing supply plans. This research emphasizes the importance of public disclosure of the processes and outcomes of remediation efforts on historically contaminated soils prior to project development. It discusses improvements to the EIA by reviewing current legislation and international examples. The findings of this study are expected to heighten public awareness about heavy metal contamination and enhance transparency in soil remediation efforts, contributing to sustainable environmental management and development.