• Membrane Journal
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.336-347
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• 2022

Reverse electrodialysis (RED) is one of the promising eco-friendly renewable energy technologies which can generate electricity from the concentration difference between seawater and freshwater by using ion-exchange membranes as a diaphragm. The ion-exchange membrane is a key component that determines the performance of RED, and must satisfy requirements such as low electrical resistance, high permselectivity, excellent durability, and low manufacturing cost. In this study, pore-filled anion-exchange membranes were fabricated using porous polymer substrates having various thicknesses and porosity, and the effects of ion-exchange polymer composition and membrane thickness on the power generation performance of RED were investigated. When the electrical resistance of the ion-exchange membrane is sufficiently low, it can be confirmed that the RED power generation performance is mainly influenced by the apparent permselectivity of the membrane. In addition, it was confirmed that the apparent permselectivity of the membranes can be improved through IEC, crosslinking degree, membrane thickness, surface modification, etc., and the optimum condition must be found in consideration of the trade-off relationship with electrical resistance.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.395-407
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• 2022

In this paper, cracks with different angles are prefabricated in rock specimens to study the fracture characteristics of rock based on CT images. The rock specimens are prepared for compression tests according to the standard recommended by ISRM (International Society for Rock Mechanics). The effects of different angles on rock mechanical properties and crack propagation fracture modes are analyzed. Then, based on the cohesive element method and CT images, the relationship between porosity and Young's modulus as well as the fracture property is explored by the numerical modelling. In the modelling, the distribution of Young's modulus is determined by the CT image through the field variable method. The results show that prefabricated cracks reduce the mechanical properties of rock. The closer the angles of the prefabricated crack is, the greater the Young's modulus of the rock sample is. The failure process of each specimen with prefabricated cracks is formed by the initiation and propagation of crack, and the angle of the prefabricated crack will affect the type of extended crack. As part of the numerical model proposed in this paper, the microstructure of rocks is reflected by CT images. The numerical results verify the effectiveness of the cohesive element method in the study of crack propagation for rock. The rock model in this paper can be used to predict engineering disasters such as collapse and landslide caused by rock fracture, which means that the methodology adopted in this paper is comprehensive and important to solve rock engineering problems.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.89 no.1
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• pp.33-46
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• 2024

The present research delves into the analysis of nonlinear free and forced vibrations of porous functionally graded (FG) shallow shells reinforced with oblique stiffeners, which are embedded in a nonlinear elastic foundation (NEF) subjected to external excitation. Two distinct types of PFG shallow shells, characterized by even and uneven porosity distribution along the thickness direction, are considered in the research. In order to model the stiffeners, Lekhnitskii's smeared stiffeners technique is implemented. With the stress function and first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT), the nonlinear model of the oblique stiffened shallow shells is established. The strain-displacement relationships for the system are derived via the FSDT and utilization of the von-Kármán's geometric assumptions. To discretize the nonlinear governing equations, the Galerkin method is employed. The model such developed allows analysis of the effects of the stiffeners with various angles as desired, in addition to the quantitative investigation on the influence of the surrounding nonlinear elastic foundations. To numerically solve the problem of vibrations, the 4th-order P-T method is used, as this method, known for its enhanced accuracy and reliability, proves to be an effective choice. The validation of the present research findings includes a comprehensive comparison with outcomes documented in existing literature. Additionally, a comparative analysis of the numerical results against those obtained using the 4th Runge-Kutta method is performed. The impact of stiffeners with varying angles and material parameters on the vibration characteristics of the present system is also explored. The researchers and engineers working in this field may use the results of this study as benchmarks in their design and research for the considered shell systems.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.135-150
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• 2024

Nano-silica's growing use in construction, known for enhancing strength and durability by reducing porosity, drives this research's significance, especially considering Ecuador's reliance on cement in construction. A comprehensive comparative study on mortars made with General Use cement and aggregates from Pifo and San Antonio quarries has been studied. It explores the impact of incorporating nano-silica in varying proportions (0.75%, 1.00%, 1.25%) on mortar properties, contrasting them with conventional and prefabricated mortars. laboratory Testing is conducted according to standards to assess both fresh and hardened state properties, and microscopic analysis reveals the optimal nano-silica proportion's effects on mortar characteristics. Results shows that Incorporating 0.75% nano-silica resulted in a 61% increase in compressive strength at 7 days and. For a nanosilica content of 1.25%, a 14% increase in compressive strength was observed at 28 days in relation to the conventional mortar and the permeability of the mortar decreased by 30% when adding 0.75% nanosilica. It discusses economic viability and provides insights through SEM and EDS analyses. Overall, it underscores nano-silica's potential to enhance mortar properties and its relevance in creating more efficient and durable construction materials.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.336-341
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• 1996

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of compost application on the soil loss and physico-chemical properties at the slope land from 1990 to 1991. Lysimeters with 15% slope. 5m slope length. 2m width and 1.2m depth were constructed in 1984 and filled with sandy loam, loam, clay loam. and clay soils. Treatments were bare soil, compost(1.5ton/10a) and non-compost with soybean-barley cropping system from 1984. Losses of soil were increased with the order of sandy loam, clay, loam and clay loam. Run-off was increased with the order of sandy loam, loam, clay loam and clay, but leachate was decreased with the same order. Compost treatments decreased 33.6-44.6% of soil loss and 17.0-24.0% of run-off but increased 17.1-33.7.% of leachate as compared with the non-compost treatments. The amount of soil loss was positively correlated with the amount of run-off by Y = 12.125+0.063X (r=$0.970^{**}$)and negatively correlated with the leachate by Y=43.425-0.096X(r=$-0.917^{**}$). The application of compost increased soil pH, OM, CEC and extractable cations. Application of compost decreased bulk density but increased porosity, water stable aggregate and available water. These results provide that the compost application plays an important role in conserving soil and water, and improving soil physico-chemical properties.

• Journal of Korea Soil Environment Society
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.101-114
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• 1998

Soil vapor extraction (SVE) is known to be an effective process to remove the contaminants from the soils by enhancing the vaporization of organic compounds using forced vapor flows or applying vacuum through soils. Experiments are carried out to investigate the effects of the organic contaminants, types of soils, and water contents on the removal efficiency with operating time. In the study, simulated soils include the glass bead which has no micropore, sand and molecular sieve which has a large volume of micropores. As model organic pollutants, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, and trichloroethylene are selected. Desorption experiments are conducted by flowing nitrogen gas. Under the experimental conditions, it is found that there are linear relationships between logarithm of removal efficiency and logarithm of number of pore volumes. The number of pore volumes are defined as the total amount of air flow through the soil column divided by the pore volume of soil column. For three organic compounds studied, the removal rate is slow for no water content, while the number of pore volumes for removal of organic compounds are notably reduced for water contents up to 37%. For the removal of dense organic compound, such as trichloroethylene, a large number of pore volumes are needed. Also, the effects of the characteristics of simulated soils on the removal efficiency of organic compounds are studied. After the characterization of soil surface, porosity of soil columns and types of contaminants, the results could provide a basis for the design of SVE process.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.181-186
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• 1998

The effects of sewage treatment on characteristics of sludge as a composting material were investigated for a year during the initial operation at the full-scale Chunan sewage treatment plant. Due to the shortage of design capacity of belt press, a sludge dewatering unit, non-volatile solids were recirculating and concentrating in the treatment plant, resulting in an increase of MLSS and a decrease in F/M ratio at the activated sludge system. Special attention is required for long term operations since the increase of non-volatile solids in the plant would deteriorates the treatment efficiency. The sewage sludge of the Chunan sewage treatment plant showed 79.5% of water content, 11.6% of organic content, and C/N ratio of 6.1, and contained As 1.8 mg/kg, Cd 27 mg/kg, Hg <0.1 mg/kg, Pb 54 mg/kg, T-Cr 370 mg/kg, and Cu 1,100mg/kg of heavy metals. In order to be used as raw material for optimum composting, the sewage sludge requires bulking agents for moistrure/porosity control and a carbon source for adjusting C/N ratio. However, the sewage sludge is not adequate as a soil conditioner after composing due to a high content of heavy metals. If the sewage sludge has to he used as a soil conditioner after composting, it as required to identify and remove tire industrial wastewater portions in tire influent of the plant since heavy metals in the influent were mostly concentrated in dewatered sludge.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.312-316
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• 2000

A study has been made to investigate the effects of hot isostatic pressing(HIP ping) on bond strength and elevated temperature characteristics of thermal barrier coating(TBC). The specimens were prepared by HIPping of TBC which is composed of the ceramic top coat(8wt%$Y_2$$O_3$-$ZrO_2$) and the metallic bond coat on the matrix of IN738LC superalloy. The results showed that the porosity and microcracks in the ceramic top coat of TBC were significantly decreased by HIP. As a result, the bond strength of the HIPped coating was increased above 48% compared to that of as-coated specimen and microstructure was homogenized. It was found that the thermal cycle resistance of HIPped coating was inferior to that of as-coated specimen. It was considered that this result was mainly caused by the reduction of internal defects in the top coat layer which could play a role in relaxing the thermal stress due to a large difference in thermal expansion between TBC and matrix.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.110-116
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• 2001

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of amount of nitrogen application with the barley straw application on the changes in soil physical and chemical properties. nutrient uptake and percentage recovery of chemical fertilizer N in the rice plant from 1997 to 1998. The soil physical properties, such as bulk density, hardness, porosity and gaseous phase were improved by barley straw application. There was also improvement or increment in the soil chemical properties, such as pH, organic matter, T-C. T-N, available $SiO_2$, exchangeable K and cation exchange capacity, but decrease in available $P_2O_5$. The $Fe^{+{+}}$ content in soil after barley straw application was high from tillering stage to panicle forming stage, but becoming lowered toward the heading stage, while $Mn^{+{+}}$ content was increased. N uptake with barley straw application was increased in the N $126kg\;ha^{-1}$ plot, but decreased in the N $141kg\;ha^{-1}$ plot. The uptake of fertilized N was continued longer in barley straw application than none-application plot. Percentage recovery of chemical fertilizer N in rice straw was around 1% at tillering stage, but was highly increasing till maximum tillering stage, while the recovery was generally low in barley straw application. Meanwhile, fertilizer P uptake in barley straw application was high, but potassium uptake was low at all different levels of N application.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.456-463
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of granular type of silicate fertilizer on watermelon growth, yield, and characteristics of soil in the greenhouse. Four different levels of silicate fertilizer, 0(control), 600, 1,200, $1,800kg\;ha^{-1}$ were applied for experiment. The silicate fertilizer was applied as a basal fertilization before transplanting watermelon. Compost and basal fertilizers were applied based on the standard fertilizer recommendation rate with soil testing. All of the recommended $P_2O_5$ and 50% of N and $K_2O$ were applied as a basal fertilization. The N and $K_2O$ as additional fertilization was split-applied twice by fertigation method. Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.) cultivar was 'Sam-Bok-KKuol and main stem was from rootstock (bottle gourd: Lagenaria leucantha Standl.) 'Bul-Ro-Jang-Sang'. The watermelon was transplanted on April, 15. Soil chemical properties, such as soil pH, EC, available phosphate and exchangeable K, Mg, and available $SiO_2$ levels increased compared to the control, while EC was similar and the concentrations of soil organic matter decreased. Physical properties of soils, such as soil bulk density and porosity were not different among treatments. The growth characteristics of watermelon, such as stem diameter, fresh and dry weight of watermelon at harvest were thicker and heavier for silicate treatment than the control, while number of node was shorter than the control. Merchantable watermelon increased by 3-5% compared to the control and sugar content was 0.4 to $0.7^{\circ}Brix$ higher than the control. These results suggest that silicate fertilizer application in the greenhouse can improve some chemical properties of soils and watermelon stem diameter and dry weight, which are contributed to watermelon quality and marketable watermelon production.