Activated carbon fiber (ACF) surfaces are modified using an electron beam under different aqueous solutions to improve the NO gas sensitivity of a gas sensor based on ACFs. The oxygen functional group on the ACF surface is changed, resulting in an increase of the number of non-carbonyl (-C-O-C-) groups from 32.5% for pristine ACFs to 39.53% and 41.75% for ACFs treated with hydrogen peroxide and potassium hydroxide solutions, respectively. We discover that the NO gas sensitivity of the gas sensor fabricated using the modified ACFs as an electrode material is increased, although the specific surface area of the ACFs is decreased because of the recovery of their crystal structure. This is attributed to the static electric interaction between NO gas and the non-carbonyl groups introduced onto the ACF surfaces.

Activated carbon was synthesized from coconut shells. The Brunauer, Emmett and Teller surface area of the synthesized activated carbon was found to be 1640 m2/g with a pore volume of 1.032 cm3/g. The average pore diameter of the activated carbon was found to be 2.52 nm. By applying the size-strain plot method to the X-ray diffraction data, the crystallite size and the crystal strain was determined to be 42.46 nm and 0.000489897, respectively, which indicate a perfect crystallite structure. The field emission scanning electron microscopy image showed the presence of well-developed pores on the surface of the activated carbon. The presence of important functional groups was shown by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectrum. The adsorption of methyl orange onto the activated carbon reached 100% after 12 min. Kinetic analysis indicated that the adsorption of methyl orange solution by the activated carbon followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic mechanism (R2 > 0.995). Therefore, the results show that the produced activated carbon can be used as a proper adsorbent for dye containing effluents.

Activated carbons (ACs) have been used as EDLC (electric double-layer capacitor) electrode materials due to their high specific area, stability, and ecological advantages. In order to prepare ACs with high density and crystallinity, coal tar pitch (CTP) was activated by K2CO3 and the textural and electrochemical properties of the obtained ACs were investigated. Although the CTP ACs formed by K2CO3 activation had much smaller specific surface area and pore volume than did the CTP ACs formed by KOH activation, their volumetric specific capacitance (F/cc) levels as electrode materials for EDLC were comparable due to their higher density and micro-crystallinity. Structural characterization and EDLC-electrode performance were studied with different activation conditions of CTP/K2CO3 ratio, activation temperature, and activation period.

Pollutants removal and disinfection effect of secondary effluent from final settling tank of sewage treatment plant of W city were investigated in Loop Reactor using ordinary granular activated carbon(GAC) and GAC coated with silver nanoparticles. The results showed that the removal efficiency of CODMn, T-N and T-P using GAC with silver nanoparticles were higher than using the ordinary GAC. The removal efficiency of T-P using GAC with silver nanoparticles is 45.4% and that of T-P using ordinary GAC is 30.9% in the same case of the input amount of 20 g/L of GAC. The total califorms is reduced according to increasing input amount of GAC with silver nanoparticles and ordinary GAC. The disinfection efficiency of total coliforms in case of GAC with silver nanoparticles is much higher than that in case of ordinary GAC. For all experiments using the silver nanoparticles, the total coliforms is under 26 cfu/mL and this shows very excellent disinfection effect.

The characteristics of filter/adsorber granular activated carbon (F/A GAC) were investigated by measuring various parameters, which include surface area, pore volume, abrasion number, floater, and water-soluble ash. The correlation between parameters was also evaluated. Moreover, rapid small-scale column test (RSSCT) was conducted for adsorption characteristics. Thirteen F/A GAC were tested, and the average values of abrasion number and water-soluble ash were 88.9 and 0.15%, respectively. F/A GAC with the larger external surface area and greater mesopore volume had the lower abrasion number, which indicated that it was worn out relatively easily. Water-soluble ash of coconut-based GAC (about 2.6%) was greater than that of coal-based GAC (less than 1%), and the pH of solution was increased with GAC, which had the higher water-soluble ash. On the other hand, floater of thirteen F/A GAC was divided as two groups, which one group had relatively higher floater (2.7~3.5%) and the other group had lower floater (approximately 0.5%). The results of RSSCT indicated that coconut-based GAC (i.e. relatively higher water-soluble ash) had less adsorption capacity. Moreover, adsorption capacity of coal-based GAC with larger surface area and greater mesopore volume was superior to others.

Activated carbon (AC) was used as an adsorbent for removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The purpose of this research is to study the effect of acidic treatments of activated carbons on toluene adsorption. The physicalchemical properties of activated carbons were characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, temperatureprogrammed desorption (TPD). The adsorption amount of toluene showed an order of S-AC-10% > S-AC-5% > A-AC > AC. It was also found that acid solution pH showed a significant influence on adsorption of toluene. Because strong acid treatment increased the surface oxygen group species of activated carbon, and this group was observed to be the carboxyl acid group by TPD analysis. In addition, the toluene adsorption amount by activated carbon increased with the concentration of H2SO4 solution from 5% to 10%. Adsorption ability of activated carbon surface with toluene is thought to increase as the amount of oxygen group on AC increases.

The purpose of this study is to develop a scrubber wastewater cleaning system to improve the efficiency of odor reduction. We evaluated the changes in scrubber wastewater quality and odor reduction efficiencies before and after applying the pilot system. We determined that it was possible to extend the replacement cycle by two times or more considering the turbidity change and organic removal efficiency. Butyraldehyde, a major odor-causing substances in the exhaust gas of the target facility, is soluble in water. As a result, the odor reduction efficiency was improved by removing the butyraldehyde in the scrubber wastewater. Economically, it is possible to save about 12 million won per year. Thus, it is necessary to keep scrubber wastewater clean in order to improve the deodorization efficiency and reduce the cost of disposal.

기공 0.4 μm PVDF 나노섬유 정밀여과 나권형 모듈과 GAC 컬럼의 혼성공정에서 모사용액을 순환 없이 선형유속 0.013 m/s, TMP를 0.5 bar 조건으로 GAC 충진량을 변화시키면서 실험하였다. 또한 동일한 혼성공정에서 모사용액을 순환시키면서 선형유속 0.026 m/s, TMP 1.5 bar의 조건으로 GAC 충진량의 영향을 고찰하였다. 탁도와 UV254 흡광도(DOM) 처리율을 비교하였는데, 탁도 처리율에는 영향이 없었으나, GAC의 충진량이 많을수록 DOM 이 증가하였다. 하지만 TMP와 유속이 높은 조건인 순환이 있는 실험에서 GAC에 의한 DOM 처리율이 더 낮은 이유는 순환으로 인해 모사용액 농도가 낮아졌기 때문인 것으로 판단된다.

강도가 강하고 내약품성, 무독성, 내연소성의 장점을 가지고 있는 PVdF (polyvinylidene fluoride) 나노섬유로 기공이 0.4 μm 평막을 제조한 후, 그 평막으로 부직포를 첨가하여 나권형 모듈을 제작하였다. 카올린과 휴믹산으로 조제한 모사용액과 순수를 대상으로 나권형 모듈의 투과선속과 처리율을 비교하여 pH의 영향을 알아보았고, 여과실험 후 물 역세척을 하여 회복률과 여과저항을 계산하였다. 또한, 나권형 모듈을 통과한 처리수를 입상 활성탄(GAC, granular activated carbon)으로 채워진 컬럼에 통과시킨 후, 탁도와 UV254 흡광도를 측정하여 GAC의 흡착 효과를 고찰하였다.

The effect of activated carbon particle diameter (i.e. US sieve No. 8×10 (dp ≈ 2.19 mm), 18×20 (dp ≈ 0.92 mm), 50×60 (dp ≈ 0.27 mm) and 170×200 (dp ≈ 0.081 mm)) on caffeine adsorption is investigated. BET surface area was increased with decreasing particle diameter (dp), and caffeine adsorption rates increased with decreasing dp. Moreover, pseudo-second order model is predicted the experimental data more accurately than pseudo-first order model, and the fastest rate constant (k2) was 1.7 g mg-1 min-1 when dp was 0.081 mm. Surface diffusion coefficient (Ds) was decreased with decreasing dp based on the minimum sum of square error (SSE). Practically, certain ranges of Ds are acceptable with high reliability (R2) and it is determined that the effect of dp on Ds is unclear. The effect of pH on caffeine adsorption indicated the dependency of m/L ratio (mass liquid ratio) and pHPZC. The pHPZC (i.e. 7.9 ± 0.2) was not affected by dp. The higher caffeine adsorption at pH 4 and pH 7 than at pH 10 is due to pHPZC, not pka of caffeine.

To improve its textural properties as a support for platinum catalyst, carbon aerogel was chemically activated with KOH as a chemical agent. Carbon-supported platinum catalyst was subsequently prepared using the prepared carbon supports(carbon aerogel(CA), activated carbon aerogel(ACA), and commercial activated carbon(AC)) by an incipient wetness impregnation. The prepared carbon-supported platinum catalysts were applied to decalin dehydrogenation for hydrogen production. Both initial hydrogen evolution rate and total hydrogen evolution amount were increased in the order of Pt/CA < Pt/AC < Pt/ACA. This means that the chemical activation process served to improve the catalytic activity of carbon-supported platinum catalyst in this reaction. The high surface area and the well-developed mesoporous structure of activated carbon aerogel obtained from the activation process facilitated the high dispersion of platinum in the Pt/ACA catalyst. Therefore, it is concluded that the enhanced catalytic activity of Pt/ACA catalyst in decalin dehydrogenation was due to the high platinum surface area that originated from the high dispersion of platinum.

PURPOSES: In this study, alkali-activated blast-furnace slag (AABFS) was investigated to determine its capacity to absorb carbon dioxide and to demonstrate the feasibility of its use as an alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). In addition, this study was performed to evaluate the influence of the alkali-activator concentration on the absorption capacity and physicochemical characteristics. METHODS: To determine the characteristics of the AABFS as a function of the activator concentration, blast-furnace slag was activated by using calcium hydroxide at mass ratios ranging from 6 to 24%. The AABFS pastes were used to evaluate the carbon dioxide absorption capacity and rate, while the OPC paste was tested under the same conditions for comparison. The changes in the surface morphology and chemical composition before and after the carbon dioxide absorption were analyzed by using SEM and XRF. RESULTS: At an activator concentration of 24%, the AABFS absorbed approximately 42g of carbon dioxide per mass of paste. Meanwhile, the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed onto the OPC was minimal at the same activator concentration, indicating that the AABFS actively absorbed carbon dioxide as a result of the carbonation reaction on its surface. However, the carbon dioxide absorption capacity and rate decreased as the activator concentration increased, because a high concentration of the activator promoted a hydration reaction and formed a dense internal structure, which was confirmed by SEM analysis. The results of the XRF analyses showed that the CaO ratio increased after the carbon dioxide absorption. CONCLUSIONS : The experimental results confirmed that the AABFS was capable of absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide, suggesting that it can be used as a dry absorbent for carbon capture and sequestration and as a feasible alternative to OPC. In the formation of AABFS, the activator concentration affected the hydration reaction and changed the surface and internal structure, resulting in changes to the carbon dioxide absorption capacity and rate. Accordingly, the activator ratio should be carefully selected to enhance not only the carbon capture capacity but also the physicochemical characteristics of the geopolymer.

The adsorption/desorption characteristics of toluene vapors filled with activated carbon(AC) were studied. Adsorption performance of AC was investigated according to flow rate, moisture content, and other factors. The breakthrough time was shortened as the flow rate and moisture content increased. The AC loaded with toluene was regenerated by programmed heating and pressure. AC was regenerated well, as the conditions of heating temperature(80oC) and pressure(100 torr) were appropriate. Toluene is more easily removed at low temperature than through thermal desorption methods. The test of AC regeneration was carried out three times.

Activated carbon fibers(ACFs) were prepared in this research from a polyacrylonitrile(PAN) precursor with the KOH(1~4 M) pretreatment and following activation at 800oC in a lab-scale. The sample ACFs were characterized according to their textural properties, and evaluated for CO2 adsorption capacity. The surface area and pore volume of ACFs increased according to the pretreatment with KOH; for example, 4M-KOH aqueous solution resulted in 1552.5 m2/g specific surface area and 0.605 cc/g pore volume. It also showed high CO2 adsorption amount(3.11 mmol/g) which showed a proportional increase with reaction pressure.

Recently, the production of taste and odor (T&O) compounds is a common problem in water industry. Geosmin is one of the T&O components in drinking water. However, geosmin is hardly eliminated through the conventional water treatment systems. Among various advanced processes capable of removing geosmin, adsorption process using granular activated carbon (GAC) is the most commonly used process. As time passes, however GAC process changes into biological activated carbon (BAC) process. There is little information on the BAC process in the literature. In this study, we isolated and identified microorganisms existing within various BAC processes. The microbial concentrations of BAC processes examined were 3.5×105 colony forming units (CFU/g), 2.2×106 CFU/g and 7.0×105 CFU/g in the Seongnam plant, Goyang plant and Goryeong pilot plant, respectively. The dominant bacterial species were found to be Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Novosphingobium rosa and Afipia broomeae in each plants. Removal efficiencies of 3 μg/L geosmin by the dominant species were 36.1%, 36.5% and 34.3% in mineral salts medium(MSM) where geosmin was a sole carbon source.

Carbonate-type organic electrolytes were prepared using propylene carbonate (PC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) as a solvent, quaternary ammonium salts, and by adding different contents of 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMImBF4). Cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry were performed to analyze conducting behaviors. The surface characterizations were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy method and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. From the experimental results, increasing the EMImBF4 content increased the ionic conductivity and reduced bulk resistance and interfacial resistance. In particular, after adding 15 vol% EMImBF4 in 0.2 M SBPBF4 PC/DMC electrolyte, the organic electrolyte showed superior capacitance and interfacial resistance. However, when EMImBF4 content exceeded 15 vol%, the capacitance was saturated and the voltage range decreased.