Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a promising technology for the uniform deposition of thin films. ALD is based on a self-limiting mechanism, which can effectively deposit thin films on the surfaces of powders of various sizes. Numerous studies are underway to improve the performance of thermoelectric materials by forming core-shell structures in which various materials are deposited on the powder surface using ALD. Thermoelectric materials are especially relevant as clean energy storage materials due to their ability to interconvert between thermal and electrical energy by the Seebeck and Peltier effects. Herein, we introduce a surface and interface modification strategy based on ALD to control the performance of thermoelectric materials. We also discuss the properties of the interface between various deposition materials and thermoelectric materials.

A new biological nutrient removal system combining A2/O process with fixed film was developed in this work and the characteristics of denitrifcation were especially investigated in the combined fixed film reactor(CFFR). Media was added in the anaerobic, anoxic and aerobic reactors, respectively. Tests were made to establish the effluent level of NOx-N, COD, DO and nitrite effects on NOx-N removal in the CFFR by decreasing hydraulic retention time (HRT) from 10.0 to 3.5 hours and by increasing internal recycle ratio form 0% to 200%. The influent was synthesized to levels similar to the average influent of municipal wastewater treatment plants in Korea. SARAN media with a porosity of 96.3% was packed 40%/30%/25% based on its reactor volume, respectively. It was found that COD rarely limited denitrification in the anoxic reactor because of high C/NOx-N ratio in the anoxic reactor, while DO concentration in the anoxic reactor and NO2-N/NOx-N from the aerobic effluent inhibited denitrifcation in the anoxic reactor. It was proved that the critical points of DO concentration in the anoxic reactor and NO2-N/NOx-N from the aerobic effluent were 0.15㎎/L and 10%, respectively. As the internal recycle ratio increased, DO concentration in the anoxic reactor and NO2-N/NOx-N from the aerobic effluent increased. Especially, at the condition of internal recycle ratio, 200%, DO concentration in the anoxic reactor and NO2-N/NOx-N from the aerobic effluent exceeded the critical points of 0.15㎎/L and 10%, respectively. Then, denitrification efficiency considerably decreased. Consequently, it was represented that the control of DO concentration in the anoxic reactor and NO2-N/NOx-N from the aerobic effluent can assure effective denitrifcation.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the partial oxidation of the biological treatment plant effluents using Fenton`s reagent as a pretreatment step prior to a tertiary biological oxidation of these effluents. Fenton`s reagent was evaluated as a pretreatment process for inhibitory or refractory organics. Based on the Fenton oxidation system, the petrochemical wastewater treatment plant effluent was shown to have significant improvement in toxicity after oxidation with hydrogen peroxide. For example, at range of 42∼184 ㎎/L COD of petrochemical plant effluents, the COD removal efficiencies were from 38.2% to 60.1% after reaction with hydrogen peroxide 200 ㎎/L and Fe^2+ 100 ㎎/L and reaction time was 30 minutes. The total TOC reduction were about 15.8∼22.4% with same test condition and difference between the overall removal rate and BOD/COD ratio after Fenton`s oxidation estabilished in the biodegradation and otherwise meets the discharge standard or reuse for cooling tower make-up water.

Reuse of industrial effluents through the cooling systems in a petrochemical complex was described. The partial oxidation of the effluents from the biological treatment plant was examined, using Fenton`s reagent as a pretreatment step prior to a next treatment of the effluents. Next tertiary treatment using fixed-film reactor resulted in marked reductions in COD and suspended solids. The continuous fixed-film process with Fenton oxidation pretreatment showed a 23% increase in the COD removal efficiency when compared to that without pretreatment of Fenton oxidation under the volumetric organic loading rate of 0.1 ㎏ COD/㎥/day. The Fenton oxidation treatment seemed to be a possible method for tertiary biological treatment to reduce the residual toxicity with the enhanced biodegradation of the effluents.

The objective of this study was to examine and compare to transient response to quantitative and hydraulic shocks which produce equal changes in mass rate of organic feed in aerobic fixed-film process. The general experimental approach was to operate the system at several growth rates under steady-state(pre-shock) conditions, then to apply step changes during day 3 in dilution rate(hydraulic shock), or feed concentration(quantitative shock) at the same organic mass loading rate. Performance was assessed in both the transient state and the new steady-state (post-shock). Shock load of different type did not produced equivalent disruptions of effluent quality for equal increases on mass loading rate. Based on effluent concentrations, a hydraulic and a quantitative shock at the same mass loading caused equal increase in total effluent COD, but the increase was primarily a result of suspended solids the hydraulic shock and COD in the quantitative shock, The time which effluent COD came to peak values were about 32∼48 hours at the low organic loads and 52∼72 hours at the high organic loads, respectively. A quantitative shock produced a much greater increase in effluent COD than did a hydraulic shock at the same mass loading. Mean and peak values of effluent concentration were increased in 2.8∼4.2 times at low organic loading rate, 5.2∼6.6 times at the high organic loading rate respectively.