This study involved the heterogenization of a binder pitch (BP) using a small amount of nanocarbon to improve physical properties of the resulting graphite electrode (GE). Heterogenization was carried out by adding 0.5–2.0 wt.% platelet carbon nanofiber (PCNF) or carbon black (CB) to a commercial BP. To evaluate the physical properties of the BPs, we designed a new model graphite electrode (MGE) using needle coke as a filler. The heterogenized binder pitch (HBP) with PCNF or CB clearly increased the coking value by 5–13 wt.% compared to that of the as-received BP. Especially, the model graphite electrodes prepared with HBPs containing 1.0 wt.% PCNF or CB showed significantly improved physical properties compared to the control MGE from the as-received BP. Although the model graphite electrodes prepared with HBPs showed similar properties, they had smaller pore sizes than the control. This indicates that heterogenization of the BP can effectively decrease the pore size in the MGE matrix. Correlating the average pore sizes with the physical properties of the model graphite electrodes showed that, for the same porosity, matrices formed by the HBP with a smaller average pore size can effectively improve the apparent density, tensile strength, and oxidation resistance of the model graphite electrodes.

Recently, the importance of air filters used in air purifiers and ventilation systems is emphasized in Korea. As a result, air filter test reports are required by users to ensure the removal efficiency of particulate matter. However, the tests are conducted for the filter material alone, which lead to a possible discrepancy between the test report and actual efficiency when applied to actual devices. Therefore, in this study, the removal efficiency data of the filter test reports were compared with actual filter efficiency data after application to the ventilation systems for some ventilation systems in the market. For ventilation system A, the field test results using filter leakage test method were slightly lower than those in the test report but nearly the same. For ventilation system B, the field test result was much higher than reported in the test report. This was due to the broad range of particle sizes measured using the filter leakage test method. The field tests using the particle counter method showed that the removal efficiency of ventilation system A for 0.3 μm was under 50% which translates to less than half of those of the filter test reports. For ventilation system B, the removal efficiency was 15%~21%. much lower than reported in the filter test reports. The lower removal efficiencys are mainly assumed to be caused by leakage of the filter installation among other factors. Therefore, the field test methods for the particulate matter removal efficiency of ventilation systems should be established to verify actual efficiency and improve the efficiency in the future.

A number of studies on airborne pollutants and microorganisms using ultraviolet sterilization have been conducted. Countermeasures are also needed to be taken against contamination and damage that occur on indoor surfaces in addition to indoor air. In this study, a method to predict UV-C intensity distribution using radiance calculation was introduced for the purpose of surface sterilization using UVGI systems and compared with the measured UVC intensities in a kitchen model room. The results of calculations showed a similar distribution of ultraviolet intensity with the measured intensities, although there was some discrepancy, probably due to different reflectance of building materials. And some bacteria and viruses occasionally identified in kitchens were predicted to be sterilized 99.9% only after about 30 minutes of UV-C irradiation with the figure 90% for fungi. The sterilization performance of UVGI and exposure time to UV-C were reasonably predicted using the radiance calculation method, and UV sterilization can be achieved with great effect even after a short period of time.

The healing environment in hospitals is very important. Three factors must be satisfied to create a healing environment in the hospital. First, chemical elements such as pathogens and pollutants must be controlled. Second, physical factors such as temperature, humidity and airflow must be satisfied. Third, psychological factors must be satisfied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the indoor thermal environment by conducting a questionnaire (Thermal Sensation Vote, TSV) and a Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) measurement. The questionnaires were distributed to 20 medical staff (nurse), 84 inpatients and 113 outpatients. Temperature, humidity, air quality and comfort were evaluated. Measurements were conducted in the waiting room and lobby of the first and second floors of the outpatient area as well as wards on 10th floor. Both south and north-facing wards were divided to analyze the PMV difference by the orientations. The survey results showed high satisfaction values in the outpatient department for temperature satisfaction and comfort. In the inpatient department, air quality satisfaction showed good values. Moreover, the humidity satisfaction level in the nurse station was high. The PMV measurement results showed that the PMV was lower in the ward than in the outpatient area. Comparison of the questionnaire and measurement results showed that the questionnaire results were lower than those of the measurement in the outpatient area. As a result, it is necessary to reduce the gap between questionnaire and measurement results It is also important to create an indoor environment that matches the thermal preferences of the occupant by operating the air handling unit (AHU).

It is known that air pollutants such as fine dust and exhaust gas from vehicles are harmful to human health. In particular, the black carbon emitted by vehicles is known to cause a large number of premature deaths. This study analyzed the effect of a noise barrier on the inflow amount of black carbon from a nearby high traffic road to a school area, using numerical analysis performed at two elementary schools. Also, the correlation between the noise barrier’s shape, height and the inflow amount of black carbon was assessed. As a result, it was found that the higher the noise barrier, the lower the inflow amount of black carbon observed at the school A. However, the inflow amount of black carbon at school B was not greatly influenced by the height of the noise barrier. The inflow amount of black carbon at the schools could be changed not only by the height of the noise barrier, but also by the shape, height and position of the noise barrier and the school building.

The concern of fine particle (PM2.5) management of outdoor environments has been increasing due to its exposure and related health effects in Korea. As a result, PM2.5 standard in atmosphere environment was regulated in 2015. On the other hand, indoor PM2.5 standard has been required because most people spent their times in indoor environments. In this study, we measured the PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations both indoor and outdoor environments of public-use facilities such as underground stations, underground shopping centers, and nurseries for 24 hour with filter-weighing method in Seoul and Daegu. Measurement duration was from March to April in 2014 during the Asian dust period. At all measurements, indoor to outdoor (I/O) concentration ratios exceeded 1 except 1 day nursery in Daegu in spite of Asian dust period. The ratios of PM2.5 to PM10 concentrations ranged from 0.63 to 0.75 in indoor environments, and from 0.63 to 0.82 in outdoor, indicating that PM2.5 should be carefully managed in indoor environments as well as outdoor atmosphere.