In this work, we report test results for direct melting of non-combustible wastes by using a 100 kW class transferred type plasma torch. For this purpose, non-combustible wastes consisting of metals and sands were prepared, weighed and melted by a transferred arc in a ceramic crucible with inner diameter of 150 mm. Test results reveal that 75wt% M6 iron bolts mixed with 25wt% sands were completely melted down within 140 seconds at the plasma power level of 83.8 kW, producing melting speed of 100 kg/hr and volume reduction rate of 62.8%. In addition, for simulated wastes consisting of 77.3wt% metal chips and 22.7wt% sands, the volume reduction rate high than 88% was achieved at 50 kW plasma power. These results indicate that non-combustible wastes can be treated efficiently when directly melting them by using transferred type plasma torch.

In this work, we report the basic performance of a 100 kW class mobile plasma melting system consisting of two 24-ft commercial containers, each in charge of the plasma utilities and melting process. In this system, a 100 kW class transferred type plasma torch has been installed together with a crucible having an inner volume of 2,884 cm3. Filling the inner volume of the crucible with the simulated metal waste, such as bolts and nuts, melting tests have been carried out for 5 min by varying plasma input power from 50 kW to 100 kW. By measuring the volume of metal waste before and after melting test, then, the volume reduction rates were estimated and discussed.

We developed a 100 kW Class Transferred Type Plasma Torch applicable for melting of noncombustible metal wastes. By employing reverse polarity discharge structures for hollow electrode plasma torch, a transferred type arc plasma was generated stably with long arc length higher than 10 cm at the arc currents of ~400 A and gas (N2) flow rate of ~50 lpm. High arc currents and high arc voltages caused by the increased arc length could input high power level of ~100 kW to the noncombustible metal wastes, enabling quick melting. In addition, relatively long arc length and low gas flow rates can help reduce the deposition of melted materials on the exit surface of the torch. Thanks to these features, the developed plasma torch is expected to be suitable for small-scaled and portable melting system.

KAERI에서는 파이로프로세싱에서 발생하는 금속폐기물의 부피 및 무게 감량을 위해 고방사성 장반감기 핵종을 포함하는 anode sludge내 NM의 고화매질로써 폐피복관과 첨가금속을 재활용하는 연구를 진행하고 있다. 본 연구에서는 Cr 함량을 조절한 Zr-17Cr-8NM, Zr-22Cr-8NM, Zr-27Cr-8NM 합금을 유도용융을 통해 제조하였고, 전기화학적 부식시험을 실시하여 부 식특성을 평가하였다. 모든 조성에서 기존 연구 중인 Zr계 합금고화체 조성보다 우수한 부식특성을 나타냈다. 또한 Zr-22Cr- 8NM 시편의 부식시험 후 침출용액 조성 분석 결과, 500 mV 전압 조건 이하에서는 NM 침출이 없었고 이를 통해 우수한 화 학적 안정성을 갖는 합금고화체 조성을 확보하였다.

A MnSOD gene was cloned from the fall webworm, H. cunea. The MnSOD cDNAs encode precursor proteins of 215 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequences of the H. cunea MnSOD cDNA showed 76% identity to B. mori MnSOD and 62-56% to MnSOD sequences from other organisms. MnSOD and Cu/ZnSOD in H. cunea is expressed from all tissues. MnSOD expression is changed at a trace level in infected larvae, while Cu/ZnSOD expression is strongly changed against bacteria, and fungi. The expression level of Cu/ZnSOD increased by different artificial photoperiod (24L:0D), UV irradiation (312nm), and starvation condition, while the expression level of MnSOD only increased by starvation condition. Also, expression of MnSOD and Cu/ZnSOD showed no significant change in 0L:24D condition. In addition to expression levels of Cu/ZnSOD in H. cunea significantly increased by temperature stress and injection with paraquat, but reduced by injection with 10% H2O2. The expression level of MnSOD significantly increased by temperature stress and reduced by injection with 10% H2O2 and paraquat.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is toxic to living organisms, because its high reactivity causes oxidative damage to proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an enzyme facilitating the removal of superoxide anions from living organisms. This study focused on the cloning of MnSOD cDNA from Hyphantria cunea and its induction upon bacterial infection and various stresses. The open reading frame of MnSOD is composed of 645 bp, encoding 215 amino acid residues. The theoretical molecular mass and pI of putative MnSOD was evaluated to be 24276 Da and 9.14, respectively. The MnSOD from H. cunea is highly similar to human MnSOD (59.5%) as well as Bombyx mori MnSOD (76.2%). MnSOD showed no big induction upon bacterial infection and stresses, compared to that of Cu/ZnSOD.

Apolipophorin-Ⅲ (apoLp-Ⅲ) is a hemolymph protein whose function is to facilitate lipid transport in an aqueous medium in insect. Recently, apolipophorin-Ⅲ in Galleria mellonella and Hyphantria cunea was shown to play an unexpected role in insect immune activation. We show here a novel possible function/role of apoLp-Ⅲ in insects. To investigate the genes which have a relationship with apoLp-Ⅲ in fall webworm larvae, we reduction of endogenous Hc apoLp-Ⅲ mRNA levels in larvae via RNA interference (RNAi). The RNAi-mediated Hc apoLp-Ⅲ reduction resulted in the reduction of antioxidants, like MnSOD, catalase, and glutathione S transferase as well as immune proteins. In particular, expression of MnSOD commonly decreased in fat body, midgut, and hemocytes following the knockdown of Hc apoLp-Ⅲ, which induced an elevated level of superoxide anion in H. cunea larvae. The observed effect of Hc apoLp-Ⅲ RNAi suggests that Hc apoLp-Ⅲ is related to the action/expression of antioxidants.

Innate immunity responses are triggered by the immune challenge and therefore involve signaling processes. The cellular response is initiated by hemocytes and mainly involves phagocytosis and encapsulation of intruders by these cells. To address whether Hc-STAT is activated upon bacterial challenge, we examined the subcellular location of STAT protein in hemocyte by immunostaining. A new insect member of the STAT family of transcription factors (Hc-STAT) has been cloned from the lepidopteran, Hyphantria cunea. The domain involved in DNA interaction and the SH2 domain are well conserved. The gene is transcribed at a low level during all stages of development, and the protein is present in hemocytes, fat body, midgut, epidermis, and Malphigian tuble (Mt). Especially, hemocytes and Mt showed transcriptional activation of Hc-STAT upon Gram (-) bacteria and fungal challenge. Gram (-) bacteria and fungal challenge specifically results in nuclear translocation of Hc-STAT protein and induction of DNA-binding activity that recognizes a STAT target site in H. cunea hemocyte. In vitro treatment with pervanadate translocates Hc-STAT to the nucleus in hemocyte cells. Here we report the first evidence for the involvement hemocyte JAK/STAT pathway upon microbial infection in lepidopteran insect.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is toxic to living organisms, because its high reactivity causes oxidative damage to proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an enzyme facilitating the removal of superoxide anions from living organisms. This study focused on the cloning of MnSOD cDNA from Hyphantria cuneaand its induction upon bacterial infection and various stresses. The open reading frame of MnSOD is composed of 645 bp, encoding 215 amino acid residues. The theoretical molecular mass and pI of putative MnSOD was evaluated to be 24276 Da and 9.14, respectively. The MnSOD from H. cunea is highly similar to human MnSOD (59.5%) as well as Bombyx mori MnSOD (76.2%). MnSOD showed no big induction upon bacterial infection and stresses, compared to that of Cu/ZnSOD.

Innate immunity responses are triggered by the immune challenge and therefore involve signaling processes. The cellular response is initiated by hemocytes and mainly involves phagocytosis and encapsulation of intruders by these cells. To address whether Hc-STAT is activated upon bacterial challenge, we examined the subcellular location of STAT protein in hemocyte by immunostaining. A new insect member of the STAT family of transcription factors (Hc-STAT) has been cloned from the lepidopteran, Hyphantria cunea. The domain involved in DNA interaction and the SH2 domain are well conserved. The gene is transcribed at a low level during all stages of development, and the protein is present in hemocytes, fat body, midgut, epidermis, and Malphigian tuble (Mt). Especially, hemocytes and Mt showed transcriptional activation of Hc-STAT upon Gram (-) bacteria and fungal challenge. Gram (-) bacteria and fungal challenge specifically results in nuclear translocation of Hc-STAT protein and induction of DNA-binding activity that recognizes a STAT target site in H. cunea hemocyte. In vitro treatment with pervanadate translocates Hc-STAT to the nucleus in hemocyte cells. Here we report the first evidence for the involvement hemocyte JAK/STAT pathway upon microbial infection in lepidopteran insect.

Subcritical hydrolysis followed by methyl estrification was used to produce bio-diesel from low valued waste cooking oil at mild reaction conditions in this study. More than 90% fatty acid methyl esther (FAME) conversion was achieved by subcritical hydrolysis without using catalysts at 275℃ for 45 minutes. The highest conversion to linoleic acid (C18:2) was obtained at this condition. The higher content of free fatty acid (FFA) in waste cooking oil resulted in higher conversion to FAME. It was also observed more prominent at high temperature due to auto catalytic behavior of FFA. FAME yield found about 92% without using catalyst; whereas 98% yield was obtained using 80% TiO2 loading S-TiO2/MCM-41 catalyst at 220℃ and 20 minutes. The amount of FAME increased may be due to trans-esterification of un-reacted TG, DG, and MG with methanol remained during the hydrolysis stage. The higher FAME conversion means the better quality bio-diesel.