후쿠시마 원자력 발전소 사고 이후 3.3 × 1016 Bq의 세슘(Cs)이 환경에 노출되면서, 수원으로부터 방사성 세슘 (Cs)을 제거하는 것에 대한 관심이 증대되었다. 지속 가능한 개발과 환경 안전 측면에서 오염된 환경을 복원하는 것은 매우 중요한 이슈이다. 유해 오염물질을 효과적으로 제거하기 위해 분리막 기반의 분리/정제 기술은 매우 각광받는 기술 중 하나 이다. 특히 막 흡착(membrane adsorber) 기술은 흡착과 막 분리를 결합할 수 있는 기술로 수용액에서 오염물질을 제거하는 데 매우 유용한 기술이다. 특히 전기방사 분리막은 높은 기공률, 다양한 고분자 활용가능 그리고 다양한 응용 분야 등의 특징 으로 지난 수십 년 동안 많은 연구가 수행되어 왔다. 본 리뷰 논문은 오염된 물에서 세슘을 제거하기 위한 프러시안 블루 (Prussian blue)가 포함된 전기방사 기반 막 흡착 소재 제조에 대한 다양한 기술을 리뷰하였다.

In this study, the removal efficiency of PFCs(perfluorinated compounds) in the GAC(granule activated carbon) process based on the superheated steam automatic regeneration system was investigated in laboratory scale and pilot-scale reactor. Among PFCs, PFHxS(perfluorohexyl sulfonate) was most effectively removed. The removal efficiency of PFCs was found to be closely related to the EBCT, and the removal efficiencies of PFOA(perfluorooctanoic acid), PFOS(perfluorooctyl sulfonate), and PFHxS were 43.7, 75, and 100%, respectively, under the condition of EBCT of 6 min. Afterward, PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS exhibited the earlier breakthrough time in the order. After that, GAC was regenerated, and the removal efficiency of the PFCs before and after regeneration was compared. As a result, it was shown that the PFCs removal efficiency in the regenerated GAC process were higher, and that of PFOA was improved to 75%. The findings of this study indicate the feasibility of the superheated steam automatic regeneration system for the stable removal of the PFCs, and it was verified that this technology can be applied stably enough even in field conditions.

본 연구에서는 바이오매스 폐기물인 Corynebacterium glutamium을 Alg를 이용한 고정화와 PEI 표면개질 과정을 통하여 유해 미세조류인 Microcystis aeruginosa를 제거할 수 있는 흡착소재인 PEI-AlgBF를 개발하였다. 녹조의 발생단계에 상관없이 PEI-AlgBF는 수계로부터 M. aeruginosa를 성공적으로 제거할 수 있었으며 유해조류 제거과정에서 M. aeruginosa 세포의 파괴를 유발하지 않았다. 흡착소재의 표면적은 M. aeruginosa의 제거효율에 매우 큰 영향을 주는 주요인자로 확인할 수 있었다. PEI-AlgBF를 사용한 M. aeruginosa 흡착/제거 방식은 기존 기술에 비하여 환경영 향성이 낮기 때문에 보다 안전하고 안정적인 유해조류의 제어 방식이 될 것이다.

The Odor-causing compounds from grilled meat restaurants are mainly ammonia, aldehydes, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Acetaldehyde is known to have the greatest odor contribution. This study examines the application of silica gel for acetaldehyde in gas stream. Heat-pretreated silica gel showed relatively good adsorption performance and at 150oC, its breakthrough capacity reached up to 51 mg/g. By using Thomas' dynamic model, which well estimated the adsorption performance in this study, the effects of inlet concentration and retention time on adsorption capacity were evaluated. The adsorbent saturated with acetaldehyde was regenerated by reducing the pressure, which was controlled by the vacuum pump. The design factors were found to be 10 sec−1 of space velocity, -184 kPa·hr of desorption condition, and 10 to 1 of the ratio of cross sectional area to the height for the fixed-bed. The cyclic operation of adsorption and desorption step in the fixed bed packed with silica gel appeared to have 7.0-8.8 mg/g of acetaldehyde removal capacity and 99% of regeneration.

In this study, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from printing industries were analyzed, and an inorganic adsorbent, γ-alumina, was selected for the effective control of the VOC emissions. Printing processes commonly require inks, thinners, and cleaners, and they were mixed organic solvents containing aromatic compounds, ketones, and alcohols. Therefore, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) were selected as model compounds for this study. The adsorptive properties using γ-alumina were determined for the model compounds. Both batch isotherm and continuous flow column tests demonstrated that the adsorption capacity of MEK and IPA was 3~4 times higher than that of toluene. The column test performed at an inlet toluene concentration of 100 ppm showed that an 80% breakthrough for toluene was observed after 3 hours, but both MEK and IPA were continuously adsorbed during the same time period. A numerical model simulated that the γ-alumina could remove toluene at a loading rate of 0.4 mg/min only for a 4-hour period, which might be too short of a duration for real applications. Consequently, lifetime enhancement for γ-alumina must be implemented, and ozone oxidation and regeneration would be feasible options.

To abate the problem of odor from restaurants, a hybrid adsorbent consisting of organic and inorganic materials was developed and evaluated using acetaldehyde as a model compound was deveioped and evaluated. Powders of activated carbon, bentonite, and calcium hydroxide were mixed and calcinated to form adsorbent structure. The surface area of the hybrid adsorbent was smaller than that of high-quality activated carbon, but its microscopic image showed that contours and pores were developed on its surface. To determine its adsorption capacity, both batch isotherm and continuous flow column experiments were performed, and these results were compared with those using commercially available activated carbon. The isotherm tests showed that the hybrid adsorbent had a capacity 40 times higher than that of the activated carbon. In addition, the column experiments revealed that breakthrough time of the hybrid adsorbent was 2.5 times longer than that of the activated carbon. These experimental results were fitted to numerical simulations by using a homogeneous surface diffusion model (HSDM); the model estimated that the hybrid adsorbent might be able to remove acetaldehyde at a concentration of 40 ppm for a 5-month period. Since various odor compounds are commonly emitted as a mixture when meat is barbecued, it is necessary to conduct a series of experiments and HSDM simulations under various conditions to obtain design parameters for a full-scale device using the hybrid adsorbent.

Mill scale, an iron waste, was used to separate magnetite particles for the adsorption of phosphate from aqueous solution. Mill scale has a layered structure composed of wustite (FeO), magnetite (Fe3O4), and hematite (Fe2O3). Because magnetite shows the highest magnetic property among these iron oxides, it can be easily separated from the crushed mill scale particles. Several techniques were employed to characterize the separated particles. Mill scale-derived magnetite particles exhibited a strong uptake affinity to phosphate in a wide pH range of 3-7, with the maximum adsorptive removal of 100%, at the dosage of 1 g/L, pH 3-5. Langmuir isotherm model well described the equilibrium data, exhibiting maximum adsorption capacities for phosphate up to 4.95 and 8.79 mg/g at 298 and 308 K, respectively. From continuous operation of the packed-bed column reactor operated with different EBCT (empty bed contact time) and adsorbent particle size, the breakthrough of phosphate started after 8-22 days of operation. After regeneration of the column reactor with 0.1N NaOH solution, 95-98% of adsorbed phosphate could be detached from the column reactor.

One of the issues currently facing nuclear power plants is how to store spent nuclear waste materials which are contaminated with radionuclides such as 134Cs, 135Cs, and 137Cs. Bioremediation processes may offer a potent method of cleaning up radioactive cesium. However, there have only been limited reports on Cs+ tolerant bacteria. In this study, we report the isolation and identification of Cs+ tolerant bacteria in environmental soil and sediment. The resistant Cs+ isolates were screened from enrichment cultures in R2A medium supplemented with 100 mM CsCl for 72 h, followed by microbial community analysis based on sequencing analysis from 16S rRNA gene clone libraries (NCBI’s BlastN). The dominant Bacillus anthracis Roh-1 and B. cereus Roh-2 were successfully isolated from the cesium enrichment culture. Importantly, B. cereus Roh- 2 is resistant to 30% more Cs+ than is B. anthracis Roh-1 when treated with 50 mM CsCl. Growth experiments clearly demonstrated that the isolate had a higher tolerance to Cs+. In addition, we investigated the adsorption of 0.2 mg L-1 Cs+ using B. anthracis Roh-1. The maximum Cs+ biosorption capacity of B. anthracis Roh-1 was 2.01 mg g-1 at pH 10. Thus, we show that Cs+ tolerant bacterial isolates could be used for bioremediation of contaminated environments.

질산성질소는 자연계의 질소 순환과정에서 발생되며, 수중에서는 질산성질소가 무기이온인 질산염(NO3 - )의 형태로 존재한다. 질산성질소는 과도한 질소비료시비나 동물의 분뇨에 의해 오염된 지하수에 존재하며, 인체에 노출 시 암과 같은 질병 유발 가능성을 높인다. 본 연구에서는 흡착등온식 및 흡착속도식 모델을 이용하여 질산염 농도 및 시간에 따른 키토산 비드의 수중 질산염 흡착특성을 평가하였다. 질산염의 농도에 따른 흡착실험에서 Langmuir와 Freundlich 식을 이용하여 최대흡착량 및 흡착형태를 산출한 결과, 키토산 비드의 질산염 흡착형태는 Langmuir식에 가장 일치되 는 경향을 보였으며, 이때 키토산 비드의 질산염 최대흡착량은 14.83 mg 질산염/g 키토산비드이었다. 질산염의 시간에 따른 흡착실험에서 1차속도식 및 2차속도식을 이용하여 질산염의 흡착속도 및 확산형태를 평가한 결과, 키토산 비드 의 초기 흡착속도는 외부확산에 의한1차속도식 경향을 보였으며, 일정시간이 지난 후에는 내부확산에 의한 2차속도식 형태의 경향을 보였다. 본 연구에서 수행한 흡착 모델에 따른 수중질산염의 제거 연구는 키토산 비드의 흡착 형태 및 질산염 제거량을 수학적으로 예측하는데 도움이 된다.

The potential use of UV-TiO2 photocatalytic oxidation absorbent reactor in the removal of gaseous formaldehyde was studied. This study was conducted inside a bench-type circulation reactor chamber at ambient air conditions. PCO (Photocatalytic Oxidaion) degradation test for formaldehyde was done repeatedly and the average was reported. It was evident that photocatalytic oxidation was proven to be an effective method to control indoor air pollutants, like formaldehyde in indoor air. However, by-products are produced in the case of formaldehyde degradation also CO2, CO, H2O and formic acid are produced. These by-products can inhibit the active site of the photocatalyst. Thus, addition of adsorbent succeeding the PCO-TiO2, acts as a secondary treatment wherein produced by-products from the degradation and unreacted HCHO will adhere to the surface of the adsorbent. In this study, synthetic zeolite and activated carbon pellets were used to control of by-products of formaldehyde. PCOTiO2 degradation alone achieves 86% for a period of 60 minutes. Addition of adsorbent improves the removal efficiency achieving 90% and 96% using activated carbon pellet and zeolite, respectively.

MBR 공법의 처리수 중의 총인을 흡착하는 탈인장치를 50m³/일 규모로 운영하였다. 탈인장치는 Ф1m x 2.5mH(2mEH)로 원통형 구조이며, 내부에 모래 및 흡착제가 0.7m³ 및 0.3m³ 충진되었다. MBR 처리수는 탈인장치 하부에서 상부로 이동하면서 총인이 흡착되고, 모래와 흡착제는 중심부의 원형관을 통하여 상부로 이송되고, 재생용액인 ClO2/Ca(OH)2에 의하여 재생된 후 상부로 재 보충된다. MBR 처리수의 총인은 1.0~1.8mg/L였으며, 탈인 장치 처리수 중의 총인은 0.4~0.8mg/L로 나타났다. 흡착제 재생시 발생한 세척수는 약 4% 이내로 운영되었다.