The possibility to decrease agglomeration of Cu nano powders and their separation during pulsed wire evaporation (PWE) process was investigated by controlling the working gas system, i.e., the design of the gas path, the type and pressure of the atmospheric gas. As a result, it was possible to choose the optimal design of the gas path providing large specific surface area and high degree of separation of the synthesized Cu nano powders. It was also shown that an Ar+10∼50 mixture can be used in production of Cu nano powders, which do not react with nitrogen.

Volatile organic compounds in the ambient air were gathered irregularly by normal temperature concentrating method at Odea-ri and Oceon-ri Ulsan-gun in the neighbourhood of Ulsan Petrochemical Industrial Complex and analyzed with gas chromatograph. Several hydrocarbons in common atmospheric air or emitted fugitively from the chemical plants were identified and quantified by comparison with the retention times of standard compounds. The results from several field surveys in 1992 show that the concentrations of styrene at residential area of Odea-ri and Ocheon--ri were less than 0.4 ppm, but once a while greater within the chemical plants area. When it smelled unpleasantly in these area, the concentration of hydrocarbons were also high. It was concluded that the close and long-term investigation about other odorous components but hydrocarbons will be necessary to ascertain the cause of unpleasant odor of these area.