이 연구의 목적은 염전에서 폐기되는 간수로 만든 담체의 비소 제거 특성을 연구한 것이다. 간수담체의 물리적 특성은 800 ~ 900℃에서 소성된 것을 사용하여 검토하였다. 비표면적과 흡수율은 각각 16.670 m2/g, 42.3%이었고 압축강도와 총 기공부피는 각각 28.3 kgf/cm2, 0.00818 cm2/g이었다. 간수담체의 화학적 조성은 SiO2가 55.3%이었고 특히, MgO가 19.2%로 매우 높은 농도로 존재하였다. 이런 결 과는 마그네슘 이온을 고농도로 포함하고 있는 간수의 영향을 받은 것으로 판단된다. 또한, X-Ray 회절 분석 결과, 간수담체는 Forsterite(Mg2SiO4)와 결정구조가 유사한 것으로 밝혀졌다. 간수담체는 제올라이트와 다양한 간수 용량으로 제조되었고 20% 간수로 만든 간수담체에서 비소 제거 효율이 최대화되었다. 또한, 수용액 중 간수담체의 용량이 40%일 때 90% 이상의 비소 제거 효율을 나타냈다. 간 수담체의 비소 제거 반응은 매우 빠르게 발생하였고 대부분의 비소 제거 반응이 수 시간 내에 끝났다. 회분식 실험을 통해서 간수담체의 비소 제거율에 미치는 pH 영향을 검토한 결과, 간수담체는 넓은 pH 범위(pH 5 ~ 10)에서도 높은 비소 제거 효율을 나타내었다.

This study evaluates the potential of various coagulants to enhance the efficiency of total phosphorus removal facilities in a sewage treatment plant. After analyzing the existing water quality conditions of the sewage treatment plant, the coagulant of poly aluminium chloride was experimentally applied to measure its effectiveness. In this process, the use of poly aluminium chloride and polymers in various ratios was explored to identify the optimal combination of coagulants. The experimental results showed that the a coagulants combination demonstrated higher treatment efficiency compared to exclusive use of large amounts of poly aluminium chloride methods. Particularly, the appropriate combination of poly aluminium chloride and polymers played a significant role. The optimal coagulant combination derived from the experiments was applied in a micro flotation method of real sewage treatment plant to evaluate its effectiveness. This study presents a new methodology that can contribute to enhancing the efficiency of sewage treatment processes and reducing environmental pollution. This research is expected to make an important contribution to improving to phosphorus remove efficiency of similar wastewater treatment plant and reducing the ecological impact from using coagulants in the future.

PURPOSES : Recently, air pollution due to fine particulate matter has been increasing in Korea. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are particulate matter precursors significantly contributing to air pollution. Increasing efforts have been dedicated to NOx removal from air, since it is particularly harmful. Application of titanium dioxide (TiO2) for concrete road structures is a suitable alternative to remove NOx. As the photocatalytic reaction of TiO2 is the mechanism that eliminates NOx, the ultraviolet rays in sunlight and TiO2 in existing concrete structures need to be contacted for the reaction process. For the application of vertical concrete road structures such as retaining walls, side ditches, and barriers, a pressurized TiO2 fixation method has been developed considering the pressure and pressurization time. In this study, longterm serviceability and repeatability were investigated on concrete specimens applying the dynamic pressurized TiO2 fixation method. Additionally, the environmental hazards of nitrate adsorbed on TiO2 particles were evaluated. METHODS : Concrete specimens to simulate roadside vertical concrete structures were manufactured and used to evaluate the long-term serviceability and repeatability of the dynamic pressurized TiO2 fixation method. The NOx removal efficiency was measured using NOx evaluation equipment based on ISO 22197-1. In addition, the nitrate concentration was measured using a comprehensive water quality analyzer for evaluating environmental hazards. RESULTS : As the experiment to evaluate the NOx removal efficiency of the dynamic pressurized TiO2 fixation method progressed from one to seven cycles, the nitrate concentration increased from 2.35 mg/L to 3.06 mg/L, and the NOx removal efficiency decreased from 53% to 25%. After seven cycles of NOx removal efficiency evaluation, the average nitrate concentration was 3.06 mg/L. The nitrate concentration collected immediately after the NOx removal efficiency test for each cycle was in the range of 2.51 to 2.57 mg/L. By contrast, it was confirmed that the nitrate concentration was lowered to approximately 2.1 mg/L when the surface was washed with water. CONCLUSIONS : The NOx removal efficiency was maintained at over 25% even after seven cycles of NOx removal efficiency evaluation, securing long-term serviceability. In addition, the harmful effects on the environment and human health are insignificant, since the nitrate concentration was less than 10 mg/L, in accordance with domestic and foreign standards. Practical applicability of the pressurized TiO2 fixation method was established by evaluating the long-term serviceability, repeatability, and environmental hazards.

PURPOSES : The increase in particulate matter due to increased air pollutant emissions has become a significant social issue. According to the Ministry of Environment, air pollutants emitted from large-scale businesses in 2022 increased by 12.2% compared to the previous year, indicating that air pollution is accelerating owing to excessive industrialization. In this study, TiO2, which is used to reduce airborne particulate, was used. The TiO2 coating fixation and dynamic pressure coating-type TiO2 fixation methods were used to solve the material peeling phenomenon caused by gravity, which is a limitation when the TiO2 penetration method is applied to a vertical concrete structure along the road. The long-term durability and performance were analyzed through environmental resistance and NOx removal efficiency evaluation experiments. These analyses were then assessed by comparing the NOx removal efficiency with the dynamic pressure permeationtype TiO2 fixation method used in previous studies. METHODS : To evaluate the long-term durability and performance of the TiO2 coating fixation method and dynamic pressure coating TiO2 fixation method for vertical concrete structures, specimens were manufactured based on roadside vertical concrete structures. Environmental resistance tests such as the surface peeling resistance test (ASTM C 672) and freeze-thaw resistance test (KS F 2456) were conducted to evaluate the long-term durability. To evaluate the long-term performance, the NOx removal efficiency of TiO2 concrete owing to road surface deterioration during the environmental resistance test was evaluated using the NOx removal efficiency evaluation equipment based on the ISO 22197-1 standard. This evaluation was compared and analyzed using the dynamic pressure infiltration TiO2 fixation method. RESULTS : The long-term durability of the TiO2 coating fixation and dynamic pressure coating TiO2 fixation methods were evaluated using environmental resistance tests. During the surface peeling resistance test, the TiO2 material degraded and partially detached from the concrete. However, the NOx removal efficiency was ensured by the non-deteriorated and fixed TiO2 material. The long-term performance was confirmed through a freeze-thaw resistance test to evaluate the NOx removal efficiency after 300 cycles of surface deterioration. The results showed that when the TiO2 coating fixation and dynamic pressure infiltration TiO2 fixation methods were applied to vertical concrete structures, the durability of the structure was not compromised. In comparison to the dynamic pressure infiltration TiO2 fixation method, the NOx removal efficiency observed during the surface peeling resistance test was lower, while the freeze-thaw test exhibited notably higher removal efficiency. CONCLUSIONS : To solve the material peeling phenomenon caused by gravity, the long-term durability and performance were evaluated by applying the TiO2 coating fixation and dynamic pressurized coating TiO2 fixation methods to vertical concrete specimens. Long-term durability was confirmed through environmental resistance tests, and long-term utility was secured by measuring the NOx removal efficiency according to surface degradation. These findings show that implementing the TiO2 coating fixation method and dynamic pressure coating TiO2 fixation methods on-site effectively reduce NOx.

This study focused on using indirect filtration through riverbeds to produce high-quality drinking water. Data on water quality from a water intake facility(capacity 10,000 m3/day) and nearby rivers were collected over a three-year period. The average intake facility specifications were found to be a specific surface area of 58 balls/m2, a mean particle size of 24 mm, an inflow velocity of 2.2 cm/sec, and a burial depth of 5 m. The water quality improvement rate was assessed as grade Ia, surpassing the adjacent river’s water quality. Correlation analysis showed a weak correlation between opening ratio, Suspended Solid (SS), and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) compared to total coliforms and fecal coliforms. The correlation coefficient R value of SS was -0.614, BOD was –0.588, total coliforms -0.870, and fecal coliforms -0.958. The R value shows a negative value, which showed that the larger the opening rate, the lower the removal rate of water pollutants. The correlation coefficient R values according to the depth of burial were found to be BOD 0.914, SS-0.124, total coliforms 1.000, and fecal coliforms 0.866. The deeper the burial depth, the higher the removal rate of BOD and microbial groups.

Daechung Reservoir has been suffering from severe cyanobacterial blooming periodically due to the water pollutants from the watershed, especially nutrients from nonpoint sources. As a countermeasure, an artificial wetland was constructed to mitigate the pollutant load from the watershed by utilizing the vegetation. We investigated the water quality of the influent and outflow of the wetland during years 2014~2020 to evaluate the performance of pollutant removal through the wetland. Major pollutants (e.g. BOD, COD, SS, T-N, and T-P) were largely reduced during the retention in the wetland while nutrients removal was more efficient than that of organic matters. Pollutant removal efficiency for different inflow concentrations was also investigated to estimate the wetland’s capability as a way of managing nonpoint sources. The efficiency of water treatment was significantly higher when inflow concentrations were above 75th percentile for all pollutant, implying the wetland can be applied to the pre-treatment of high pollution load including initial rainfall runoff. Furthermore, the yearly variation of removal efficiency for seven years was analyzed to better understand long-term trends in water treatment of the wetland. The annual treatment efficiency of T-P was very high in the early stages of vegetation growth with high concentration of inflow water. However, it was confirmed that the concentration of inflow water decreased, vegetation stabilized, and the treatment efficiency gradually decreased as the soil was saturated. The findings of the study suggest that artificial wetlands can be an effective method for controlling harmful algal blooms by alleviating pollutant load from the tributaries of Daechung Reservoir.

PURPOSES : Advancements in science and technology caused by industrialization have led to an increase in particulate matter emissions and, consequently, severity of air pollution. Nitrogen oxide (NOx), which accounts for 58% of road transport pollutants, adversely affects both human health and the environment. A test-bed was constructed to determine NOx removal efficiency at the roadside. TiO2, a material used to reduce particulate matter, was used to remove NOx. It was applied to a vertical concrete structure using the dynamic pressurized penetration TiO2 fixation method, which can be easily applied to vertical concrete structures. This study was conducted to evaluate the NOx removal efficiency of the dynamic pressurized-penetration TiO2 fixation method in a test-bed under real roadside conditions. METHODS : A test-bed was constructed in order to determine the NOx removal efficiency using the dynamic pressurized penetration TiO2 fixation method on the roadside. The dynamic pressurized-penetration TiO2 fixation method was applied by installing a vertical concrete structure. NOx was injected into the test-bed using an exhaust gas generator. By installing a shading screen, the photocatalytic reaction of TiO2 was suppressed to a maximum concentration of 1000 ppb along the roadside. The removal efficiency was evaluated by measuring NOx concentrations. In addition, illuminance was measured using an illuminance meter. RESULTS : From the results of the analysis of the NOx removal efficiency in the test-bed which the dynamic pressurized type TiO2 fixation method was applied to, an average removal efficiency ranging from 18% to 40% was achieved, depending on the illuminance. Similarly, according to the results of the evaluation of the NO removal efficiency, an average of removal efficiency ranging from 20% to 62% was achieved. Thus, the NOx removal efficiency increased when the illuminance was high. CONCLUSIONS : From the results of the experiment conducted, the efficiency of NOx removal per unit volume was obtained according to the illuminance of TiO2 concrete along an actual road. Field applicability of the dynamic pressurized-penetration-type TiO2 fixation method to vertical concrete structures along roads was confirmed.

Most of the white fumes from the tenter process of a textile plant in an industrial complex are generated by water vapor and oil mist. While general water vapor disappears when the humidity is lowered, the white fume generated in the tenter process does not disappear and is continuously maintained, resulting in environmental problems and complaints. Efforts to reduce white fume are being conducted, but it is vitally important to develop a performance index that quantitatively calculates and deduces the degree by which white fume has been reduced, so that a tangible and visible result can be obtained in the performance evaluation of prevention facilities. In this study, the removal efficiency or performance of a general wet scrubber and a wet electrostatic precipitator (electrical fume collector, EFC) installed in the actual textile tenter process was analyzed by the light scattering method that can measure the concentration of particles up to a high level. The white fume removal efficiency of the EFC was 92%, much higher than the 17% removal efficiency of the general scrubber. In addition, the EFC was more effective in removing toluene, 1,1'- [oxybis(methylene)]bis- Benzene, and benzothiazole, which are the major substances generated from the textile tenter process, as well as complex odors. From these results, it was found that the light scattering method is one of the useful tools to evaluate the performance of white fume prevention facilities in the industrial field in terms of satisfying the urgent need for measurement and the ability to obtain a clear and precise result on site. This approach is meaningful in that real-time quantification is applicable more intuitively than the gravimetric method in assessing the fume removal performance as it can be observed with the naked eye.

PURPOSES : Recently, air pollution caused by particulate matter has been worsening. Among the substances generating particulate matter, NOx is the main precursor of particulate matter and is widely distributed in areas with a high volume of traffic. TiO2 has been used as a material for removing NOx through a chemical reaction as a photocatalyst. In this context, the reduction of NOx through TiO2 concrete is proposed. However, the research on the surface deterioration on the performance of TiO2 concrete is not documented yet. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term durability and NOx removal efficiency of TiO2 concrete by considering the concrete surface deterioration. METHODS : Freezing–thawing resistance test (KS F 2456) and scaling test (ASTM C 672) were performed to investigate the variation in the TiO2 penetration distribution and NOx removal efficiency of TiO2 concrete corresponding to surface deterioration. The long-term durability of TiO2 concrete was evaluated through an environmental resistance test and changes in TiO2 penetration depth and distribution characteristics. In addition, the NOx removal efficiency of TiO2 concrete was evaluated as surface deterioration occurs. RESULTS : As a result of the freeze–thawing resistance test, a relative dynamic elastic modulus of more than 80 % was detected. In addition, a TiO2 penetration depth of 0.3 mm, NOx removal efficiency of 11.2 %, and a 30 % of TiO2 surface prediction mass ratio were achieved after 300 cycles. As a result of visual observation of the scaling test, “0, no scaling” was secured. After 50 cycles of scaling test, the TiO2 penetration depth, NOx removal efficiency, and TiO2 surface prediction mass ratio were 0.3 mm, 36.3 %, and 63 %, respectively. Through the results of the environmental resistance test, the excellent long-term durability and NOx removal efficiency of TiO2 concrete were confirmed. CONCLUSIONS : As a result of the experiment, long-term durability and NOx removal efficiency of TiO2 concrete were secured. The application of TiO2 concrete can be a good alternative with long-term performance and durability.

PURPOSES : NOx is a particle matter precursor that is harmful to humans. Various methods of removing NOx from the air have been developed. TiO2 and activated carbon are particularly useful materials for removing NOx, and the method is known as particulate matter precursor reduction. The removal of NOx using TiO2 requires sunlight for the photocatalytic reaction, whereas activated carbon absorbs NOx particles into its pores after contact with the atmosphere. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the NOx removal efficiency of TiO2 and activated carbon applied to concrete surfaces using the penetration method. METHODS : Surface penetration agents, such as silane-siloxane and silicate, were used. Photocatalyst TiO2 and adsorbent activated carbons were selected as the materials for NOx removal. TiO2 used in this study was formed by crystal structures of anatase and rutile, and plant-type and coal-type materials were used for the activated carbon. Each surface penetration agent was mixed with each particulate matter sealer at a concentration ratio of 8:2, and the mixtures were sprayed onto the surface. The NOx removal efficiency was evaluated using NOx removal efficiency equipment fabricated in compliance with the ISO 22197-1 standard. RESULTS : Anatase TiO2 showed a maximum NOx removal efficiency of 48% when 500 g/m² was applied. However, 500 g/m² of rutile TiO2 showed a NOx removal efficiency of up to 10%. When 700 g/m² of coal-based activated carbon and plant-based activated carbon was used, NOx removal efficiencies of up to 11% and 14%, respectively, were obtained. CONCLUSIONS : Rutile TiO2, a coal-based activated carbon, and plant-based activated carbon have lower NOx removal efficiencies than anatase TiO2. A lower amount of anatase TiO2 (500 g/m²), compared to the other spraying volumes, yielded the most significant NOx removal efficiency under optimal conditions. Therefore, it is recommended that 500 g/m² of anatase TiO2 should be sprayed onto concrete structures to improve the economic and long-term performance of these structures.

The cooking-generated particles are major indoor sources of air pollution. Recently, the performance of the range hood is focused on particle removal performance. Range hood with an auxiliary air supply system can improve the fine and ultrafine particles removal efficiency by making a supply air during cooking activities. The particles were measured in the experimental building by varying ventilation types. Only operating range hood during the cooking activities was not enough to reduce the cooking-generated particles. Despite operating range hood systems, fine and ultrafine particle concentrations were maintained when cooking was finished. The range hood with a make-up air supply system can reduce the indoor particle concentration below background conditions when those systems were operated after cooking. In this study, the assessment of cooking-generated particle removal efficiency of the range hood with an auxiliary air supply system was conducted. The removal efficiency of ultrafine particles showed trends similar to the removal efficiency of fine particles.

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.