• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2016.05a
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• pp.433-434
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• 2016

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.331-341
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• 2016

To evaluate the physicochemical and radiological properties of raw materials and by-products in domestic distribution, about 220 samples with 16 species were prepared. We measured the energy spectrum and the chemical content, such as U, Th, and K, using a $LaBr_3$ scintillation detector and ED-XRF. In addition, HPGe detector was used to analyze the radioac-tivity of $^{234}Th$, $^{234}mPa$, and $^{214}Bi$ in uranium decay series and $^{228}Ac$, $^{212}Pb$, and $^{208}Tl$ in thorium decay series, and $^{40}K$. The correlation between characteristic variables, such as the count rate in several ROIs, chemical content, and radioactivity, was assessed to infer the radioactivity of natural radionuclides through a rapid screening method. Based on the results, a characteristic database for raw material and by-product in domestic distribution was established and it will provide useful information in the analysis procedure and improve the accuracy and reproducibility in the analysis of natural radionuclides.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.216-222
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• 2015

Facilities processing raw materials containing naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) may give rise to enhanced radiation dose to workers due to chronic inhalation of airborne particulates. Internal radiation dose due to particulate inhalation varies depending on particulate properties, including size, shape, density, and absorption type. The objective of the present study was to assess inhalation dose sensitivity to physicochemical properties of airborne particulates. Committed effective doses to workers resulting from inhalation of airborne particulates were calculated based on International Commission on Radiological Protection 66 human respiratory tract model. Inhalation dose generally increased with decreasing particulate size. Committed effective doses due to inhalation of $0.01{\mu}m$ sized particulates were higher than doses due to $100{\mu}m$ sized particulates by factors of about 100 and 50 for $^{238}U$ and $^{230}Th$, respectively. Inhalation dose increased with decreasing shape factor. Shape factors of 1 and 2 resulted in dose difference by about 18 %. Inhalation dose increased with particulate mass density. Particulate mass densities of $11g{\cdot}cm^{-3}$ and $0.7g{\cdot}cm^{-3}$ resulted in dose difference by about 60 %. For $^{238}U$, inhalation doses were higher for absorption type of S, M, and F in that sequence. Committed effective dose for absorption type S of $^{238}U$ was about 9 times higher than dose for absorption F. For $^{230}Th$, inhalation doses were higher for absorption type of F, M, and S in that sequence. Committed effective dose for absorption type F of $^{230}Th$ was about 16 times higher than dose for absorption S. Consequently, use of default values for particulate properties without consideration of site specific physiochemical properties may potentially skew radiation dose estimates to unrealistic values up to 1-2 orders of magnitude. For this reason, it is highly recommended to consider site specific working materials and conditions and use the site specific particulate properties to accurately access radiation dose to workers at NORM processing facilities.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.582-590
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• 1995

우리 나라에서 건설될 중저준위폐기물 처분장의 기본설계개념에 따르면, 중준위폐기물 동굴에는 점토질 뒷채움재가 설치될 예정이다. 이 뒷채움재의 후보물질로는 원료 입수의 용이성 및 경제성 측면에서 천연점토와 분쇄암석의 혼합물이 고려되고 있다. 그러나 이 혼합물이 폐기물처분장의 뒷채움재로 사용되기 위해서는 주요특성들이 뒷채움재의 요구사항을 만족시켜야한다. 이 보고서에서는 경상북도 연일지역에서 산출되는 천연점토와 분쇄암석 혼합물에 대해 핵종유출저지 관점에서 가장 중요한 특성인 수리특성과 방사성핵종 확산특성 및 역학적 특성을 측정하여 뒷채움재료로서의 사용 가능성을 평가하였다. 혼합물의 수리전도도는 동일 밀도에서 점토함량이 감소함에 따라 증가되었으나, 점토함량이 적은 경우에도 상당히 낮은 값을 유지하여 뒷채움재를 통한 핵종이동의 주요 메커니즘은 확산이 될 것이라는 것을 보여주었다. 압축점토에 대한 방사성핵종 복산계수 측정결과, 동일밀도의 나트륨벤토나이트에서 측정된 값의 범위 내에 있었으며, 점토-분쇄암석 혼합물의 액소성한계, 다짐특성, 압축강도및 압밀계수등의 역학적 특성도 나트륨벤토나이트-모래 혼합물에서 얻어진 값과 유사하였다. 이러한 결과들로부터 연일산 천연점토-분채암석 혼합물을 고가의 나트륨벤토나이트 대용으로 처분장 뒷채움재로 사용할 수 있다는 것을 알 수 있었다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Rock Mechanics Conference
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• 2004.04a
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• pp.123-140
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• 2004

저준위 방사성폐기물 안전성 평가를 위해서 안전성 평가 대상에 관한 기술이 이해당사자들이 이해하기 명확하고 쉽게 설정되어야 한다. 방사선적 안전성 평가 시나리오란 처분장으로부터 유출된 방사성 물질들이 공학적 방벽과 천연 방벽을 거쳐 생태계로 어떻게 이동하는가에 대한 설명으로 안전성 평가를 위한 일종의 대본과 같은 역할을 한다. 본 논문에서는 핵종 이동 현상을 RES(Rock Engineering System) 방법론에 의거 기술하였다. 국내 처분장의 특성을 고려하여 처분 시설은 연안에 동굴 처분 방식으로 건설된다고 가정하여 생태계를 산정하고, 공학적 및 천연 방벽들이 처분장 설계 시 예상한 기능들을 수행한다고 가정하여, 기준 시나리오를 설정하였다. 또한 다양한 설계 고려 요소들을 고려하여 대안 시나리오들을 도출하고자 하였다. 도출된 시나리오의 주요 항목들을 평가하기 위해서 AMF(Assessment Method Flowchart)를 도출하였다. 주어진 지형 조건에 따라 확률론적 방사선적 안전성 평가를 위해 각 지층 구조별 이동 거리 및 시간을 CONNECTFLOW를 이용해 산정하고, 그 결과들을 Response surface method를 이용해 확률 밀도함수로 도출하여 방사선적 안전성 종합 평가 코드인 MASCOT-K의 입력 자료로 활용되도록 하였다.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.252-261
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• 2017

Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) increase radiation exposure to the public as these materials are concentrated through artificial manufacturing processes by human activities. This study focuses on the development of a method for the quantitative analysis of $^{232}Th$, $^{235}U$, and $^{238}U$ in building materials. The accuracy and precision of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for determination of digestion processes was evaluated for certified reference materials (CRMs) digested using various mixed acid (e.g., aqua regia, hydrofluoric acid, and perchloric acid) digestions and a $LiBO_2$ fusion method. The method validation results reveal that a $LiBO_2$ fusion and $Fe(OH)_3$ co-precipitation should be applied as the optimal sample digestion process for the quantitative analysis of radionuclides in building materials. The radioactivity of $^{232}Th$, $^{235}U$, and $^{238}U$ in a total of 51 building material (e.g., board, brick, cement, paint, tile, and wall paper) samples was quantitatively analyzed using an established process. Finally, the values of $^{238}U$ and $^{232}Th$ radioactivity were comprehensively compared with those from the indirect method using ${\gamma}$-spectrometry.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.101-116
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• 2017

The interaction of U(VI) (hexavalent uranium) species with natural organic matter (NOM) in KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) groundwater is investigated using a laser spectroscopic technique. The luminescence spectra of the NOM are observed in the ultraviolet and blue wavelength regions by irradiating a laser beam at 266 nm in groundwater. The luminescence spectra of U(VI) species in groundwater containing uranium concentrations of $0.034-0.788mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ are measured in the green-colored wavelength region. The luminescence characteristics (peak wavelengths and lifetime) of U(VI) in the groundwater agree well with those of $Ca_2UO_2(CO_3)_3(aq)$ in a standard solution prepared in a laboratory. The luminescence intensities of U(VI) in the groundwater are weaker than those of $Ca_2UO_2(CO_3)_3(aq)$ in the standard solution at the same uranium concentrations. The luminescence intensities of $Ca_2UO_2(CO_3)_3(aq)$ in the standard solution mixed with the groundwater are also weaker than those of $Ca_2UO_2(CO_3)_3(aq)$ in the standard solution at the same uranium concentrations. These results can be ascribed to calcium-U(VI)-carbonate species interacting with NOM and forming non-radiative U(VI) complexes in groundwater.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.181-190
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• 2012

Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in building materials are main sources of external radiation exposure to the general public. The objective of this study was to assess external radiation dose in Korean dwellings due to NORM in concrete walls. Reference room model for dose assessment was made by analyzing room structure and housing scale of Korean dwellings. In addition, dose assessments were made for varying room sizes. Absorbed doses to air and effective dose rates were calculated using radiation transport code MCNPX. Assuming a reference room of $3{\times}4{\times}2.8m^3$, absorbed dose rates in air were 0.80, 0.97, 0.08 nGy $h^{-1}$ per Bq $kg^{-1}$ for uranium series, thorium series, and $^{40}K$, respectively. Effective dose rates were 0.57, 0.69, 0.058 nSv $h^{-1}$ per Bq $kg^{-1}$, respectively. Radiation dose resulting from concrete of ceiling and floor increased with room area while radiation dose from concrete of walls decreased with room area. Therefore, total radiation doses were almost the same for the varying room area from 5 to $30m^2$. Effective dose in Korean dwellings was calculated based on measurement data of NORM concentration in concrete and occupancy fraction of Korean population by location. Annual effective dose was 0.59 mSv assuming that indoor occupancy fraction was 0.89 and concentrations of uranium series, thorium series and $^{40}K$ were 26, 39, 596 Bq $kg^{-1}$, respectively. Finally, annual effective dose in Korean dwellings can be calculated by the following equation: Effective dose=indoor occupancy fraction${\times}8760\;h\;y^{-1}{\times}(0.57C_U+0.69C_{Th}+0.058C_K)$.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2014

Phosphate rock, phosphogypsum, and products in phosphate processing facility contain naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). Therefore, they may give rise to enhanced radiation dose to workers due to inhalation of airborne particulates. Internal dose due to particle inhalation varies depending on particle properties. The objective of the present study was to characterize particle properties at the largest phosphate processing facility in Korea. A cascade impactor was employed to sample airborne particulates at various processing areas in the plant. The collected samples were used for characterization of particle size distribution, particle concentration in the air, and shape analysis. Aerodynamic diameters of airborne particulates ranged 0.03-100 ${\mu}m$ with the highest concentration at the particle size range of 4.7-5.8 ${\mu}m$ (geometric mean = 5.22 ${\mu}m$) or 5.8-9.0 ${\mu}m$ (geometric mean = 7.22 ${\mu}m$). Particle concentrations in the air varied widely by sampling area up to more than two orders of magnitude. The large variation resulted from the variability of mechanical operations and building ventilations. The airborne particulates appeared as spheroids or rough spherical fragments across all sampling areas and sampled size intervals. Average mass densities of phosphate rocks, phosphogypsums, and fertilizers were 3.1-3.4, 2.1-2.6, and 1.7 $gcm^{-3}$, respectively. Radioactivity concentration of uranium series in phosphate rocks varied with country of origin, ranging 94-866 $Bqkg^{-1}$. Among the uranium series, uranium was mostly concentrated on products, including phosphoric acid or fertilizers whereas radium was concentrated on byproducts or phosphogypsum. No significant radioactivity of $^{226}Ra$ and $^{228}Ra$ were found in fertilizer. However, $^{40}K$ concentration in fertilizer was up to 5,000 Bq $g^{-1}$. The database established in this study can be used for the accurate risk assessment of workers due to inhalation of airborne particles containing NORM. In addition, the findings can be used as a basic data for development of safety standard and guide and for practical radiation safety management at the facility.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.97-111
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• 1974

The adsorption mechanism of Cs-137 in low level radioactive solution by vermiculite treated with Na ion is studied in order to investigate its effective utilization for the radioactive effluent treatment. The beneficial role of Na-vermiculite is that Na ion can induce the wider c-axis spacing in which Cs ion can be sorbed in vermiculite. Cation exchange capacity and distribution coefficient of cesium seems to be influenced by the variation of c-axis spacing of vermiculite. Comparative identification and detection with the characteristic analyses of X-ray diffraction and electron diffraction patterns, diffrential thermal analysis and electron microscopy of Na-, K- and Cs-vermiculite are studied for the phemomena of Cs adsorption by vermiculite. This importance of the utilization in terms of adsorption and fixation of cesium involving vermiculite is discussed. It is found that the Na-vermiculite is valuable outside charging material for high level radioactive liquid waste storage tank of underground to protect the pollution of the underground water.