• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.12
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• pp.4335-4349
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• 2023

Nuclear marine propulsion has been emerging as a next generation carbon-free power source, for which proper passive residual heat removal systems (PRHRSs) are needed for long-term safety. In particular, the characteristics of unlimited operation time and compact design are crucial in maritime applications due to the difficulties of safety aids and limited space. Accordingly, a compact and long-term-operable PRHRS has been proposed with the key design concept of using both air cooling and seawater cooling in tandem. To confirm its feasibility, this study conducted system design and a transient analysis in an accident scenario. Design results indicate that seawater cooling can considerably reduce the overall system size, and thus the compact and long-term-operable PRHRS can be realized. Regarding the transient analysis, the Multi-dimensional Analysis of Reactor Safety (MARS-KS) code was used to analyze the system behavior under a station blackout condition. Results show that the proposed design can satisfy the design requirements with a sufficient margin: the coolant temperature reached the safe shutdown condition within 36 h, and the maximum cooling rate did not exceed 40 ℃/h. Lastly, it was assessed that both air cooling and seawater cooling are necessary for achieving long-term operation and compact design.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 1998.10a
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• pp.90-90
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• 1998

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 1999.10a
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• pp.108-108
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• 1999

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.493-505
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• 2023

Comprehensive condition monitoring of large industry systems such as nuclear power plants (NPPs) is essential for safety and maintenance. In this study, we developed novel system-scale diagnostic technology based on deep-learning and IR thermography that can efficiently and cost-effectively classify system conditions using compact Raspberry Pi and IR sensors. This diagnostic technology can identify the presence of an abnormality or accident in whole system, and when an accident occurs, the type of accident and the location of the abnormality can be identified in real-time. For technology development, the experiment for the thermal image measurement and performance validation of major components at each accident condition of NPPs was conducted using a thermal-hydraulic integral effect test facility with compact infrared sensor modules. These thermal images were used for training of deep-learning model, convolutional neural networks (CNN), which is effective for image processing. As a result, a proposed novel diagnostic was developed that can perform diagnosis of components, whole system and accident classification using thermal images. The optimal model was derived based on the modern CNN model and performed prompt and accurate condition monitoring of component and whole system diagnosis, and accident classification. This diagnostic technology is expected to be applied to comprehensive condition monitoring of nuclear power plants for safety.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.128-135
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• 2010

This paper introduces step by step procedures for the fabrication and operation of an embedded solar tracker. The system presented consists of application software, compactRIO, C-series interface module, analogue input module, step drive, step motor, feedback devices and other accessories to support its functional stability. CompactRIO that has a real-tim processor allows the solar tracker to be a stand-alone real time system which operates automatically without any external control. An astronomical method and an optical method were used for a high-precision solar tracker. CdS sensors are used to constantly generate feedback signals to the controller, which allow a solar tracker to track the sun even under adverse conditions. The database of solar position and sunrise and sunset time was compared with those of those of the Astronomical Applications Department of the U.S. Naval Observatory. The results presented here clearly demonstrate the high-accuracy of the present system in solar tracking, which are applicable to many existing solar systems.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.2873-2878
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to perform radiation monitoring by acquiring gamma images and real-time optical images for ^99mTc vial source using charge couple device (CCD) cameras equipped with the proposed compact gamma camera. The compact gamma camera measures 86×65×78.5 mm³ and weighs 934 g. It is equipped with a metal 3D printed diverging collimator manufactured in a 45 field of view (FOV) to detect the location of the source. The circuit's system uses system-on-chip (SoC) and field-programmable-gate-array (FPGA) to establish a good connection between hardware and software. In detection modules, the photodetector (multi-pixel photon counters) is tiled at 8×8 to expand the activation area and improve sensitivity. The gadolinium aluminium gallium garnet (GAGG) measuring 0.5×0.5×3.5 mm³ was arranged in 38×38 arrays. Intrinsic and extrinsic performance tests such as energy spectrum, uniformity, and system sensitivity for other radioisotopes, and sensitivity evaluation at edges within FOV were conducted. The compact gamma camera can be mounted on unmanned equipment such as drones and robots that require miniaturization and light weight, so a wide range of applications in various fields are possible.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.412.1-412.1
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• 2003

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.633-646
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• 2020

Imaging and scattering techniques using thermal neutrons allow to analyze complex specimens in scientific and industrial researches. Owing to this advantage, there have been a considerable demand for neutron facilities in the industrial sector. Among neutron sources, an accelerator driven compact neutron source is the only one that can satisfy the various requirements-construction budget, facility size, and required neutron flux-of industrial applications. In this paper, a target, moderator, and reflector (TMR) system for low-energy proton-accelerator driven compact thermal neutron source was designed via Monte Carlo simulations. For 10-30 MeV proton beams, the optimal conditions of the beryllium target were determined by considering the neutron yield and the blistering of the target. For a non-borated polyethylene moderator, the neutronic properties were verified based on its thickness. For a reflector, three candidates-light water, beryllium, and graphite-were considered as reflector materials, and the optimal conditions were identified. The results verified that the neutronic intensity varied in the order beryllium > light water > graphite, the compacter size in the order light water < beryllium < graphite and the shorter emission time in the order graphite < light water < beryllium. The performance of the designed TMR system was compared with that of existing facilities and were laid between performance of existing facilities.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.2158-2165
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• 2023

Marine radioactivity monitoring is critical for taking immediate action in case of unexpected nuclear accidents at nuclear facilities located near coastal areas. Especially when the level of contamination is not predictable, mobile monitoring systems will be useful for wide-area ocean radiation survey and for determination of the level of radioactivity. Here, we used a silicon photomultiplier and a high-efficiency GAGG crystal to fabricate a compact, battery-powered gamma spectroscopy that can be used in an ocean environment. The developed spectroscopy has compact dimensions of 6.5 × 6.5× 8 cm³ and weighs 560 g. We used LoRa, a low-power wireless protocol for communication. Successful data transmission was achieved within 1.4 m water depth. The developed gamma spectroscopy was able to detect radioactivity from a ¹³⁷Cs point source (3.7 kBq) at a distance of 20 cm in water. Moreover, we demonstrated an unmanned radioactivity monitoring system in a real sea by combining unmanned surface vehicle with the developed gamma spectroscopy. A hidden ¹³⁷Cs source (3.07 MBq) was detected by the unmanned system at a distance of 3 m. After successfully testing the developed mobile spectroscopy in an ocean environment, we believe that our proposed system will be an effective solution for mobile real-time marine radioactivity monitoring.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 1995.10a
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• pp.153-158
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• 1995

All of the nuclear power plants in Korea we operating with analog instrumentation and control (I&C) equipment which are increasingly faced with frequent troubles, obsolescence and high maintenance expenses. Electrical and computer technology has improved rapidly in recent years and has been applied to other industries. So it is strongly recommended we adopt modern digital and computer technology to improve plant safety and availability. The advanced I&C system, namely, Integrated Intelligent Instrumentation and Control System (I$^3$CS) will be developed for beyond the next generation nuclear power plant. I$^3$CS consists of three major parts, the advanced compact workstation, distributed digital control and protection system including Automatic Start-up/shutdown Intelligent Control System (ASICS) and the computer-based alarm processing and operator support system, namely, Diagnosis, Response, and operator Aid Management System (DREAMS).