• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
• /
• 2005.10b
• /
• pp.225-227
• /
• 2005

The in-core neutron Flux Mapping System in a pressurized water reactor yields information on the neutron flux distribution in the reactor core at selected core locations by means of movable detectors. The obtained data are used to verify the reactor core design parameters. The detector cables run through guide tubes(thimbles), and typically thirty-six to fifty-eight thimbles are allocated in the reactor depending on the number of fuel assemblies. These thimbles are inserted into nuclear fuel assemblies through conduits connected from the bottom of the reactor vessel to a seal table. During the plant refueling outage period, the thimbles are withdrawn up to 4m from the seal table, the height of a nuclear fuel. In spite of their importance, however, the thimble handling work has been performed by only human operators. In addition, its efficiency is very low due to narrow working environments on the seal table, thereby resulting in the excessive radiation exposure of maintenance personnel. To solve these problems, a new thimble handling equipment for in-core flux mapping system was developed, and we confirmed its effectiveness through experiments.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.152-157
• /
• 2022

Background: The hemi-body electron beam irradiation (HBIe^-) technique has been proposed for the treatment of mycosis fungoides. It spares healthy skin using an electron shield. However, shielding electrons is complicated owing to electron scattering effects. In this study, we developed a thimble-like head bolus shield that surrounds the patient's entire head to prevent irradiation of the head during HBIe^-. Materials and Methods: The feasibility of a thimble-like head bolus shield was evaluated using a simplified Geant4 Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. Subsequently, the head bolus was manufactured using a three-dimensional (3D) printed mold and Ecoflex 00-30 silicone. The fabricated head bolus was experimentally validated by measuring the dose to the Rando phantom using a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) detector with clinical configuration of HBIe^-. Results and Discussion: The thimble-like head bolus reduced the electron fluence by 2% compared with that without a shield in the MC simulations. In addition, an improvement in fluence degradation outside the head shield was observed. In the experimental validation using the inhouse-developed bolus shield, this head bolus reduced the electron dose to approximately 2.5% of the prescribed dose. Conclusion: A thimble-like head bolus shield for the HBIe^- technique was developed and validated in this study. This bolus effectively spares healthy skin without underdosage in the region of the target skin in HBIe^-.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.21-27
• /
• 1979

The relative reaction rates were measured in the TRIGA Mark II reactor core and analyzed to obtain the neutron spectrum parameters; relative neutron temperature T$^{n}$ and epithermal index (equation omitted) Measurements were made with the central thimble and the F2 position containing the light water. The relative neutron temperature was represented by the activation ratio of Lu-Mn, and the epithermal index was measured by Au-Mn foil activation. The multichannel analyzer was used to measure the relative ${\gamma}$-rays of the detector foils. The results were compared with the calculated values.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Illuminating and Electrical Installation Engineers
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2000

In this paper, we study a cause of malfunction of switch to control drive motor in DFMS(Digital Flux Mapping System) which can measure incore neutron flux of the nuclear plant, and develope a method to solve this problem. DFMS has the type of generating contact signal by mechanical switch lever, which is operated whenever thimble detector inserted or withdrawed through thimble Guide Tube. However the characteristics of the lever tend to be changed by mechanical degrade or bad environment and the lever finally generates errotic contact signal. Therefore we installed electric coil ass'yin the outside of Guide Tube instead of mechanical switch assy's. In addition we applied resonance effect to control circuit and installed condenser in the input of power supply to protect noise and interference. After completion of this improvement, we tested this improved device repetitively under the various conditions. In conclusion, we identified the generation of the desired contact signal and the prevention of detector failure through plant surveillance test during normal plant operation.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.322-329
• /
• 2003

Purpose: It is difficult to exactly determine the surface dose and the dose distribution In buildup region of high energy X-rays by using the conventional ion chamber. The aim of this study Is to evaluate the accuracy of widely used dosimetry systems to measure the surface dose and the depth of maximum dose (d$_{max}$). Materials and Methods: We measured the percent depth dose (PDD) from the surface to the d$_{max}$ in either a water phantom or in a solid water phantom using TLD-100 chips, thimble type ion chamber, diode detector, diamond detector and Markus parallel plate ion chamber for 6 MV and 15 MV X-rays, 10$\times$10 cm$^{2}$, at SSD=100cm. We analysed the surface dose and the d$_{max}$. In order to verify the accuracy of the TLD data, we executed the Monte Carlo simulation for 5 MV X-ray beams. Results: The surface doses In 6 MV and IS MV X-rays were 29.31% and 23.36% ior Markus parallel plate ion chamber, 37.17$\%$ and 24.01$\%$ for TLD, 34.87$\%$ and 24.06$\%$ for diamond detector, 38.13$\%$ and 27.8$\%$ for diode detector, and 47.92$\%$ and 35.01$\%$ for thimble type ion chamber, respectively. in Monte Carlo simulation for 6 MV X-rays, the surface dose was 36.22$\%$, which Is similar to the 37.17$\%$ of the TLD measurement data. The d$_{max}$ In 6 WV and 15 MV X-rays was 14$\~$16 mm and 27$\~$29 mm, respectively. There was no significant difference in the d$_{max}$ among the detectors. Conclusion: There was a remarkable difference in the surface dose among the detectors. The Markus parallel plate chamber showed the most accurate result. The surface dose of the thimble ion chamber was 10$\%$ higher than that of other detectors. We suggest that the correction should be made when the surface dose of the thimble ion chamber Is used for the treatment planning ion the supeficial tumors. All the detectors used In our study showed no difference in the d$_{max}$.