• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.117-121
• /
• 2016

Background: Definition and grouping of initiating events (IEs) are important basics for probabilistic safety assessment (PSA). An IE in a spent fuel reprocessing plant (SFRP) is an event that probably leads to the release of dangerous material to jeopardize workers, public and environment. The main difference between SFRPs and nuclear power plants (NPPs) is that hazard materials spread diffusely in a SFRP and radioactive material is just one kind of hazard material. Materials and Methods: Since the research on IEs for NPPs is in-depth around the world, there are several general methods to identify IEs: reference of lists in existence, review of experience feedback, qualitative analysis method, and deductive analysis method. While failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) is an important qualitative analysis method, master logic diagram (MLD) method is the deductive analysis method. IE identification in SFRPs should be consulted with the experience of NPPs, however the differences between SFRPs and NPPs should be considered seriously. Results and Discussion: The plutonium uranium reduction extraction (Purex) process is adopted by the technics in a model reprocessing plant. The first extraction cycle (FEC) is the pivotal process in the Purex process. Whether the FEC can function safely and steadily would directly influence the production process of the whole plant-production quality. Important facilities of the FEC are installed in the equipment cells (ECs). In this work, IEs in the FEC process were identified and categorized by FMEA and MLD two methods, based on the fact that ECs are containments in the plant. Conclusion: The results show that only two ECs in the FEC do not need to be concerned particularly with safety problems, and criticality, fire and red oil explosion are IEs which should be emphatically analyzed. The results are accordant with the references.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.9-17
• /
• 2013

Butanethiol is known as a typical odorant with hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, methyl sulfide, but on the physical and chemical properties and biological hazard assessment, including inhalation toxicity data are very scarce. Butanethiol as a colorless transparent liquid, and has physic-chemical characteristics with flash point as $-23^{\circ}C$ and strong fire risk, boiling point $84-85^{\circ}C$, vapor pressure 80.71 mmHg ($25^{\circ}C$), freezing point $-140.14^{\circ}C$. From whole body exposure with SD rats, the $LC_{50}$ is above 2,500 ppm (9.22mg/L), and then it is classified as the acute toxic chemical (inhalation) category 4 according to the governmental notification No. 2012-14.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.33-45
• /
• 2019

Compound disaster is the type that increases the impact affected by two or more hazard events, and attention to compound disaster and multi-hazards risk is growing due to potential damages which are difficult to predict. The objective of this study is to analyze the possible impacts of post-fire landslide scenario quantitatively by using TRIGRS (Transient Rainfall Infiltration and Grid-Based Regional Slope-Stability Analysis), a physics-based landslide model. In the case of wildfire, soil organic material and density are altered, and saturated hydraulic conductivity decrease because of soil exposed to high temperature. We have included the change of soil saturated hydraulic conductivity into the TRIGRS model through literature review. For a case study, we selected the area of $8km^2$ in Pyeongchang County. The landslide modeling process was calibrated before simulate the post-wildfire impact based on landslide inventory data to reduce uncertainty. As a result, the mean of the total factor of safety values in the case of landslide was 2.641 when rainfall duration is 1 hour with rainfall intensity of 100mm per day, while the mean value for the case of post-wildfire landslide was lower to 2.579, showing potential landslide occurrence areas appear more quickly in the compound disaster scenario. This study can be used to prevent potential losses caused by the compound disaster such as post-wildfire debris flow or landslides.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.29 no.7
• /
• pp.964-970
• /
• 2023

As part of the International Maritime Organization ef orts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the maritime industry is exploring low-carbon fuels such as liquefied natural gas and methanol, as well as zero-carbon fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia, evaluating them as environmentally friendly alternatives. Particularly, ammonia has substantial operational experience as cargo on transport ships, and ammonia ship engines are expected to be available in the second half of 2024, making it relatively accessible for commercial use. However, overcoming the toxicity challenges associated with using ammonia as a fuel is imperative. Detection is possible at levels as low as 5 ppm through olfactory senses, and exposure to concentrations exceeding 300 ppm for more than 30 min can result in irreparable harm. Using the KORA program provided by the Chemical Safety Agency, an assessment of the potential risks arising from leaks during ammonia bunkering was conducted. A 1-min leak could lead to a 5 ppm impact within a radius of approximately 7.5 km, affecting key areas in Busan, a major city. Furthermore, the potentially lethal concentration of 300 ppm could have severe consequences in densely populated areas and schools near the bunkering site. Therefore, given the absence of regulations related to ammonia bunkering, the potential for widespread toxicity from even minor leaks highlights the requirement for the development of legislation. Establishing an integrated system involving local governments, fire departments, and environmental agencies is crucial for addressing the potential impacts and ensuring the safety of ammonia bunkering operations.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.211-216
• /
• 2010

Fire service personnel and ambulance paramedics suffer musculoskeletal disorders as they lift and carry patients while performing Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The objective of the current study was performed to examine the association between working environment and musculoskeletal disorders of 119 paramedics and to analysis the EMS activities for them through basic survey (including task characteristics, risk factors, symptoms and illnesses). Observational job analysis of EMS activities indicated the squatting posture during first-aid performed on floor and the abrupt use of force during carrying heavy load including stretcher with patients on as hazard factors, and excessive low back twisting and bending during stairway transfer was observed. In addition, work-physiological assessment revealed various but rather high lumbar muscle usage rate among the study subjects, being 14.6~32.8% compared with Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) during patients transfer work. Resting heart rate showed 65/min, on the other hand, heart rate on mobilization indicated maximum 124~156/min. Therefore, the results of analysis to the EMS activities, rescuer activities and medical tasks were accompanied with high possibility of accident and musculoskeletal disorders. Also, EMS activities indicated high muscle fatigue and energy consumption, and accumulated muscle fatigue with during continued work.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
• /
• v.36 no.10
• /
• pp.857-864
• /
• 2012

Reviewing the statistics of harbor shipment of hazardous and noxious substance and the past spill accidents of HNS enabled us to assess the potential risks of transportation of HNS through the major harbors in Korea. Ulsan, Yeosu, Daesan port are relatively evaluated high risk in fire, health and environment disaster. Through the analysis of domestic preparedness to HNS accidents, the supplement of expertise resource to respond the vulnerability of the explosion, the fire and the physiological hazard, is required. Based on this risk assessment and review of the advanced case of Japan in building up HNS response system, a resource model at a national level was proposed which differentiates the sea areas for the proper allocation of resources to respond effectively to HNS accidents in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.77-83
• /
• 2010

In this study, we analyzed the combustion characteristics of four different floor covering materials(wood, monorium, laminatedpaper, and varnish-laminated paper) with regard to their ignitibility, thermal characteristics and flame retardancy by using an ignition temperature tester, a dual cone calorimeter, a thermogravimetric analyzer and limited oxygen index, for their fire risk assessment. According to the result, monorium had the lowest ignition temperature of $325^{\circ}C$ and the laminated paper and the varnish-laminated paper promptly ignited before 7s. Further, the wood showed the largest total heat release of $100MJ/m^2$, and the varnish-laminated paper showed the highest peak heat release rate. From the thermogravimetric analysis, it was shown that all specimens underwent rapid weight loss at $300{\sim}400^{\circ}C$. The limit oxygen indices of the laminated paper and the varnish-laminated paper were in the range of 20~21%, while it was 34% for wood. This study enabled us to confirm that wood, laminated paper and varnish-laminated paper have a relatively short ignition time and are easy to burn but they all have low heat release. In contrast, wood showed the lowest fire risk among them and had excellent flame retardancy but with high heat release.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.89-95
• /
• 2016

Keeping the gas pipelines in the common utility tunnel is useful because it has a lower risk of corrosion than conventional burial, and can prevent from excavating construction. But, explosions in common utility tunnels can cause greater damage from the blast overpressure compared to outdoor explosions, due to nature of the confined environment. Despite this fact, however, research on common utility tunnels has been limited to fire hazard and little has been studied on the dangers of explosions. This study developed scenarios of methane gas explosion caused by gas leak from gas piping within the common utility tunnel followed by unknown ignition; the study then calculated the extent of the impact of the explosion on the facilities above, and suggested the needs for designing additional safety measures. Two scenarios were selected per operating condition of safety devices and the consequence analysis was carried out with FLACS, one of the CFD tools for explosion simulation. The overpressures for all scenarios are substantial enough to completely destroy most of the buildings. In addition, we have provided additional measures to secure safety especially reducing incident frequency.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.13-18
• /
• 2010

To investigate electrostatic ignition hazards of commercial gasoline used in the gas station, experiments were conducted dealing with the minimum ignition energy(MIE) of several kinds of gasoline under the various temperature. The conductivity of gasoline that was required for an accurate risk assessment as well as the MIE were also examined. The solvent ignitability apparatus which can heat up the inside of the vessels up to $210^{\circ}C$ was used in this study. Four kinds of premium gasoline and four kinds of regular gasoline, differing with respect to the companies, were used as test specimens. The following results were obtained: (1) all gasoline specimens were so sensitive that even an electrostatic discharge with a very low energy, such as about 0.5mJ, could ignite them. The ignitability of premium gasoline was constant irrespective of the companies. On the other hand, the ignitability of regular gasoline was variable depending on the company. (2) The MIE of all specimens depended markedly on the temperature; in other words, an increase in temperature decreases the ignition energy value. (3) The conductivity values of all specimens were low. Those must be taken into consideration in electrostatic risk assessment.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.182-193
• /
• 2022

Purpose: By measuring and evaluating the risk of biodiesel through non-volatile residue (NVR) and flash point and explosion limit measurement at a specific temperature according to ASTM test standards, the risk of chemical fire causative substances is identified and a universal evaluation method By derivation and securing the risk-related data of the material, it can be used for the identification and analysis of the cause of the fire, and it can be applied to the risk assessment of other chemical substances Method: In order to measure the risk of biodiesel, it was measured using the non-volatile residue(NVR) measurement method, which measures how much flammable liquid is generated at a specific temperature. Heating was tested by applying KS M 5000: 2009 Test Method 4111. In addition, the flash point was measured using the method specified in ASTM E659-782005, and the energy supply method was measured using the constant temperature method. In addition, the explosion limit measurement was conducted in accordance with ASTM E 681-04 「Standard test method for concentration limits of flammability of chemicals(Vapors and gases)」 test standard. Result: As a result of checking the amount of combustible liquid by the non-volatile residue (NVR)measurement method, the non-volatile residue(NVR) of general diesel when left at 105±2℃ for 3 hours was about 30% (70% of volatile matter) and about 4% of biodiesel. In addition, similar results were obtained for the non-volatile residue(NVR)heating temperature of 150±2℃, 3 hours and 200±2℃ for 1 hour, and white smoke was generated at 200℃ or higher. In addition, similar values were obtained as a result of experimentally checking the explosion (combustion) limits of general diesel, general diesel containing 20% biodiesel, and 100% biodiesel. Therefore, it was confirmed that the flammability risk did not significantly affect the explosion risk. Conclusion: The results of this study suggested the risk judgment criteria for mixtures through experimental research on flammable mixtures for the purpose of securing the effectiveness, reliability, and reproducibility of the details of the criteria for determining dangerous substances in the existing Dangerous Materials Safety Management Act. It will be possible to provide reference data for the judgment criteria for flammable liquids that are regulated in the field. In addition, if the know-how for each test method is accumulated through this study, it is expected that it will be used as basic data in the research on risk assessment of dangerous substances and as a basis for research on the determination of dangerous substances.