• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.9
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• pp.3388-3400
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• 2023

Detailed analysis of the neutron pathway through matter inside the nuclear reactor core is exceedingly needed for safety and economic considerations. Due to the constant development of high-performance computing technologies, neutronics analysis using computer codes became more effective and efficient to perform sophisticated neutronics calculations. In this work, a commercial pressurized water reactor (PWR) presented by Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications (VERA) Core Physics Benchmark are modeled and simulated using a high-fidelity simulation of OpenMC code in terms of criticality and fuel pin power distribution. Various problems have been selected from VERA benchmark ranging from a simple two-dimension (2D) pin cell problem to a complex three dimension (3D) full core problem. The development of the code capabilities for reactor physics methods has been implemented to investigate the accuracy and performance of the OpenMC code against VERA SCALE codes. The results of OpenMC code exhibit excellent agreement with VERA results with maximum Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values of less than 0.04% and 1.3% for the criticality eigenvalues and pin power distributions, respectively. This demonstrates the successful utilization of the OpenMC code as a simulation tool for a whole core analysis. Further works are undergoing on the accuracy of OpenMC simulations for the impact of different fuel types and burnup levels and the analysis of the transient behavior and coupled thermal hydraulic feedback.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.125-136
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• 2023

Recently, ammonia has emerged as an alternative energy source that can reduce carbon emissions in various industries. Ammonia is used as a fuel in internal combustion engines because it contains no carbon in its components and does not emit any carbon when burned. It is also used in various fields such as fertilizer production, refrigeration, cleaning and disinfection, and drug manufacturing due to its unique characteristics, such as high volatility and easy solubility in water. However, it is highly corrosive to metals and is a toxic gas that can pose a risk to human health, so caution must be exercised when using it. In particular, stress corrosion cracking may occur in containers or manufacturing facilities made of carbon-manganese steel or nickel steel, so special care is needed. As ammonia has emerged as an alternative fuel for reducing carbon emissions, there is a need for a rapid response. Therefore, based on a deep understanding of the causes and mechanisms of ammonia corrosion, it is important to develop new corrosion inhibitors, improve corrosion monitoring and prediction systems, and study corrosion prevention design.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.580-586
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• 2023

Diversified fuel types such as methanol, hydrogen, liquefied natural gas, ammonia, biofuels, have been come to fore in consideration of the limitations, regulations, environmental perception and efficient use of resources on maritime sector. NE is described as a substantial alternative energy source on the marine vessels in the sense of de-carbonization and fuel efficiency activities carried out by IMO. Although NPVs have been constructed for the merchant, navy and supply fields over the years, their numbers are few and working ranges are quite limited. NE generation techniques, reactor types, safety and security issues in case of any leakage or radiation pollution are analyzed and comparisons are performed between fossil-based fueled and NP based on icebreakers. The comparison are conducted on the basis of dimensions, resistances and operational competences by the VIKOR. NP icebreakers operated in recent years occupy a notable position in the ranking, although fossil fueled ones are most prevalent. Consequently, refueling period and emissions are the principal benefits of NPVs. Nevertheless, the use of such systems on marine vessels especially for merchant ships may come to the fore when all concerns in terms of safety, security and society are resolved since the slightest mistake can have irreversible consequences.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.123-129
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• 2023

This paper presents an analysis of the trans-lunar trajectory insertion performance of the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO), the first lunar exploration spacecraft of the Republic of Korea. The successful launch conducted on August 4, 2022 (UTC), utilized the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The trans-lunar trajectory insertion performance plays a crucial role in ensuring the overall mission success by directly influencing the spacecraft's onboard fuel consumption. Following separation from the launch vehicle (LV), a comprehensive analysis of the trajectory insertion performance was performed by the KPLO flight dynamics (FD) team. Both orbit parameter message (OPM) and orbit determination (OD) solutions were employed using deep space network (DSN) tracking measurements. As a result, the KPLO was accurately inserted into the ballistic lunar transfer (BLT) trajectory, satisfying all separation requirements at the target interface point (TIP), including launch injection energy per unit mass (C3), right ascension of the injection orbit apoapsis vector (RAV), and declination of the injection orbit apoapsis vector (DAV). The precise BLT trajectory insertion facilitated the smoother operation of the KPLO's remainder mission phase and enabled the utilization of reserved fuel, consequently significantly enhancing the possibilities of an extended mission.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.106-113
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• 2002

While the demand for energy has shown a sharp increase recently, the supply seems to be limited by the fact that the conventional fossil fuel energy or nuclear energy has its own environmental problems such as, for example, global warming or nuclear waste disposal. To overcome such limited supply of energy, the utilization of natural thermal energy such as river water and sea water as well as treated sewage can be a substantial supplement. The potential use of the unused energy has become more and more feasible these days as the heat pump technology has been advanced. In the present study, the unused energy reserves are estimated on regional and monthly basis for each resource based on the method developed here in order to establish the base data for its utilization. The potential use of the unused energy is also discussed.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.297-303
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• 2016

Global warming due to greenhouse gases is an issue of great concern today. Fossil fuel power plants, especially coal-fired thermal power plants, are a major source of carbon dioxide emission. In this work, carbon capture and utilization using sodium hydroxide was studied experimentally. Application for flue gas of a coal-fired power plant is considered. Carbon dioxide, reacting with an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, could be converted to sodium bicarbonate ($NaHCO_3$). A bench-scale unit of a reactor system was designed for this experiment. The capture scale of the reactor system was 2 kg of carbon dioxide per day. The detailed operational condition could be determined. The purity of produced sodium bicarbonate was above 97% and the absorption rate of $CO_2$ was above 95% through the experiment using this reactor system. The results obtained in this experiment contain useful information for the construction and operation of a commercial-scale plant. Through this experiment, the possibility of carbon capture for coal power plants using sodium hydroxide could be confirmed.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.99-108
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• 2004

Fundamental combustion characteristics, such as the combustion potential, burning velocity and flame stability, for the practical utilization of LFG(Landfill gas) and LFG-blended fuels were experimentally investigated. The combustion potentials(CP) of LFG-blended fuels calculated from the previously suggested formulae were compared with burning velocities obtained by present experiments. The results showed that the previous formulae fur CP of LFG-blended fuels were not agreed with the experimental burning velocity, and these formulae should be revised. To provide an useful information needed to design the combustion devices, a triangular diagram was suggested for the maximum burning velocity of the mixture of CH$_4$, LPG and LFG. From the investigation of the burning velocity and the flame stability in a practical combustor, it was noted that the LFG-blended fuels, of which heating values or Wobbe indices were adjusted to that of natural gas, could be used as an alternative fuel of natural gas.

• Solar Energy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.15-37
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• 1996

Most of the world's energy demand is met by fossil fuels, mainly petroleum and natural gas. Even though their production is not keeping up with the demand, there are many options before us-solar energy in its direct and indirect forms, nuclear breeders, thermonuclear power, geothermal energy, synthetic fluid fuels, and hydrogen as energy carrier to complement the nonfossil energy sources. But, before these energy alternatives can be utilized, in most cases, it is necessary to conduct extensive research and development work. In order to solve global energy and environmental issues, it is very important to develop and install energy supply systems which utilizes natural energy. The installation of these systems brings the following merits from the viewpoints of energy saving or environmental protection-(a) the positive use of natural energy reduces fossil fuel consumption; and (b) it also prevents environmental degradation. In this paper, the types of natural energy considered is confined to the solar, wind, hydraulic, geothermal and ocean-wave energy. And, the objective of the paper is to describe the state of the art of natural energy and future utilization prospect of them.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.249-256
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• 2024

The cement industry emits a large amount of greenhouse gases compared to other industries, with about 60% of CO₂ emissions from the decarbonation of limestone and about 40% from the combustion of fossil fuels. Therefore, the cement industry needs to reduce greenhouse gases through carbon capture, utilization, and storage technology. Capturing CO₂ and synthesizing it into methanol is feasible and also useful as raw material for the chemical industry and as marine fuel. In this study, We aimed to produce methanol from syngas produced by capturing CO₂ emissions. Process simulations were performed under various conditions such as syngas ratio, temperature, and pressure for the production of synthesis gas and methanol, and the results showed that the optimal amount of methanol production at a synthesis gas ratio of 2.03.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.95-103
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• 2018

As a guideline for desulfurization and dehumidification pretreatment facility for optimizing utilization of biogas, the $H_2S$ concentration is set at 150 % which can be treated with iron salts, dehumidification is the optimum value for generator operation, and the relative humidity applied at the utilization of biogas in EU is set at 60 %. We have set up the generator facility guidelines to optimize utilization of biogas. The appropriate amount of biogas should be at least 90 % of the total gas generation, and the capacity of generator facility should be set at 20~30 %. In order to equalize the pressure of the incoming gas the generator, a gas equalization tank should be installed and the generator room average temperature should be kept at $45^{\circ}C$ or less. Since the gas is not produced at a certain methane concentration in the digester, the efficiency is lowered. Therefore, it is required to install an air fuel ratio control system according to the change in methane concentration. Therefore, it is necessary to compensate for the disadvantages of biogasification facilities of organic waste resources and optimize utilization of biogas and improve operation of facilities. This study was conducted to optimize biogas utilization of type of organic waste(containing sewage sludge and food waste, animal manure), investigate the facilities problem and propose design, operation guidelines such as pre-treatment facilities and generators.