• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.941-953
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• 2019

Biodiesels are being explored as a clean energy alternative to regular diesel, which causes pollution. In this study, the optimum conditions for producing biodiesel (BD) by combining beef tallow, an animal waste resource with a high saturated fatty acid content, and corn oil, a vegetable oil with a high unsaturated fatty acid content, were investigated, and the fuel properties were analyzed. Furthermore, Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was used to verify the optimum conditions for producing biodiesel. The influences of control factors, such as the oil blend ratio and methanol to oil molar ratio, on the fatty acid methyl ester and biodiesel production yield were investigated. As a result, the optimum condition for producing blended biodiesel was verified to be tallow to corn oil blend ratio of 7 : 3 (TACO7) and a methanol to oil molar ratio of 14 : 1. Moreover, the interaction between the oil blend ratio and the methanol to oil molar ratio has the most crucial effects on the production of oil blended biodiesel. In conclusion, the analysis results of the fuel properties of TACO7 BD satisfied the BD quality standard, and thus, the viability of BD blended with waste tallow as fuel was verified.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.39-52
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• 2009

Theory-based models and high performance simulations are briefly reviewed starting with atomistic methods, such as Electronic Structure calculations, Molecular Dynamics, and Monte Carlo, continuing with meso-scale methods, such as Dislocation Dynamics and Phase Field, and ending with continuum methods that include Finite Element and Finite Volume. Special attention is paid to relating thermo-mechanical and chemical properties of the fuel to reactor parameters. By inserting atomistic models of point defects into continuum thermo-chemical calculations, a model of oxygen diffusivity in $UO_{2+x}$ is developed and used to predict point defect concentrations, oxygen diffusivity, and fuel stoichiometry at various temperatures and oxygen pressures. The simulations of coupled heat transfer and species diffusion demonstrate that including the dependence of thermal conductivity and density on composition can lead to changes in the calculated centerline temperature and thermal expansion displacements that exceed 5%. A review of advanced nuclear fuel performance codes reveals that the many codes are too dedicated to specific fuel forms and make excessive use of empirical correlations in describing properties of materials. The paper ends with a review of international collaborations and a list of lessons learned that includes the importance of education in creating a large pool of experts to cover all necessary theoretical, experimental, and computational tasks.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.321-327
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• 2012

Paraffin bio-based hydrotreated biodiesel(HBD) is originated from vegetable oil(the process can also be applied to animal fat) with the the chemical structure $C_nH_{2n+2}$. In the number of process of the oil or fat, the hydrogenation is significantly important to create a bio-based diesel fuel. This study is focused on lubricity characteristics of BTL diesel blends to use alternative diesel fuel in Korea. The BTL diesel are blended the different volume ratios (HBD 5(5 vol.% HBD - 95 vol.% diesel), HBD 10, HBD 20, HBD 30, HBD 40 and HBD 50. HBD with paraffin compounds showed a very high centane number, low sulfur content and free aromatic compound. Especially, the wear scar of HBD showed poor lubricity compared to automotive diesel due to the fuel composition, low sulfur content and free aromatic compound. Also, the lubricity specification of automotive diesel with different six HBD blends is within the limit by the Korean standards. Finally, HBD as an alternative diesel fuel is challengeable in transportation sector of Korea.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.2969-2973
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• 2014

A new process to fabricate a composite LSCF-Ag cathode material for SOFCs by electron beam (e-beam) irradiation process has been suggested for operation under intermediate temperature range of $600-700^{\circ}C$. A composite LSCF-Ag cathode with uniformly coated Ag nanoparticles on the surface of the LSCF material was prepared by a facile e-beam irradiation method at room temperature. The morphology of the composite LSCF-Ag material was analyzed using a TEM, FE-SEM, and EDS. The prepared composite LSCF-Ag material can play a significant role in increasing the electro-catalytic activities and reducing the operating temperature of SOFCs. The performance of a tubular single cell prepared using the composite LSCF-Ag cathode, YSZ electrolyte and a Ni/YSZ anode was evaluated at reduced operating temperature of $600-700^{\circ}C$. The micro-structure and chemical composition of the single cell were investigated using a FE-SEM and EDS.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.183-190
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• 2008

Pyroprocessing is the optimal means of treating spent metal fuels from metal fast fuel reactors and is proposed as a potential option for GNEP in order to meet the requirements of the next generation fuel cycle. Currently, efforts for research and development are being made not only in the U.S., but also in Asian countries. Electrorefining, cathode processing by distillation, injection casting for fuel fabrication, and waste treatment must be verified by the use of genuine materials, and the engineering scale model of each device must be developed for commercial deployment. Pyroprocessing can be effectively extended to treat oxide fuels by applying an electrochemical reduction, for which various kinds of oxides are examined. A typical morphology change was observed following the electrochemical reduction, while the product composition was estimated through the process flow diagram. The products include much stronger radiation emitter than pure typical LWR Pu or weapon-grade Pu. Nevertheless, institutional measures are unavoidable to ensure proliferation-proof plant operations. The safeguard concept of a pyroprocessing plant was compared with that of a PUREX plant. The pyroprocessing is better adapted for a collocation system positioned with some reactors and a single processing facility rather than for a centralized reprocessing unit with a large scale throughput.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.363-371
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• 2022

In this study, the operation characteristics of the internal reforming type molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) were studied using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis according to the steam to carbon ratio (S/C ratio), operating temperature, and gas utilization. From the simulation results, the distribution of gas composition due to the electrochemical reaction and the reforming reaction was predicted. The internal reforming type showed a lower temperature difference than the external reforming type MCFC. As the operating temperature decreased, less hydrogen was produced and the performance of the fuel cell also decreased. As the gas utilization rate decreased, more gas was injected into the same reaction area, and thus the performance of the fuel cell increased.

• New & Renewable Energy
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.17-28
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• 2011

Biogas production and utilization are an emerging alternative energy technology. Biogas is produced from the biological breakdown of organic matter through anaerobic digestion. Biogas can be utilized for various energy sectors such as space heating, electricity generation and vehicle fuel. Especially, to be utilized as vehicle fuel, raw biogas needs to be upgraded that is mainly the removal of carbon dioxide to increase the methane content up to more than 95 ~ 97 vol% in some cases, similar to the composition of fossil-based natural gas. Usage of Biogas as a fuel of vehicles have an effect of reducing $CO_2$ emission compared to fossil fuels. Biomethane which is produced by upgrading of biogas is regarded as a good alternative energy and usage of clean energy is encouraged to deal with air pollution and waste management as well as production of clean energy. Recently, biogas projects for vehicle fuel are newly being launched and Korea government have also announced a plan for investment to develop biogas as a transport fuel. In this study, it is aimed to examine the potential feasibility of biomethane as a transport fuel. As a results, the status of biomethane, quality standard, quality characteristics, and upgrading technology of biogas were investigated to evaluate of biogas as a vehicle fuel of transportation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2017.05a
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• pp.957-967
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• 2017

Firing test of the fuel grain for solid fuel ramjet with additives and ignition support material was conducted. Fuel grain consist of HTPB mixed with AP particle 15 wt.%, Boron particle 5 wt.%. To cause the short ignition delay, ignition support consist of $NC/BKNO_3$ and composite propellant was coated to the fuel grain. An oxidant gas having a controlled temperature, pressure and oxygen composition close to the air condition in the ramjet combustor was supplied using the Ethanol blended $H_2O_2$ gas generator. Gas was set to flow at a mass flow rate of 150 g/s and mass flux of $200kg/m^2s$ in the grain port. Through the test, ignition support operated well and ignition delay of 0.5. During the test, stable chamber pressure with 8 bar and high combustion efficiency of 0.86 was confirmed.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.21-36
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• 2008

High bum-up fuel technology has been developed through a national R&D program, which covers key technology areas such as claddings, $UO_2$ pellets, spacer grids, performance code, and fuel assembly tests. New cladding alloys were developed through alloy designs, tube fabrication, out-of-pile test and in-reactor test. The new Zr-Nb tubes are found to be much better in their corrosion resistance and creep strength than the Zircaloy-4 tube, owing to an optimized composition and heat treatment of the new Zr-Nb alloys. A new fabrication technology for large grain $UO_2$ pellets was developed using various uranium oxide seeds and a micro-doping of Al. The uranium oxide seeds, which were added to $UO_2$ powder, were prepared by oxidizing and heat-treating scrap $UO_2$ pellets. A $UO_2$ pellet containing tungsten channels was fabricated for a thermal conductivity enhancement. For the fuel performance analysis, new high burnup models were developed and implemented in a code. This code was verified by an international database and our own database. The developed spacer grid has two features of contoured contact spring and hybrid mixing vanes. Mechanical and hydraulic tests showed that the spacer grid is superior in its rodsupporting, wear resistance and CHF performance. Finally, fuel assembly test technology was also developed. Facilities for mechanical and thermal hydraulic tests were constructed and are now in operation. Several achievements are to be utilized soon by the Korea Nuclear Fuel and thereby contribute to the economy and safety of PWR fuel in Korea

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.589-595
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• 2020

Large eddy simulation (LES) of a partially premixed gas turbine combustor is conducted. Four different hydrogen compositions are considered to investigate the fuel composition effects on the flow field inside the combustor. The comparison with the experimental flame structure and velocity profile is conducted to verify the LES results, revealing that the partially premixed flame structure is altered when hydrogen composition is changed. The flame structure becomes shorter and thicker as the hydrogen composition is increased, and therefore, the flame effect in the rigid wall is minimized. The change in the recirculation zone at the combustor wall with hydrogen addition is further investigated. Overall, the LES with combustion model is quite promising for accurately predicting the reactive flow characteristics in connection with the fuel composition.