• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권9호
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• pp.3291-3300
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• 2023

Recently molybdenum alloys have been introduced as accident tolerating materials for cladding of fuel rods. Molybdenum element has seven stable isotopes with different neutron absorption cross section used in various fields, including nuclear physics and radioisotope production. This study presents separation approaches for all intermediate isotopes of molybdenum element by squared-off cascades using a newly developed numerical code with Salp Swarm Algorithm (SSA) optimization algorithm. The parameters of cascade including feed flow rate, feed entry stage, cascade cut, input feed flow rate to gas centrifuges (GCs), and cut of the first stage are optimized to maximize both isotope recovery and cascade capacity. The squared off and squared cascades are studied, and the efficiencies are compared. The results obtained from the optimization showed that for the selected squared off cascade, Mo⁹⁴ in four separation steps, Mo⁹⁵ in five steps, Mo⁹⁶ in six steps, Mo⁹⁷ in seven steps, and Mo⁹⁸ in two steps are separated to the desired concentrations. The highest recovery factor is obtained 63% for Mo⁹⁴ separation and lowest recovery factor is found 45% for Mo⁹⁵.

• 방사성폐기물학회지
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.279-287
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• 2016

경주 중 저준위 방사성폐기물 처분시설의 운영에 따라, 한국원자력연구원(대전)에 임시보관 중인 방사성동위원소폐기물을 처분시설로 육상운반하였다. 본 연구에서는 방사성동위원소폐기물의 국내육상운반에 따른 작업자 및 일반인에 대한 방사선 피폭선량을 평가하고 그 결과를 국내 방사선피폭 법적제한치와 비교하였다. 또한 방사성폐기물의 상하차 작업 시 작업자와 드럼 간 거리 및 방사성핵종 누출율의 변화에 따른 예상피폭선량의 민감도를 분석하였다. 정상 및 사고조건에서의 예상피폭선량은 국내 법적제한치를 충분히 만족하였음을 확인하였다.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.47-58
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• 2015

Four recycling scenarios involving pyroprocessing of spent fuel (SF) have been investigated for a 600-MWe transmutation sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR), KALIMER. Performance evaluation was done with code system REBUS connected with TRANSX and TWODANT. Scenario Number 1 is the pyroprocessing of Canada deuterium uranium (CANDU) SF. Because the recycling of CANDU SF does not have any safety problems, the CANDU-Pyro-SFR system will be possible if the pyroprocessing capacity is large enough. Scenario Number 2 is a feasibility test of feed SF from a pressurized water reactor PWR. Thefsensitivity of cooling time before prior to pyro-processing was studied. As the cooling time sensitivity of cooling time before prior to pyro-processing was studied. As the cooling time increases, excess reactivity at the beginning of the equilibrium cycle (BOEC) decreases, thereby creating advantageous reactivity control and improving the transmutation performance of minor actinides. Scenario Number 3 is a case study for various levels of recovery factors of transuranic isotopes (TRUs). If long-lived fission products can be separated during pyroprocessing, the waste that is not recovered is classified as low- and intermediate-level waste, and it is sufficient to be disposed of in an underground site due to very low-heat-generation rate when the waste cooling time becomes >300 years at a TRU recovery factor of 99.9%. Scenario Number 4 is a case study for the recovery factor of rare earth (RE) isotopes. The RE isotope recovery factor should be lowered to ${\leq}20%$ in order to make sodium void reactivity less than <7$, which is the design limit of a metal fuel.

• 한국광학회지
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.117-122
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• 1992

2색 3-단계 공명이온화 구도를 이용하여 수은 도우이원소들을 선택적으로 광이온화시켰다. 중간 여기 준위로서 $6^3P_1$ 및 $6^1D_2$를 선택했으며, 이때 사용된 레이저파장은 253.7nm(1차 여기)와 313.2nm(2차 여기 및 이온화)이었다. 동위원소들의 선택적 여기는 선폭 ~700MHz의 단일종모드 펄스 레이저를 사용한 1차 여기단계에서 이루어졌으며, 2차 여기 및 이온화 단계에서는 비교적 큰 선폭(~5GHz)의 레이저를 사용하였다. 본 연구에서는 time-of-flight 질량분석기를 사용하여 질량 스펙트럼을 실시간으로 얻었으며. 이를 이용하여 레이저 세기가 수은동위원소 선택성에 미치는 영향을 분석하였다.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.404-412
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• 1994

하계 한국 동해 남부 연안해역의 4개 단면에서 1991년 9월 $2{\sim}8$일 사이에 수온관측 및 Ra동위체의 농도를 측정하였다. 수온의 연직분포를 보면, 북쪽 단면 A와 B에서는 강한 계절수온약층이 대체적으로 표층 $10{\sim}30m$ 사이의 수층에 존재하고, 단면 C에서는 $30{\sim}50m$ 수층에 수온약층이 나타난다. 단면 D에서는 특이하게 2개의 수온약층이 존재하고 연안쪽 정점에서 바깥쪽 정점으로 갈수록 수온약층의 존재수심은 급격히 깊어지는 것이 특징적이다. 그리고, 수온약층 상부에는 수온 $20^{\circ}C$이상의 대마난류표층수가 존재하고, 수온약층 바로 아래 수층에는 수온 $12{\sim}7^{\circ}C$의 대마난류중층수가 나타나며, 이 아래 수층에는 기원이 불분명한 $10^{\circ}C$이하의 냉수괴가 나타나고, 수심 약 150 m 이심층에는 $1^{\circ}C$이하의 동해고유수가 존재한다. 9개 정점의 $2{\sim}3$개 수층에서 채수한 해수의 Ra동위체 농도를 측정한 결과, 대마난류표층수의 특성값은 Ra-228이 $225{\pm}23$ dpm/kl, Ra-226이 $99{\pm}6$ dpm/kl이며, Ra-228/Ra-226 방사능의 비는 $1.9{\sim}2.6$범위였다. 대마난류중층수의 특성값은 Ra-228이 $71{\pm}12$ dpm/kl로 표층수중 농도의 약 1/3정도이고, Ra-226은 $80{\pm}6$ dpm/kl이며, 두 동위체의 비는$0.7{\sim}1.1$범위였다. 한편, 수온 $2{\sim}6^{\circ}C$범위의 냉수괴는 Ra-228이 $59{\pm}10$ dpm/kl이고, Ra-226은 $85{\pm}9$ dpm/kl였으며, 두 동위체의 비는 $0.6{\sim}0.9$범위였다. $65{\sim}120$ m 사이의 수층에서 수온 $2{\sim}6^{\circ}C$범위를 보이는 냉수괴의 기원을 밝히기 위하여 수온에 대한 용존산소 및 Ra동위체의 농도(혹은 동위체비)의 diagram을 분석하였다. 그 결과, 이 냉수괴는 북한한류수인 것으로 판명되었다. $T-O_2$ diagram으로는 이 냉수괴의 기원은을 알기 어려웠지만 Ra동위체의 농도를 이용하면 보다 명료하게 그 기원을 알 수 있었다. 그러므로, 동해에서 Ra동위체의 연직분포 측정은 각종 수괴의 혼합확산이나 변질과정을 이해하는 데 유용할 것이다.

• 한국지하수토양환경학회지:지하수토양환경
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.10-17
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• 2017

In this study, the evolution and origin of major dissolved constituents of crystalline bedrock groundwater in a coastal area were evaluated using multivariate statistical and groundwater quality analyses. The groundwater types mostly belonged to the $Na(Ca)-HCO_3$ and $Ca-HCO_3$ types, indicating the effect of cation exchange. Stable isotopes of water showed two areas divided by first and secondary evaporative effects, indicating a pattern of rapid hydrological cycling. Saturation indices of minerals showed undersaturation states. Thus, the degree of evolution of groundwater is suggested as in the low to intermediate stage, based on field and laboratory analytical conditions. According to the principal component analysis (PCA) results, the chemical components of EC, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $K^+$, $HCO_3{^-}$, $SO{_4}^{2-}$ (PCA 1), $F^-$ (PCA 3), $SiO_2$ (PCA 4), and $Fe^{2+}$ (PCA 5) are derived from various water-rock interactions. However, $NO_3{^-}$, $Na^+$, and $Cl^-$ (PCA 2) represented the chemical characteristics of both anthropogenic sources and natural sea spray.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.380-387
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• 2015

A lead slowing-down spectrometer (LSDS) system is a promising nondestructive assay technique that enables a quantitative measurement of the isotopic contents of major fissile isotopes in spent nuclear fuel and its pyroprocessing counterparts, such as $^{235}U$, $^{239}Pu$, $^{241}Pu$, and, potentially, minor actinides. The LSDS system currently under development at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (Daejeon, Korea) is planned to utilize a high-flux ($>10^{12}n/cm^2{\cdot}s$) neutron source comprised of a high-energy (30 MeV)/high-current (~2 A) electron beam and a heavy metal target, which results in a very intense and complex radiation field for the facility, thus demanding structural shielding to guarantee the safety. Optimization of the structural shielding design was conducted using MCNPX for neutron dose rate evaluation of several representative hypothetical designs. In order to satisfy the construction cost and neutron attenuation capability of the facility, while simultaneously achieving the aimed dose rate limit (< $0.06{\mu}Sv/h$), a few shielding materials [high-density polyethylene (HDPE)eBorax, $B_4C$, and $Li_2CO_3$] were considered for the main neutron absorber layer, which is encapsulated within the double-sided concrete wall. The MCNP simulation indicated that HDPE-Borax is the most efficient among the aforementioned candidate materials, and the combined thickness of the shielding layers should exceed 100 cm to satisfy the dose limit on the outside surface of the shielding wall of the facility when limiting the thickness of the HDPE-Borax intermediate layer to below 5 cm. However, the shielding wall must include the instrumentation and installation holes for the LSDS system. The radiation leakage through the holes was substantially mitigated by adopting a zigzag-shape with concrete covers on both sides. The suggested optimized design of the shielding structure satisfies the dose rate limit and can be used for the construction of a facility in the near future.

• Geosciences Journal
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.975-987
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• 2018

Stable isotope ratios of $^{18}O/^{16}O$ and $^{13}C/^{12}C$ and rare earth elements geochemistry of the Upper Triassic carbonates from the Baluti Formation in Kurdistan Region of Northern Iraq were studied in two areas, Sararu and Sarki. The aim of the study is to quantify the possible diagenetic processes that postdated deposition and the paleoenvironment of the Baluti Formation. The replacement products of the skeletal grains by selective dissolution and neomorphism probably by meteoric water preserved the original marine isotopic signatures possibly due to the closed system. The petrographic study revealed the existence of foraminifers, echinoderms, gastropods, crinoids, nodosaria and ostracods as major framework constituents. The carbonates have micritic matrix with microsparite and sparry calcite filling the pores and voids. The range and average values for twelve carbonate rocks of ${\delta}^{18}O$ and ${\delta}^{13}C$ in Sararu section were -5.3‰ to -3.16‰ (-4.12‰) and -2.94‰ to -0.96‰ (-1.75‰), respectively; while the corresponding values for the Sarki section were -3.69‰ to -0.39‰ (-2.08‰) and -5.34‰ to -2.70‰ (-4.02‰), respectively. The bivariate plot of ${\delta}^{18}O$ and ${\delta}^{13}C$ suggests that most of these carbonates are warm-water skeletons and have meteoric cement. The average ${\Sigma}REE$ content and Eu-anomaly of the carbonates of Sararu sections were 44.26 ppm and 1.03, respectively, corresponding to 22.30 ppm and 0.93 for the Sarki section. The normalized patterns for the carbonate rocks exhibit: (1) non-seawater-like REE patterns, (2) positive Gd anomalies (average = 1.112 for Sararu and 1.114 for Sarki), (3) super chondritic Y/Ho ratio is 31.48 for Sararu and 31.73 for Sarki which are less than the value of seawater. The presence of sparry calcite cement, negative $^{13}C$ and $^{18}O$ isotope values, the positive Eu anomaly in the REE patterns (particularly for Sararu), eliminated Ce anomaly ($Ce/Ce^{\ast}$: 0.916-1.167, average = 0.994 and 0.950-1.010, average = 0.964, respectively), and Er/Nd values propose that these carbonates have undergone meteoric diagenesis. The REE patterns suggest that the terrigenous materials of the Baluti were derived from felsic to intermediate rocks.

• Ocean Science Journal
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.167-176
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• 2005

A time-series sediment trap was deployed at 1,034 m water depth in the eastern Bransfield Strait for a complete year from December 25, 1998 to December 24, 1999. About 99% of total mass flux was trapped during an austral summer, showing distinct seasonal variation. Biogenic particles (biogenic opal, particulate organic carbon, and calcium carbonate) account for about two thirds of annual total mass flux $(49.2\;g\;m^{-2})$, among which biogenic opal flux is the most dominant (42% of the total flux). A positive relationship (except January) between biogenic opal and total organic carbon fluxes suggests that these two variables were coupled, due to the surface-water production (mainly diatoms). The relatively low $\delta^{13}C$ values of settling particles result from effects on C-fixation processes at low temperature and the high $CO_2$ availability to phytoplankton. The correspondingly low $\delta^{l5}N$ values are due to intense and steady input of nitrates into surface waters, reflecting an unlikely nitrate isotope fractionation by degree of surface-water production. The $\delta^{l5}N$ and $\delta^{l3}C$ values of sinking particles increased from the beginning to the end of a presumed phytoplankton bloom, except for anomalous $\delta^{l5}N$ values. Krill and the zooplankton fecal pellets, the most important carriers of sinking particles, may have contributed gradually to the increasing $\delta^{l3}C$ values towards the unproductive period through the biomodification of the $\delta^{l3}C$ values in the food web, respiring preferentially and selectively $^{12}C$ atoms. Correspondingly, the increasing $\delta^{l5}N$ values in the intermediate-water trap are likely associated with a switch in source from diatom aggregates to some remains of zooplankton, because organic matter dominated by diatom may be more liable and prone to remineralization, leading to greater isotopic alteration. In particular, the tendency for abnormally high $\delta^{l5}N$ values in February seems to be enigmatic. A specific species dominancy during the production may be suggested as a possible and speculative reason.