• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.2011-2018
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• 2021

Nowadays, evaluation of amounts and distributions of radioactive waste is an important preparatory step in the process of nuclear reactor decommissioning. For tentative estimation of radioactive waste, a cell-based rigorous 2 step (R2S) method usually is used; however, a poor resolution caused by the averaged flux and spectrum in a cell is still a great challenge because of leading to underestimated or overestimated results. To overcome the poor resolution, several systems were introduced. Neither system, however, provides any function for evaluation of radioactive waste amount and distribution. Thus, it is additionally required to classify radioactive waste based on the results of activation calculation. In this study, the advanced R2S (AR2S) system was developed. To verify the performance of the system, its results for a verification problem were compared with those of the cell-based R2S method. The results showed good agreement, which is to say, within 2.0% relative error. Also, several characteristics of fine/coarse mesh were analyzed. To demonstrate the performance of the AR2S system, the radioactive waste from the Japan Power Demonstration Reactor (JPDR) was estimated, and the result indicated a high-resolution distribution. Therefore, it is expected that the AR2S system will prove useful for precise evaluation of radioactive waste.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2020

This paper investigates the influence of the Circulating Water Channel (CWC) side wall and support struts on the hydrodynamic coefficient prediction for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) experiments. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method has been used to model the CWC tests. The hydrodynamic coefficients estimated by CFD are compared with the prediction of experiments to verify the accuracy of simulations. In order to study the effect of side wall on the hydrodynamic characteristics of the AUV in full scale captive model tests, this paper uses the CWC non-dimensional width parameters to quantify the correlation between the CWC width and hydrodynamic coefficients of the chosen model. The result shows that the hydrodynamic coefficients tend to be constant with the CWC width parameters increasing. Moreover, the side wall has a greater effect than the struts.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.174-183
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• 2021

Background: Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is a highly reactive chemical that causes sensitization and has also been associated with increased lung cancer. A risk assessment was conducted based on occupational epidemiologic estimates for several health outcomes. Methods: Exposure and outcome details were extracted from published studies and a NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation for new onset asthma, pulmonary function measurements, symptom prevalence, and mortality from lung cancer and respiratory disease. Summary exposure-response estimates were calculated taking into account relative precision and possible survivor selection effects. Attributable incidence of sensitization was estimated as were annual proportional losses of pulmonary function. Excess lifetime risks and benchmark doses were calculated. Results: Respiratory outcomes exhibited strong survivor bias. Asthma/sensitization exposure response decreased with increasing facility-average TDI air concentration as did TDI-associated pulmonary impairment. In a mortality cohort where mean employment duration was less than 1 year, survivor bias pre-empted estimation of lung cancer and respiratory disease exposure response. Conclusion: Controlling for survivor bias and assuming a linear dose-response with facility-average TDI concentrations, excess lifetime risks exceeding one per thousand occurred at about 2 ppt TDI for sensitization and respiratory impairment. Under alternate assumptions regarding stationary and cumulative effects, one per thousand excess risks were estimated at TDI concentrations of 10 - 30 ppt. The unexplained reported excess mortality from lung cancer and other lung diseases, if attributable to TDI or associated emissions, could represent a lifetime risk comparable to that of sensitization.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.184-191
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• 2021

Background: Hearing protection devices (HPDs) are often used in the workplace to prevent hearing damage caused by noise. However, a factor that can lead to hearing loss in the workplace is improper HPD fitting, and the previous literature has shown that instructing workers on how to properly insert their HPDs can make a significant difference in the degree of attenuation. Methods: Two studies were completed on a total of 33 Hydro One workers. A FitCheck Solo field attenuation estimation system was used to measure the personal attenuation rating (PAR) before and after providing one-on-one fitting instructions. In addition, external ear canal diameters were measured, and a questionnaire with items related to frequency of use, confidence, and discomfort was administered. Results: Training led to an improvement in HPD attenuation, particularly for participants with poorer PARs before training. The questionnaire results indicated that much HPD discomfort is caused by heat, humidity, and communication difficulties. External ear canal asymmetry did not appear to significantly influence the measured PAR. Conclusion: In accordance with the previous literature, our studies suggest that one-on-one instruction is an effective training method for HPD use. Addressing discomfort issues from heat, humidity, and communication issues could help to improve the use of HPDs in the workplace. Further research into the effects of canal asymmetry on the PAR is needed.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.168-177
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• 2020

Many coastal engineering designs utilize empirical formulas containing the Equivalent Deep-water Wave Height (EDWH), which is normally given a priori. However, no studies have explicitly discussed a method for determining the EDWH and the resulting design wave heights (DEWH) under irregular wave conditions. Unfortunately, it has been the case in many design practices that the EDWH is incorrectly estimated by dividing the Shallow-water Wave Height (SWH) at the structural position with its corresponding shoaling coefficient of regular wave. The present study reexamines the relationship between the Shallow-water Wave Height (SWH) at the structural position and its corresponding EDWH. Then, a new procedure is proposed to facilitate the correct estimation of EDWH. In this procedure, the EDWH and DEWH are determined differently according to the wave propagation model used to estimate the SWH. For this, Goda's original method for nonlinear irregular wave deformation is extended to produce values for linear shoaling. Finally, exemplary calculations are performed to assess the possible errors caused by a misuse of the wave height calculation procedure. The relative errors with respect to the correct values could exceed 20%, potentially leading to a significant under-design of coastal or harbor structures in some cases.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.810-818
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• 2020

A moored floating structure may exhibit resonant motion responses to low-frequency excitations. Similar to the resonant responses of many vibration systems, the motion amplitude of a moored floating structure is significantly affected by the damping of the entire system. In such cases, the damping contributed by the mooring lines sometimes accounts for as much as 80% of the total damping. While the damping induced by catenary mooring lines is well-investigated, few studies have been conducted on the damping induced by taut mooring lines, especially one partly embedded in soil. The present study develops a simple but accurate model for estimating the damping contributed by mooring lines. A typical type of taut mooring line was used as the reference and the hydrodynamic drag force and soil resistance were taken into consideration. The proposed model was validated by comparing its predictions with those of a previously developed model and experimental measurements obtained by a physical model. Case studies and sensitivity studies were also conducted using the validated model. The damping induced by the soil resistance was found to be considerably smaller than the hydrodynamic damping. The superposition of the wave frequency motion on the low-frequency motion was also observed to significantly amplify the damping induced by the mooring lines.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Systems Engineering
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.110-117
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• 2020

In this paper, we estimated the straight line stability by performing a 3 degree of freedom spiral test simulation of a intact/damaged surface combatant using the hydrodynamic coefficient obtained through the PMM(Planar motion mechanism) test based on system engineering process. A model ship was ONR Tumblehome and damaged compartment was set on the starboard bow. As a result of conducting a spiral test simulation based on the experimental results of J.Ha (2018), the asymmetric straight line stability due to the damaged compartment was confirmed. In the case of a ship in which the starboard bow was damaged, it was confirmed that it had the characteristic to deflect to the left when going straight. Also, when estimating the straight line stability of a both port and starboard asymmetric surface combatant, a separated equation of motion model that sees the port and starboard as different ships seems suitable.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.466-477
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• 2021

There are three different well-known methods for predicting the manoeuvrability of ships: (1) free running model test, (2) direct manoeuvring simulation using CFD and (3) system-based manoeuvring simulation. In this paper, the manoeuvrability of the KVLCC2 was estimated using CFD with rigid body motion and body force propeller method. The free running manoeuvre at the different time steps were also simulated. The yaw checking ability and the turning ability of KVLCC2 were predicted using CFD and could have been confirmed that the IMO criteria was satisfied. When the results were compared with the model test and system-based method, the free running simulation showed better agreement to that of the model test. It could also be confirmed that the results vary depending on the time step. Overall, the CFD results using the body force propeller method estimated most accurately the test results.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.306-320
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• 2021

To ensure safe port operations around the world, it is important to solve mooring problems. In particular, the many ports that face open seas have difficulties with long-period waves. As a countermeasure, the installation of a breakwater is proposed for mooring safety. However, this often cannot be put into practice because of financial issues. Instead, port terminals control berthing schedules with weather forecasting. However, mooring problems remain unsolved, because of inaccurate wave forecasting. To quantify the current situation, numerical simulations are presented with ship motions, fender deflections, and rope tensions. In addition, novel simulations for mooring ropes are proposed considering tension, friction, bending fatigue, and temperature. With this novel simulation, the optimal mooring method in terms of safety and economic efficiency was confirmed. In terms of safety, the optimal mooring method is verified to minimize dangerous mooring situations. Moreover, the optimal mooring method shows economic benefits and efficiency. It can help to reinforce the safety of port terminals and improve the efficiency of port operations.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.357-373
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• 2022

The high-temperature gas-cooled reactor pebble-bed module project is the first commercial Generation-IV NPP(Nuclear Power Plant) in China. A new joint is used for the vertical support of RPV(Reactor Pressure Vessel). The steel corbel is integrally embedded into the reactor-cabin wall through eight asymmetrically arranged pre-stressed high-strength bolts, achieving the different path transmission of shear force and moment. The vertical monotonic loading test of two specimens is conducted. The results show that the failure mode of the joint is bolt fracture. There is no prominent yield stage in the whole loading process. The stress of bolts is linearly distributed along the height of corbel at initial loading. As the load increases, the height of neutral axis of bolts gradually decreases. The upper and lower edges of the wall opening contact the corbel plate to restrict the rotation of the corbel. During the loading, the pre-stress of some bolts decreases. The increase of the pre-stress strength ratio of bolts has no noticeable effect on the structure stiffness, but it reduces the ultimate bearing capacity of the joint. A simplified calculation model for the elastic stage of the joint is established, and the estimation results are in good agreement with the experimental results.