• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.1603-1610
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• 2020

Due to ever-growing advancements in computers and relatively easy access to them, many efforts have been made to develop high-fidelity, high-performance, multi-physics tools, which play a crucial role in the design and operation of nuclear reactors. For this purpose in this study, the neutronic Monte Carlo and thermal-hydraulic sub-channel codes entitled MCNP and COBRA-EN, respectively, were applied for external coupling with each other. The coupled code was validated by code-to-code comparison with the internal couplings between MCNP5 and SUBCHANFLOW as well as MCNP6 and CTF. The simulation results of all code systems were in good agreement with each other. Then, as the second problem, the core of the VVER-1000 v446 reactor was simulated by the MCNP4C/COBRA-EN coupled code to measure the capability of the developed code to calculate the neutronic and thermohydraulic parameters of real and industrial cases. The simulation results of VVER-1000 core were compared with FSAR and another numerical solution of this benchmark. The obtained results showed that the ability of the MCNP4C/COBRA-EN code for estimating the neutronic and thermohydraulic parameters was very satisfactory.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.51 no.7
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• pp.1828-1834
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• 2019

The performance of a plastic scintillator for use in an in situ measurement system was analyzed using simulation and experimental methods. The experimental results of four major pure beta-emitting radionuclides, namely $^3H$, $^{14}C$, $^{32}P$, and $^{90}Sr/^{90}Y$, were compared with those obtained using a Monte Carlo N-particle (MCNP) code simulation. The MCNP simulation and experimental results demonstrated good agreement for $^{32}P$ and $^{90}Sr/^{90}Y$, with a relative difference of 1.95% and 0.43% between experimental and simulation efficiencies for $^{32}P$ and $^{90}Sr/^{90}Y$, respectively. However, owing to the short range of beta particles in water, the efficiency for $^{14}C$ was extremely low, and $^3H$ could not be detected. To directly measure the low-energy beta radionuclides considering their short range, a system where the source could flow directly to the scintillator was developed. The optimal thickness of the plastic scintillator was determined based on the suggested diameter. Results showed that the detection efficiency decreases with an increase in the depth of the water. The detection efficiency decreased drastically to approximately 10 cm, and the tendency was gradually constant.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2007

This study is performed to evaluate the dose rate and to analyze the dose distribution of the gamma irradiation facility (IR-221) by using a Monte Calro simulation, which is helpful of upgrading the radiation processing qualification. Monte Cairo simulation is performed by MCNP4B code. Dose rates were measured at total 369 points with alanine dosimeters to compare the calculation results and the measurements data. The results have shown that the MCNP4B code is very useful to determine the dose distribution of the IR-221 gamma irradiation facility, as the calculation dose rate is within about ${\pm}5%$ of the measurement data. Dosimetry about the gamma irradiation facility usually needs enormous manpower and time. However Monte Cairo calculation method can reduce the tedious dosimetry jobs and improve the irradiation processing qualification, which will probably contribute to obtain the reliability of the irradiation products.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.219-226
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• 2012

This study provides an analysis on results of neutron logging for various borehole environments through numerical simulation based on a Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) code developed and maintained by Los Alamos National Laboratory. MCNP is suitable for the simulation of neutron logging since the algorithm can simulate transport of nuclear particles in three-dimensional geometry. Rather than simulating a specific tool of a particular service company between many commercial neutron tools, we have constructed a generic thermal neutron tool characterizing commercial tools. This study makes calibration chart of the neutron logging tool for materials (e.g., limestone, sandstone and dolomite) with various porosities. Further, we provides correction charts for the generic neutron logging tool to analyze responses of the tool under various borehole conditions by considering brine-filled borehole fluid and void water, and presence of borehole fluid.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.227-234
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• 2012

In this study, we make simulation of density log using a Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) algorithm to make an analysis on density logging under different borehole environments, since density logging is affected by various borehole conditions like borehole size, density of borehole fluid, thickness and type of casing, and so on. MCNP algorithm has been widely used for simulation of problems of nuclear particle transportation. In the simulation, we consider the specific configuration of a tool (Robertson Geologging Co. Ltd) that Korea institute of geoscience and mineral resources (KIGAM) has used. In order to measure accurate bulk density of a formation, it is essential to make a calibration and correction chart for the tool under considerations. Through numerical simulation, this study makes calibration plot of the density tool in material with several known bulk densities and with boreholes of several different diameters. In order to make correction charts for the density logging, we simulate and analyze measurements of density logging under different borehole conditions by considering borehole size, density of borehole fluid, and presence of casing.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.1265-1268
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• 2023

One important issue in using radiopharmaceuticals as therapeutic and imaging agents is predicting different organ absorbed dose following their injection. The present study aims at extrapolating dosimetry estimates to a female phantom from the animal data of ⁸⁹Zr radionuclide accumulation using the Sparks-Idogan relationship. The absorbed dose of ⁸⁹Zr radionuclide in different organs of the human body was calculated based on its distribution data in mice using both MIRD method and the MCNP simulation code. In this study, breasts, liver, heart wall, stomach, kidneys, lungs and spleen were considered as source and target organs. The highest and the lowest absorbed doses were respectively delivered to the liver (4.00E-02 and 3.43E-02 mGy/MBq) and the stomach (1.83E-03 and 1.66E-03 mGy/MBq). Moreover, there was a good agreement between the results obtained from both MIRD and MCNP methods. Therefore, according to the dosimetry results, [⁸⁹Zr] DFO-CR011-PET/CT seems to be a suitable for diagnostic imaging of the breast anomalies for CDX-011 targeting gpNMB in patients with TNBC in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.351-359
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• 2009

We have developed a computer simulator fur cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) based on the commercial Monte Carlo code, MCNP. All the functions to generate input files, run MCNP, convert output files to image data, reconstruct tomographs were realized in graphical user-interface form. The performance of the simulator was demonstrated by comparing with the experimental data. Although some discrepancies were observed due to the ignorance of the detailed physics in the simulation, such as scattered X-rays and noise in image sensors, the overall tendency was well agreed between the measured and simulated data. The developed simulator will be very useful for understanding the operation and the better design of CT systems.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.429-438
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• 2017

Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) modeling algorithm based on the Monte Carlo method was used to perform the simulation of neutron logging in order to increase the reliability and utilization of neutron logs applied in geological and resource engineering fields. To perform the simulation using MCNP, we used a realistic three-dimensional configuration of neutron sonde and formation. Validation of the modeling was confirmed by comparing the calibration curves of sonde manufacture with those calculated by MCNP modeling. After the validation, lithology effects, pore fluid effects, borehole diameter change, casing effect, and effects of borehole water level were investigated through modeling experiments. Numerical tests indicate that changes in neutron count ratio according to the lithology were quantitatively understood. In case of a borehole with a diameter of 3 inches, ratio of counting rates was higher than expected to be interpreted as borehole fluid has small effects on neutron logging. Effect of casing was also small in general, particular when porosity increases. Since modeling results above the groundwater level showed a tendency opposite to those below the groundwater level, neutron logs can be used to detect groundwater level. The modeling results simulated in this study for various borehole environments are expected to be used for data processing and interpretation of neutron log.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.485-488
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• 2002

In order to understand and quantitatively analyze the physical phenomena and behavior of each component of mammography system during the breast imaging, we simulated mammography imaging using Monte Carlo simulation codes. MCNP4B code was used for our simulation purpose, and we investigated the effect of target material, anode angle, filtration, peak voltage and exposure on the image quality of mammograms. From the simulation results we expect that optimized operation condition of mammography system can be found.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.21-34
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• 2015

Source term analysis should be carried out to prepare the decommissioning of the nuclear power plant. In the planning phase of decommissioning, the classification of decommissioning wastes and the cost evaluation are performed based on the results of source term analysis. In this study, the verification of MCNP/ORIGEN-2 model is carried out for preliminary source term calculation for Wolsung Unit 1. The inventories of actinide nuclides and fission products in fuel bundles with different burn-up were obtained by the depletion calculation of MCNPX code modelling the single channel. Two factors affecting the accuracy of source terms were investigated. First, the neutron spectrum effect on neutron induced activation calculation was reflected in one-group microscopic cross-sections of relevant radio-isotopes using the results of MCNP simulation, and the activation source terms calculated by ORIGEN-2 using the neutron spectrum corrected library were compared with the results of the original ORIGEN-2 library (CANDUNAU.LIB) in ORIGEN-2 code package. Second, operation history effect on activation calculation was also investigated. The source terms on both pressure tubes and calandria tubes replaced in 2010 and calandria tank were evaluated using MCNP/ORIGEN-2 with the neutron spectrum corrected library if the decommissioning wastes can be classified as a low level waste.