• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제54권11호
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• pp.4084-4094
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• 2022

The Advanced Fuels Campaign Fission Accelerated Steady-state Test (FAST) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) completed its first irradiation cycle within the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR). The test focused on the irradiation of alloy fuel forms for use in sodium fast reactors. The first cycle of FAST testing was completed and four rodlets were removed for the initial post irradiation examination (PIE). The rodlet design and irradiation conditions were evaluated using Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) for as-run power history and COMSOL for temperature analysis. These rodlets include a set of low burnups (~2.5 % fissions per initial metal atoms [%FIMA]), control rodlets, and a helium-bonded annular rodlet (4.7 %FIMA). Nondestructive PIE has been completed and includes visual inspection, neutron radiography and gamma scanning of the FAST capsules and rodlets. Radiography confirmed the integrity of the experiments, revealed that the annulus in the annular fuel was filled at a modest burnup (4.7 %FIMA), and indicated potential slumping of the cooler rodlets at lower burnup. Precision gamma scanning indicated mostly usual fission product behavior, except for cesium in the He-bonded annular fuel. Future destructive PIE will be necessary to fully interpret the effects of accelerated irradiation on U-Zr metallic fuel behavior.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권10호
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• pp.3591-3598
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• 2023

Photoneutron background spectroscopy observations at linac are essential for directing accelerator shielding and subtracting background signals. Therefore, we constructed a Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (BSS) system based on an array of BF₃ gas proportional counter tubes. Initially, the response of the BSS system was simulated using the MCNP5 code. Next, the response of the system was calibrated by using neutrons with energies of 2.86 MeV and 14.84 MeV. Then, the system was employed to measure the spectrum of the ²⁴¹Am-Be neutron source, and the results were unfolded by using the Gravel and EM algorithms. Using the validated system, the undesirable neutron spectrum of the 120 MeV electron linac was finally measured and acquired. In addition, it is demonstrated that the equivalent undesirable neutron dose at a distance of 3.2 m from the linac is 19.7 mSv/h. The results measured by the above methods could provide guidance for linac-related research.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.378-383
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• 2016

Background: Radiation dose rates in PRIDE facility is evaluated quantitatively for assessing radiation safety of workers because of large amounts of depleted uranium being handled in PRIDE facility. Even if direct radiation from depleted uranium is very low and will not expose a worker to significant amounts of external radiation. Materials and Methods: ORIGEN-ARP code was used for calculating the neutron and gamma source term being generated from depleted uranium (DU), and the MCNP5 code was used for calculating the neutron and gamma fluxes and dose rates. Results and Discussion: The neutron and gamma fluxes and dose rates due to DU on spherical surface of 30 cm radius were calculated with the variation of DU mass and density. In this calculation, an imaginary case in which DU density is zero was added to check the self-shielding effect of DU. In this case, the DU sphere was modeled as a point. In case of DU mixed with molten salt of 50-250 g, the neutron and gamma fluxes were calculated respectively. It was found that the molten salt contents in DU had little effect on the neutron and the gamma fluxes. The neutron and the gamma fluxes, under the respective conditions of 1 and 5 kg mass of DU, and 5 and $19.1g{\cdot}cm^{-3}$ density of DU, were calculated with the molten salt (LiCl+KCl) of 50 g fixed, and compared with the source term. As the results, similar tendency was found in neutron and gamma fluxes with the variation of DU mass and density when compared with source spectra, except their magnitudes. Conclusion: In the case of the DU mass over 5 kg, the dose rate was shown to be higher than the environmental dose rate. From these results, it is concluded that if a worker would do an experiment with DU having over 5 kg of mass, the worker should be careful in order not to be exposed to the radiation.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권5호
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• pp.1734-1741
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• 2023

This work presents the synthesis and preparation of a new glass system described by the equation of (70-x) B₂O₃-5TeO₂ -20SrCO₃-5ZnO -xBi₂O₃, x = 0, 1, 5, 10, and 15 mol. %, using the melt quenching technique at a melting temperature of 1100 ℃. The photon-shielding characteristics mainly the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) of the prepared glass samples were evaluated using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation N-particle transport code (MCNP-5) at gamma-ray energy extended from 59 keV to 1408 keV emitted by the radioisotopes Am-241, Ba-133, Cs-137, Co-60, Na-22, and Eu-152. Furthermore, we observed that the Bi₂O₃ content of the glasses had a significantly stronger impact on the LAC at 59 and 356 keV. The study of the lead equivalent thickness shows that the performance of fabricated glass sample with 15 mol.% of Bi₂O₃ is four times less than the performance of pure lead at low gamma photon energy while it is enhanced and became two times lower the perforce of pure lead at high energy. Therefore, the fabricated glasses special sample with 15 mol.% of Bi₂O₃ has good shielding properties in low, intermediate, and high energy intervals.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.93-98
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• 2006

The radial uniformity of neutron irradiation in silicon ingots for neutron transmutation doping (NTD) at HANARO is examined by both calculations and measurements. HANARO has two NTD holes named NTD1 and NTD2. We have been using the NTD2 hole for 5 in. NTD commercial service, and we intend to use two holes for 6 in. NTD. The objective of this study is to predict the radial uniformity of 6 in. NTD at the two holes. The radial neutron flux distributions inside single crystal and noncrystal silicon loaded at the NTD2 hole are calculated by the VENTURE code. For NTD1, the radial distributions of the reaction rate for a 6 in. NTD with a neutron screen are calculated by MCNP, and measured by gold wire activation. The results of the measurements are compared with those of the calculations. From the VENTURE calculation, it is confirmed that the neutron flux distribution in the single crystal silicon is much flatter than that in the non-crystal silicon. The non-uniformities of the measurements for radial neutron irradiation are slightly larger than those of the calculations. However, excluding local dips in the measurements, the overall trends of the distributions are similar. The radial resistivity gradient (RRG) for a 5 in. silicon ingot is estimated to be about $1.5\%$. For a 6 in. ingot, the RRG of a silicon ingot irradiated at HANARO is predicted to be about $2.1\%$. Also, from the experimental results, we expect that the RRG would not be larger than $4.4\%$.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.205-214
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• 2014

Purpose: Phytosanitary irradiation treatment can effectively control regulated pests while maintaining produce quality. The objective of this study was to establish the best irradiation treatment for mangosteen, a popular tropical fruit, using a Monte Carlo simulation. Methods: Magnetic resonance image (MRI) data were used to generate a 3-D geometry to simulate dose distributions in a mangosteen using a radiation transport code (MCNP5). Microsoft Excel with visual basic application (VBA) was used to divide the image data into seed, flesh, and rind. Radiation energies used for the simulation were 10 MeV (high-energy) and 1.35 MeV (low-energy) for the electron beam, 5 MeV for X-rays, and 1.25 MeV for gamma rays from Co-60. Results: At 5 MeV X-rays and 1.25 MeV gamma rays, all areas (seeds, flesh, and rind) were irradiated ranging from 0.3 ~ 0.7 kGy. The average doses decreased as the number of fruit increased. For a 10 MeV electron beam, the dose distribution was biased: the dose for the rind where the electrons entered was $0.45{\pm}0.03$ kGy and the other side was $0.24 {\pm}0.10$ kGy. Use of an electron kinetic energy absorber improved the dose distribution in mangosteens. For the 1.35 MeV electron beam, the dose was shown only in the rind on the irradiated side; no significant dose was found in the flesh or seeds. One rotation of the fruit while in front of the beam improved the dose distribution around the entire rind. Conclusion: These results are invaluable for determining the ideal irradiation conditions for phytosanitary irradiation treatment of tropical fruit.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제52권2호
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• pp.248-257
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• 2020

This study presents an initial design for a novel system consisting in a coupled nuclear reactor and a phase change material-based thermal energy storage (TES) component, which acts as a buffer and regulator of heat transfer between the primary and secondary loops. The goal of this concept is to enhance the capacity factor of nuclear power plants (NPPs) in the case of high integration of renewable energy sources into the electric grid. Hence, this system could support in elevating the economics of NPPs in current competitive markets, especially with subsidized solar and wind energy sources, and relatively low oil and gas prices. Furthermore, utilizing a prismatic-core advanced high temperature reactor (PAHTR) cooled by a molten salt with a high melting point, have the potential in increasing the system efficiency due to its high operating temperature, and providing the baseline requirements for coupling other process heat applications. The present research studies the neutronics and thermal hydraulics (TH) of the PAHTR as well as TH calculations for the TES which consists of 300 blocks with a total heat storage capacity of 150 MWd. SERPENT Monte Carlo and MCNP5 codes carried out the neutronics analysis of the PAHTR which is sized to have a 5-year refueling cycle and rated power of 300 MW_th. The PAHTR has 10 metric tons of heavy metal with 19.75 wt% enriched UO₂ TRISO fuel, a hot clean excess reactivity and shutdown margin of $33.70 and -$115.68; respectively, negative temperature feedback coefficients, and an axial flux peaking factor of 1.68. Star-CCM + code predicted the correct convective heat transfer coefficient variations for both the reactor and the storage. TH analysis results show that the flow in the primary loop (in the reactor and TES) remains in the developing mixed convection regime while it reaches a fully developed flow in the secondary loop.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.87-95
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• 2003

반도체 검출기의 p+ 층의 도핑 농도, 열처리에 의한 불순물 재분포와 절단면에서의 guard ring 효과를 전산모사하여 최적의 구조와 공전을 설계하고, MCNP코드로 방사선 반응 특성을 분석하였다. 검출기는 반도체 집적회로 공정에서 설계된 공정변수를 적용하여 격자 방향 <100>, $400{\Omega}cm$, n형, Floating-Zone 실리콘 기판에서 제작되었다. 제작된 검출기의 누설전류 밀도는 $0.7nA/cm^2/100{\mu}m$로서 전기적 특성이 우수한 것으로 나타났으며, Cs-137 감마 선원에 의한 $5mR/h{\sim}25R/h$의 조사선량률 범위에서 방사선 반응 특성은 양호한 선형성을 보였다. 본 연구에서 제안된 공정으로 제작된 PIN 반도체 검출기는 개인선량 측정에 사용될 수 있을 것이다.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.199-206
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• 2003

대표적인 수학적 팬텀인 MIRD팬텀은 개발 당시 컴퓨터 계산시간을 단축하기 위해 단순화된 수학방정식으로 표현되었으며 본래 내부피폭 선량계산에 이용하기 위해 제작되었으므로 실제 인체구조에 근접하는 정도와 외부피폭 선량계산 용도로서의 적합성 여부를 평가할 필요가 있다. 본 연구에서는 인체의 단층촬영영상을 이용하여 제작된 Zubal 체적소팬텀과 MERD팬텀이 가장 일반적인 피폭모드인 AP 및 PA모드 감마선장에 노출될 때 장기선량 계산결과 및 단층영상을 비교하여 선량차이의 주요 원인이 되는 MIRD팬텀의 몸통두께를 수정하였다. AP와 PA방향으로 입사하는 0.05MeV에서 10MeV의 에너지 범위를 가진 넓고 평행한 단일 에너지 감마선장에 대해 MIRD팬텀과 Zubal팬텀의 장기선량을 MCNP4C를 이용하여 계산 및 비교한 결과 저에너지 영역에서 AP와 PA방향 모두 MIRD팬텀이 Zubal팬텀보다 높은 선량을 받았으며 유효선량의 경우 특히 PA방향, 0.05MeV 광자빔에 대해서 50%에 가까운 선량차이를 보였다 몸통부분 단층영상을 비교한 결과 Zubal팬텀에 비해서 MIRD팬텀의 몸통 두께가 얇아서 나타나는 결과임을 확인하게 되었고 MIRD몸통두께의 최적값을 찾아내기 위해 20cm에서 32cm까지 변화시켜가며 원전 작업환경에서 가장 많이 받게되는 0.5MeV 감마선에 대한 유효선량을 계산하여 비교하였다. AP방향에서는 24cm, PA방향에서는 28cm일 때 최소의 선량차이를 보이는 것으로 나타났고 이에 따라 몸통모델을 수정하였다. 수정된 MIRD팬텀을 이용하여 장기선량을 재계산하여 Zubal팬텀의 선량과 비교한 결과 특히 PA방향에서 큰 과대평가를 보였던 장기들의 선량차이가 현저하게 줄었고 유효선량의 경우 0.5 MeV 광자빔에 대해 AP, PA방향 각각 -0.5%와 7.3%의 낮은 선량차이를 보였다. Zubal팬텀에 의해 계산된 선량환산인자는 ICRP74에서 제공하는 값과 큰 차이를 보이고 있으며 수정된 MIRD팬텀은 Zubal팬텀의 값에 준하는 결과를 보였다. 본 연구에서 수정된 MIRD팬텀은 기존에 사용되던 선량환산계수의 수정에 사용될 수 있으며 수학적팬텀의 장점을 살리면서 실제 인체에 근접한 선량계산을 수행할 수 있다.

• 방사성폐기물학회지
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.343-356
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• 2016

한국원자력환경공단에서는 국내 경수로 원전에서 발생한 사용후핵연료를 건식으로 저장하기 위하여 안전성을 최우선으로 국내/외 기술기준을 준수하여 금속겸용용기를 개발하였다. 이러한 금속용기는 50년 동안 주요 안전성요소(구조, 열제거, 격납, 임계방지, 방사선차폐 등)에 대한 건전성을 유지하고, 운영기간 중 유지보수 과정에 폐기물의 발생을 최소화 하고 이를 안전하게 관리할 수 있도록 설계하였다. 본 논문은 설계수명이 종료된 금속용기 본체 및 내/외부 구조물에 대한 방사화 평가를 통해 정량적인 방사능 재고량에 대한 정보를 제공한다. 본 논문에서는 금속용기 본체 및 구성품의 방사화 방사능 재고량은 MCNP5 ORIGEN-2 평가체계를 이용하여 계산하였으며, 각 구성품의 화학조성, 중성자속 분포, 반응률 및 저장기간 동안 중성자조사 기간을 반영하여 평가하였다. 평가결과, 설계수명 이후 10년 경과시 모든 금속재질에서 $^{60}Co$의 방사능이 기타 핵종들에 비하여 가장 큰 방사능을 띄는 것으로 나타났으며, 중성자차폐체인 수지에서는 수명직후 $^{28}Al$ 및 $^{24}Na$등의 고에너지 감마선을 방출하는 핵종은 반감기가 짧아 0.5년 이후에는 무시할 수 있는 수준으로 나타났다. 또한, 사용후핵연료 제거후 캐니스터 및 금속용기 본체에 대한 표면 선량률 평가결과, 상당히 낮은 값을 나타내어, 해체 시 작업자가 받는 피폭선량은 무시할 수 있는 수준으로 평가되었다. 본 평가방법은 사용후핵연료 금속겸용용기 해체 시 계획의 수립 및 해체작업 종사자의 피폭선량 예측, 방사성폐기물의 관리/재활용 등의 기본자료로 활용할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.