• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.9-18
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• 2011

This study assessed the performance of a compact heat exchanger with staggered tube banks for recuperation of high temperature exhaust thermal energy for SOFC fuel cell system. The compact heat exchanger in this study is two pass system which consists of $315{\times}202.5{\times}48.5mm^3$ and 132 tubes of $6.0mm{\Phi}$ for each heat exchanger. From experiments of the 2 pass heat exchanger system, air temperature was increased from $60{\sim}85^{\circ}C$ to $402{\sim}482^{\circ}C$ while gas temperature was decreased from $600^{\circ}C$ to $305{\sim}402^{\circ}C$ according to mass flow rates of 3.9~7.8 g/s. The experimental heat transfer rates of the heat exchanger were compared with CFD numerical solutions with the conventional ${\xi}-NTU$ method. From the comparisons, the following conclusions were obtained. For the heat exchanger system, the relative errors of heat transfer rate by CFD solution were from 7.1 to 27%, and those by ${\xi}-NTU$ method were from 0.6% to 21% compared with experimental data. From the comparisons, it can be said that both of CFD and ${\xi}-NTU$ method almost simulated to experimental data except specific conditions. Pressure drops through air tubes and gas passages were calculated with both of the CFD computation and head loss equations. The differences between them were from 14 to 22%.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.592-602
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• 2021

Thorium compounds have attracted immense scientific and technological attention with regard to both fundamental and practical implications, owing to unique chemical and physical properties like high melting point, high density and thermal conductivity. Hereby, we investigate the mechanical and thermodynamic stability and report on the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of new silicon-doped cubic ternary thorium phosphides ThSi_xP_1-x (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1). The first-principles density functional theory procedure was adopted within full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method. The exchange and correlation potential terms were treated within Generalized-Gradient-Approximation functional modified by Perdew-Burke-Ernzerrhof parameterizations. The proposed compounds showed mechanical and thermodynamic stable structure and hence can be synthesized experimentally. The calculated lattice parameters, bulk modulus, total energy, density of states, electronic band structure and spin magnetic moments of the compounds revealed considerable correlation to the Si substitution for P and the relative Si/P doping concentration. The electronic and magnetic properties of the doped compounds rendered them non-magnetic but metallic in nature. The main orbital contribution to the Fermi level arises from the hybridization of Th(6d+5f) and (Si+P)3p states. Reported results may have potential implications with regard to both fundamental point of view and technological prospects such as fuel materials for clean nuclear energy.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.259-268
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• 2022

Molten salt consisting primarily of eutectic LiCl-KCl is currently being used in electrorefiners in the Fuel Conditioning Facility at Idaho National Laboratory. Options are currently being evaluated for storing this salt outside of the argon atmosphere hot cell. The hygroscopic nature of eutectic LiCl-KCl makes is susceptible to deliquescence in air followed by extreme corrosion of metallic cannisters. In this study, the effect of occluding the salt into a zeolite on water sorption/desorption was tested. Two zeolites were investigated: Na-Y and zeolite 4A. Na-Y was ineffective at occluding a high percentage of the salt at either 10 or 20wt% loading. Zeolite-4A was effective at occluding the salt with high efficiency at both loading levels. Weight gain in salt occluded zeolite-4A (SOZ) from water sorption at 20% relative humidity and 40℃ was 17wt% for 10% SOZ and 10wt% for 20% SOZ. In both cases, neither deliquescence nor corrosion occurred over a period of 31 days. After hydration, most of the water could be driven off by heating the hydrated salt occluded zeolite to 530℃. However, some HCl forms during dehydration due to salt hydrolysis. Over a wide range of temperatures (320-700℃) and ramp rates (5, 10, and 20℃ min^-1), HCl formation was no more than 0.6% of the Cl^- in the original salt.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2023

There is a gap in our understanding of the behavior of fused and molten fuel salts containing unavoidable contamination, such as those due to fabrication, handling, or storage. Therefore, this work used calorimetry to investigate the change in liquidus temperature of PuCl₃, having an unknown purity and that had been in storage for several decades. Further research was performed by additions of NaCl, making several compositions within the binary system, and summarizing the resulting changes, if any, to the phase diagram. The melting temperature of the PuCl₃ was determined to be 746.5℃, approximately 20℃ lower than literature reported values, most likely due to an excess of Pu metal in the PuCl₃ either due to the presence of metallic plutonium remaining from incomplete chlorination or due to the solubility of Pu in PuCl₃. From the melting temperature, it was determined that the PuCl₃ contained between 5.9 to 6.2mol% Pu metal. Analysis of the NaCl-PuCl₃ samples showed that using the Pu rich PuCl₃ resulted in significant changes to the NaCl-PuCl₃ phase diagram. Most notably an unreported phase transition occurring at approximately 406℃ and a new eutectic composition of 52.7mol% NaCl-38.7mol% PuCl₃-2.5mol% Pu which melted at 449.3℃. Additionally, an increase in the liquidus temperatures was seen for NaCl rich compositions while lower liquidus temperatures were seen for PuCl₃ rich compositions. It can therefore be concluded that changes will occur in the NaCl-PuCl₃ binary system when using PuCl₃ with excess Pu metal. However, melting temperature analysis can provide valuable insight into the composition of the PuCl₃ and therefore the NaCl-PuCl₃ system.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.11-23
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• 2003

A study on the electrolytic dissolution of SUS-304 and Inconel-600 specimen was carried out in neutral salt electrolyte to evaluate the applicability of electrochemical decontamination process for recycle or self disposal with authorization of large amount of metallic wastes contaminated with uranium compounds generated by dismantling a retired uranium conversion plant in Korea. Although the best electrolytic dissolution performance for the specimens was observed in a Na2s04 electrolyte, a NaNO$_3$ neutral salt electrolyte, in which about 30% for SUS-304 and the same for Inconel-600 in the weight loss was shown in comparison with that in a Na$_2$SO$_4$ solution, was selected as an electrolyte for the electrochemical decontamination of metallic wastes with the consideration on the surface of system components contacted with nitric acid and the compatibility with lagoon wastes generated during the facility operation. The effects of current density, electrolytic dissolution time, and concentration of NaNO$_3$ on the electrolytic dissolution of the specimens were investigated. On the basis of the results obtained through the basic inactive experiments, electrochemical decontamination tests using the specimens contaminated with uranium compounds such as UO$_2$, AUC (ammonium uranyl carbonate) and ADU (ammonium diuranate) taken from an uranium conversion facility were performed in 1M NaNO$_3$ solution with the current density or In mA/$\textrm{cm}^2$. it was verified that the electrochemical decontamination of the metallic wastes contaminated uranium compounds was quite successful in a NaNO$_3$ neutral salt electrolyte by reducing $\alpha$ and $\beta$ radioactivities below the level of self disposal within 10 minutes regardless of the type of contaminants and the degree of contamination.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.83-86
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• 2005

The front-end side members of automobiles, such as the hat-shaped section member, absorb most of the energy during the front-end collision. The side members absorb more energy in collision if they have higher strength and stiffness, and stable folding capacity (local buckling). Using the above characteristics on energy absorption, vehicle should be designed light-weight to improve fuel combustion ratio and reduce exhaust gas. Because of their specific strength and stiffness, CFRP are currently being considered for many structural (aerospace vehicle, automobiles, trains and ships) applications due to their potential for reducing structural weight. Although CFRP members exhibit collapse modes that are significantly different from the collapse modes of metallic materials, numerous studies have shown that CFRP members can be efficient energy absorbing materials. In this study, the CFRP side members were manufactured using a uni-directional prepreg sheet of carbon/Epoxy and axial static collapse tests were performed for the members. The collapse mode and the energy absorption capability of the members were analyzed under the static load.

• Journal of Power System Engineering
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.84-90
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• 2014

The high pressure hoses are widely used for the vehicles, aircraft, and overall industries. The hose assembly is generally composed of a nipple, a socket and a hose with reinforcement layers to increase the tensile strength. To produce the hose assembly, crimping or swaging process is usually used to clamp its components to ensure the prevention of fluid leakage. Crimping is a cold-working technique to form a strong bond between the workpiece and a non-metallic component. The crimping stroke is a primary parameter to be determined in the metalworking process, and it plays an important role in hose performance. This study aims at investigating the optimal crimping stroke according to the size of aircraft high pressure hose by using MSC/MARC. It is supposed that the results can be useful to get the information about the crimping stroke in manufacturing process, even with the different size of a hose.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.415-420
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• 2020

Strontium is known as a salt-soluble element during the electrolytic oxide reduction (EOR) process. The chemical behavior of SrO during EOR was investigated via thermodynamic calculations to provide quantitative data on the chemical status of Sr. To achieve this, thermodynamic calculations were conducted using HSC chemistry software for various EOR conditions. It was revealed that SrO reacts with LiCl salt to produce SrCl₂, even in the presence of Li₂O, and that the ratio of SrCl₂ depends on the initial concentration of Li₂O dissolved in LiCl. It was found that SrO reacts with Li to produce Sr during EOR and that the reduced Sr reacts with LiCl salt to produce SrCl₂. As a result, the proportions of metallic forms were lower in Sr than in La and Nd under various EOR conditions. The thermodynamic calculations indicated that the three chemical forms of SrO, SrCl₂, and Sr co-exist in the EOR system under an equilibrium with Li, Li₂O, and LiCl.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.359-366
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• 2008

Hydrogen as a high-quality and clean energy carrier has attracted renewed and ever-increasing attention around the world in recent years, mainly due to developments in fuel cells and environmental pressures including climate change issues. In this processes for hydrogen production from fossil fuels, separation and purification is a critical technology. $(Ni_{60}-Nb_{40})_{95}-Pd_5$ alloy ingots were prepared by arc-melting the mixture of pure metals in an Ar atmosphere. Melt-spun ribbons were produced by the single-roller melt-spinning technique in an Ar atmosphere. Amorphous structure and thermal behavior were characterized by XRD and DSC. The permeability of the $(Ni_{60}-Nb_{40})_{95}-Pd_5$ amorphous alloy membrane was characterized by hydrogen permeation experiments in the temperature range 623 to 773 K and pressure of 2 bars. The maximum hydrogen permeability was $3.54{\times}10^{-9}[mol{\cdot}m^{-1}s^{-1}{\cdot}pa^{-1/2}]$ at 773 K for the $(Ni_{60}-Nb_{40})_{95}-Pd_5$ amorphous alloy.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.481-491
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• 2017

In this study, we developed 300 W lightweight DMFC system for charging secondary battery in small unit military operation. In order to reduce the volumetric shape and weight of the system considering the environment of the individual soldier's, the arranging of system components has been optimized. A metal bipolar plates made of STS-470FC have been implemented to the DMFC stack to meet the weight demand of the system. As a result of the performance test of the stack, the target value was satisfied by outputting 561 W exceeding 24% of the stack output 450 W required to output 300 W required for the entire system. Moreover, 2,655 hours exceeding 1,000 hours also has been satisfied. To ensure good robustness of the metallic bipolar plate based DMFC stack, finite element method based simulations are conducted using a commercial ANSYS Fluent software.