• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2010.03a
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• pp.7-7
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• 2010

Energy harvesting from the environment has been of great interest as a standalone power source of wireless sensor nodes for Ubiquitous Sensor Networks(USN). In particular, the piezoelectric energy harvesting from ambient vibration sources has intensively researched because it has a relatively high power density comparing with other energy scavenging methods. Through recent advances in low power consumption RF transmitters and sensors, it is possible to adopt a micro-power energy harvesting system realized by MEMS technology for the system-on-chip. However, the MEMS energy harvesting system has some drawbacks such as a high natural frequency over 300 Hz and a small power generation due to a small dimension. To overcome these limitations, we devised a novel power generator with a spiral spring structure as shown in the figure. The natural frequency of a cantilever could be decreased to the usable frequency region (under 300 Hz) because the natural frequency depends on the length of a cantilever. In this study, the natural frequency of the energy harvester was a lower than a normal cantilever structure and sufficiently controllable in 50 - 200 Hz frequency region as adjusting weight of a proof mass. Moreover, the MEMS energy harvester had a high energy conversion efficiency using a shear mode ($d_{15}$) is much larger than a 33 mode ($d_{33}$) and the energy conversion efficiency is proportional to the piezoelectric constant (d). We expect the spiral type MEMS power generator would be a good candidate for a standalone power generator for USN.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.36-40
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• 2019

In this study, we compared the operational rates of natural gas, coal, nuclear power and renewable energy based on the data of power generation and power generation facilities produced in summer season(from June to August) during the last four years(2015~2018). Nuclear power and coal power, which are responsible for basic power generation, were guaranteed to be economical as the actual generation capacity remained 60% higher than the cost of power generation. On the other hand, natural gas generation and new renewable energy generation have a very low actual operation rate of 29.5% and 27.3% compared to investments in power generation facilities, making it difficult to lower the cost of power generation. However, coal generation has structural problems in terms of greenhouse gas, fine dust. On the other hand, natural gas generation is relatively low and even though it is safe, it is difficult to secure economic feasibility as it is bound by a peak power system. Therefore, it is only possible to achieve balanced development of energy sources when there is a change in the development policy.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.446-454
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• 2021

Critical heat flux (CHF) has traditionally been evaluated using look-up tables or empirical correlations for nuclear power plants. However, under complex moving condition, it is necessary to reconsider the CHF characteristics since the conventional CHF prediction methods would no longer be applicable. In this paper, the additional forces caused by motions have been added to the annular film dryout (AFD) mechanistic model to investigate the effect of moving condition on CHF. Moreover, a theoretical model of the natural circulation loop with additional forces is established to reflect the natural circulation characteristics of the loop system. By coupling the system loop with the AFD mechanistic model, a CHF prediction program called NACOM for natural circulation loop under moving condition is developed. The effects of three operating conditions, namely stationary, inclination and rolling, on the CHF of the loop are then analyzed. It can be clearly seen that the moving condition has an adverse effect on the CHF in the natural circulation system. For the calculation parameters in this paper, the CHF can be reduced by 25% compared with the static value, which indicates that it is important to consider the effects of moving condition to retain adequate safety margin in subsequent thermal-hydraulic designs.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.826-833
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• 2022

A two-phase natural circulation test using SMART integral test loop (SMART-ITL) was conducted to explore thermo-hydraulic phenomena of two-phase natural circulation in the SMART reactor. Specifically, the test examined the natural circulation in the primary loop under a stepwise coolant inventory loss while keeping the core power constant at 5% of the scaled full power. Based on the test results, three flow regimes were observed: single-phase natural circulation (SPNC), two-phase natural circulation (TPNC), and boiler-condenser natural circulation (BCNC). The flow rate remained steady in the SPNC, slightly increased in the TPNC, and dropped abruptly and maintained in the BCNC. Using a natural circulation flow map, the natural circulation characteristic in the SMART-ITL was compared with those in pressurized water reactor simulators. In the SMART-ITL, a BCNC regime appeared instead of siphon condensation and reflux condensation regimes because of the use of once-through steam generators.

• Ceramist
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.56-69
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• 2019

Recent advances in low-power sensors and transmitters are driving the search for standalone power sources that utilize unused ambient energy. These energy harvesters can alleviate the issues related to the installation and maintenance of sensors. Particularly piezoelectric energy harvesters, with the ability to convert ambient mechanical energy into useful electricity, have received significant attention due to their high energy density, low cost and operational stability over wide temperature and pressure conditions. In order to maximize the generated electrical power, the natural frequency of the piezoelectric energy harvester should be matched with the dominant frequency of ambient vibrations. However, piezoelectric energy harvesters typically exhibit a narrow bandwidth, thus, it becomes difficult to operate near resonance under broadband ambient vibration conditions. Therefore, the resonating of energy harvesters is critical to generate maximum output power under ambient vibration conditions. For this, energy harvesters should have broadband natural frequency or actively tunable natural frequency with ambient vibrations. Here, we review the most plausible broadband energy harvesting techniques of the multi-resonance, nonlinearity, and self-resonance tuning. The operation mechanisms and recent representative studies of each technique are introduced and the advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed. In addition, we look into the future research direction for the broadband energy harvester.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.639-648
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• 2013

Unconventional natural gas resources are now estimated to be as large as conventional resources. Unconventional natural gas has became an increasingly important source of energy in the world since the start of this century. The factors that drive natural gas demand and supply point more and more to a future in which natural gas plays greater role in the global energy mix. The expansion of using natural gas will be expected in Korea. This research aims to analyze environmental impacts of expansion of unconventional natural gas. This research was carried out for comparative analysis between global energy mix and Korea energy mix, and developed a case that reflect the changed energy mix due to the expansion of unconventional natural gas in Korea. Also this research evaluate the production of air pollutants and the cost of the damage in power generation sector. The results of this research can be summarized as that natural gas portion of future global energy mix (about 25%) is greater than Korea energy mix (about 12%). This research developed a case that replace 10% energy of power generation sector to natural gas in the 6th demand supply program, reflecting the changed energy mix due to the expansion of natural gas use. In that case, air pollutants would be reduced gradually through 2015 to 2027. In detail, carbon dioxide reduces 22 million tons and environmental damage cost reduces 4500 billion won by 2027.

• IE interfaces
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.353-362
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• 2007

This paper proposed the calculation method of the avoided cost for natural gas and district heating DSM programs. And the proposed method is applied to real DSM programs. The avoided cost for natural gas consists of commodity avoided cost, supply equipment avoided cost, storage equipment avoided cost, and electric power avoided cost. In case of the district heating, avoided cost consists of heat generation equipment avoided cost, heat energy avoided cost, environment avoided cost, and electric power avoided cost. This method can be used to evaluate the benefit of DSM programs quantitatively in cost. Therefore, this method can contribute to make the cost-effectiveness evaluation system and to operate the DSM programs for natural gas and district heating effectively.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.2997-3009
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• 2023

The Passive containment Air-cooling System (PAS) can effectively remove the decay heat of the modular small nuclear reactor after an accident. The details of natural convection around the dome, which is a key part of PAS, were investigated numerically in the present study. The thermal dynamics around the dome were studied through the temperature, pressure and velocity contours and the streamlines. Additionally, the formation of the buoyant plume at the top of the dome was investigated. The results show that with the increase of Ra, the lift-off point moves toward the bottom of the dome, and the eddy under the buoyant plume grows larger gradually, which enhances the heat transfer. And the heat transfer along the dome surface with different truncation angles was investigated. As the angle increases, the heat transfer coefficient becomes stronger as well. Consequently, a newly developed heat transfer correlation considering the influence of truncation angle for the dome is proposed based on the simulated results. This study could provide a better understanding of natural convection around the dome of PAS and the proposed correlation could also offer more predictive value in the improvement of nuclear safety.

• Solar Energy
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.27-40
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• 1991

Research and development works on practical application of natural energy utilization systems involving solar, wind and sea wave energies are under promoting for the purpose of improving the energy consumption structure. These natural energies, made available with the use of relatively simple apparatus, are clean economically efficient and highly effective in the conservation of environment. However, these natural energies also have low energy density, randomness and regional variations. To compensate for these characteristics, hybrid utilization of solar and wind energies is currently under study. The introduction of a plural number of the natural energy hybrid utilization systems into a specific area will affect the economic efficiency, reliability and environmental conservation. Evaluation method of such effects has been examined in this study. The present method consisted of the steps described below. First, available energy was calculated from insolation distribution and wind velocity distribution in the specified area, and then the effect on the configuration of the power system load was obtained. This was followed by the determination of the optimal power dispatch over the specified period and by evaluations in light of economic efficiency, reliability and environmental indices.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.380-386
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• 2020

This paper represents an analysis of the economic impact of firing natural gas/diesel and natural gas/by-product oil mixtures in diesel engine power plants. The objects of analysis is a power plant with electricity generation capacity (300 kW). Using performance data of original diesel engines, the fuel consumption characteristics of the duel fuel engines were simulated. Then, economic assessment was carried out using the performance data and the net present value method. A special focus was given to the evaluation of fuel cost saving when firing natural gas/diesel and natural gas/by-product oil mixtures instead of the pure diesel firing case. Analyses were performed by assuming fuel price changes in the market as well as by using current prices. The analysis results showed that co-firing of natural gas/diesel and natural gas/by-product oil would provide considerable fuel cost saving, leading to meaningful economic benefits.