• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.8
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• pp.2570-2575
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• 2021

The exchange behaviors of hydrogen isotopes between protonated lithium metal compounds and deuterated water or tritiated water were investigated. The various protonated lithium metal compounds were prepared by acid treatment of lithium metal compounds with different crystal structures and metal compositions. The protonated lithium metal compounds could more effectively reduce the deuterium concentration in water compared with the corresponding pristine lithium metal compounds. The H⁺ in the protonated lithium metal compounds was speculated to be more readily exchangeable with hydrons in the aqueous solution compared with Li⁺ in the pristine lithium metal compounds, and the exchanged heavier isotopes were speculated to be more stably retained in the crystal structure compared with the light protons. When the tritiated water (157.7 kBq/kg) was reacted with the protonated lithium metal compounds, the protonated lithium manganese nickel cobalt oxide was found to adsorb and retain twice as much tritium (163.9 Bq/g) as the protonated lithium manganese oxide (69.9 Bq/g) and the protonated lithium cobalt oxide (75.1 Bq/g) in the equilibrium state.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.606-612
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• 2018

Many nuclear power plants in Japan are approaching the end of their planned operational life spans. They must be decommissioned safely in the near future. Using augmented reality (AR), workers can intuitively understand information related to decommissioning work. Three-dimensional (work-site) reconstruction models of dismantling fields are useful for workers to observe the conditions of dismantling field situations without visiting the actual fields. This study, based on AR and work-site reconstruction models, developed and evaluated an information reference system. The evaluation consists of questionnaires and interview surveys administered to six nuclear power plant workers who used this system, along with a scenario. Results highlight the possibility of reducing time and mitigating mistakes in dismantling fields. Results also show the ease of referring to information in dismantling fields. Nevertheless, it is apparently difficult for workers to build reconstruction models of dismantling fields independently.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.52-62
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• 2023

Various decontamination technologies have been developed for removing contaminated areas in industries. Although it is important to consider parameters such as safety, cost, and time when selecting the decontamination technology, till date their comparative study is missing. Furthermore, different decontamination technologies influence the decontamination effects in different ways. Therefore, this study compares different decontamination techniques for the steam generator using a multicriteria decision-making method. A steam generator is a large device comprising both low- and very low-level waste (LLW, VLLW) and reflects the difference in weights of the standards according to the classification of the waste. For LLW and VLLW decontaminations, chemical oxidizing reduction decontamination (CORD) and decontamination grit blasting were used as the preferred techniques, respectively, considering the purpose of decontamination differs based on the initial state of waste. An expert survey revealed that safety in LLW and waste minimization in VLLW exhibited high preference. This evaluation method can be applied not only to the comparison between each process, but also to the creation of process scenarios. Therefore, determining the decontamination approach using logical decision-making methods may improve the safety and economic feasibility of each step in the decommissioning process and ensure a public acceptance.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.2274-2281
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• 2024

RESRAD-ONSITE v7.2 code is used to assess the radiation effects on a farmer resident located in a hypothetical contaminated site planned for the first nuclear power plant project in Vietnam, namely Ninh Thuan 1, after decommissioning. Derived concentration guideline levels are preliminarily calculated for 17 radionuclides that are assumed to remain on a contaminated surface soil with an initial concentration of 1 pCi/g in the protected area of NPP site. For a reliable estimation, the site-specific conditions regarding the geological, hydrological, climate, and occupancy data gathered from the Feasibility Study Report (FSR) and relevant literatures for the Ninh Thuan 1 NPP site is employed as input parameters. The calculation results indicate that the peak of total exposure dose is estimated to be ca. 0.191 mSv/yr at the time of decommissioning, and then decrease over time. Furthermore, the protected site is assessed to be released at ca. 6.71 years after decommissioning under the regulation on radiation protection in Vietnam. Through this study, a radiation exposure model for residents living near the Ninh Thuan 1 NPP is preliminarily established by using the RESRAD-ONSITE code, which are expected to be useful for future implementation of the Ninh Thuan 1 NPP project in Vietnam.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.7
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• pp.2356-2365
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• 2023

Characterization, dismantling and pre-disposal management of irradiated graphite (i-graphite) have an important role in safe decommissioning of several nuclear facilities which used this material as moderator and reflector. In addition to common radiation protection issues, easily volatizing long-lived radionuclides and stored Wigner energy could be released during imprudent retrieval and processing of i-graphite. With this regard, among all cutting technologies, abrasive waterjet (AWJ) can successfully achieve all of the thermo-mechanical and radiation protection objectives. In this work, factorial experiments were designed and systematically conducted to characterize the AWJ processing parameters and the machining capability. Moreover, the limitation of dust production and secondary waste generation has been addressed since they are important aspects for radiation protection and radioactive waste management. The promising results obtained on non-irradiated nuclear graphite blocks demonstrate the applicability of AWJ as a valid technology for optimizing the retrieval, storage, and disposal of such radioactive waste. These activities would benefit from the points of view of safety, management, and costs.

• Proceedings of the Korean Operations and Management Science Society Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.354-357
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• 2003

In decommissioning activities of nuclear facilities, the analyses and evaluations of data(man power, radiation exposure, waste outputs, equipments, etc ) is very important to accomplish effective decommissioning and dismantling. To handle the data from decommissioning activities of research reactor, we developed its database system. By using database system, we come to filter and analyze the date of decommissioning activities and we can evaluate the extraordinary decommissioning features of research reactor. It is likely to lay out and estimate the optimal plan of decommissioning. We expect that the database system of effective decommissioning activities build up the foundation of commercial reactor decommissioning.

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2016.10a
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• pp.351-352
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• 2016

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.269-277
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• 2015

In recent years, concern about the decommissioning of nuclear power plants has been growing according to the nuclear power plants aging. Although site reuse is one of the most important issues in doing decommissioning of nuclear power plants in view of the internal affairs, there is currently no specific standard of the site release criteria for site reuse in the Republic of Korea. In this study, we analyzed the international safety standards for the site release(IAEA's Safety Guide No. WS-G-5.1) and the present domestic condition. Also, we studied the site release criteria and real life examples about advanced countries such as United states and Europe, which already have experience of decommissioning or site release. As a results of the study, we suggested proper standards and future consideration to establish site release criteria. This will be used for preliminary data for establishing the domestic site release criteria after the decommissioning of nuclear power plants.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.583-592
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• 2011

The radiological characteristics for waste classification were assessed for neutron-activated decommissioning wastes from a CANDU reactor. The MCNP/ORIGEN2 code system was used for the source term analysis. The neutron flux and activation cross-section library for each structural component generated by MCNP simulation were used in the radionuclide buildup calculation in ORIGEN2. The specific activities of the relevant radionuclides in the activated metal waste were compared with the specified limits of the specific activities listed in the Korean standard and 10 CFR 61. The time-average full-core model of Wolsong Unit 1 was used as the neutron source for activation of in-core and ex-core structural components. The approximated levels of the neutron flux and cross-section, irradiated fuel composition, and a geometry simplification revealing good reliability in a previous study were used in the source term calculation as well. The results revealed the radioactivity, decay heat, hazard index, mass, and solid volume for the activated decommissioning waste to be $1.04{\times}10^{16}$ Bq, $2.09{\times}10^3$ W, $5.31{\times}10^{14}\;m^3$-water, $4.69{\times}10^5$ kg, and $7.38{\times}10^1\;m^3$, respectively. According to both Korean and US standards, the activated waste of the pressure tubes, calandria tubes, reactivity devices, and reactivity device supporters was greater than Class C, which should be disposed of in a deep geological disposal repository, whereas the side structural components were classified as low- and intermediate-level waste, which can be disposed of in a land disposal repository. Finally, this study confirmed that, regardless of the cooling time of the waste, 15% of the decommissioning waste cannot be disposed of in a land disposal repository. It is expected that the source terms and waste classification evaluated through this study can be widely used to establish a decommissioning/disposal strategy and fuel cycle analysis for CANDU reactors.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2020

Background: Kori unit #1 is permanently shut down after a 40-year lifetime. The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission recommends establishing initial decommissioning plans for all nuclear and radwaste treatment facilities. Therefore, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) must establish an initial and final decommissioning plan for radwaste-treatment facilities. Radiation safety assessment, which constitutes one chapter of the decommissioning plan, is important for establishing a decommissioning schedule, a strategy, and cost. It is also a critical issue for the government and public to understand. Materials and Methods: This study provides a method for assessing external radiation dose to workers during decommissioning. An external dose is calculated following each exposure scenario, decommissioning strategy, and working schedule. In this study, exposure dose is evaluated using the deterministic method. Physical characterization of the facility is obtained by both direct measurement and analysis of the drawings, and radiological characterization is analyzed using the annual report of KAERI, which measures the ambient dose every month. Results and Discussion: External doses are calculated at each stage of a decommissioning strategy and found to increase with each successive stage. The maximum external dose was evaluated to be 397.06 man-mSv when working in liquid-waste storage. To satisfy the regulations, working period and manpower must be managed. In this study, average and cumulative exposure doses were calculated for three cases, and the average exposure dose was found to be about 17 mSv/yr in all the cases. Conclusion: For the three cases presented, the average exposure dose is well below the annual maximum effective dose restriction imposed by the international and domestic regulations. Working period and manpower greatly affect the cost and entire decommissioning plan; hence, the chosen option must take account of these factors with due consideration of worker safety.