• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제54권4호
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• pp.1230-1244
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• 2022

This paper proposes an algorithm for signal validation using unsupervised methods in emergency situations at nuclear power plants (NPPs) when signals are rapidly changing. The algorithm aims to determine the stuck failures of signals in real time based on a variational auto-encoder (VAE), which employs unsupervised learning, and long short-term memory (LSTM). The application of unsupervised learning enables the algorithm to detect a wide range of stuck failures, even those that are not trained. First, this paper discusses the potential failure modes of signals in NPPs and reviews previous studies conducted on signal validation. Then, an algorithm for detecting signal failures is proposed by applying LSTM and VAE. To overcome the typical problems of unsupervised learning processes, such as trainability and performance issues, several optimizations are carried out to select the inputs, determine the hyper-parameters of the network, and establish the thresholds to identify signal failures. Finally, the proposed algorithm is validated and demonstrated using a compact nuclear simulator.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.67-83
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• 2018

We have hypothesized that nuclear risk is significantly inversely related to the distance from residences to nuclear power plants and that the level of life satisfaction of residents therefore increases with the distance. We empirically explore the relationship between Ulsan citizens' life satisfaction levels and the distance between their residences and the Kori and Wolsong nuclear power plants (NPP) based on the life satisfaction approach (LSA). The dataset we used covers only Ulsan citizens from the biennial Ulsan Statistics on Citizen's Living Condition and Consciousness of 2014 and 2016. Controlling for micro-variables such as education, work satisfaction, gender, marital status, and expenditures, we found a statistically significant relationship between life satisfaction and the distance between the residences and the nuclear power plants. Nuclear negative externalities including (i) health and environmental impact, (ii) radioactive waste disposal, and (iii) the effect of severe accidents can be quantified in terms of LS units and monetary units. We were able to calculate the monetary value of NPP externalities at $277 per kilometer of distance for Kori and $280 per kilometer of distance for Wolsong at constant 2015 prices. These estimates are quite different from the traditional estimates made with the contingent valuation method, whereas they are similar to the findings of LSA studies abroad. Hence, the need to adopt the LSA in South Korea and policy implications are demonstrated.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제52권11호
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• pp.2660-2666
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• 2020

Korea successfully achieved energy independence in the shortest period of time from being the poorest country in terms of energy 50 years ago through steady development of nuclear technology. In the past, the nuclear industry has been driven through government-centered policy development, public institution-based research, and industrial facility and infrastructure construction. Consequently, South Korea became a nuclear energy powerhouse exporting nuclear power plants to the UAE, surpassing the level of domestic technological independence. However, in recent years, the nuclear industry in Korea has experienced a decline in new plant construction since the Fukushima accident in Japan, which caused changes in public perspectives regarding nuclear power plant operation, more stringent safety standards on the operation of nuclear power plants, and a shift in governmental energy policy. These changes are expected to change the domestic nuclear industry ecosystem. Therefore, in this study, we investigate the priority of technology development investment from the perspective of experts in private nuclear power companies, shifting the focus from government-led nuclear R&D policies. To establish a direction in nuclear technology development, a survey was conducted by applying an analytic hierarchy analysis to experts who have worked in nuclear power plants for more than 15 years. The analysis items of focus were the 3 attributes of strategic importance, urgency, and business feasibility of four major fields related to nuclear energy: nuclear safety, decommissioning, radioactive waste management, and strengthening industrial competitiveness.

• 한국화재소방학회논문지
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.94-102
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• 2019

원전의 안전관리에서 화재 대응의 중요성이 강조되는 시점에서, 화재 대응 인력의 심리적 상태와 역량을 체계적으로 접근할 필요가 있다. 본 연구는 원전 관할 지역 소방관들의 위험인식 구성개념을 규명하고, 이를 측정하는 측정도구를 개발 및 타당화 하였다. 원전 관할 소방관을 대상으로 실시된 인터뷰 분석과 문헌연구를 바탕으로 원전 화재에 대한 위험인식의 문항을 개발하였다. 개발된 문항들에 대한 타당화 연구에는 전라남도, 경상북도 및 부산 소재 원전 관할 소방서 및 119안전센터 5곳에서 참가자를 모집하여 총 180명의 소방관들이 참가하였다. 탐색적 요인분석 결과, 원전 화재의 재난적 결과 및 두려움을 반영하는 '두려움', 원전에서의 화재 및 방사능 누출에 대한 대응 절차와 지침의 부족을 반영하는 '매뉴얼', 원전 화재에 대응할 소방 인력 및 안전장치의 부족을 나타내는 '대응자원', 원전 소방활동을 위한 관계 기관과의 공조와 신뢰를 나타내는 '신뢰', 방사능 및 원전 소방 활동에 대한 지식을 의미하는 '지식'의 5개 요인 구조가 추출되었다. 최종 선별된 15개 문항으로 구성된 척도의 신뢰도와 타당도를 확인하였다. 본 연구 결과를 바탕으로 원전 관할 소방관들의 위험인식의 구성적 특성에 대해서 논의하였다.

• 한국실내디자인학회논문집
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• 제16권5호
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• pp.81-88
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• 2007

Energy consumption has been increased world widely, and the energy retain is one of the most important economic alternatives. These tendencies expand the nuclear power plants not only quantitatively but also qualitatively. Despite of the increasing construction of nuclear power plants and related facilities, every system in main control room(MCR) has been designed and administered solely based on the safety-first principles because of the specificity of nuclear industry. However, recent main control rooms started with the concept that the operators' performance could be optimized though the organic interrelation between human, machine, and environments. Now, it has been recognised in the scope of Ergonomics and Space Design which acknowledge our living spaces as Man-Environment Interface and this change connotes the MCR spaces should be special spaces rather than ordinary spaces. This research investigated domestic and foreign nuclear power plants' MCRs to suggest basic alternatives which can be applied to future MCR. With the review of characteristics of MCR, an integration of interior design, lighting and Ergonomics was explored and classified as types. Futhermore, the classification of environmental characteristics within the relationships between human, machine, and environments was developed through the case analysis of nuclear power plants. The results of this study will provide a basis of space design for system environments that the high level of safety and function are extremely important.

• 한국압력기기공학회 논문집
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.32-40
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• 2018

Since 2000, the frequency of earthquakes beyond the 5.0 magnitude quake has been increasing in the Korean peninsula. For instance, the 5.0-magnitude earthquake in Baekryong-do in 2003 has occurred, and recent earthquake with Gyeongju(2016) and Pohang(2017) measured respectively magnitude of 5.2 and 5.8 on the Richter scale. As results, the public concern and anxiety about earthquakes are increasing, and therefore it is necessarily required for social infrastructure to reinforce seismic design and energy production facilities directly related to the national economy and security. This study represents the analysis of seismic performance evaluation methodology such as Seismic Margin Assessment (SMA), Seismic Probabilistic Risk Assessment (SPRA), High Confidence Low Probability Failure (HCLPF) in nuclear power plants in order to develop optimal seismic performance improvement. Current methodologies to evaluate nuclear power plants are also addressed. Through review of the nuclear structure evaluation past and current trend, it contributes to be the basis for the improvement of evaluation techniques on the next generation of nuclear power plants.

• 기술사
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.45-52
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• 2010

At the end of last year, Korean nuclear power plants, APR-1400 and a research reactor have been contracted to build plants at United Arab Emirates and Jordan. Since 1959, a historical background of nuclear technologies in Korea is summarized. The safety requirements for Instrumentation and Control (I&C) systems in Nuclear Power Plants (NPP) are discussed. Specific descriptions on the typical safety classification of I&C systems, the definitions of the electrical class 1E and the countermeasures against common caused failures are provided. And summaries of typical I&C systems such as the protection systems, the control systems, the instrumentations, the monitoring systems and a control room in NPP are introduced. Strict requirements on the development of the digital computer systems in nuclear applications are described.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제50권4호
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• pp.562-569
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• 2018

Recently, human errors have very rarely occurred during power generation at nuclear power plants. For this reason, many countries are conducting research on smart support systems of nuclear power plants. Smart support systems can help with operator decisions in severe accident occurrences. In this study, a smart support system was developed by integrating accident prediction functions from previous research and enhancing their prediction capability. Through this system, operators can predict accident scenarios, accident locations, and accident information in advance. In addition, it is possible to decide on the integrity of instruments and predict the life of instruments. The data were obtained using Modular Accident Analysis Program code to simulate severe accident scenarios for the Optimized Power Reactor 1000. The prediction of the accident scenario, accident location, and accident information was conducted using artificial intelligence methods.

• 전기학회논문지P
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• 제63권4호
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• pp.290-294
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• 2014

PID(Proportional, Integral, Derivative) controller is the most popular process controllers in nuclear power plants. The optimized parameter setting of the process controller contributes to the stable operation and the efficiency of the operating nuclear power plants. PID parameter setting is tuned when new process control systems are installed or current process control systems are changed. When the nuclear plant is shut down, a lot of PID tuning methods such as the Trial and Error method, Ultimate Oscillation method operation, Ziegler-Nichols method, frequency method are used to tune the PID values. But inadequate PID parameter setting can be the cause of the unstable process of the operating nuclear power plant. Therefore the results of PID parameter setting should be simulated, optimized and finally verified. This paper introduces the simulation method of PID tuning to optimize the PID parameter setting and confirms them of the actual PID controller in the operating nuclear power plants. The simulation method provides the accurate process modeling and optimized PID parameter setting of the multi-loop control process in particular.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.259-264
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• 2005

This paper presents a vital area identification (VAI) method based on the current fault tree analysis (FTA) and probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) techniques for the physical protection of nuclear power plants. A structured framework of a top event prevention set analysis (TEPA) application to the VAI of nuclear power plants is also delineated. One of the important processes for physical protection in a nuclear power plant is VAI that is a process for identifying areas containing nuclear materials, structures, systems or components (SSCs) to be protected from sabotage, which could directly or indirectly lead to core damage and unacceptable radiological consequences. A software VIP (Vital area Identification Package based on the PSA method) is being developed by KAERI for the VAI of nuclear power plants. Furthermore, the KAERI fault tree solver FTREX (Fault Tree Reliability Evaluation eXpert) is specialized for the VIP to generate the candidates of the vital areas. FTREX can generate numerous MCSs for a huge fault tree with the lowest truncation limit and all possible prevention sets.