• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.37-44
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• 2007

For the past few years, the concern for clean energy has been greatly increased. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion(OTEC) power plants are studied as a viable option for the supply of clean energy. In this paper, the thermodynamic performance of OTEC cycle was examined. Computer simulation programs were developed under the same condition and various working fluids for closed Rankine cycle, regeneration cycle, Kalina cycle, open cycle and hybrid cycle. The results show that the regeneration cycle using R125 showed a 0.17 to 1.56% increase in energy efficiency, and simple Rankine cycle can generate electricity when the difference in warm and cold sea water inlet temperatures are greater than $15^{\circ}C$. Also, the cycle efficiency of OTEC power plant using the condenser effluent from nuclear power plant instead of the surface water increased about 2%.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.3010-3016
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• 2023

In recent years, the development of radioactive waste containers for nuclear facility decommissioning and dismantling is a critical issue because the Taiwan domestic boiling water reactor nuclear power plant is going to be decommissioned. The main purpose of this research is to design a metal container that meets the structural requirements of related regulations. At first, the shielding analysis was performed by varying dimensions of radioactive waste to determine the storage efficiency of the container. Then, a series of structural analyses for operational and accidental conditions of the container with full load were conducted, such as lifting, stacking, and drop impact conditions. On the other hand, the field drop impact tests were carried out to ensure structural integrity. The present research demonstrates the structural safety of the developed container for decommissioned nuclear facilities in Taiwan.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.8
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• pp.2761-2766
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• 2021

A method for preparing "reagent" for radioactive methyliodide vapors production using an isotopic exchange reaction has been developed. Based on the obtained data of the isotopic exchange efficiency and hydraulic resistance, white fused alumina (700-840 ㎛) was selected as the carrying agent material for "reagent" production. The radioiodine isotopic exchange dependences on such parameters as temperature, gas flow velocity, and the methyliodide concentration in it were determined. Optimal conditions have been selected to achieve 85% of the isotopic exchange rate in 1 h of the experiment. The obtained data allowed to develop an approach to the test of iodine filters for nuclear power plants and to determine their efficiency.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.7
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• pp.2564-2571
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• 2022

SiPMs are generally coupled into whole columns in gamma energy spectrum measurement, but the relationship between the distribution of whole SiPM columns and the energy resolution of the measured energy spectra is rarely reported. In this work, ∅ 3 × 3 inch NaI scintillator is placed on an 8 × 8 SiPM array, and the energy resolution of the ¹³⁷Cs peak at 662 keV corresponding to the γ-ray is selected as a reference. Each SiPM is switched to explore the influence of the number of SiPM arrays, distribution position, and reflective layer on the energy resolution of SiPMs. Results show that without coupling, the energy resolution is greatly improved when the number of SiPMs ranges from 4 to 32. However, after 32 slices (the area covered by SiPMs relative to the scintillator reaches 25.9%), the improvement in energy resolution and total pulse count is not obvious. In addition, the position of SiPMs relative to the scintillator does not exert much impact on the energy resolution. Results also indicate that by adding a reflective film (ESR), the energy resolution of the tested group increases by 10.38% on average. This work can provide a reference for the design and application of miniaturized SiPM gamma spectrometers.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.8-12
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• 2011

For reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the short-term strategy is of existing energy-efficient appliances to facilitate the spread of energy efficiency improvements to improve energy efficiency, energy saving projects that will include investments to enable. R&D is at the core of the long-term strategy. To reduce energy demand, the equipments and processes improved energy efficiency should be developed. In terms of energy supply, the policies for greenhouse gas reduction is to replace fossil fuels by expanding the supply of renewable energy such as solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and nuclear power as nearly zero-emission of greenhouse gas. In terms of energy consumption, measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is in line with the policy for efficiency improvement. The buildings & work-site of high-energy consumption in the building & Industry sectors, should implement a policy to strengthening the voluntary agreement on energy-saving facilities and expand to invest in energy saving facilities.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.12
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• pp.4477-4490
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• 2023

Fuel locking mechanisms (FLMs) are essential in upward-flow research reactors to prevent accidental fuel separation from the core during reactor operation. This study presents a novel design concept for a remotely controlled plate-type nuclear fuel locking mechanism. By employing electromagnetic field analysis, we optimized the design of the electromagnet for fuel unlocking, allowing the FLM to adapt to various research reactor core designs, minimizing installation space, and reducing maintenance efforts. Computational flow analysis quantified the drag acting on the fuel assembly caused by coolant upflow. Subsequently, we performed finite element analysis and evaluated the structural integrity of the FLM based on the ASME boiler and pressure vessel (B&PV) code, considering design loads such as dead weight and flow drag. Our findings confirm that the new FLM design provides sufficient margins to withstand the specified loads. We fabricated a prototype comprising the driving part, a simplified moving part, and a dummy fuel assembly. Through basic operational tests on the assembled components, we verified that the manufactured products meet the performance requirements. This remote-controlled micro locking mechanism holds promise in enhancing the safety and efficiency of plate-type nuclear fuel operation in upflow research reactors.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2015

A small washer powered directly and solely by thermal radiation was constructed and tested to explore the feasibility of using solar energy or other types of thermal radiation for washing and cleaning. In principle, TA (ThermoAcoustic) washers have the benefits of simpler design and operation and fewer energy conversion processes, thus should be more energy efficient and cost less than electric washing/cleaning systems. The prototype TA converter we constructed could sustain itself with consistent fluid oscillations for more than 20 minutes when powered by either concentrated solar radiation or an IR (infrared) heater. The frequencies of water oscillations in the wash chamber ranged from 2.6 to 3.6 Hz. The overall conversion efficiency was lower than the typical efficiencies of TA engines. Change in water temperature had little effect on the oscillatory flow in the TA washer due to its low efficiency. On the other hand higher water temperatures enhanced grease removal considerably in our tests. Methods for measuring the overall conversion efficiency, frictional loss, and grease removal of the TA washing system we designed were developed and discussed.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.580-586
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• 2023

Diversified fuel types such as methanol, hydrogen, liquefied natural gas, ammonia, biofuels, have been come to fore in consideration of the limitations, regulations, environmental perception and efficient use of resources on maritime sector. NE is described as a substantial alternative energy source on the marine vessels in the sense of de-carbonization and fuel efficiency activities carried out by IMO. Although NPVs have been constructed for the merchant, navy and supply fields over the years, their numbers are few and working ranges are quite limited. NE generation techniques, reactor types, safety and security issues in case of any leakage or radiation pollution are analyzed and comparisons are performed between fossil-based fueled and NP based on icebreakers. The comparison are conducted on the basis of dimensions, resistances and operational competences by the VIKOR. NP icebreakers operated in recent years occupy a notable position in the ranking, although fossil fueled ones are most prevalent. Consequently, refueling period and emissions are the principal benefits of NPVs. Nevertheless, the use of such systems on marine vessels especially for merchant ships may come to the fore when all concerns in terms of safety, security and society are resolved since the slightest mistake can have irreversible consequences.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.287-297
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• 2014

For several decades, many countries operating nuclear power plants have been studying the various disposal alternatives to dispose of the spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste safely. In this paper, as a direct disposal of spent nuclear fuels for deep geological disposal concept, the rod consolidation from spent fuel assembly for the disposal efficiency was considered and analyzed. To do this, a concept of spent fuel rod consolidation was described and the related concepts of disposal canister and disposal system were reviewed. With these concepts, several thermal analyses were carried out to determine whether the most important requirement of the temperature limit for a buffer material was satisfiedin designing an engineered barrier of a deep geological disposal system. Based on the results of thermal analyses, the deposition hole distance, disposal tunnel spacing and heat release area of a disposal canister were reviewed. And the unit disposal areas for each case were calculated and the disposal efficiencies were evaluated. This evaluation showed that the rod consolidation of spent nuclear fuel had no advantages in terms of disposal efficiency. In addition, the cooling time of spent nuclear fuels from nuclear power plant were reviewed. It showed that the disposal efficiency for the consolidated spent fuel rods could be improved in the case that cooling time was 70 years or more. But, the integrity of fuels and other conditions due to the longer term storage before disposal should be analyzed.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.1310-1317
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• 2017

GASFLOW-MPI is a widely used scalable computational fluid dynamics numerical tool to simulate the fluid turbulence behavior, combustion dynamics, and other related thermal-hydraulic phenomena in nuclear power plant containment. An efficient scalable linear solver for the large-scale pressure equation is one of the key issues to ensure the computational efficiency of GASFLOW-MPI. Several advanced Krylov subspace methods and scalable preconditioning methods are compared and analyzed to improve the computational performance. With the help of the powerful computational capability, the large eddy simulation turbulent model is used to resolve more detailed turbulent behaviors. A backward-facing step flow is performed to study the free shear layer, the recirculation region, and the boundary layer, which is widespread in many scientific and engineering applications. Numerical results are compared with the experimental data in the literature and the direct numerical simulation results by GASFLOW-MPI. Both time-averaged velocity profile and turbulent intensity are well consistent with the experimental data and direct numerical simulation result. Furthermore, the frequency spectrum is presented and a -5/3 energy decay is observed for a wide range of frequencies, satisfying the turbulent energy spectrum theory. Parallel scaling tests are also implemented on the KIT/IKET cluster and a linear scaling is realized for GASFLOW-MPI.