• Title/Summary/Keyword: Nuclear incident

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Measurement of Neutron Capture Gamma-ray Spectrum of Natural Gold in the keV Energy Region

  • Lee, Jae-Hong;Lee, Sam-Yol;Lee, Sang-Bock;Lee, Jun-Haeng;Jin, Gye-Hwan
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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    • v.1 no.1
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    • pp.45-49
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    • 2007
  • keV-neutron capture gamma-ray spectrum of $^{197}Au$(natural gold) sample have been measured in neutron energy range from 10 to 90 keV using the 3-MV pelletron accelerator of the Research Laboratory for Nuclear Reactors at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. Pulsed keV neutrons were produced from the $^7Li(p,n)^7Be$ reaction by bombarding on the $^7Li$ target with the 1.5-ns bunched proton beam. The incident neutron spectrum on the Au sample was measured by a $^6Li$-glass scintillation detector and TOF method. Capture gamma-rays from Au sample were measured by anti-Compton NaI(TI) spectrometer. Five average neutron energy regions were selected to obtain the neutron capture spectrum. Several gamma-ray peaks in the spectrum were found in the present experiment.

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Safety Culture, A New Challenge to Human Factors Engineering for 21st Century

  • Lee, Yong-Hee
    • Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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    • v.35 no.6
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    • pp.473-492
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    • 2016
  • Objective: This paper discusses the recent challenges to human factors engineering due to the safety culture. Background: As incidents occurring in specific fields such as logistics, plant, energy and medical sectors in Korea, as well as in the public sectors including railway, road, aviation and shipping, are recently raised as social issues from the disaster dimension, those incidents are dealt with as man-made disasters in many cases. The trend regarding all accidents as man-made disasters has been expanded in the active perspective that the controllability of all incidents should be ensured in technology development, due to change from a fatal point of view regarding disasters as random occurrence of uncertainties in the past. Method: Man-made disasters are concluded as human errors, and safety culture stands out as a cause of human errors or a new cause item recently. Because safety culture, however, is a very comprehensive term, of which true nature is obscure, although many definitions of safety culture have been presented, the safety culture may make avoid the true nature and responsibility of an incident, or make the main player and subject obscure. Raising safety culture as a cause without presenting a specific countermeasure will be just a wisdom of hindsight. Results and Conclusion: This study reviews the fundamental discussions on "Is safety culture a task of human factors engineering?" and the existing approach carried out from various perspectives in order to seek an effective approach on the new task of safety culture in the human factors engineering field. This study discusses an engineering approach to meet a precondition that safety culture is not just an added factor through a review of the approaches in the proactive fields such as nuclear power and aviation, and the traditional approaches of human factors engineering. Application: This study especially defines the perspective of socio-technological system that has expanded the existing man-machine system, and discusses a systemic approach embracing various interactions, and several overriding tasks.

Measurement of Gamma-ray Yield from Thick Carbon Target Irradiated by 5 and 9 MeV Deuterons

  • Araki, Shouhei;Kondo, Kazuhiro;Kin, Tadahiro;Watanabe, Yukinobu;Shigyo, Nobuhiro;Sagara, Kenshi
    • Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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    • v.42 no.1
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    • pp.16-20
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    • 2017
  • Background: The design of deuteron accelerator neutron source facilities requires reliable yield estimation of gamma-rays as well as neutrons from deuteron-induced reactions. We have so foar measured systematically double-differential thick target neutron yields (DDTTNYs) for carbon, aluminum, titanium, copper, niobium, and SUS304 targets. In the neutron data analysis, the events of gamma-rays taken simultaneously were treated as backgrounds. In the present work, we have re-analyzed the experimental data for a thick carbon target with particular attention to gamma-ray events. Materials and Methods: Double-differential thick target gamma-ray yields from carbon irradiated by 5 and 9 MeV deuterons were measured using an NE213 liquid organic scintillator at the Kyushu University Tandem accelerator Laboratory. The gamma-ray energy spectra were obtained by an unfolding method using FORIST code. The response functions of the NE213 detector were calculated by EGS5 incorporated in PHITS code. Results and Discussion: The measured gamma-ray spectra show some pronounced peaks corresponding to gamma-ray transitions between discrete levels in residual nuclei, and the measured angular distributions are almost isotropic for both the incident energies. Conclusion: PHITS calculations using INCL, GEM, and EBITEM models reproduce the spectral shapes and the angular distributions generally well, although they underestimate the absolute gamma-ray yields by about 20%.

Development of the IRIS Collimator for the Portable Radiation Detector and Its Performance Evaluation Using the MCNP Code (IRIS형 방사선검출기 콜리메이터 제작 및 MCNP 코드를 이용한 성능평가)

  • Ji, Young-Yong;Chung, Kun Ho;Lee, Wanno;Choi, Sang-Do;Kim, Change-Jong;Kang, Mun Ja;Park, Sang Tae
    • Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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    • v.13 no.1
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    • pp.55-61
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    • 2015
  • When a radiation detector is applied to the measurement of the radioactivity of high-level of radioactive materials or the rapid response to the nuclear accident, several collimators with the different inner radii should be prepared according to the level of dose rate. This makes the in-situ measurement impractical, because of the heavy weight of the collimator. In this study, an IRIS collimator was developed so as to have a function of controlling the inner radius, with the same method used in optical camera, to vary the attenuation ratio of radiation. The shutter was made to have the double tungsten layers with different phase angles to prevent the radiation from penetrating owing to the mechanical tolerance. The performance evaluation through the MCNP code was conducted by calculating the attenuation ratio according to the inner radius of the collimator. The attenuation ratio was marked on the outer scale ring of the collimator. It is expected that when a radiation detector with the IRIS collimator is used for the in-situ measurement, it can change the attenuation ratio of the incident photon to the detector without replacing the collimator.

Measurement of neutron spectra in MC50 cyclotron using Bonner sphere spectrometer with LiI scintillation detector (LiI 섬광검출기 기반의 보너구 스펙트로메터를 이용한 MC50 사이클로트론의 중성자스펙트럼 측정)

  • Ha, Wi-Ho;Park, Seyoung;Yoo, Jaeryong;Yoon, Seokwon;Lee, Seung-Sook;Kim, Jungho;Kim, Jong Kyoung
    • Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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    • v.38 no.3
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    • pp.143-148
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    • 2013
  • Operational nuclear facilities such as nuclear power plants and particle accelerators show various neutron spectra according to the type of facilities and specific position. Necessities of neutron dose management and neutron monitoring for radiation protection of radiation workers in such a kind of facilities have continuously increased in recent years. Bonner sphere spectrometers are widely used for measurement of neutron spectra. Data on response function of neutron detector, default neutron spectra and count rates of Bonner sphere spectrometer are required to obtain unfolded neutron spectra in specific workplaces. In this study, we carried out measurement of neutron spectra produced in MC50 cyclotron using Bonner sphere spectrometer with LiI scintillation detector. Additionally, we estimated quantitative data on neutron flux, mean neutron energy and ambient dose equivalent rate according to the incident proton energies and positions in MC50 cyclotron.

State-of-Arts of Primary Concrete Degradation Behaviors due to High Temperature and Radiation in Spent Fuel Dry Storage (사용후핵연료 건식저장 콘크리트의 고열과 방사선으로 인한 주요 열화거동 분석)

  • Kim, Jin-Seop;Kook, Donghak;Choi, Jong-Won;Kim, Geon-Young
    • Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.243-260
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    • 2018
  • A literature review on the effects of high temperature and radiation on radiation shielding concrete in Spent Fuel Dry Storage is presented in this study with a focus on concrete degradation. The general threshold is $95^{\circ}C$ for preventing long-term degradation from high temperature, and it is suggested that the temperature gradient should be less than $60^{\circ}C$ to avoid crack generation in concrete structures. The amount of damage depends on the characteristics of the concrete mixture, and increases with the temperature and exposure time. The tensile strength of concrete is more susceptible than the compressive strength to degradation due to high temperature. Nuclear heating from radiation can be neglected under an incident energy flux density of $10^{10}MeV{\cdot}cm^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$. Neutron radiation of >$10^{19}n{\cdot}cm^{-2}$ or an integrated dose of gamma radiation exceeding $10^{10}$ rads can cause a reduction in the compressive and tensile strengths and the elastic moduli. When concrete is highly irradiated, changes in the mechanical properties are primarily caused by variation in water content resulting from high temperature, volume expansion, and crack generation. It is necessary to fully utilize previous research for effective technology development and licensing of a Korean dry storage system. This study can serve as important baseline data for developing domestic technology with regard to concrete casks of an SF (Spent Fuel) dry storage system.

System Software Design of Computed Tomography Radiation Dose Management (컴퓨터 단층촬영(CT) 방사선 노출 관리 시스템 소프트웨어 설계)

  • Yang, Yu-mi;Lee, Kil-hung;Cho, Sang-wook
    • Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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    • 2014.05a
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    • pp.489-492
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    • 2014
  • This thesis provides the design of system software for the management of radiation dose that is generated using computer tomography(CT). Because radiation exposure is different depending on the difference in sensitivity to each part for each of the patient's body, if we will be able to manage an appropriate amount of radiation, it is possible to estimate the radiation exposure of the patient as a result. Recently, radiation leakage incident of Japanese nuclear power plant was in the news internationally and there is a growing interest not only a nuclear power plant, to medical radiation exposure. In spite of the fact that currently safety management of radiation is under control only the workers of the radiation involved, exposure management of patients until now have been required. Surgery and inspection using the radiation in Korea will increase, due to this medical exposure has increased, but it is a reality that medical institution don't know the level of radiation exposure applied to the patient. Therefore a system for managing the radiation exposure of the patient from the medical institution is required. This paper proposes a design of a software program to manage the radiation exposure of CT is an typical imaging tool to use the radiation in the medical institution. By check the amount of radiation dose and set the limit of dose, we would help to optimize the medical exposure of the patient.

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Lead-free inorganic metal perovskites beyond photovoltaics: Photon, charged particles and neutron shielding applications

  • Srilakshmi Prabhu;Dhanya Y. Bharadwaj;S.G. Bubbly;S.B. Gudennavar
    • Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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    • v.55 no.3
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    • pp.1061-1070
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    • 2023
  • Over the last few years, lead-free inorganic metal perovskites have gained impressive ground in empowering satellites in space exploration owing to their material stability and performance evolution under extreme space environments. The present work has examined the versatility of eight such perovskites as space radiation shielding materials by computing their photon, charged particles and neutron interaction parameters. Photon interaction parameters were calculated for a wide energy range using PAGEX software. The ranges of heavy charged particles (H, He, C, N, O, Ne, Mg, Si and Fe ions) in these perovskites were estimated using SRIM software in the energy range 1 keV-10 GeV, and that of electrons was computed using ESTAR NIST software in the energy range 0.01 MeV-1 GeV. Further, the macroscopic fast neutron removal cross-sections were also calculated to estimate the neutron shielding efficiencies. The examined shielding parameters of the perovskites varied depending on the radiation type and energy. Among the selected perovskites, Cs2TiI6 and Ba2AgIO6 displayed superior photon attenuation properties. A 3.5 cm thick Ba2AgIO6-based shield could reduce the incident radiation intensity to half its initial value, a thickness even lesser than that of Pb-glass. Besides, CsSnBr3 and La0.8Ca0.2Ni0.5Ti0.5O3 displayed the highest and lowest range values, respectively, for all heavy charged particles. Ba2AgIO6 showed electron stopping power (on par with Kovar) better than that of other examined materials. Interestingly, La0.8Ca0.2Ni0.5Ti0.5O3 demonstrated neutron removal cross-section values greater than that of standard neutron shielding materials - aluminium and polyethylene. On the whole, the present study not only demonstrates the employment prospects of eco-friendly perovskites for shielding space radiations but also suggests future prospects for research in this direction.

A Study on North Korea's UAV Threat and Response Stance (북한의 무인기 위협과 대응 자세)

  • Hyeonsik Kim;Chanyoung Park
    • The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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    • v.9 no.2
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    • pp.227-233
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    • 2023
  • Along with the 4th Industrial Revolution, the impact of "unmanned" is affecting all fields around the world, and in particular, in the military sector, "unmanned" is so important that it occupies a part of the main combat system. Recently, the South Korean military is facing a crisis due to the North Korea's UAV incident that invaded our airspace and descended to Seoul. In response, the South Korea military declared its willingness and countermeasures to capture and destroy North Korea's UAV. However, as the technological development of UAV continues and the utilization plan is expanding, the countermeasures for UAV at the current level can be useless. Also, the threat from North Korea is not just UAV. North Korea has practically a nuclear power and is set to conduct its seventh nuclear test, and its missile technology is also being advanced, with 38 arounds of 67 missile tests conducted in 2022 alone. It is also developing five key strategic weapons that can pose a fatal threat to Korea, and North Korea's strong conventional forces are located around the NLL(Northern Limit Line), and the port of Long Range Artillery is facing the Seoul metropolitan area. It is important to respond to North Korea's UAV threats, which are now receiving much attention, but it will be necessary to comprehensively analyze and clearly prioritize North Korea's threats and use a limited budget to respond to them.

Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy of Active Galactic Nuclei

  • Doikov, Dmytry N.;Yushchenko, Alexander V.;Jeong, Yeuncheol
    • Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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    • v.36 no.1
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    • pp.21-33
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    • 2019
  • This paper focuses on the interpretation of radiation fluxes from active galactic nuclei. The advantage of positron annihilation spectroscopy over other methods of spectral diagnostics of active galactic nuclei (therefore AGN) is demonstrated. A relationship between regular and random components in both bolometric and spectral composition of fluxes of quanta and particles generated in AGN is found. We consider their diffuse component separately and also detect radiative feedback after the passage of high-velocity cosmic rays and hard quanta through gas-and-dust aggregates surrounding massive black holes in AGN. The motion of relativistic positrons and electrons in such complex systems produces secondary radiation throughout the whole investigated region of active galactic nuclei in form of cylinder with radius R= 400-1000 pc and height H=200-400 pc, thus causing their visible luminescence across all spectral bands. We obtain radiation and electron energy distribution functions depending on the spatial distribution of the investigated bulk of matter in AGN. Radiation luminescence of the non-central part of AGN is a response to the effects of particles and quanta falling from its center created by atoms, molecules and dust of its diffuse component. The cross-sections for the single-photon annihilation of positrons of different energies with atoms in these active galactic nuclei are determined. For the first time we use the data on the change in chemical composition due to spallation reactions induced by high-energy particles. We establish or define more accurately how the energies of the incident positron, emitted ${\gamma}-quantum$ and recoiling nucleus correlate with the atomic number and weight of the target nucleus. For light elements, we provide detailed tables of all indicated parameters. A new criterion is proposed, based on the use of the ratio of the fluxes of ${\gamma}-quanta$ formed in one- and two-photon annihilation of positrons in a diffuse medium. It is concluded that, as is the case in young supernova remnants, the two-photon annihilation tends to occur in solid-state grains as a result of active loss of kinetic energy of positrons due to ionisation down to thermal energy of free electrons. The single-photon annihilation of positrons manifests itself in the gas component of active galactic nuclei. Such annihilation occurs as interaction between positrons and K-shell electrons; hence, it is suitable for identification of the chemical state of substances comprising the gas component of the investigated media. Specific physical media producing high fluxes of positrons are discussed; it allowed a significant reduction in the number of reaction channels generating positrons. We estimate the brightness distribution in the ${\gamma}-ray$ spectra of the gas-and-dust media through which positron fluxes travel with the energy range similar to that recorded by the Payload for Antimatter Matter Exploration and Light-nuclei Astrophysics (PAMELA) research module. Based on the results of our calculations, we analyse the reasons for such a high power of positrons to penetrate through gas-and-dust aggregates. The energy loss of positrons by ionisation is compared to the production of secondary positrons by high-energy cosmic rays in order to determine the depth of their penetration into gas-and-dust aggregations clustered in active galactic nuclei. The relationship between the energy of ${\gamma}-quanta$ emitted upon the single-photon annihilation and the energy of incident electrons is established. The obtained cross sections for positron interactions with bound electrons of the diffuse component of the non-central, peripheral AGN regions allowed us to obtain new spectroscopic characteristics of the atoms involved in single-photon annihilation.