• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.8
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• pp.2771-2782
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• 2022

When assessing the radiological consequences of postulated accident scenarios, it is of primary interest to determine the amount of radioactive fission gas accumulated in the fuel rod free volume. The state-of-the-art semi-empirical approach (ANS 5.4-2010) is reviewed and compared with a mechanistic approach to evaluate the release of radioactive fission gases. At the intra-granular level, the diffusion-decay equation is handled by a spectral diffusion algorithm. At the inter-granular level, a mechanistic description of the grain boundary is considered: bubble growth and coalescence are treated as interrelated phenomena, resulting in the grain-boundary venting as the onset for the release from the fuel pellets. The outcome is a kinetic description of the release of radioactive fission gases, of interest when assessing normal and off-normal conditions. We implement the model in SCIANTIX and reproduce the release of short-lived fission gases, during the CONTACT 1 experiments. The results show a satisfactory agreement with the measurement and with the state-of-the-art methodology, demonstrating the model soundness. A second work will follow, providing integral fuel rod analysis by coupling the code SCIANTIX with the thermo-mechanical code TRANSURANUS.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.291-305
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• 2022

The present investigation deals with the production of the innovative lightweight fly ash angular aggregates (FAA) first time in India using local class 'F' fly ash, its characterization, and exploring the potential for its utilization as alternative coarse aggregates in structural concrete applications. Two types of aggregates are manufactured using two different kinds of binders. The manufacturing process involves mixing fly ash, binder, and water, followed by the briquetting process, sintering and crushing them into suitable size aggregates. Tests are conducted on fly ash angular aggregates to measure their physical properties such as crushing value, impact value, specific gravity, water absorption, bulk density, and percentage of voids. Study shows that the physical parameters are significantly enhanced as compared to commercially available fly ash pellets (FAP). The developed FAA are used in concrete vis-à-vis conventional granite aggregates and FAP to determine their compressive, split tensile and flexural strengths. Although being lightweight, the strength parameters for concrete containing FAA are well compared with conventional concrete. This might be due to the high pozzolanic reaction between fly ash angular aggregates and cement paste. Also, RCC beams are cast and the load-deflection behaviour and ultimate load carrying capacity signify that FAA can be suitably used for RCC construction. Hence, the utilization of fly ash as angular aggregates can reduce the dead load of the structure and at the same time serves as a solution for fly ash disposal and mineral depletion problem.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.12
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• pp.3930-3943
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• 2021

To improve the capability of the SAS4A code, which simulates the initiating phase of core disruptive accidents for MOX-fueled Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors (SFRs), the authors have investigated in detail the physical phenomena under unprotected loss-of-flow (ULOF) conditions in a previous paper (Kawada and Suzuki, 2020) [1]. As the conclusion of the last article, fuel stub motion, in which the residual fuel pellets would move toward the core central region after fuel pin disruption, was identified as one of the key phenomena to be appropriately simulated for the initiating phase of ULOF. In the present paper, based on the analysis of the experimental data, the behaviors related to the stub motion were evaluated and quantified by the author from scratch. A simple model describing fuel stub motion, which was not modeled in the previous SAS4A code, was newly proposed. The applicability of the proposed model was validated through a series of analyses for the CABRI experiments, by which the stub motion would be represented with reasonable conservativeness for the reactivity evaluation of disrupted core.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.622-625
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• 2022

YBa₂Cu₃O_7-y bulk as a high temperature oxide superconducting conductor has the high critical temperature of 92 K. YBa₂Cu₃O_7-y bulk superconductors have been fabricated by a seeded melting growth. Magnetic properties were studied by using superconductor of melted YBa₂Cu₃O_7-y oxides. It was demonstrated that Y₂BaCuO₅ particles acts as a pinning center which plays an important role on the magnetic properties. The thickness of the upper and lower pellets of the YBa₂Cu₃O_7-y bulk was formed at 40 mm with 55 g of the composition, and the YBa₂Cu₃O_7-y superconductor was manufactured through a heat treatment process. Manufacturing the superconducting bulk, it is possible to improve the pore density of the superconducting bulk by providing a path through which oxygen could be emitted.

• Proceedings of the Korean Magnestics Society Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.194-194
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• 2003

As a result of the recent miniaturization an enhancement in the performance of thin film inductors and thin film transformers, there are increased demands for the thin films with high magnetic permeability in the high frequency range, high saturation magnetization, in high electrical resistivity, and low coercive force. In order to improve high frequency properties, we will investigate anisotropy field by shape and size of pattern. The Fe-Al-O thin films of 16mm and 1 $\mu\textrm{m}$ thickness were deposited on Si wafer, using RF magnetron reactive sputtering technique with the mixture of argon and oxygen gases. The fabricating conditions are obtained in the working partial pressure of 2mTorr, O$_2$ partial pressure of 5%, input power of 400W, and Al pellets on an Fe disk with purity of 99,9%. Magnetic properties of the continuous films as followed: the 4$\pi$M$\_$s/ of 19.4kG, H$\_$c/ of 0.6Oe, H$\_$k/ of 6.0Oe and effective permeability of 2500 up to 100㎒ were obtained. In this work, we expect to enhance effect of magnetic anisotropy on patterned of Fe-Al-O thin films.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.2206-2214
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• 2023

The existing wet reconversion processes for the recovery of scraps generated in manufacturing of nuclear fuel are complex and require several unit operation steps. In this study, it is attempted to simplify the recovery process of high-quality fuel-grade UO₂ powder. A novel wet reconversion process for uranyl nitrate hexahydrate solution is suggested by using a newly developed pulsed fluidized bed reactor, and the resultant chemical characteristics are evaluated for the intermediate ammonium uranate hydrate product and subsequently converted UO₂ powder, as well as the compliance with nuclear fuel specifications and advantages over existing wet processes. The UO₂ powder obtained by the suggested process improved fuel pellet properties compared to those derived from the existing wet conversion processes. Powder performance tests revealed that the produced UO₂ powder satisfies all specifications required for fuel pellets, including the sintered density, increase in re-sintered density, and grain size. Therefore, the processes described herein can aid realizing a simplified manufacturing process for nuclear-grade UO₂ powders that can be used for nuclear power generation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.11-23
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• 2023

In Korea, open burning of agricultural residues is prevalent due to inadequate collection systems, which have caused environmental impacts such as GHGs and particulates. This illegal treatment of agricultural residues also results in economic loss, considering that agricultural residues can be utilized as resources such as pellets and energy sources. To understand the effect of avoiding open burning, this study evaluated the economic, environmental, and social effects of two alternative management options for agricultural residues: incineration and pelletizing. The study estimates the potential amount and dry weight by region for 18 items, taking various factors into account. Regarding the economic aspect, pelletizing facilities in all regions in Korea create economic benefits. This study shows that most regions have an environmental advantage by pelletizing residues. However, incineration creates more environmental benefits than pelletizing in metropolitan cities with relatively low density of residues. It is expected that the environmental, economic, and social findings of this study can be used to inform policies for bioenergy as the need for agricultural residue increases.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.98-102
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• 2024

In this study, the crystal characteristics of commercial AlN powders with sizes of "㎛" and "nm" were selected through XRD analysis and then sintered at different temperatures through an induction heating furnace to investigate the optimized sintering temperature and physical properties. The sintering temperature was 1,500, 1,700, and 1,900℃ in the N₂ atmosphere, and the optimized sintering temperature conditions were established for the sintered AlN pellets using SEM, XRD, and Raman analysis. Additionally, impedance analysis was performed to confirm the electrical properties of the optimized AlN pellet without sintering additives.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.583-592
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• 2023

Celebes rainbow (Marosantherina ladigesi) is one of Indonesia's exported ornamental fish commodities, but the exploitation of this fish only relies on wild catches. The rise of unlimited fishing, especially those using poison, has changed the aquatic environment, threatening sustainability and causing fish extinction. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of several types of feed in improving the absolute growth rate (AGR), specific growth rate (SGR), survival rate (SR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed efficiency (FE), hematology, and immune response of Celebes rainbow. The fish used in this study were male ornamental Celebes rainbow (M. ladigesi) weighing 1.32 ± 0.21 g/ind, reared in 54 L-aquariums at a stocking density of 30 individuals/aquarium for six weeks. The fish were fed according to the test diet consisting of live Tubifex sp worms, dry Tubifex sp worms, Spirulina platensis, and crumble pellets. The parameters observed were AGR, SGR, SR, FCR, FE, hematology, intestinal histology, liver histology, and a challenge test with the pathogenic bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila. The results showed that fish-fed live Tubifex sp worms had better AGR, SGR, SR, FCR, FE, hematology, and disease resistance compared to all other treatments. These results indicate that live Tubifex sp worms are the best feed for rearing Celebes rainbow.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.7
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• pp.2767-2774
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• 2024

In this study, investment casting shell waste successfully utilized to produce cordierite/mullite/zircon composites. Green pellets, consisting of investment casting shell waste, alumina, and magnesia, were prepared and sintered at temperatures between 1250 and 1350 ℃. The influence of the sintering temperature on the crystalline phase composition, densification behavior, flexural strength, microstructure, and radiation shielding properties of the cordierite/mullite/zircon composites is investigated. Phase analysis showed that characteristic cordierite peaks appear at 1250 ℃, but the complete conversation of silica from investment casting shell waste into cordierite requires a sintering temperature of at least 1300 ℃. Notably, the cordierite/mullite/zircon composite sintered at 1350 ℃ exhibited a sixfold increase in flexural strength compared to the ceramic composite directly fabricated from investment casting shell waste at the same sintering temperature. Furthermore, the effect of Y₂O₃ addition on composites' radiation shielding properties is investigated. The results show that the Y₂O₃ addition improves densification behavior, enhancing the shielding capabilities of the composites against fast neutron and gamma radiation. Our findings suggest that the developed ceramic composites show significant potential for gamma-ray and neutron shielding applications.