• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 2004

A circumferential guided wave method was developed to detect the axial crack on the bent feeder pipe. Dispersion curves of circumferential guided waves were calculated as a function of curvature of the pipe. In the case of thin plate, i.e. infinite curvature, as the frequency increases, the $S_0$ and $A_0$ mode coincide and eventually become Rayleigh wave mode. In the case of pipe, however, as the curvature increases, the lowest modes do not coincide even in the high frequencies. Based on the analysis, a rocking technique using angle beam transducer was applied to detect an axial defect in the bent region of PHWR feeder pipe. Based on the analysis of experimenal data for artificial notches, the vibration modes of each signal were identified. It was found that the notches with the depth of )0% of wall thickness can be detected with the method.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.29-40
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• 1988

A spectrum-exposure rate conversion operator G(E) for a portable HPGe detector used for field environmental radiation survey was theoretically developed on the basis of a space distribution function of gamma flux emitted from a disk source and an areal efficiency of the detector. The radiation exposure rates measured using this G(E) and the portable HPGe. detector connected to a portable multichannel analyzer were compared with those measured by a 3' ${\phi}\;{\times}$3' NaI(Tl) scintillation detector with the reported G(E) and a pressurized ionization chamber. A comparison of the three results showed that the result obtained using the HPGe detector was lower than those determined using the NaI(Tl) detector and ionization chamber by 17% to 29%, The difference obtained is close to that reported in literature. The method developed here can be easily applicable to obtain a G(E) factor suitable to any detector for detecting the exposure rate of environmental gamma radiation, since the spectrum-exposure rate conversion operator can be calculated by a hand calculator.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.25-36
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• 2022

Background: Only a few studies directly compared the therapeutic efficacy and safety of two pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) in asthma. We analyzed the asthma treatment outcomes, safety, and patient preferences using formoterol/beclomethasone (FORM/BDP), a pMDI with extra-fine particles, compared with formoterol/budesonide (FORM/BUD), another pMDI with non-extra-fine particles. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, double-dummy parallel group study, 40 adult asthmatics were randomized to FORM/BDP group (n=18; active FORM/BDP and placebo FORM/BUD) or FORM/BUD group (n=22; active FORM/BUD and placebo FORM/BDP). During the two visits (baseline and end of 8-week treatment), subjects were asked to answer questionnaires including asthma control test (ACT), asthma control questionnaires (ACQ), and Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adult Korean Asthmatics (QLQAKA). Lung function, compliance with inhaler, and inhaler-handling skills were also assessed. Results: Ten subjects in the FORM/BDP group and 14 in the FORM/BUD group completed follow-up visits. ACT, ACQ, QLQAKA (a primary outcome), and adverse events did not differ between two groups. We found that the increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity and forced expiratory flow at 25% to 75% of the pulmonary volume in the FORM/BDP group was higher than in the FORM/BUD group. Regarding preference, subjects responded that the flume velocity of FORM/BDP was higher, but more adequate than that of FORM/BUD. They also answered that FORM/BDP reached the trachea and bronchus and irritated them significantly more than FORM/BUD. Conclusion: The use of pMDI with extra-fine particles may relieve small airway obstruction more than the one with non-extra-fine particles despite no significant differences in overall treatment outcomes. Some asthmatics have a misconception about the adequacy of high flume velocity of pMDIs.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.7-16
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aims to establish the basic directions of the modular airborne infection isolation(AII) ward. Considering a specific function and purposed use as a modular AII ward, it is a chance to derive an address of current modular technology by overview the limitation and improvement of the existing modular architecture. Methods: In addition to the literature analysis on the configuration system of mobile hospitals, research cases on the operational effectiveness of the domestic and foreign mobile construction systems are analyzed. Results: In order to meet the various and strict space guidelines of the AII ward and a chance to improve limitations of uniformed existing modulars, AII modular the negative pressurized care setting should be minimized a structural restriction for reflecting its system on a architectural plan. For this unique requirements, it could be possible to apply various space boxes called infill box which needs to secure a large-scale space. So, a rahmen structure system could be adaptable for this purpose. A dead space between beams of the rahmen structure is to be used for MEP installation. Partial separation, dismantling, and repair should be possible by separating the MEP and infill box from the structure. The infill box must keep 3.5m width under the current Road Traffic Act. Implications: It is necessary to utilize and develop an improved construction method that can reduce the problems of existing steel modular and PC modular.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2024

Stainless 630 (or 17-4PH) is a precipitation-hardening martensitic stainless steel that has excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. These characteristics make the STS630 to be used as a consisting material for various components such as spider, pin, spring, and spring retainer, of the control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) in pressurized water reactors (PWRs). In general, it is well known that the oxide layer of stainless steel consists of a duplex layer, a compact inner layer of FeCr₂O₄ spinel, and a coarse-grained outer layer of Fe₃O₄ spinel in PWR primary coolant condition. However, the characteristics of the oxide layer can be sensitively influenced by various water chemistry conditions such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, dissolved hydrogen, pH, pH adjuster type, and exposure time. In this work, we investigate the corrosion properties of the STS630 as a function of coolant temperature in an NH3 alkaline solution for its boron-free application in a small modular reactor, to confirm the feasibility for usage as a boron-free SMR structural material. As a result, oxide layer of corroded STS630 is consist of double-layer oxides consisting of a Cr-rich dense inner oxide and a Fe-rich polyhedral outer particles like as that in commercial PWR primary coolant. The corrosion rate of STS630 increases with increase in test time and temperature and the corrosion rate-time model equation was developed based on experimental data. Overall, it is expected that the results in this study provides useful data for the corrosion behavior of STS630 in alkaline environments, contributing to the development of selecting suitable materials for SMRs.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.552-557
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• 2024

The actual swelling of AgInCd absorber might exceed the predicted swelling value after years of service in pressurized water reactors, and the chemical and microstructural changes of AgInCd absorber induced by transmutation reactions are the main reason for the swelling acceleration of AgInCd absorber. In the present study, a model for calculating the irradiation swelling of AgInCd absorber in nuclear control rods is developed according to chemical and microstructural changes of AgInCd absorber. In this model, the chemical compositions of AgInCd absorber as a function of the thermal neutron fluence are firstly calculated, and then the volume of AgInCd absorber after irradiation is obtained on the basis of the crystallographic parameters of phases in the AgInCd absorber, and the irradiation swelling of AgInCd absorber is finally calculated. The crystallographic parameters can be obtained by preparing the simulated AgInCd alloys and fitting the experimental data. The model calculating results of irradiation swelling are in good agreement with the actual swelling data in literature. More importantly, the present model can well explain the EPRI results of the acceleration in the diametral swelling rate above 6-8 × 10²⁰ n/cm² and the decrease in the diametral swelling rate above about 2 × 10²¹ n/cm².

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.1950-1958
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• 2024

For the pressurized water reactor two-step calculation, the traditional assembly homogenization and two-group neutron diffusion calculation have been widely used. When it comes to the core pin-by-pin simulation, many models and techniques are different and unsettled. In this paper, the homogenization methods based on the pin discontinuity factors and super homogenization factors are used to get the pin-cell homogenized parameters. The heterogeneous leakage model is applied to modify the infinite flux spectrum of the single assembly with reflective boundary condition and to determine the diffusion coefficients for the SP3 solver which is used in the core simulation. To reduce the environment effect of the single-assembly reflective boundary condition, the online method for the SPH factors updating is applied in this paper, and the functionalization of SPH factors based on the least-squares method will be pre-made alone with the table of the group constants. The fitting function will be used to update the thermal-group SPH factors with a whole-core pin-by-pin homogeneous solution online. The three-dimensional Watts Bar Nuclear Unit 1 (WBN1) problem was utilized to test the performance of pin-by-pin calculation. And numerical results have demonstrated that PWR pin-by-pin core calculation has more accurate results compared with the traditional assembly-homogenization scheme.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.592-604
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• 1999

The steady state and dynamic characteristics of large cell area MCFC stacks were analyzed to solve the problems such as temperature difference generated in stacks and pressure difference between anode and cathode. Manipulated variables (current density, duel utilization rate, oxidant utilization rate) and controlled variables (temperature difference, anode and cathode pressure difference) which had an important effect on the MCFC stack performance were determined using operation results of two types of MCFC stacks (5kW (3,000 $\textrm{cm}^2$, 20 ea). 3kW (6,000 $\textrm{cm}^2$, 5ea)). The stability and transfer function representing system dynamics were obtained by steady state gain rate which showed the relative change between MVs and CVs. The transfer function was a 3$\times$3 matrix and a typical first order system without time delay. The optimal operating condition of large cell area MCFC stacks could be determined by analyzing dynamic characteristics. In case of a 5 kW MCFC stack, pressurized operation with recycle flow should be used to control the outlet temperature less than 68$0^{\circ}C$ and to control the MCFC system effectively. MIMO control or decoupler should be used to remove the interaction between MVs and CVs. This result will be used as important data in determining the control structure design and operation mode of large cell area MCFC systems in the future.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.310-313
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• 2009

Several high nitrogen stainless steel ingots(100kg) were fabricated with changing Ni and $[N]_2$ contents by Pressurized Vacuum Induction Melting(P_VIM). After free forging process, chemical compositions, microstructure and mechanical properties were estimated. Hardness was increased with the increase of $[N]_2$ content. Furthermore, microstructure including a lot of tempering twins was observed with optical microscope. Mechanical properties were estimated as function of solution treatment temperature and cooling method(air/water) under duration time of 1 hr on sample that were fabricated with Ni content under the atmospheric $[N]_2$ pressure. At solution treatment range of $1050{\sim}1100^{\circ}C$, hardness was decreased with the increase of solution temperature and there were little discrepancy of microstructure and hardness with cooling method. Computer simulation was carried out in order to inspect pass schedule in cold rolling process. When the condition of simulation was roll speed of 2.5mpm, rolling rate $15{\sim}17%$ per pass, it was ascertained that the formation such as deformation by sticking and lamellar sliver etc. was restricted from a simulation.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.7
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• pp.2708-2712
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• 2010

Amines, ammonia or 3-methoxypropylamine (MPA), are used to maintain the optimized pH for the prevention of corrosion in the secondary side of Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs). They are differently dissociated as a function of temperature which is not same in each location of the water-steam cycle. pH at the operation temperature depends on temperature of fluid and equilibrium constants of water and amines. Thus, every amine provides the different pH in the entire secondary side so that pH is not only the sufficient parameter in corrosion control. The secondary parameter, i.e., buffer intensity, is the ability to maintain a stable pH when $H^+$ are added or removed due to the ingress of impurities or the reaction of corrosion. The buffer intensity is necessary to provide the selection criteria for the best pH control agent for secondary side and the basic understanding of the reason why the flow-accelerated corrosion(FAC) rate may demonstrate the bell-shape curve over temperature. The buffer intensities of ammonia and MPA were reviewed over the entire operation temperature of PWRs. The sufficient buffer intensity is provided for the inhibition of corrosion by ammonia in low temperature $(25{\sim}100^{\circ}C)$ and by DMA in high temperature $(150{\sim}250^{\circ}C)$. In terms of buffer intensity, i) the best pH control agent is an amine with $pK_a(T)$ range of pH(T)- $1{\leq}pK_a(T){\leq}pH(T)$ + 0.5 and ii) the amine solution should have sufficient buffer intensity, ${\beta}$ to inhibit corrosion, and iii) FAC rate may be maximum at the temperature, where ${\beta}_B/{\beta}$ ratio is lowest.