• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.244-252
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• 2021

Wind plays an important role in cases of unexpected radioactive pollutant dispersion, deciding distribution and concentration of the leaked substance. The accurate prediction of wind has been challenging in numerical weather prediction models, especially near the surface because of the complex interaction between turbulent flow and topographic effect. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of atmospheric dispersion of radioactive material (i.e. ¹³⁷Cs) according to the simulated boundary layer around the HANARO research nuclear reactor in Korea using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)-Mesoscale Model Interface (MMIF)-California Puff (CALPUFF) model system. We examined the impacts of orographic drag on wind field, stability calculation methods, and planetary boundary layer parameterizations on the dispersion of radioactive material under a radioactive leaking scenario. We found that inclusion of the orographic drag effect in the WRF model improved the wind prediction most significantly over the complex terrain area, leading the model system to estimate the radioactive concentration near the reactor more conservatively. We also emphasized the importance of the stability calculation method and employing the skillful boundary layer parameterization to ensure more accurate low atmospheric conditions, in order to simulate more feasible spatial distribution of the radioactive dispersion in leaking scenarios.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.127-131
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• 2022

The structural safety of prototype transport and storage containers for very low-level radioactive liquid waste was experimentally estimated for its localization development. Transport containers for radioactive liquid waste have been researched and developed, however, there are no standardized commercial containers for very low-level radioactive waste in Korea. In this study, the structural safety of the designated IP-2 type container capable of transporting and temporarily storing large amounts of very low-level liquid waste, which is generated during the operation and decommissioning of nuclear power plants, was demonstrated. The stacking and drop tests, which were conducted to determine the structural integrity of the container, verified that there was no external leakage of the contents in spite of its structural deformation due to the drop impact. This study shows the effort required for the localization of the technology used in manufacturing transport and storage containers for very low-level radioactive liquid waste, and the additional structural reinforcement of the container in which the commercial intermediate bulk container (IBC) external frame was coupled.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.339-347
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• 2022

Major accidents at nuclear power plants generate huge amounts of radioactive waste in a short period of time over a wide area outside the plant boundary. Therefore, extraordinary efforts are required for safe management of the waste. A well-established remediation plan including radioactive waste management that is prepared in advance will minimize the impact on the public and environment. In Korea, however, only limited plans exist to systematically manage this type of off-site radioactive waste generating event. In this study, we developed basic strategies for off-site radioactive waste management based on recommendations from the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and NCRP (National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements), experiences from the Fukushima Daiichi accident in Japan, and a review of the national radioactive waste management system in Korea. These strategies included the assignment of roles and responsibilities, development of management methodologies, securement of storage capacities, preparation for the use of existing infrastructure, assurance of information transparency, and establishment of cooperative measures with international organizations.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2016

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate Korean people's awareness about impact of the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in Japan and radioactive contamination caused by it. Materials and Methods: The respondents of the survey were 600 adults who resided in the Seoul metropolitan area. Results and discussion: The survey results show that the majority of respondents were concerned about impact of radiation leakage that might have an effect on our environment. They were worried about radioactive contamination of foodstuffs, particularly fishery products and preferred to acquire information through TV(49.8%) or the Internet(31.3%). Meanwhile, respondents mentioned that the information on the Fukushima nuclear accident and radioactive contamination had not been sufficient and they didn't know well about the follow-up measures of the government on the accident. Most respondents answered that information on radioactive contamination levels and safety of foods and environment was most needed. Conclusion: The results of this study could be useful to enhance awareness on radioactivity and improve risk communication on nuclear power plant accidents.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.381-390
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• 2017

In Korea, commercial nuclear power plants and research reactors have on-site storage systems for the spent nuclear fuel, but it is difficult to expand the facilities used for the storage systems. If decommissioning of nuclear power plants starts, an amount of high level radioactive waste will be generated. In this study, a radiological impact assessment of the railroad transport of high level radioactive waste was carried out considering radiation workers and the public, using the developed transport container as the transport package. The dose rates for workers and the public during the transport period were estimated, considering anticipated transport scenarios, and the results compared with the regulatory limit. A sensitivity analysis was also carried out by considering the different release ratios of the radioactive materials in the high level radioactive waste, and different distances between the transport container and workers during loading and unloading phases and while attaching another freight car. For all the anticipated transport scenarios, the radiological impacts for workers and the public met the regulatory limits.

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.244-250
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• 2003

With a recent public concern rising on the radioactive waste, it is disclosed that the problem is more serious than expected. This research has been conducted to find effects of yellow sandy rainwaters on the solidified cement of mid-and-low level radioactive waste. The ANS 16.1 standard test method was chosen for this leaching experiment. Make a cement solidified radioactive waste that contains Co nuclide, and fabricate it for over 28 days. Then, decide on the volume of leaching water and the concentration of ion and metal in leachate from the mass concentration of yellow sands in atmosphere. In this paper, we have taken a short look at characteristics of yellow sand. Before going into the leaching experiment, we decided experimental conditions first. Then, it was evaluated and analyzed how sandy rainfalls have impact on the cement solidified radioactive waste based on data from 90 days of leaching experiment.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.209-217
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• 2023

The biosphere has important function in the safety assessment of a radioactive waste disposal facility. A biosphere model in the safety assessment needs various input data that contain significantly inherent uncertainties. This paper reviews the effects of the input data on the radiological impact assessment from main radionuclides such as ¹⁴C and ⁹⁹Tc in the biosphere model. In addition, it is confirmed that the safety criteria is met, when the conservative input data for the intake rate, soil to plant concentration ratio, and distribution coefficients of the radionuclides are applied and probabilistic analysis are conducted in the biosphere model. Nevertheless, it is required to generate site-specific input data for the confidence building and reduce excessive conservatism in the biosphere model.

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.455-462
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• 2003

According to Korean nuclear code requires Periodic Safety Review(PSR) every 10 years should be perform for operating reactor, and selects the eleven PSR safety factors. Among them the review objective of the environmental impact is to determine whether the operator has an adequate programme for surveillance of the environmental impact of the nuclear power plant based on current safety standards. In this paper, the environmental impact in PSR of Wolsong Unit 1 was reflected current safety standards as of the evaluation date. As a result, all items generally satisfied the standards, and the staff also verified that the population dose due to the operation of Wolsong Unit 1 was controlled safely as of the evaluation date.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.1368-1375
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• 2016

A radiological safety assessment study was performed for the transportation of low level radioactive wastes which are temporarily stored in Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), Daejeon, Korea. We considered two kinds of wastes: (1) operation wastes generated from the routine operation of facilities; and (2) decommissioning wastes generated from the decommissioning of a research reactor in KAERI. The important part of the radiological safety assessment is related to the exposure dose assessment for the incidentfree (normal) transportation of wastes, i.e., the radiation exposure of transport personnel, radiation workers for loading and unloading of radioactive waste drums, and the general public. The effective doses were estimated based on the detailed information on the transportation plan and on the radiological characteristics of waste packages. We also estimated radiological risks and the effective doses for the general public resulting from accidents such as an impact and a fire caused by the impact during the transportation. According to the results, the effective doses for transport personnel, radiation workers, and the general public are far below the regulatory limits. Therefore, we can secure safety from the viewpoint of radiological safety for all situations during the transportation of radioactive wastes which have been stored temporarily in KAERI.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.49 no.8
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• pp.1772-1777
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• 2017

Korean nuclear power plants (NPPs) periodically evaluate the radioactive gaseous and liquid effluents released from power reactors to protect the public from radiation exposure. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the release of radioactive effluents from Korean NPPs and the effects on the annual radiation doses to the public. The amounts of radioactive effluents released to the environment and the resulting radiation doses to members of the public living around NPPs were analyzed for the years 2011-2015 using the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd's annual summary reports of the assessment of radiological impact on the environment. The results show that tritium was the primary contributor to the activity in both gaseous and liquid effluents. The averages of effective doses to the public were approximately on the order of $10^{-3}mSv$ or $10^{-2}mSv$. Therefore, even though Korean NPPs discharged some radioactive materials into the environment, all effluents were within the regulatory safety limits and the resulting doses were much less than the dose limits.