• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.53 no.7
• /
• pp.2095-2103
• /
• 2021

A small power ADS design using thorium oxide and diluent matrix reprocessed fuel is proposed for a high transmutation rate, small reactivity swing, and strong safety features. Two fuel matrices (CERCER and CERMET) and different recycled fuel compositions recovered from UO₂ spent fuels with 45 GWd/tU and 60 GWd/tU burnup were investigated to determine the suitable fuel for the ADS. It was found that the transmutation of each isotope depends on TRU initial loading amount. After examining the cores, the results show that CERCER fueled ADS has a negative coolant void reactivity (CVR) and a smaller radiotoxicity at discharge compared to that of CERMET core. It implies that CERCER fuel has enhanced safety features and more flavor in terms of radiotoxicity management. To increase fuel utilization and core operation efficiency, a simple assembly shuffling pattern for the CERCER fueled ADS is also proposed. Eigenvalue and burnup calculations were conducted using Serpent 2 with ENDF/B-VII.0 library in both kcode and external source modes, and it indicates that the results of transmutation analyses obtained by kcode only is reliable to discuss the transmutation potential of ADS. Burnup calculation with the fixed-source mode is essential to be used for more practical results of the transmutation by ADS.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.56 no.2
• /
• pp.762-769
• /
• 2024

The TMSR-SF0 simulator is an integral effect thermal-hydraulic experimental system for the development of thorium molten salt reactor (TMSR) program in China. The simulator has two heat transport loops with liquid FLiNaK. In literature, the 95% level confidence uncertainties of the thermophysical properties of FLiNaK are recommended, and the uncertainties of density, heat capacity, thermal conductivity and viscosity are ±2%, ±10, ±10% and ±10% respectively. In order to investigate the effects of thermophysical properties uncertainties on the molten salt heat transport system, the uncertainty and sensitivity analysis of the heat transfer characteristics of the simulator system are carried out on a RELAP5 model. The uncertainties of thermophysical properties are incorporated in simulation model and the Monte Carlo sampling method is used to propagate the input uncertainties through the model. The simulation results indicate that the uncertainty propagated to core outlet temperature is about ±10 ℃ with a confidence level of 95% in a steady-state operation condition. The result should be noted in the design, operation and code validation of molten salt reactor. In addition, more experimental data is necessary for quantifying the uncertainty of thermophysical properties of molten salts.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.56 no.9
• /
• pp.3898-3903
• /
• 2024

There is a lack of available data on the radioactivity levels of these materials, despite the potential risks they may pose to patients, dental technicians, and dentists. A total of forty samples were collected from different dental markets in Egypt. Using an NaI(Tl) detector, the gamma-ray spectrometer measured the activity levels of uranium-238, radium-226, thorium-232, and potassium-40. The findings revealed that the mean concentration of ²³⁸U (below the minimum detectable activity, MDA), ²²⁶Ra (135 ± 5 and 132 ± 5 Bq/kg), ²³²Th (187 ± 4 and 243 ± 8 Bq/kg), and ⁴⁰K (1560 ± 52 and 2501 ± 89 Bq/kg) in feldspar and zirconia (ZrO₂) dental ceramic samples, respectively, were all within the limits established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the European Commission (EC). The use of feldspar and zirconia dental ceramics to restore all teeth would result in an estimated maximum beta dose of 1.5 mGy/year to the oral tissue. The results suggest that there is no cause for concern regarding any additional beta dose to the oral cavity from the use of feldspar and zirconia dental ceramics.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.54-57
• /
• 2012

Mass spectrometric analysis was carried out using multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) for the precise and accurate determination of the isotope ratios of ultratrace levels of uranium dissolved in 3% $HNO_3$. We used the certified reference material (CRM) 112-A at a trace level of 100 pg/mL for the uranium isotopic measurement. Multiple collectors were utilized for the simultaneous measurement of uranium isotopes to reduce the signal uncertainty due to variations in the ion beam intensity over time. Mass bias correction was applied to the measured U isotopes to improve the precision and accuracy. Furthermore, elemental standard solution with certified values of platinum, iridium, gold, and thallium dissolved in 3% $HNO_3$ were analyzed to investigate the formation rates of the polyatomic ions of $Ir^{40}$ $Ar^+$, $Pt^{40}$ $Ar^+$, $Tl^{40}$ $Ar^+$, $Au^{40}$ $Ar^+$ for the concentration range of 50-400 pg/mL. Those polyatomic ions have mass-to-charge ratios in the 230-245 m/z region that it would contribute to the increase of background intensity of uranium, thorium, plutonium, and americium isotopes. The effect of the polyatomic ion interference on uranium isotope measurement has been estimated.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.52 no.6
• /
• pp.1099-1109
• /
• 2020

The performance of gadolinium burnable absorber (GdBA) for reactivity control in UO₂ and (U, Th)O₂ fuels and its impact on spent fuel characteristics was performed. Five fuel assemblies: one without GdBA fuel rod and four each containing 16, 24, 34 and 44 GdBA fuel rods in both fuels were investigated. Reactivity swing in all the FAs with GdBA rods in UO₂ fuel was higher than their counterparts with similar GdBA fuel rods in (U, Th)O₂ fuel. The excess reactivity in all FAs with (U, Th)O₂ fuel was higher than UO₂ fuel. At the end of single discharge burn-up (~ 49.64 GWd/tHM), the excess reactivity of (U, Th) O₂ fuel remained positive (16,000 pcm) while UO₂ fuel shows a negative value (-6,000 pcm), which suggest a longer discharge burn-up in (U, Th)O₂ fuel. The concentration of plutonium isotopes and minor actinides were significantly higher in UO₂ fuel than in (U, Th)O₂ fuel except for ²³⁶Np. However, the concentration of non-actinides (gadolinium and iodine isotopes) except for ¹³⁵Xe were respectively smaller in (U, Th)O₂ fuel than in UO₂ fuel but may be two times higher in (U, Th)O₂ fuel due to its potential longer discharge burn-up.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.85-91
• /
• 1968

Artificial and natural radioactivity in airborne, rain-out and fallout dusts in Seoul district in the period of 1963-1967 were studied by measuring gross-activity and by analyzing nuclides by means of $\\gamma$-spectrometry. Short-lived radium and thorium decay products give rise to most of the airborne activity unless the fission product concentration is extremely high and it is likely to be said activity remaining after a few days is attributable to fission products. Of seven Chinese nuclear explosions performed at Lop Nor, Sinkiang Province, two exhibited the activity of extremely high concentration of fission product and reached Seoul district around 30 hours after the explosion. The activity was followed by a sudden decrease in less than a week, in contrast to the long-lasted activity of low concentration originating from the huge tests performed by the United States and the USSR in 1956-1962. The radioactive environmental contamination in Seoul district, due to the Chiness nuclear test explosions, largely depends on the height above the earth at which the nuclear explosion is performed and the type of nuclear device as well as the weather system at the time and immediately after the explosion, especially the jet stream in middle latitude in the upper troposphere.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.34-40
• /
• 1994

First observation of uranium using a diode laser was published recently. The experiment was performed by the optogalvanic spectroscopy using diode lasers. A laser source causes the current change in a hollow cathode discharge lamp when metal atoms in plasma absorb the diode laser light. The optogalvanic signal is collected by detecting the current change. This work is the extended investigation of our previous research, the uranium detection using a diode laser. New electronic transitions of uranium and thorium in 775∼850 nm were investigated using diode lasers. In addition, the Rb(Ⅰ) optogalvanic spectra at 780.02 nm and 794.76 nm were studied. The Rb(Ⅰ) spectrum at 780.02 nm showed the isotopic features and hyperfine splittings. This work provides a key idea that the diode lasers are useful in the specrochemical analysis of the radioactive actinides that have a rich spectrum with transitions which can be easily reached with AlGaAs diode lasers. Also, this study shows that the diode lasers can be an important tool to find the spectroscopic parameters of actinides and rare earth elements which have not known.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.295-304
• /
• 2012

Ilmenite mine was developed in the anorthosites which intruded Precambrian Jirisan gneiss complex in Wolheongri, Okjong-myeon, Hadong. Ti-ore bodies are confined to the intercumulated type anorthosites, where REE-bearing allanite occurred as veins. The chemistry of allanites shows relatively low in CaO (11.02~12.81 wt%), but high in ${\Sigma}R_2O_3$ (R = Ce, La, Nd) (17.21~21.58 wt%), respectively. Abnormally high radioactive detection ascribes to the presence of small particles of thorium mineral known as thorite ($ThSiO_4$). Thorite shows 65~72.78 wt% ($ThO_2$) and 5.49~12.78 wt% ($UO_2$) in composition. The radioactive prospecting could be a strong tool to find REE-bearing allanite which is closely associated with Ti-ore deposits.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.407-413
• /
• 2003

The geology of the Apdong Nb-Ta deposit, is hosted by alkali metasomatites, consist of Upper Proterozoic sedimentary rocks, alkali syenites(Hoamsan intrusive) of Phyonggang Complex(late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic), Jurassic granite and Quaternary basalt. Alkali syenites are distinguished as alkali amphibole-pyroxene syenite, alkali amphibole-biotite syenite, biotite-nepheline syenite, biotite syenite, and quartz-alkali amphibole-pyroxene syenite. Alkali metasomatites are the products of intense post-magnatic metasomatism, and form the Nb-Ta ore bodies as the belt, irregular vein and lenticular types in the southern part of Hoamsan intrusive. The ore mineralization is characterized by the occurrence of pyrochlore, zircon, and small amounts of columbite, fergusonite. magnetite, fluorite, molybdenite, ilmenite, titanite, apatite, and monazite. Pyrochlore is one of the niobium/tantalum oxides and contains substantial amounts of rare earths and radioactive elements. The compositional varieties of pyrochlore can be defined: (1) enriched in tantalum, uranium and cerium, (2) substantially tantalum- and fluorine-poor, and (3) enriched in thorium or barium. The geochemical characteristics, ore textures and mineral occurrences indicate that alkali metasomatism of the mineralizing fluid was the dominant ore-forming process.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.239-246
• /
• 1985

Uranium-thorium separation technique from shallow sediment and ${\alpha}$-source electrodeposition technique are established in the present work, and uranium series disequilibrium dating method is applied to the quaternary piston core from Sangback-do, South Sea of Korean Peninsula. The age of the piston core (depth 200~300cm) sampled from Latitude $34^{\circ}06^{\prime}37^{{\prime}{\prime}}$, Longitude $127^{\circ}37^{\prime}37^{{\prime}{\prime}}$ was determined as ranging from $9.0{\pm}2.2$ to $22.9{\pm}3.3$ Ky B.P, i.e., Later Pleistocene, older than Holocene which was stratigraphically known in the previous study. The sedimentation rate in the area is regularly increased according to the depth of the sedimentation layer. Except a few split sections of the piston core the sedimentation rates are avarage 7.2cm/1,000 years. Where sedimentation layer is deeper, then sedimentation rate tend to be slower. It must be pointed in age calculation that initial $^{230}Th/^{234}U$ radioactivity ratio is much influenced when detrital material was introduced in the sample. The $^{230}Th/^{234}U$ activity ratio measured in the present work is 0.06 at $^{232}Th=0$, and this value shows higher analytical errors because of the low· radioactivity of $^{230}Th$ in the samples.