• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.306-314
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• 2015

This paper examines the difference in the value of the nuclear fuel cycle cost calculated by the deterministic and probabilistic methods on the basis of an equilibrium model. Calculating using the deterministic method, the direct disposal cost and Pyro-SFR (sodium-cooled fast reactor) nuclear fuel cycle cost, including the reactor cost, were found to be 66.41 mills/kWh and 77.82 mills/kWh, respectively (1 mill = one thousand of a dollar, i.e., $10^{-3}$ $). This is because the cost of SFR is considerably expensive. Calculating again using the probabilistic method, however, the direct disposal cost and Pyro-SFR nuclear fuel cycle cost, excluding the reactor cost, were found be 7.47 mills/kWh and 6.40 mills/kWh, respectively, on the basis of the most likely value. This is because the nuclear fuel cycle cost is significantly affected by the standard deviation and the mean of the unit cost that includes uncertainty. Thus, it is judged that not only the deterministic method, but also the probabilistic method, would also be necessary to evaluate the nuclear fuel cycle cost. By analyzing the sensitivity of the unit cost in each phase of the nuclear fuel cycle, it was found that the uranium unit price is the most influential factor in determining nuclear fuel cycle costs.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.407-414
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• 2020

Thermal decomposition of the uranyl phosphate mineral phase meta-ankoleite (KUO₂PO₄·3H₂O) has been considered in relation to high temperature thermal sintering for the immobilisation of a uranyl phosphate containing waste. Meta-ankoleite thermal decomposition was studied across the temperature range 25 - 1200℃ under an inert N₂ atmosphere at 1 atm. It is shown that the meta-ankoleite mineral phase undergoes a double de-hydration event at 56.90 and 125.85℃. Subsequently, synthetically produced pure meta-ankoleite remains stable until at least 1150℃ exhibiting no apparent phase changes. In contrast, when present in a mixed waste the meta-ankoleite phase is not identifiable after thermal treatment indicating incorporation within the bulk waste either as an amorphous phase and/or as uranium oxide. Visual inspection of the waste post thermal treatment showed evidence of self-sintering owing to the presence of glass former materials, namely, silica (SiO₂) and antimony(V) oxide (Sb₂O₅). Therefore, incorporation of the uranium phase into the waste as part of waste sentencing and immobilisation via high temperature sintering for the purpose of long-term disposal is deemed feasible.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.517-526
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• 2008

The widespread concern regarding the management of spent fuel that mainly contributes to nuclear waste has led to the development of the sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) as one of the most promising future types of reactors at both national and international levels. Various reactor deployment scenarios with SFR introductions with different conversion ratios in the existing PWR-dominant nuclear fleet have been assessed to optimize the SFR deployment strategy to replace PWRs with the view toward a reduction in the level of spent fuel as well as efficient uranium utilization through its reuse in a closed fuel cycle. An efficient reactor deployment strategy with the SFR introduction starting in 2040 has been drawn based on an SFR deployment strategy in which burners are deployed prior to breakeven reactors to reduce the amount of PWR spent fuel substantially at the early deployment stage. The PWR spent fuel disposal is reduced in this way by 98% and the cumulative uranium demand for PWRs to 2100 is projected to be 445 ktU, implying a uranium savings of 115 ktU. The SFR mix ratio in the nuclear fleet near the year 2100 is estimated to be approximately 35-40%. PWRs will remain as a main power reactor type until 2100 and SFRs will support waste minimization and fuel utilization.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.235-246
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• 2023

Neutron resonance transmission technique was applied for assaying isotopic fissile materials produced in the pyro-process. In each process of the pyro-process, a different composition of the fissile material is produced. Simulation was basically performed on ²³⁵U and ²³⁹Pu assay for TRU-RE product, hull waste, and uranium addition. The resonance energies were evaluated for uranium and plutonium in the simulation, and the linearity in the detection response was examined on the fissile content variation. The linear resonance energies were determined for the analysis of ²³⁵U and ²³⁹Pu on the different fissile materials. For enriched TRU-RE assay, the sample condition was suggested; The sample density, content, and thickness are the key factors to obtain accurate fissile content. The detection signal is discriminated for uranium and plutonium in neutron resonance technique. The transmitted signal for fissile resonance has a direct relation with the content of fissile. The simulation results indicated that the neutron resonance technique is promising to analyze ²³⁵U and ²³⁹Pu for various types of the pyro-process material. An accurate fissile assay will contribute toward safeguarding the pyro-processing system.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.219-226
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• 2024

Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has produced weapon-grade plutonium in a graphite-moderated experimental reactor at the Yongbyon nuclear facilities. The amount of plutonium produced can be estimated using the Graphite Isotope Ratio Method (GIRM), even without considering specific operational histories. However, the result depends to some degree on the operational cycle length. Moreover, an optimal cycle length can maximize the number of nuclear weapons made from the plutonium produced. For conservatism, it should be assumed that the target reactor was operated with an optimal cycle length. This study investigated the optimal cycle length using which the Calder Hall MAGNOX reactor can achieve the maximum annual production of nuclear weapons. The results show that lower enrichment fuel produced a greater number of critical plutonium spheres with a shorter optimal cycle length. Specifically, depleted uranium (0.69wt%) produced 5.561 critical plutonium spheres annually with optimal cycle lengths of 251 effective full power days. This research is crucial for understanding DPRK's potential for nuclear weapon production and highlights the importance of reactor operational strategy in maximizing the production of weapons-grade plutonium in MAGNOX reactors.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.299-309
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• 1997

The neutronic feasibility of typical Korean three-loop 900MWe class PWR core loaded with mixed oxide fuels for both annual and 18-month cycle strategies has been investigated as a means for spent fuel management. For this study, a method of determining equivalent plutonium content was developed under the equivalence concept which gives the same cycle length as uranium fuel. Optimal plutonium zoning within the MOX assembly was also designed with the aim of minimizing the peak md power. Conceptual core designs hate hen developed for equilibrium cycle with the following variations: annual and 18-month cycle, 1/3 and full MOX loading schemes, and typical and high moderation lattice. The analysis of key core physics parameters shows that in all cases considered satisfactory core designs seem to be feasible, though addition of control rod system and change in Technical Specification for soluble boron concentration are required for full MOX loading in order to meet the current design requirements.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 1995.05a
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• pp.1054-1059
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• 1995

국제원자력기구에서는 현재 적용되고 있는 보장조치(Safeguards) 방법을 보다 효과적이고 효율적으로 적용하기 위하여 1993년부터 'Program 93+2'라는 사업을 수행하고 있다. 이중 하나의 과제로 수행되고 있는 구역 보장조치는 기존의 보장조치 개념이 하나의 시설을 대상(Facility-Oriented Safeguards)으로 개발된 것과는 달리 동일한 범주의 핵물질을 취급하는 여러 개의 시설을 하나의 가상적인 구역(Fuel Cycle-Oriented Safeguards)으로 설정하여 보장조치를 적용하는 개념으로, 보다 강화된 사찰 활동에 의하여 보장조치 신뢰도를 향상시키면서 사찰 횟수 및 사찰량은 절감되고 있다. 우리나라는 한국원자력연구소의 중수로핵연료 가공시설과 월성 1호기를 천연우라늄 구역(Natural Uranium Zone)으로, 한국원전연료(주)의 경수로핵연료 가공시설과 국내의 모든 경수로를 저농축우라늄 구역(Low Enriched Uranium Zone)으로 설정하여 성공적으로 구역 보장조치를 적용하고 있다. 그러나 이러한 구역 보장조치의 적용에는 원자력산업 체제의 단순화와 같은 제약조건이 따른다. 앞으로 우리나라에서는 현재 적용되고 있는 구역 보장조치 방법이 보다 효율적으로 운영되고 시설 운영에 대한 방해를 최소화시키는 방안을 고려하여야 하며 이에 는 가공시설에서의 생산 및 수송 일정을 발전소 운영 및 사찰 일정과 적절히 조화시키는 방법, 가공시설에서 검증된 핵연료에 대하여 적절한 감시 및 봉인 장비를 적용하는 방법, 현재의 구역 이외의 시설 또는 핵물질에 새로운 구역을 설정, 적용하는 방안 등을 고려할 수 있다.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.497-508
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• 2020

In the geochemical field, the chemical speciation of hexavalent uranium (U(VI)) has been widely investigated by performing measurements to determine its luminescence properties, namely the excitation, emission, and lifetime. Of these properties, the excitation has been relatively overlooked in most time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) studies. In this study, TRLFS and continuous-wave excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy are adopted to characterize the excitation properties of U(VI) surface species that interact with amorphous silica. The luminescence spectra of U(VI) measured from a silica suspension and silica sediment showed very similar spectral shapes with similar lifetime values. In contrast, the excitation spectra of U(VI) measured from these samples were significantly different. The results show that distinctive excitation maxima appeared at approximately 220 and 280 nm for the silica suspension and silica sediment, respectively.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.457-464
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• 2020

In this study, extraction of uranium(VI) from an aqueous nitric acid solution was investigated using tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) as an extractant in an ionic liquid, 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Cnmim][Tf2N]). The distribution ratio of U(VI) in 1.1 M TBP/[Cnmim][Tf2N] was significantly high when the concentration of nitric acid was low. The value of the distribution ratio decreased as the concentration of the nitric acid increased at lower acidities, and then increased with a nitric acid concentration of up to 8 M. This can be attributed to the different extraction mechanisms of U(VI) based on nitric acid concentrations. Thus, a cation exchange at low acidity levels and an ion-pair extraction at high acidity levels were suggested as the extraction mechanism of U(VI) in the TBP/[Cnmim][Tf2N] system.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.637-643
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• 2022

Uranium and plutonium are required to be accounted in spent fuel head-end and major recovery area in pyro-process for safeguards purpose. The possibility of neutron resonance technique, as a nondestructive analysis, was simulated on isotopic fissile analysis for large scale process. Neutron resonance technique has advantage to distinguish uranium from plutonium directly in mixture. Simulation was performed on U235 and Pu239 assay in spent fuel and for scoping examination of assembly type. The resonance energies were determined for U235 and Pu239. The linearity in the neutron transmission was examined for the selected resonance energies. In addition, the limit for detection was examined by changing sample density, thickness and content for actual application. Several factors were proposed for neutron production and the moderated neutron source was simulated for effective and efficient transmission measurement. From the simulation results, neutron resonance technique is promising to analyze U235 and Pu239 for spent fuel assembly. An accurate fissile assay will contribute to an increased safeguards for the pyro-processing system and international credibility on the reuse of fissile materials in the fuel cycle.