• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.121-131
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• 2001

An investigation of the sensitivity depletion laws for rhodium SPNDs was performed to reduce the uncertainty of the sensitivity depletion laws used in Combustion Engineering (CE) reactors and to develop calculational tools that provide the sensitivity depletion laws to interpret the signal of the newly designed rhodium SPND into the local neutron flux. The calculational tools developed in this work are computer programs for a time-dependent neutron flux distribution in the rhodium emitter during depletion and for a time-dependent beta escape probability that a beta particle generated in the emitter escapes into the collector. These programs provide the sensitivity depletion laws and show the reduction of the uncertainty by about 1 % compared to that of the method employed by CE in interpreting the signal into the local neutron flux. A reduction in the uncertainty by 1 % in interpreting the signal into the local neutron flux reduces the uncertainty tv about 1 % in interpreting the signal into the local power and lengthens the lifetime of the rhodium SPND by about 10% or more.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.93-105
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• 1996

We have solved the radiative transfer problem using a Sobolev approximation with an escape probability method in case of the supersonic expansion of a stellar envelope to an ambient medium. The radiation from the expanding envelope turns out to produce a P-Cygni type profile. In order to investigate the morphology of the theoretical P-Cygni type profile, we have treated $V_\infty,\;V_{sto},\;\beta$ (parameters for the velocity field), it and E(parameter for collisional effect) as model parameters. We have investigated that the velocity field and the mass loss rate affect the shapes of the P-Cygni type profiles most effectively. The secondarily important factors are $V_\infty,\;V_{sto}$. The collisional effect tends to make the total flux increased but not so much in magnitude. We have infered some physical parameters of 68 Cyg, HD24912, and $\xi$ persei such as $V_\infty,\;M$ from the model calculation, which shows a good agreenment with the observational results.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.229-234
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• 2016

Self-powered neutron detector (SPND) is being widely used to monitor the reactor core of the nuclear power plants. The SPND contains a neutron-sensitive metallic emitter surrounded by a ceramic insulator. Currently, the vanadium (V) SPND has been being developed to be used in OPR1000 nuclear power plants. Some Monte Carlo simulations were accomplished to calculate the initial sensitivity of vanadium emitter material and alumina insulator with a cylindrical geometry. An MCNP code was used to simulate some factors (neutron self-shielding factor and beta escape probability from the emitter) and space charge effect of an insulator necessary to calculate the sensitivity of vanadium detector. The simulation results were compared with some theoretical and experimental values. The method presented here can be used to analyze the optimum design of the vanadium SPND and contribute to the development of TMI (Top-mount In-core Instrumentation) which might be used in the SMART and SMR.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.29 no.spc1
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• pp.263-264
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• 1996

We have solved the radiative transfer problem using a Sobolev approximation with an escape probability method in case of the supersonic expansion of a stellar envelope to an ambient medium. The radiation from the expanding envelope turns out to produce a P-Cygni type profile. In order to investigate the morphology of the theoretical P-Cygni type profile, we have treated $V{\infty},\;V_{sto},\;{\beta}$ (parameter for the velocity field), M and $\epsilon$ (parameter for collisional effect) as model parametrs. We have found that the velocity field and the mass loss rate affect the shapes of the P-Cygni type profiles most effectively. The secondarily important factors are $V{\infty},\;V_{sto}$. The collisional effect tends to make the total flux increase but not so .much in magnitude. We have infered some physical parameters of 68 Cyg, HD24912, and $\xi$ persei such as V$\infty$, M from the model calculation, which shows a good agreement with the observational results.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.264-270
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• 2016

Self-powered neutron detector (SPND) is a sensor to monitor a neutron flux proportional to a reactor power of the nuclear power plants. Since an SPND is usually installed in the reactor core and does not require additional outside power, it generates electrons itself from interaction between neutrons and a neutron-sensitive material called an emitter, such as rhodium and vanadium. This paper presents the simulations of the depletion sensitivity evaluations based on MCNP models of rhodium and vanadium SPNDs and light water reactor fuel assembly. The evaluations include the detail geometries of the detectors and fuel assembly, and the modeling of rhodium and vanadium emitter depletion using MCNP and ORIGEN-S codes, and the realistic energy spectrum of beta rays using BETA-S code. The results of the simulations show that the lifetime of an SPND can be prolonged by using vanadium SPND than rhodium SPND. Also, the methods presented here can be used to analyze a life-time of those SPNDs using various emitter materials.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 1997.05b
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• pp.445-450
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• 1997

Self-Powered Neutron Detectors(SPNDs) are currently used to estimate the power generation distribution and fuel burn-up in several nuclear power reactors in Korea. In this paper, Monte Carlo simulation is accomplished to calculate the escape probability of beta particle as a function of their birth position fur the typical geometry of rhodium-based SPNDs. Also, a simple numerical method calculates the initial generation rate of beta particles and the change of generation rate due to rhodium burn-up. Using the simulation and the numerical method, the burn-up profile of rhodium density and the neutron sensitivity are calculated as a function of burn-up time in the reactor. The sensitivity of the SPNDs decreases non-linearly due to the high absorption cross-section and the non-uniform burn-up of rhodium in the emitter rod. In addition, for improvement of some properties of rhodium-based SPNDs which are currently used, this paper presents a new material. The method used here can be applied to the analysis of other types of SPNDs and will be useful in the optimum design of new SPNDs for long term usage.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 1996.05d
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• pp.101-106
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• 1996

For the application of the neutron flux mapping, an accurate calculation of the sensitivity is required because the sensitivity is proportional to the neutron flux density. Sensitivity is defined as the current per unit length per unit neutron flux and it mainly depends on the depression factor(f), the escape probability from the emitter($\varepsilon$1) and the charge build-up factor of the insulator layer(c). A Monte Carlo simulation was accomplished to calculate the sensitivity of rhodium emitter material and alumina(Al$_2$O$_3$) insulator with a cylindrical geometry, based on the (n,${\beta}$) interaction and on other interaction including the secondary electron generation for the more accurate estimation of the sensitivity. From the simulation results, factors fur the sensitivity were accurately calculated and compared with other theoretical and experimental values. In addition, the sensitivity linearly increases and saturates as the emitter radius increases. The accomplished method is useful in the analysis for the change of SPND sensitivity as a function of burn-up and in the optimum design of SPND.