• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권9호
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• pp.3388-3400
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• 2023

Detailed analysis of the neutron pathway through matter inside the nuclear reactor core is exceedingly needed for safety and economic considerations. Due to the constant development of high-performance computing technologies, neutronics analysis using computer codes became more effective and efficient to perform sophisticated neutronics calculations. In this work, a commercial pressurized water reactor (PWR) presented by Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications (VERA) Core Physics Benchmark are modeled and simulated using a high-fidelity simulation of OpenMC code in terms of criticality and fuel pin power distribution. Various problems have been selected from VERA benchmark ranging from a simple two-dimension (2D) pin cell problem to a complex three dimension (3D) full core problem. The development of the code capabilities for reactor physics methods has been implemented to investigate the accuracy and performance of the OpenMC code against VERA SCALE codes. The results of OpenMC code exhibit excellent agreement with VERA results with maximum Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values of less than 0.04% and 1.3% for the criticality eigenvalues and pin power distributions, respectively. This demonstrates the successful utilization of the OpenMC code as a simulation tool for a whole core analysis. Further works are undergoing on the accuracy of OpenMC simulations for the impact of different fuel types and burnup levels and the analysis of the transient behavior and coupled thermal hydraulic feedback.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.562-569
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• 1994

이 연구에서는 피동형원자로의 과도현상을 분석하기 위한 KOTRAC 코드의 모델을 수정한 것이다. 이 코드에서 열수력학 모델로 도입하고 있는 mixture drift flux model은 피동형원자로와 같이 비상냉각수가 중력으로 주입되는 경우를 잘 모사할 수 있으나, 만일 가압기 밀림관 또는 수평관에서 상의 완전분리가 일어나게 될 때에는 증기상에서의 거의 영에 가까운 밀도로 인해 상당한 어려움이 존재하는 것이 밝혀졌다. 이 연구에서는 이러한 어려움을 극복하기 위해 일부 모델을 개선하였는데 가장 두드러진 것은 KOTRAC에서 사용하고 있는 flow distribution parameter를 Ishii 상관식으로 대체하여 코드를 수정하고 해석하였다. 이렇게 수정된 코드를 사용한 결과는 과도상태 해석코드인 RELAP5 /MOD3 계산결과와 비교적 잘 일치함을 볼 수 있었다.

• 한국지반공학회논문집
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• 제39권11호
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• pp.53-62
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• 2023

동결토의 부동수분특성은 지반의 열-수리-역학적 거동 전반에 걸쳐 지배적인 영향을 미치며, 동결 지반의 안정성 평가를 위해서는 대상 지반재료의 부동수분특성에 대한 면밀한 검토가 필요하다. 본 연구에서는 간극수 염분농도를 고려한 동결 사질토의 부동수분곡선을 평가하기 위하여 흙의 어는점 및 부동수분을 측정하는 실내 실험을 수행하였으며, 계측된 실험데이터를 기반으로 부동수분포화도 곡선을 간편하게 추정할 수 있는 경험적 모델을 새롭게 제시하였다. 또한, 제안된 경험적 모델을 입력자료로 적용한 해석모델의 시뮬레이션 결과를 실험데이터와 비교함으로써 사용된 부동수분곡선의 적정성을 검증하였다.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제52권2호
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• pp.230-237
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• 2020

In this part, an implicit time dependent solution is presented for the Boltzmann transport equation discretized by the analytic coarse mesh finite difference method (ACMFD) over the spatial domain as well as the simplified P₃ (SP₃) for the angular variable. In the first part of this work we proposed a SP₃-ACMFD approach to solve the static eigenvalue equations which provide the initial conditions for temp dependent equations. Having solved the 3D multi-group SP₃-ACMFD static equations, an implicit approach is resorted to ensure stability of time steps. An exponential behavior is assumed in transverse integrated equations to establish a relationship between flux moments and currents. Also, analytic integration is benefited for the time-dependent solution of precursor concentration equations. Finally, a multi-channel one-phase thermal hydraulic model is coupled to the proposed methodology. Transient equations are then solved at each step using the GMRES technique. To show the sufficiency of proposed transient SP₃-ACMFD approximation for a full core analysis, a comparison is made using transport peers as the reference. To further demonstrate superiority, results are compared with a 3D multi-group transient diffusion solver developed as a byproduct of this work. Outcomes confirm that the idea can be considered as an economic interim approach which is superior to the diffusion approximation, and comparable with transport in results.

• 한국해양공학회지
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.88-94
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• 2008

The concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), which is one of the major greenhouse gases, continues to rise with the increase in fossil fuel consumption. In order to mitigate global warming the amount of CO2 discharge to the atmosphere must be reduced. Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) technology is now regarded as one of the most promising options. To complete the carbon cycle in a CCS system, a huge amount of captured CO2 from major point sources such as power plantsshould be transported for storage into the marine or ground geological structures. Since 2005, we have developed technologies for marine geological storage of CO2,including possible storage site surveys and basic design of CO2 transport and storage process. In this paper, the design parameters which will be useful to construct on-shore and off-shore CO2 transport systems are deduced and analyzed. To carry out this parametric study, we suggested variations in thedesign parameters such as flow rate, diameter, temperature and pressure, based on a hypothetical scenario. We also studied the fluid flow behavior and thermal characteristics in a pipeline transport system.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.255-268
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• 2008

The greater demand for electricity and the available capacity within safety margins in some operating NPPs are prompting nuclear utilities to request license modification to enable operation at a higher power level, beyond their original license provisions. Such plant modifications require an in-depth safety analysis to evaluate the possible safety impact. The analysis must consider the thermo hydraulic, radiological and structural aspects, and the plant behavior, while taking into account the capability of the structures, systems and components, and the reactor protection and safeguard systems set points. The purpose of this paper is to introduce international experiences and approaches for implementation of power uprates related to the reactor thermal power of nuclear power plants. The paper is intended to give the reader a general overview of the major processes, work products, issues, challenges, events, and experiences in the power uprates program. The process of increasing the licensed power level of a nuclear power plants is called a power uprate. One way of increasing the thermal output from a reactor is to increase the amount of fissile material in use. It is also possible to increase the core power by increasing the performance of the high power bundles. Safety margins can be maintained by either using fuels with a higher performance, or through the use of improved methods of analysis to demonstrate that the required margins are retained even at the higher power levels. The paper will review all types of power uprates, from small to large, and across various reactor types, including light and heavy water, pressurized, and boiling water reactors. Generally, however, the content of the report focuses on power uprates of the stretch and extended type. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is developing a technical guideline on power uprates and side effects of power uprates in nuclear power plants.

• 방사성폐기물학회지
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.283-293
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• 2015

고준위폐기물처분장에서 완충재는 공학적방벽의 주요 구성요소 중 하나이다. 본 연구에서는 국 내외의 완충재 요구사항과 성능기준을 분석하고, 우리나라 고준위폐기물처분장에 적합한 완충재 개념 도출을 위한 접근방안을 제시하였다. 완충재의 주요 성능기준 인자항목으로, 수리전도도, 핵종 저지능, 팽윤압, 열전도도, 역학적 특성치(mechanical properties), 유기물함량(organic carbon content), 일라이트화 속도(illitization rate) 등을 고려하였다. 우리나라 고준위폐기물처분장 완충재 물질로서 국산 벤토나이트(Ca-벤토나이트)와 대안재로 MX-80 벤토나이트(Na-벤토나이트)를 제안하였다. 완충재의 기술사양은 Ca-벤토나이트 경우엔 우리나라의 성능기준을, Na-벤토나이트의 경우는 스웨덴의 성능기준을 보수적으로 만족하는 값으로 설정하였다. 완충재의 두께는 전단거동, 핵종 유출, 열전도의 측면에서 평가하여 결정하였으며, 평가결과 완충재의 두께는 0.25 ~ 0.5 m 사이가 적절하였다. 그러나 최종적인 완충재의 두께는 향후 보다 심도 있는 열-수리-역학적 평가와 경제적, 공학적 측면을 고려하여 결정하여야 할 것이다.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.363-373
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• 2018

The evaluation of Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical (THM) coupling behavior is important for the development of underground space for various purposes. For a high-level radioactive waste repository excavated in a deep underground rock mass, the accurate prediction of the complex THM behavior is essential for the long-term safety and stability assessment. In order to develop reliable THM analysis techniques effectively, an international cooperation project, Development of Coupled models and their Validation against Experiments (DECOVALEX), was carried out. In DECOVALEX-2015 Task B2, the in situ THM experiment that was conducted at Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory(URL) by Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), was modeled by the research teams from the participating countries. In this study, a THM coupling technique that combined TOUGH2 and FLAC3D was developed and applied to the THM analysis for the in situ experiment, in which rock, buffer, backfill, sand, and heater were installed. With the assistance of an artificial neural network, the boundary conditions for the experiment could be adequately implemented in the modeling. The thermal, hydraulic, and mechanical results from the modeling were compared with the measurements from the in situ THM experiment. The predicted buffer temperature from the THM modelling was about $10^{\circ}C$ higher than measurement near by the overpack. At the other locations far from the overpack, modelling predicted slightly lower temperature than measurement. Even though the magnitude of pressure from the modeling was different from the measurements, the general trends of the variation with time were found to be similar.

• 에너지공학
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.237-246
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• 2002

한국형차세대원자로 APR-1400의 안전감압계통이 작동하면 물, 공기 및 증기가 sparger를 통해 격납건물 내 핵연료재장전 수조로 차례로 방출된다. 방출 과정 중 생기는 여러 현상 중에서 수조 내의 공기 기포군은 저주파, 고진폭의 진동 하중을 발생하며, 주파수가 침수 구조물의 고유 주파수와 거의 같은 경우에는 구조물에 심각한 영향을 줄 수 있다. 이러한 현상은 복잡하기 때문에 주파수와 하중에 대한 규명은 주로 실험에 의존해 왔으며 수치해석적 연구는 이루어지지 않았다. 본 연구에서는 sparger를 통해 수조 내로 방출되는 공기 기포군의 거동에 대한 수치해석을 상용 열수력 해석 코드인 FLUENT Version 4.5를 사용하여 수행하였다. 다상유동 해석모델중 VOF(Volume Of Fluid)모델을 사용하여 물, 공기 및 증기 등의 다상유동을 모의하였다. 해석결과를 sparger 개발을 위해 ABB-Atom이 수행하였던 실험결과와 비교하여 만족할만한 결과를 얻었다.

• 에너지공학
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.259-266
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• 2003

안전감압계통 작동시 수조에서 발생하는 공기 기포군의 진동 하중을 줄이기 위해 ABB-Atom sparger에 는 하중저감 링이 설치되어 있다. 하중저감 링이 압력장에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위해, 본 연구에서는 하중저감 링이 없는 ABB-Atom sparger를 통해 수조 내로 방출되는 공기 기포군의 진동에 대한 수치해석을 상용 열수력 해석 코드인 FLUENT 4.5를 사용하여 수행하였다. 코드에 내재된 다상유동 모델 중 VOF(Volume Of Fluid)모델을 사용하여 물, 공기 및 증기 유동을 모의하였다. 해석결과를 기존의 해석결과와 비교하여 하중저감 링은 벽면 압력 하중을 줄이는 효과가 있음을 확인하였다. 아울러 배관내의 공기량과 배관 입구 조건이 벽면 압력 진동에 미치는 영향도 분석하였다.