• Current Applied Physics
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1534-1539
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• 2018

SnSe single crystal showed a high thermoelectric zT of 2.6 at 923 K mainly due to an extremely low thermal conductivity $0.23W\;m^{-1}\;K^{-1}$. It has anisotropic crystal structure resulting in deterioration of thermoelectric performance in polycrystalline SnSe, providing a low zT of 0.6 and 0.8 for Ag and Na-doped SnSe, respectively. Here, we presented the thermoelectric properties on the K-doped $K_xSn_{1-x}Se$ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.5, and 2.0%) polycrystals, synthesized by a high-temperature melting and hot-press sintering with annealing process. The K-doping in SnSe efficiently enhances the hole carrier concentration without significant degradation of carrier mobility. We find that there exist widespread Se-rich precipitates, inducing strong phonon scattering and thus resulting in a very low thermal conductivity. Due to low thermal conductivity and moderate power factor, the $K_{0.001}Sn_{0.999}Se$ sample shows an exceptionally high zT of 1.11 at 823 K which is significantly enhanced value in polycrystalline compounds.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.156-168
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• 2023

This study investigates the high temperature oxidation behaviour of a Ni-20Cr-1.2Si (wt.%) alloy in steam from 1200 ℃ to 1350 ℃ by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The results demonstrate that exposed Ni-based alloy developed a thin oxide scale, consisted mainly of Cr₂O₃. The oxidation kinetics obtained from the experimental results was applied to evaluate the hydrogen generation considering a simplified reactor core model with different cladding alloys following an unmitigated Loss-Of-Coolant Accident (LOCA) scenario in a hypothetical Small Modular Reactor (SMR). Overall, experimental data and simulations results show that both Fe-based and Ni-based alloys may enhance cladding survivability, delaying its melting, as well as reducing hydrogen generation under accident conditions compared to Zr-based alloys. However, a substantial neutron absorption occurs when Ni-based alloys are used as cladding for current uranium-dioxide fuel systems, even when compared to Fe-based alloys.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.575-602
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• 2009

In the wake of the Three Mile Island accident, vigorous research efforts were initiated to acquire a basic knowledge of the progression and consequences of accidents that involve a substantial degree of core degradation and melting. The primary emphasis of this research was placed on containment integrity, with: i) hydrogen combustion-detonation, ii) steam explosion, iii) direct containment heating (DCH), and iv) melt attack on the BWR Mark-I containment shell identified as energetic processes that could lead to early containment failure (i.e., within the first 24 hours of the accident). Should the core melt fail the reactor vessel, then non-condensable gas production from Molten Core-Concrete Interaction (MCCI) was identified as a mechanism that could fail the containment by pressurization over the long term. One signification question that arose as part of this investigation was the effectiveness of water in terminating an MCCI by flooding the interacting masses from above, thereby quenching the molten core debris and rendering it permanently coolable. Successful quenching of the core melt would prevent basemat melt through, as well as continued containment pressurization by non-condensable gas production, and so the accident progression would be successfully terminated without release of radioactivity to the environment. Based on these potential merits, ex-vessel corium coolability has been the focus of extensive research over the last 20 years as a potential accident management strategy for current plants. In addition, outcomes from this research have impacted the accident management strategies for the Gen III+LWR plant designs that are currently being deployed around the world. This paper provides: i) an historical overview of corium coolability research, ii) summarizes the current status of research in this area, and iii) highlights trends in severe accident management strategies that have evolved based on the findings from this work.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.28-33
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• 2011

The purpose of this paper analyzes and studies to improve the failure cases on the computer that one of electronic control elements for engine in liquified petroleum gas vehicle. The first case, it certified the non-starting phenomenon of engine that it's electronic control unit didn't control the fuel for idle speed actuator because of no given action signal in slow-cut solenoid valve. The second case, it knew the bad condition phenomenon of engine and back-fire by the wire melting of ignition coil and firing of transistor being inside ECU. The third case, it certified the action stoping phenomenon of engine and malfunctioning signal for engine ECU because of leakage of current and an excess current by moisture inflowing inside ECU curcuit plate. Therefore, it is thought that will elevate the durability and reliability of engine computer throughout procure of quality.

• Journal of Energy Engineering
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.151-155
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• 2010

Adequate visibility through a vehicle windshield and frost melting period are critical aspects of major design parameters. To make progress in this area, a good understanding of the flow behavior and heat transfer characteristics produced by the HVAC module is required. The computational study was used to perform the parametric investigation into the defroster nozzle's performance with a full-scale model. The study highlights the drawbacks of current designs and points the way to improve passive defrosting mechanism. The results show that the current design of the defroster nozzles deliver the maximum airflow in the vicinity of the lower part of the windshield, which yields unsatisfactory visibility. Defrosting performance was excellent when the injection angle of the defrost nozzle was 45 degree. The numerical analysis satisfies the criteria provided by NHTSA.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.63 no.8
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• pp.1070-1074
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• 2014

With the development of the electronics industry and widespread supply of many different electrical appliances, the factors of the electrical fires are also diversified. For this reason, the fuse, safety-critical component, needs accurate and stable operating characteristics for preventing various fire factor, and also needs various operating characteristics. Especially when the all electrical resistance are dropped by internal short of circuit, high current inrushes and makes the fire. In order to prevent this, very fast acting fuses should be applied. However, existing very fast acting characteristics fuse has less wire dimension of element Ag100% metal than that of fast acting fuse, and it is made of plating with low melting point metals, so it satisfy very fast acting but it can't satisfy durability and safety. For this reason, in this study, through the analyzing fusing characteristics of Ag-Cu alloy composition, the new alloy composition, which implement to very fast acting fuse without decrease of fuse elements dimension, is suggested. And this study classify the operating characteristics changes, a resistance change, and the rated current of the fuse in the overall composition change of Ag-Cu alloying. and it can be utilized for designing fuse.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2003

The preparation method for composite membranes of high temperature operation above $100^{\circ}C$ for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs ) was presented, using perfluorosulfonylfluoride Nafion resin and mordenite, in addition to the physical properties, proton conductivity and single cells performance for it. The composite membranes were fabricated via melting of Nafion resin with various mordenite content. As the increase of mordenite content, at high temperature range, proton conductivity of the composite membrane increased due to the late dehydration rate of existent water in the mordenite. Also, from the result of the current-voltage relationship for single cells under $130^{\circ}C$ operation condition, the composite membrane cell with l0 wt% mordenite content showed better performance than that of the others over the entire current density range. This result indicated that the existent water in the composite membrane with l0 wt% mordenite content was higher than that with the others, thereby maintains its conductivity. Based upon the results of experiments, therefore, a Nafion/mordenite composite membrane prepared by this work is thought to be a satisfactory polymer electrolyte membrane for PEMFC operation above $100^{\circ}C$.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.502-508
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• 2020

This paper focuses on the electrical properties and stability against DC accelerated aging stress of ZnO-V₂O₅-MnO₂-Nb₂O₅-Bi₂O₃-Co₃O₄-Dy₂O₃ (ZVMNBCD) varistor ceramics sintered at 850 - 925 ℃. With the increase of sintering temperature, the average grain size increases from 4.4 to 11.8 mm, and the density of the sintered pellets decreases from 5.53 to 5.40 g/㎤ due to the volatility of V₂O₅, which has a low melting point. The breakdown field abruptly decreases from 8016 to 1,715 V/cm with the increase of the sintering temperature. The maximum non-ohmic coefficient (59) is obtained when the sample is sintered at 875 ℃. The samples sintered at below 900 ℃ exhibit a relatively low leakage current, less than 60 mA/㎠. The apparent dielectric constant increases due to the increase of the average grain size with the increase of the sintering temperature. The change tendency of dissipation factor at 1 kHz according to the sintering temperature coincides with the tendency of the leakage current. In terms of stability, the samples sintered at 900 ℃ exhibit both high non-ohmic coefficient (45) and excellent stability, 0.8% in 𝚫E_B/E_B and -0.7 % in 𝚫α/α after application of DC accelerated aging stress (0.85 E_B/85 ℃/24 h).

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.62-68
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• 2008

Effects of gravitational orientation on gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) for 304 stainless steel were studied to determine the critical factors for weld pool formation, such as weld surface deformation and weld pool shape. This study was accomplished through an analytical study of weld pool stability as a function of primary welding parameters (arc current and arc holding time), material properties (surface tension and density), and melting efficiency (cross-sectional area). The stability of weld pool shape and weld surface deformation was confirmed experimentally by changing the welding position. The arc current and translational velocity were the major factors in determining the weld pool stability as a function of the gravitational orientation. A 200A spot GTAW showed a significant variation of the weld pool formation as the arc held longer than 3 seconds, however the weld pool shape and surface morphology for a 165A spot GTAW were 'stable', i.e., constant regardless of the gravitational orientation. The cross-sectional area of the weld (CSA) was one of the critical factors in determining the weld pool stability. The measured CSA ($13.5mm^2$) for the 200A spot GTAW showed a good agreement with the calculated CSA ($14.9mm^2$).

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.117-126
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• 2003

Due to excellent corrosion resistance and mechanical properties, austenitic stainless steel is widely used as the material for chemical plants. nuclear power plants, and food processing facilities. But, the zone affected by heat in the range of 400 to $800^{\circ}C$ during welding loses corrosion resistance and tensile strength since Cr-carbide precipitation like $Cr_{23}C_6$ forms at the grain boundary and thereby takes place the intergranular corrosion. In this study, AISI 304 stainless steel with the added Nb of 0.3 to 0.7 wt% was solutionized at $1050^{\circ}C$ and sensitized at $650^{\circ}C$. Specimen was welded by MIG. The phase and the microstructure of the specimens were examined by an optical microscope, a scanning electron microscope, and a x-ray diffractometer. The corrosion characteristics of specimens were tested by electrolytic etching and by double loop electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation method(EPR) in the mixed solution of 0.5M $H_2SO_4$ + 0.01M KSCN. The melting zone had dendritic structure constituted of austenitic phase and $\delta$-ferrite phase. Cr carbide at the matrix did not appear, as Nb content increased. At the grain boundaries of the heat affected zone, the precipitates decreased and the twins appeared. The hardness increased, as Nb content increased. The hardness was highest in the order of the heat affected zone>melted zone>matrix. According to EPR curve, as the Nb content decreased, the reactivation current density(Ir) and the activation current density(la) were highest in the order of the melted zone