• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.435-444
• /
• 2023

In the licensing application for the deep geological disposal system of high-level radioactive waste in Finland, the disposal tunnel backfilling has been changed from the block/pellet (for the construction) to the granular type (for the operation). Accordingly, for establishing the design concept for backfilling, it is necessary to examine applicability to the domestic facility through analyzing problems of the existing method and improvements in the alternative design. In this paper, we first reviewed the principal studies conducted for changing the backfill method in the licensing process of the Finnish facility, and identified the expected problems in applying the block/pellet backfill method. In addition, we derived the evaluation factors to be considered in terms of technical and operational aspects for the backfilling solution, and then conducted a comparative analysis for two types of backfill methods. This analysis confirmed the overall superiority of the design change. It is expected that these results could be utilized as the technical basis for deriving the optimum design plan in development process of the Korean-specific deep disposal facility. However, applicability should be reviewed in advance based on the latest technical data for the detailed evaluation factors that must be considered for selecting the backfilling method.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.445-471
• /
• 2023

Long-term safety over millennia is the top priority consideration in the construction of disposal sites. However, ensuring the mechanical stability of deep geological repositories for spent fuel, a.k.a. radwaste, disposal during construction and operation is also crucial for safe operation of the repository. Imposing restrictions or limitations on tunnel support and lining materials such as shotcrete, concrete, grouting, which might compromise the sealing performance of backfill and buffer materials which are essential elements for the long-term safety of disposal sites, presents a highly challenging task for rock engineers and tunnelling experts. In this study, as part of an extensive exploration to aid in the proper selection of disposal sites, the anticipation of constructing a deep geological repository at a depth of 500 meters in an unknown state has been carried out. Through a review of 2D and 3D numerical analyses, the study aimed to explore the range of properties that ensure stability. Preliminary findings identified the potential range of rock properties that secure the stability of central and disposal tunnels, while the stability of the vertical tunnel network was confirmed through 3D analysis, outlining fundamental rock conditions necessary for the construction of disposal sites.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.104-126
• /
• 2024

Buffer and backfill play an essential role in isolating high-level radioactive waste and retard the migration of leaked radionuclides in deep geological disposal system. A bentonite mixture, which exhibits a swelling property, is considered for buffer and backfill materials, and excessive groundwater inflow from surrounding rock mass may affect stability and efficiency of their role as an engineered barrier. Therefore, stringent quality control as well as in-situ installation management and inflow water constrol for buffer and backfill are required to ensure the safety of deep disposal facilities. In this study, we analyzed the design requirements of buffer and backfill by examining various laboratory tests and a field study of the Steel Tunnel Test at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory in Sweden. We introduced how to control the quality of buffer and backfill construction in-field, and also presented how to handle excessive groundwater inflow into disposal caverns, validating the groundwater retention capacity of bentonite pellets and the effectiveness of geotexile use.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.237-246
• /
• 2016

This study is therefore aimed at measuring the surface dose rate and the spatial dose rate in and outside the radionuclide facility in order to ensure safety of the patients, radiation workers and family care-givers in their use of such equipment and to provide a basic framework for further research on radiation protection. The study was conducted at 4 restrooms in and outside the radionuclide facility of a general hospital in Incheon between May 1 and July 31, 2014. During the study period, the spatial contamination dose rate and the surface contamination dose rate before and after radiation use were measured at the 4 places-thyroid therapy room, PET center, gamma camera room, and outpatient department. According to the restroom use survey by hospitals, restrooms in the radionuclide facility were used not only by patients but also by family care-givers and some of radiation workers. The highest cumulative spatial radiation dose rate was 8.86 mSv/hr at camera room restroom, followed by 7.31 mSv/hr at radioactive iodine therapy room restroom, 2.29 mSv/hr at PET center restroom, and 0.26 mSv/hr at outpatient department restroom, respectively. The surface radiation dose rate measured before and after radiation use was the highest at toilets, which are in direct contact with patient's excretion, followed by the center and the entrance of restrooms. Unsealed radioactive sources used in nuclear medicine are relatively safe due to short half lives and low energy. A patient who received those radioactive sources, however, may become a mobile radioactive source and contaminate areas the patient contacts-camera room, sedation room, and restroom-through secretion and excretion. Therefore, patients administered radionuclides should be advised to drink sufficient amounts of water to efficiently minimize radiation exposure to others by reducing the biological half-life, and members of the public-family care-givers, pregnant women, and children-be as far away from the patients until the dose remains below the permitted dose limit.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.12-16
• /
• 2015

Purpose Principal component analysis (PCA) is a method often used in the neuroimagre analysis as a multivariate analysis technique for describing the structure of high dimensional correlation as the structure of lower dimensional space. PCA is a statistical procedure that uses an orthogonal transformation to convert a set of observations of correlated variables into a set of values of linearly independent variables called principal components. In this study, in order to investigate the usefulness of PCA in the brain PET image analysis, we tried to analyze C[11]-PIB PET image as a representative case. Materials and Methods Nineteen subjects were included in this study (normal = 9, AD/MCI = 10). For C[11]-PIB, PET scan were acquired for 20 min starting 40 min after intravenous injection of 9.6 MBq/kg C[11]-PIB. All emission recordings were acquired with the Biograph 6 Hi-Rez (Siemens-CTI, Knoxville, TN) in three-dimensional acquisition mode. Transmission map for attenuation-correction was acquired using the CT emission scans (130 kVp, 240 mA). Standardized uptake values (SUVs) of C[11]-PIB calculated from PET/CT. In normal subjects, 3T MRI T1-weighted images were obtained to create a C[11]-PIB template. Spatial normalization and smoothing were conducted as a pre-processing for PCA using SPM8 and PCA was conducted using Matlab2012b. Results Through the PCA, we obtained linearly uncorrelated independent principal component images. Principal component images obtained through the PCA can simplify the variation of whole C[11]-PIB images into several principal components including the variation of neocortex and white matter and the variation of deep brain structure such as pons. Conclusion PCA is useful to analyze and extract the main pattern of C[11]-PIB image. PCA, as a method of multivariate analysis, might be useful for pattern recognition of neuroimages such as FDG-PET or fMRI as well as C[11]-PIB image.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.83-103
• /
• 1995

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of telluric acid on the histological and fine structural changes in the rat liver. Fischer 344 rats($150{\sim}200gm$) were used in this study as control and experimental groups. Telluric acid(5 mg/100 gm of body weight) suspensed in olive oil was given intraperitoneally to the animals of the experimental group and only olive oil to those of the control group. At the intervals of 3, 6 and 12 hours, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 days after administration, the animals were sacrificed, and livers were obtained from the rats. For light microscopic examination of the liver, sections($5{\mu}m$) were stained with hematoxylineosin(H-E). For electron microscopic examination of the liver, sections were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate, finally examined with Zeiss EM 109 electron microscopes. The results obtained were as follows. 1. In the control group, round nucleus. well developed mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, rough endoplasmic reticulum(RER) and numerous glycogen particles were observed in the cytoplasm of the hepatocyte. In the cytoplasmic membranes of the hepatocyte, sinusoidal surface had numerous microvilli and cellular surface is combinated adjacent hepatocyte with desmosomes. The RER cisterns were dilated and zymogen granules were fewer than those of the dark cells. Kupffer cells with irregular nuclear membrane were observed. Fat storing cell and collagenous fiber bundle were observed in the Disse space. 2. Kupffer cell, inflammatory cells in the connective tissue of hepatic triad and lysosome were increased in the 3, 6, and 12 hour experimental group comparing with that of the control group. 3. In the 1 day experimental group, infiltration of inflammatory cells in interlobular connective tissue, dilatation of sinusoidal capillary and increasing of Kupffer cell were observed. Atropic change of hepatocyte and aggregation of glycogen particles in the cytoplasm of hepatocyte were observed. In this group, desmosome near bile canaliculi and collagenous fiber bundle in the Disse space were increased comparing with that of the 12 hours experimental group. In the 2 days experimental group, desmosome, lysosome, peroxisome and collagenous fiber bundle were increased comparing with that of the 1 day experimental group. Furthermore, lamellated bodies were also seen in the cytoplasm of the hepatocyte. 4. In 3 and 5 days experimental groups, transformations of hepatic cell cord and degeneration of the hepatocyte were markedly inclosed comparing with the all experimental groups. And damaged RER and mitochondria. collagenous fiber bundle were also inclosed comparing with that of the 2 days experimental group. Autophagosome and fat storing cells with large lipid droplets were also observed comparing with that of the 2 days experimental group. Tight junction and desmosome between the hepatocytes were separated. These degenerating changes were severe through the all experimental groups. 5. In the 10 and 20 days experimental groups, arrangement of hepatic cell cords and cell organelles of hepatocytes were similar to those of the control group. However, aggregation of glycogen particles, dilatation of sinusoidal capillary and infiltration of inflammatory cells remained. 6. In the 30 days experimental group, the tissue findings were similar to those of the control grout. But lamellated bodies in some hepatocytes and lysosome were remained in the cytoplasms of the Kupffer cells. In the 60 days experimental group, these all changes were recovered as the control group. In conclusion, telluric acid would directly induce the degenerative and necrotic changes on the hepatic tissue. However, these changes were perfectly recoverd in the 60 days experimental group as the control group.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.21-33
• /
• 2019

This paper focuses on the interpretation of radiation fluxes from active galactic nuclei. The advantage of positron annihilation spectroscopy over other methods of spectral diagnostics of active galactic nuclei (therefore AGN) is demonstrated. A relationship between regular and random components in both bolometric and spectral composition of fluxes of quanta and particles generated in AGN is found. We consider their diffuse component separately and also detect radiative feedback after the passage of high-velocity cosmic rays and hard quanta through gas-and-dust aggregates surrounding massive black holes in AGN. The motion of relativistic positrons and electrons in such complex systems produces secondary radiation throughout the whole investigated region of active galactic nuclei in form of cylinder with radius R= 400-1000 pc and height H=200-400 pc, thus causing their visible luminescence across all spectral bands. We obtain radiation and electron energy distribution functions depending on the spatial distribution of the investigated bulk of matter in AGN. Radiation luminescence of the non-central part of AGN is a response to the effects of particles and quanta falling from its center created by atoms, molecules and dust of its diffuse component. The cross-sections for the single-photon annihilation of positrons of different energies with atoms in these active galactic nuclei are determined. For the first time we use the data on the change in chemical composition due to spallation reactions induced by high-energy particles. We establish or define more accurately how the energies of the incident positron, emitted ${\gamma}-quantum$ and recoiling nucleus correlate with the atomic number and weight of the target nucleus. For light elements, we provide detailed tables of all indicated parameters. A new criterion is proposed, based on the use of the ratio of the fluxes of ${\gamma}-quanta$ formed in one- and two-photon annihilation of positrons in a diffuse medium. It is concluded that, as is the case in young supernova remnants, the two-photon annihilation tends to occur in solid-state grains as a result of active loss of kinetic energy of positrons due to ionisation down to thermal energy of free electrons. The single-photon annihilation of positrons manifests itself in the gas component of active galactic nuclei. Such annihilation occurs as interaction between positrons and K-shell electrons; hence, it is suitable for identification of the chemical state of substances comprising the gas component of the investigated media. Specific physical media producing high fluxes of positrons are discussed; it allowed a significant reduction in the number of reaction channels generating positrons. We estimate the brightness distribution in the ${\gamma}-ray$ spectra of the gas-and-dust media through which positron fluxes travel with the energy range similar to that recorded by the Payload for Antimatter Matter Exploration and Light-nuclei Astrophysics (PAMELA) research module. Based on the results of our calculations, we analyse the reasons for such a high power of positrons to penetrate through gas-and-dust aggregates. The energy loss of positrons by ionisation is compared to the production of secondary positrons by high-energy cosmic rays in order to determine the depth of their penetration into gas-and-dust aggregations clustered in active galactic nuclei. The relationship between the energy of ${\gamma}-quanta$ emitted upon the single-photon annihilation and the energy of incident electrons is established. The obtained cross sections for positron interactions with bound electrons of the diffuse component of the non-central, peripheral AGN regions allowed us to obtain new spectroscopic characteristics of the atoms involved in single-photon annihilation.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.77-84
• /
• 2005

A voloxidizer for a hot cell demonstration, that handles spent fuels of a high radiation level in a limited space should be small and spent fuel powders should not be dispersed out of the equipment involved. In this study a density rate equation as well as the Stokes'equation has been proposed in order to obtain the theoretical terminal velocity of powders. The terminal velocity of U$_{3}$O$_{8}$ has been predicted by using the terminal velocity of SiO$_{2}$, and then determination has been the optimum air flow rate which is able to prevent powders from scattering. An equation which has shown a relationship between theoretical terminal velocities of U$_{3}$O$_{8}$ and SiO$_{2}$ has been derived with the help of the Stokes'equation, and then an experimental verification made for the theoretical Stokes' equation of SiO$_{2}$ by means of an experimental device made of acryl. The theoretical terminal velocity based on the proposed density rate equation has been verified by detecting U$_{3}$O$_{8}$ powders in a filter installed in the mock-up voloxidizer. As the results, the optimum air flow rates seem to be 20 LPM by the Stokes'equation while they are 14.5 L/min by the density rate equation. At the experiments with the mock-up voloxidizer, a trace amount of U$_{3}$O$_{8}$ seems to be detectable at the air flow rate of 14.5 L/min by the density rate equation, but U$_{3}$O$_{8}$ powders of 7$\mu$m diameter seem detectable at the air flow rate of 20 L/min by the Stokes'equation. It is revealed that 14.5 L/min is the optimum air flowe rate which is capable of preventing U$_{3}$O$_{8}$ powders from scattering in the UO$_{2}$ voloxidizer and the proposed density rate equation is proper to calculate the terminal velocity of U$_{3}$O$_{8}$ powders.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.311-318
• /
• 2006

Ultrastructure of germ cells, the cyst epithelial cells and interstitial cells during spermatogenesis of the stone flounder, Kareius bicoloratus (Pleuronectidae) sampled on the west coast of Korea were investigated by electron microscopic observations. In the primary spermatocyte, the synaptonemal complexes appear in the zygotene stage of the prophase during maturation division. In the growing testis, especially, the interstitial cells (Leydig cells) appear near the primary, secondary spermatocytes and spermatids. Well-developed interstitial cells (steroid hormone secreting cells) which are located in the interlobular space in growing testis have three morphological characteristics of a vesicular nucleus, mitochondria with tubular cristae and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. During spermatogenesis, the primary and secondary spermatocytes attach to the cyst epithelial cell (Sertoli cell) having an elongated ovoid or triangular nucleus and several mitochondria in the cytoplasm. In the growing testis, lipid droplets, the mitochondrial rosettes and glycogen particles appear in the cytoplasm of the cyst epithelial cells near the secondary spermatocytes and spermatids. Particularly, the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, little lipid droplets and the large amount of glycogen particles are present in the cytoplasm of the cyst epithelial cell in the late growing testis. In the late stage of spermiogenesis, the proximal centriole is joined to the nuclear envelope, the distal centriole forms the basal body of the flagellum and gives rise to the axial filament of the flagellum. No acrosome of the sperm is formed as seen in other teleost fish. The head of the spermatozoon is approximately $3{\mu}m$ in length and its tail is about $30{\mu}m$ in length. The axoneme of the tail flagellum of the spermatozoon consists of nine outer doublet microtubules at the periphery and two centrial singlet microtubules at the center. The spermatozoon of this species has two axonemal lateral fins. Especially, the cyst epithelial cells which located near groups of gametes in the various stages, show three functions: nutrition, phagocytosis and steroidogenesis. Especially, the nuclei of cyst epithelial cells in the recovery stage of the testicular developmental stages appear to be irregular in shape after spermiation. Of three functions of the cyst epithelial cell, several characteristics of phagocytosis are showed in the cytoplasm of the cyst epithelial cells in the recovery stage of the testicular developmental stages. At this stage, therefore, it is assumed that the cyst epithelial cells are involved in degeneration and resorption of undischarged germ cells after spermiation.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.471-479
• /
• 2011

The velocity horizontal response spectra using the observed ground motions from the recent 5 macro earthquakes, equal to or larger than 4.8 in magnitude, around Korean Peninsula were analysed and then were compared to the acceleration horizontal response spectra, seismic design response spectra (Reg Guide 1.60), applied to the domestic nuclear power plants, and finally the Korean Standard Design Response Spectrum for general structures and buildings. 102 velocity horizontal ground motions, including NS and EW components, were used for velocity horizontal response spectra and then normalized with respect to the peak velocity value of each ground motion. First, the results showed that velocity horizontal response spectra have larger values at the range of medium natural period, but acceleration horizontal response spectra have larger values at the range of short natural periods. Secondly, the results also showed that velocity horizontal response spectra exceed Reg. Guide 1.60 for longer natural periods bands less than 6-7 Hz. Finally, the results were also compared to the Korean Standard Response Spectrum for the 3 different soil types(SC, SD, and SE soil type) and showed that velocity horizontal response spectra revealed much higher values for the frequency bands below 1.5(SC), 2.0(SD), and 3.0(SE) seconds, respectively, than the Korean Standard Response Spectrum. The results suggest that the fact that acceleration, velocity, and displacement horizontal response spectra have larger values at the range of short, medium, and long natural periods, respectively, can be applied consistently to those form domestic ground motion, especially, the velocity ground motion. Information on response spectrum at such medium range periods can be very important since the domestic design of buildings and structures emphasizes recently medium and long natural periods than short one due to increased super high-rise buildings.