• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.1846-1857
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• 2021

Ultrasonic nondestructive testing is important for monitoring the structural integrity of dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) in pressure vessels and piping in nuclear power plants. However, there is a low probability of crack detection via inspection of DMWs using ultrasonic waves because the grain structures (grain orientations) of the weld area cause distortion and splitting of ultrasonic beams propagating in anisotropic media. To overcome this issue, the grain orientation should be known, and a precise ultrasonic wave simulation technique in anisotropic media is required to model the distortion and splitting of the waves accurately. In this study, a method for nondestructive prediction of the DMW grain orientations is presented for accurate simulation of ultrasonic wave propagation behavior in the weld area. The ultrasonic wave propagation behavior in anisotropic media is simulated via finite-element analysis when ultrasonic waves propagate in a transversely isotropic material. In addition, a methodology to predict the DMW grain orientation is proposed that employs a simulation technique for ultrasonic wave propagation behavior calculation and an optimization technique. The simulated ultrasonic wave behaviors with the grain orientations predicted via the proposed method demonstrate its usefulness. Moreover, the method can be used to determine the focal law in DMWs.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.1835-1844
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• 2022

Single-orifice plate is wildly utilized in the piping system of the nuclear power plant to throttle and depressurize the fluid of the pipeline. The cavitation induced by the single-orifice plate may cause some serious vibration of the pipeline. This study aims to find the optimal designs of the single-orifice plates that may have weak cavitation possibilities. For this purpose, a new single-orifice plate with a convergent-flat-divergent hole was modeled, a multi-objective optimization method was proposed to optimize the shape of a single-orifice plate, while computational fluid dynamics method was adopted to obtain the fluid physical quantities. The reciprocal cavitation number and the developmental integral were treated as cavitation indexes (e.g., objectives for the optimization algorithm). Two non-dominant designs ultimately achieved illustrated obvious reduction in the cavitation indexes at a Reynolds number Re = 1 ×10⁵ defined based on fluid velocity. Besides, the sensitivity analysis and temperature effects were also performed. The results indicated that the convergent angle of the single-orifice plate dominants the cavitation behavior globally. The optimal designs of single-orifice plates result in lower downstream jet areas and lower upstream pressure. For a constant Reynolds number, the higher temperature of liquid water, the easier it is to undergo cavitation. Whereas there is a diametric phenomenon for a constant fluid velocity. Moreover, the regression models were carried out to establish the mathematical relation between temperature and cavitation indexes.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2022.06a
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• pp.295-303
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• 2022

Residential heating systems in South Korea are largely based on the use of ondol pipelines. Heat is transferred to the floor by passing hot water through a metal or plastic pipe buried within the concrete of the floor. Consequently, it is difficult to clean the inside of these pipes after installation. Over time, foreign substances such as scale accumulate in the pipe when the ondol heating method is used for an extended period. Therefore, in the past, pipes were cleaned by removing foreign substances attached to the inside surfaces of the pipes using high-pressure water or by disassembling the pipes and removing foreign substances with chemical agents. Recently, a method for removing foreign substances through the cavitation effect of ultrasound has been proposed. This idea might lead to the development of new technologies for cleaning pipe interiors. Consequently, this study investigated the use of ultrasound to clean pipes embedded in concrete. In this study, devices that generated ultrasonic waves with various frequencies and directions were prepared. After preparing arbitrarily contaminated pipes, the appropriate frequency, output strength, and output direction for each foreign substance were determined through repeated experiments. The results of this experiment could provide important information for future methods of cleaning the interior of ondol piping systems.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.221-242
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• 2023

Internal and external corrosion are common in pressure pipes used in a variety of industries, often resulting in defects that compromise their integrity. This economically and industrially significant problem calls for both preventive and curative technical solutions to guarantee the reliability of these structures. With this in mind, our study focuses on the influence of composite and metallic patch repairs on the limit loads of pipes, particularly elbows, the critical component of piping systems. To this end, we used the nonlinear extended finite element method (X-FEM) to study elbows, a priori corroded on the internal surface of the extrados section, then repaired with composite and metallic patches. In addition, the effect of the geometry of composite materials and metal patches was examined, in particular the effect of their thickness and material on the increase in limit loads of repaired structures. The results obtained provide information on the effectiveness and optimization of patch repair of corroded elbows, with the aim of increasing their service life.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.688-706
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• 2024

Austenitic stainless steels (ASS) are extensively employed in various sectors such as nuclear, power, petrochemical, oil and gas because of their excellent structural strength and resistance to corrosion. SS304 and SS316 are the predominant choices for piping, pressure vessels, heat exchangers, nuclear reactor core components and support structures, but they are susceptible to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in chloride-rich environments. Over the course of several decades, extensive research efforts have been directed towards evaluating SCC using diverse methodologies and models, albeit some uncertainties persist regarding the precise progression of cracks. This review paper focuses on the application of Acoustic Emission Technique (AET) for assessing SCC damage mechanism by monitoring the dynamic acoustic emissions or inelastic stress waves generated during the initiation and propagation of cracks. AET serves as a valuable non-destructive technique (NDT) for in-service evaluation of the structural integrity within operational conditions and early detection of critical flaws. By leveraging the time domain and time-frequency domain techniques, various Acoustic Emission (AE) parameters can be characterized and correlated with the multi-stage crack damage phenomena. Further theories of the SCC mechanisms are elucidated, with a focus on both the dissolution-based and cleavage-based damage models. Through the comprehensive insights provided here, this review stands to contribute to an enhanced understanding of SCC damage in stainless steels and the potential AET application in nuclear industry.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.9 no.3 s.28
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• pp.1-8
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• 2005

We studied on the nondestructive evaluation of the elastic wave signals of locally wall thinned straight pipe. Wavelet transform was applied for the time-frequency analysis of waveforms obtained by fracture wave detector due to the dropping steel ball. The time-frequency analysis provides time variation of each frequency component involved in a waveform, which makes it possible to evaluate the shape of local wall thinning at each frequency. In this study, comparison by wavelet transform of the AE signals and monotonic bending tests without internal pressure are conducted on 1.91 inch diameter full-scale carbon steel pipe specimens. As the results of tests, fracture behaviors could be shown by the characteristic of mechanical strength of locally wall thinned pipes and the waveforms could be evaluated for the integrity insurance of the piping system according to the length and depth range of the deffeted shape pipes in the real field.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.377-385
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• 2013

In this study, the performance of an impeller according to blade length and pitch angle was studied experimentally by building a variable pitch impeller while changing blade length to review the effect of blade length and pitch angle on a fan's performance. The pitch angle was changed in six steps from $20^{\circ}{\sim}45^{\circ}$ at intervals of $5^{\circ}$ while the blade lengths were changed to 90 mm, 100 mm, 110 mm and 120 mm with an identical airfoil shape while carrying out the experiment. The results are summarized as follows : The air flow per static pressure of axial fans increased linearly with increase of pitch angle, but the high static pressure showed a decrease at a pitch angle of $35^{\circ}$. The shaft power increased proportionally to the pitch angle at all blade lengths; the larger the pitch angle, the larger the measured increase of shaft power. This is because the drag at the fan's front increases with the pitch angle. In the axial fans considered in this research, the flow and incre.

• Journal of KSNVE
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.85-96
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• 1999

For ASME Code pumps in nuclear power plants, inservice test is required to assess the operational readiness in accordance with ASME code and related regulations. The objective of this study therefore, is to develop the technical background of the degradation of pump performances and conditions due to low flow rate operation. In addition. the detection techniques of pump operating conditions are to be developed to enhance the safety and economy of nuclear power plants. A test loop consisted of pump, motor. water tank, flow rate measurements and piping system with flow control devices was established for this study. Two typical pumps, 1-stage volute pump and 3-stage turbine pump, were selected and the test was performed upon two major point of views ; i.e., pump discharge pressure pulsations analysis and pump vibration spectrum analysis. From the test results, it is concluded that (1) the pump vibration affected by the natural frequency of operating pump is significant in the low frequency zone (around 1 Hz) : the vibration amplitude. especially. is an important factor during low flow rate operation. and shall be monitored to ensure that it is within the limit of ASME OM code Part 6, (2) the vibration frequency and pump discharge pressure are affected by vane pass frequency and running speed, (3) the wave phenomena due to the compressiblity of water is anticipated during low flow rate operation. and the pump system shall be designed to prevent it and. finally, (4) the technical background of the degradation of pump performances and conditions due to low flow rate operation is provided.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.8-14
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• 2017

One of the main causes of gas pipeline accidents is mechanical impact(third party damage). The majority of high pressure gas pipelines buried in major domestic industrial complexes are old pipes which have being operated over 20 years. Therefore, if an accident occurs, there will be a full scale accident because there is no additional inspection and reinforcement time. In this study, the defects on the piping during the mechanical impact were studied through the third party damage(excavation) experiments. Experiments were carried out using the 21 ton excavator which is operated in the actual excavation work and the type of pipe to be struck are ASTM A106 Grade.B and ASTM A53 Grade.B. As a result, when the bucket used during excavator operation is a sawtooth bucket, the defect is more bigger. And the smaller the diameter of the pipe, the smaller the depth and length of the defect. Also, it was confirmed that the impact height had no effect on the defects on the buried pipe, during the excavation work.

• Proceedings of the SAREK Conference
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.310-315
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• 2007

The FTL has been developed to be able to irradiate test fuels at the irradiation hole(IR1 hole) by considering its utility and user's irradiation requirements. FTL consists of In-Pile Test Section (IPS) and Out-of-Pile System (OPS). Test condition in IPS such as pressure, temperature and the water quality, can be controlled by OPS. For safety assurance IPS is designed to have dual stainless steel pressure vessel and OPS is composed of main cooling water system, emergency cooling water system, LMP(letdown, make-up, purification) system, etc. FTL Conceptual design was set up in 2001, basic design had completed including a design requirement, basic piping & instrument diagram (P&ID), and the detail design in 2004. In 2005, the development team carried out purchase and manufacture hardware and make a contract for construction work. FTL construction work began on August, 2006 and ended on March, 2007. After FTL development which is expected to be finished by 2008, FTL will be used for the irradiation test of the new PWR-type fuel and can maximize the usage of HANARO.