• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.40 no.4
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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.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.10
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• pp.3327-3334
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• 2021

Present electric grids are advanced to integrate smart grids, distributed resources, high-speed sensing and control, and other advanced metering technologies. Cybersecurity is one of the challenges of the smart grid and nuclear plant digital system. It affects the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), for grid data communication and controls the information in real-time. The research article is emphasized solving the nuclear and smart grid hardware security issues with the integration of field programmable gate array (FPGA), and implementing the latest Time Authenticated Cryptographic Identity Transmission (TACIT) cryptographic algorithm in the chip. The cryptographic-based encryption and decryption approach can be used for a smart grid distribution system embedding with FPGA hardware. The chip design is carried in Xilinx ISE 14.7 and synthesized on Virtex-5 FPGA hardware. The state of the art of work is that the algorithm is implemented on FPGA hardware that provides the scalable design with different key sizes, and its integration enhances the grid hardware security and switching. It has been reported by similar state-of-the-art approaches, that the algorithm was limited in software, not implemented in a hardware chip. The main finding of the research work is that the design predicts the utilization of hardware parameters such as slices, LUTs, flip-flops, memory, input/output blocks, and timing information for Virtex-5 FPGA synthesis before the chip fabrication. The information is extracted for 8-bit to 128-bit key and grid data with initial parameters. TACIT security chip supports 400 MHz frequency for 128-bit key. The research work is an effort to provide the solution for the industries working towards embedded hardware security for the smart grid, power plants, and nuclear applications.

• International Area Studies Review
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.19-35
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• 2018

This paper is to estimate the total factor productivity(TFP) in the Korean manufacturing and service industries during the period 1975:1-2016:4 using the stochastic frontier analysis model. In order to analyze the determinants for the total factor productivity the paper estimates the industry-specific determinant elasticities of TFP using the autoregressive distributed model. The industry-specific determinants, which reflect the industrial structure and properties include markup, the ratio of capital to labor(KL), and the ratio of foreign intermediate goods (FIG) to industrial output. The average value for total factor productivity growth was estimated to be 0.0199 in manufacturing and 0.0063 in the service industry. The markup and KL elasticities of TFP were estimated to be 2.481 and 0.651 in manufacturing respectively and -1.403 and 0.042 in the service industry respectively. The empirical results suggest that the industrial markup and the ratio of capital to labor have had decisive effects on the changes in the total factor productivity in the Korean manufacturing and service industries during the period 1975:1-2016:4.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2016.10a
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• pp.142-144
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• 2016

Recent promising technologies of the manufacturing sector interest, and the interest in 3D printing that is expected to cause a huge ripple effect rapidly, and various types of products advertised in accordance with the falling price of 3D printers is spreading. However, the personal 3D printers that are currently being advertised is used for Injection output of the simple type that does not require a high processing precision in accordance with the limitation of technical performance, and consumer satisfaction is very low. In this paper, we propose a 3D printer, 3D precision to overcome existing limitations in the way the printer's high SLA 3D printer that combines injection method and the LSU (Laser Scanning Unit) in the office laser printer polygon mirror scanning method. 3D printers which are proposed to improve the accuracy and manufacturing speed is expected to replace the existing entry-level 3D printer.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.565-572
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• 2021

Hydrogen is currently produced from natural gas reforming or industrial process of by-product over than 90%. Additionally, there are green hydrogens based on renewable energy generation, but the import of green hydrogen from other countries is being considered due to the output variability depending on the weather and climate. Due to low density of hydrogen, it is difficult to storage and import hydrogen of large capacity. For improving low density issue of hydrogen, the gaseous hydrogen is liquefied and stored in cryogenic tank. Density of hydrogen increase from 0.081 kg/m³ to 71 kg/m3 when gaseous hydrogen transfer to liquid hydrogen. Density of liquid hydrogen is higher about 800 times than gaseous. However, since density and boiling point of liquid hydrogen is too lower than liquefied natural gas approximately 1/6 and 90 K, to store liquid hydrogen for long-term is very difficult too. To overcome this weakness, this paper introduces storage method of hydrogen based on liquid/solid (slush) and facilities for producing slush hydrogen to improve low density issue of hydrogen. Slush hydrogen is higher density and heat capacity than liquid hydrogen, can be expected to improve these issues.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.127-134
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• 2022

In order to overcome the image quality limitations of the conventional C-arm, a flat panel detector (FPD) is used to enhance spatial resolution, detective quantum efficiency, frame rate, and dynamic range. Three-dimensional (3D) visualized information can be obtained from C-arm computed tomography (CT) equipped with an FPD, which can reduce patient discomfort and provide various medical information to health care providers by conducting procedures in the interventional procedure room without moving the patient to the CT scan room. Unlike a conventional C-arm device, a C-arm CT requires different basic safety and essential performance evaluation criteria; therefore, in this study, basic safety and essential performance evaluation criteria to protect patients, medical staff, and radiologists were derived based on International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) standards in Korea, and the rules on the installation and operation of special medical equipment in Korea. As a result of the study, six basic safety evaluation criteria related to electrical and mechanical radiation safety (leakage current, collision protection, emergency stopping device, overheating, recovery management, and ingress of water or particulate matter into medical electrical (ME) equipment and ME systems: footswitches) and 14 essential performance evaluation criteria (accuracy of tube voltage, accuracy of tube current, accuracy of loading time, accuracy of current time product, reproducibility of radiation output, linearity and consistency in radiography, half layer value in X-ray equipment, focal size and collimator, relationship between X-ray field and image reception area, consistency of light irradiation versus X-ray irradiation, performance of the mechanical device, focal spot to skin distance accuracy, image quality evaluation, and technical characteristic of cone-beam computed tomography) were selected for a total of 20 criteria.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.207-214
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• 2021

Humans are environmentally exposed to various electromagnetic fields, but the evaluation of the harmfulness of electromagnetic field and the development of a system therefor are still incomplete. We aimed to develop a system for evaluating biohazard against electromagnetic fields, and to determine biohazard through the system. An extremely-low frequency magnetic field generator was designed and manufactured, and the output reliability of the device was verified. Using this device, the effect on the formation of cellular stress-granules and the cell cycle progression of cells exposed to high magnetic fields of 6 mT and 60 Hz was confirmed. As a result, exposure to high magnetic fields of 6 hr, 12 hr and 36 hr did not affect the formation of cell stress-induced granules and the cell division cycle. These results are an important basis for the determination of biohazard to the extremely-low frequency high magnetic field.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2004.03a
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• pp.369-375
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• 2004

Gas turbine engine simulation in terms of transient, steady state performance and operational characteristics is complex work at the various engineering functions of aero engine manufacturers. Especially, efficiency of control system design and development in terms of cost, development period and technical relevance implies controlling diverse simulation and identification activities. The previous engine simulation has been accomplished within a limited analysis area such as fan, compressor, combustor, turbine, controller, etc. and this has resulted in improper engine performance and control characteristics because of limited interaction between analysis areas. In this paper, we propose a new simulation methodology for gas turbine engine performance analysis as well as its digital controller to solve difficulties as mentioned above. The novel method has particularities of (ⅰ) resulting in the integrated control simulation using almost every component/module analysis, (ⅱ) providing automated math model generation process of engine itself, various engine subsystems and control compensators/regulators, (ⅲ) presenting total sophisticated output results and easy understandable graphic display for a final user. We call this simulation system GT3GS (Gas Turbine 3D Graphic Simulator). GT3GS was built on both software and hardware technology for total simulation capable of high calculation flexibility as well as interface with real engine controller. All components in the simulator were implemented using COTS (Commercial Off the Shelf) modules. In addition, described here includes GT3GS main features and future works for better gas turbine engine simulation.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.409-416
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• 2009

This paper presents a tool called Quality-Cost optimization system (QCOS), which integrates Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA) and Quality Function Deployment (QFD), for tradeoff between quality and cost of the unitized metal curtain-wall unit. A construction owner as the external customer pursues to maximize the quality of the curtain-wall unit. However, the contractor as the internal customer pursues to minimize the cost involved in designing, manufacturing and installing the curtain-wall unit. It is crucial for project manager to find the tradeoff point which satisfies the conflicting interests pursued by the both parties. The system would be beneficial to establish a quality plan satisfying the both parties. Survey questionnaires were administered to the construction owner who has an experience of curtain-wall project, the architects who are the independent assessor, and the contractors who were involved in curtain-wall design and installation. The Customer Requirements (CRs) and their importance weights, the relationship between CRs and Technical Attributes (TAs) consisting of a curtain-wall unit, and the cost ratios of each components consisting curtain-wall unit are obtained from the three groups mentioned previously. The data obtained from the surveys were used as the QFD input to compute the Owner Satisfaction (OS) and Contractor Satisfaction (CS). MOGA is applied to optimize resource allocation under limited budget when multi-objectives, OS and CS, are pursued at the same time. The deterministic multi-objective optimization method using MOGA and QFD is extended to stochastic model to better deal with the uncertainties of QFD input and the variability of QFD output. A case study demonstrates the system and verifies the system conformance.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2023

Background: The detectors of both computed radiography (CR) and direct digital radiography (DR) have a wide dynamic range that could tolerate high values of exposure factors without an adverse effect on image quality. Therefore, this study aims to assess patient radiation dose and proposes institutional diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for two teaching hospitals in Ghana. Materials and Methods: CR and DR systems were utilized in this study from two teaching hospitals. The CR system was manufactured by Philips Medical Systems DMC GmbH, while the DR system was manufactured by General Electric. The entrance skin doses (ESDs) were calculated using the standard equation and the tube output measurements. Free-in-air kerma (µGy) was measured using a calibrated radiation dosimeter. The proposed institutional DRLs were estimated using 75^th percentiles values of the estimated ESDs for nine radiographic projections. Results and Discussion: The calculated DRLs were 0.4, 1.6, 3.4, 0.5, 0.4, 1.1, 1.0, 1.2, and 1.7 mGy for chest posteroanterior (PA), lumbar spine anteroposterior (AP), lumbar spine lateral (LAT), cervical spine AP, cervical spine LAT, skull PA, pelvis AP, and abdomen AP, respectively in CR system. In the DR system, the values were 0.3, 1.6, 3.1, 0.4, 0.3, 0.7, 0.6, 0.9, and 1.3 for chest PA, lumbar spine AP, lumbar spine LAT, cervical spine AP, cervical spine LAT, skull PA, pelvis AP, and abdomen AP, respectively. Conclusion: Institutional DRLs in nine radiographic projections have been proposed for two teaching hospitals in Ghana for the first time. The proposed DRLs will serve as baseline data for establishing local DRLs in the hospitals and will be a valuable tool in optimizing patient doses.