• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.547-555
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• 2023

Due to enhanced precision in uranium isotope measurements with MC-ICP-MS, there has been a surge in studies concerning the naturally occurring uranium isotope ratio (²³⁸U/²³⁵U) and its associated fractionation processes. Several researchers have highlighted that the ²³⁸U/²³⁵U ratio, previously assumed to be constant, can vary by several per mil depending on different natural fractionation processes. This review paper outlines the uranium isotope values (δ²³⁸U) for major terrestrial reservoirs and their variations. It discusses the range of δ238U values and uranium isotope fractionation seen in uranium ore deposits, based on deposit type and ore-forming conditions. In conclusion, this paper emphasizes the importance of studies on uranium ore deposits. Such deposits serve as natural simulation models vital for designing high-level radioactive waste repository sites.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 1995.05b
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• pp.1087-1092
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• 1995

MOX 연료는 PWR, BWR, FBR 및 ATR 등과 같은 다양한 노형에서 이용이 가능하다. 이와 같은 MOX 연료는 이미 일부 국가에서 이들 노형에 이용하고 있으며, FBR의 상용화 시기가 다소 지연될 것으로 예상되어 이 분야에 대찬 연구는 더욱 활발히 진행될 전망이다. 여기에서는 이와 같은 현실을 감안하여 MOX 연료를 이용하는 MOX 연료주기와 우라늄 연료만을 이용하는 우라늄 연료주기에 대한 핵연료주기비를 비교·분석하였고, 그 결과 MOX 연료주기와 우라늄 연료주기의 경제성은 거의 대둥한 것으로 평가되었다. 또한 우라늄 가격, 사용후핵연료 처분시기, 처분 비용/재처리비용 등의 주요 변수에 대한 민감도분석을 수행한 결과, MOX 연료주기가 우라늄연료주기에 대해 상당한 경쟁력을 가지고 있는 것으로 분석되었다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.418-418
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• 2004

풀, 토양 또는 지하수와 같은 환경시료 중에 포함된 미량 우라늄을 분석하기 위하여 핵분열 트랙 기입법을 이용하였다. 시료 전처리 방법으로 지하수 시료는 질산 산성으로 만든 후, 토양시료는 질산과 불산을 이용하여 용액화 하였으며, 풀 시료는 전기로를 이용하여 회화한 후, 질산과 불산을 이용하여 용액화 하였다. 이 환경시료 전처리용액들을 각각 0.1mL를 0.9mL Collodion 분산용액에 섞은 후, 우라늄 표준용액과 함께 플라스틱 판($6{\times}6\textrm{cm}^2$) 위에 10$\mu\textrm{\ell}$씩 점적, 건고 시키고 핵분열 트랙기입법을 이용하여 우라늄 농도를 분석하였다. 핵분열 트랙기입법을 위한 중성자조사는 한국원자력연구소 하나로 연구용원자로(열중성자 선속: $2.7{\times}10^{13}n/\textrm{cm}^2{\cdot}sec^{-1}$)에서 10분간 하였으며, 6.25M NaOH 용액($60^{\circ}C$)을 이용하여 10분간 화학 에칭 하였다. 고체트랙검출기 표면에 생성된 핵분열 트랙들은 광학현미경과 image analyzer system을 이용하여 관찰하고 계수하였다. 시료와 같이 점적한 우라늄 표준용액을 이용하여 우라늄 농도에 대한 단위면적당 트랙 수의 상관관계를 구하였으며, 이를 이용하여 시료 내 우라늄 농도를 결정하였다. 본 실험의 결과에 대한 검증을 위하여 동일 시료용액을 분리관을 이용한 전처리 과정을 거친 후 ICP-MS를 이용하여 분석하였다. 우라늄의 선택적 분리를 위하여 U-TEVA 추출크로마토그래피 분리관을 이용하였다. 본 연구의 핵분열 트랙기입법을 이용하여 환경시료를 분석하는 방법은 일반적인 분광법을 이용할 경우, 문제가 되는 방해 원소의 분리를 위한 전처리 과정이 불필요한 장점을 가지고 있으며, 1ng 정도의 미량 우라늄을 분석할 수 있었고, ICP-MS 결과와 20% 오차 이내에서 일치하였다.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.518-523
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• 2010

In this paper, the study of analysis of uranium isotopes in environmental samples with a kinetic phosphorescence analyzer (KPA) was described. After leaching uranium fraction from soil and glass material with microwave acid digestion technology, uranium isotopes were purified with UTEVA column, and then measured using KPA. Linearity and repeatability tests for measurement of uranium isotopes were carried out in the uranium standard solution with KPA. The reliability for analytical method of uranium with KPA was validated by its application to uranium standard solution, ground water, IAEA and NIST reference samples.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2009

An experiment for uranium sorption onto fresh and weathered biotites was performed. After centrifugation, concentrations of uranium in the supernatants were analyzed using ICP-MS, and biotite samples were investigated using XRD and SEM. With powdered biotites (<3 mm in size), we have conducted uranium sorption experiments about fresh and weathered biotites to obtain uranium sorption amounts in various pH conditions. The uranium sorption was not high at a low pH (e.g., pH 3), but increased with increasing pH. There were lower uranium sorption by the weathered biotites than by the fresh ones, and the difference was much larger at higher pH (e.g., pH 11). The lower sorption values of uranium by the weathered biotites may be caused by a change of mineral surfaces and a chemical behavior of surrounding dissolved elements. It seems that the uranium-mineral interaction has been diminished, especially, in the weathered biotite by a destruction and dissolution of preferential sorption sites on the mineral surfaces and by the colloidal formation from dissolved elements.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1999

Using the TBP slovent extraction method, a simple and precise method for determining uranium isotopes in the environment samples was developed. The soil sample was decomposed with $HNO_3$ and HF. Uranium isotopes were extracted with 15% TBP in $CCl_4$ from aqueous phase to organic phase, and Th fraction was removed with 8M HCl. Uranium fraction was purified in back extraction step with 1M HCl. Optimized electrode position conditions of uranium Isotopes were set using a new electrode position solution including a DTPA chelating agent. The new method of uranium isotopes determination was validated with a result of application to IAEA Reference Soils.

• 대한방사선방어학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.04a
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• pp.128-129
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• 2009

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.407-417
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• 2004

This study is to verify radiation detection method by using $\alpha$-spectroscopy and ${\gamma}$-spectroscopy for concretes and components which will be generated during the decommissioning of the uranium conversion plant. Components and inside walls of the building were contaminated with natural uranium materials. Some parts of the stainless steel pipes and concretes of the walls were sampled and analyzed their alpha and gamma activities respectively. Alpha and gamma activities are well matched each other in the range of high activity region to 0.01 Bq/g and gamma activities are over estimated comparing alpha activities corresponded in below 0.005 Bq/g region for the natural uranium of AUC sample. The $^{238}U$ originated from natural products of conversion process could be distinguished by measuring $^{214}Pb$ or $^{214}Bi$ and $^{234}Th$ or $^{234m}Pa$. Uranium contaminations mainly are in the wall surface of the plant. Decontamination process of generating wastes which can be reached tp background level gamma activities measured by gamma spectroscopy can also be used to conservative assessment data.

• Geophysics and Geophysical Exploration
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.36-44
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• 2013

We conducted the airborne magnetic and radiometric survey for the characterization of the black shale related and pyrometamorphic uranium deposits distributed in Geumsan area. For the successful characterization of the uranium deposits, the general geological and structural geological features were investigated based on the lithological and linear feature analysis to individual magnetic and radiometric data as the first step. Lithological analysis from the magnetic reduction to the pole and downward continuation map revealed that prominent positive anomalies caused by black and dark gray slate member were clearly recognized as magnetic sources. These results indicate that magnetic survey, even though it is not a direct method for the detection of uranium, can be a useful tool in uranium detection. By the linear feature analysis based on 2nd vertical derivative and curvature map, two linearments corresponded the gray hornfels and black slate member were extracted and in succession, the additional uranium potential zone was inferred. Final discrimination whether uranium-rich or not was confirmed by radiometric and uranium anomaly map. From these analysis, we finally concluded that uranium deposit originated by pyrometamorphic process was confined near the intrusive area only. On the contrary, it was found that black shale related uranium deposit is distributed and extended through out the entire survey area with south-west to north-east direction. In addition, from the linear feature analysis based on radiometric total anomaly map, the typical discontinuous characteristics were recognized in areas where uranium-contained linearments cross the faults. From the above discussion, we concluded that airborne magnetic and radiometric survey are complementary to each other. So it is preferable to carry out simultaneously for the efficient data processing and fruitful interpretation.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.146-151
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• 2012

An analytical method was developed for the measurement of uranium isotope in ground water using the liquid scintillation counting technique. A LKB Wallac Quantulus 1220 liquid scintillation counter (LSC) equipped with pulse shape analyzer (PSA) and a solvent extraction method were used for the measurement of uranium isotope in ground water samples. The effect of solution volume on the extraction efficiency was evaluated for 100 to 1000 mL solutions using a NIST standard reference material (NIST SRM 4321C). The effect of groundwater pH on the extraction efficiency was also investigated for pH ranging from 0.5 to 10. It was found that the extraction efficiency had a strong dependence on pH showing a maximum at pH 2. In contrast, the effect of groundwater volume on the extraction efficiency was negligible in the range investigated. According to the method, the extraction efficiency of uranium isotopes was near 96% and the lower detection limit for uranium was 0.018 Bq/L with the counting time of 300 min. The result of this study was also verified by the conventional ICP-MS measurement. It is demonstrated that the suggested method is valuable to the determination of the optimum extraction and measurement conditions for uranium in ground water. The method was successfully applied to the ground water at four locations near the Daejeon province. It was found that the uranium content and the isotopic ratio of $^{234}U/^{238}U$ at the locations ranged 0.59~6.69 Bq/L and 0.72~1.40, respectively.