• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.345-350
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• 2017

The sintered density of uranium oxide pellets for pressurized water reactors is generally analyzed with pellet's samples completed with the sintering process. In this paper, the sintered density was analyzed by the newly developed method measuring the chromatography of ammonium diuranate, a precursor of uranium oxide, by a spectrophotometer (CM-5, Konica Minolta) before completing the sintering process. As a result of the sintered density analysis based on the brightness, color coordinate values (L, a, b) obtained from five ammonium diuranate samples by a spectrophotometer and the trend line of sintered density analyzed by a previous method, the sintered density with respect to the L value was observed with 0.9967 of the decision factor $R^2$. In case of a value, $R^2$ value was 0.9534 indicating lower reliability than that of the L value. However, b value with $R^2$ value of 0.4349 showed a very low correlation.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.535-550
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• 2014

The origins and varieties of natural radioactive materials, including uranium and radon-222, were examined in a drilled borehole extending to a depth of 120 m below the surface in the Goesan area. In addition to core samples, eight groundwater samples were collected at different depths, using a double packer system and bailer, and their geochemical characteristics were determined. Most of the rock samples from the drilled core consisted of granite porphyry, with sedimentary rocks (slate, carbonate, or lime-silicates) and pegmatite occurring in certain sections. The pH of samples varied from 7.8 to 8.4, and the groundwater was of a Na-$HCO_3$type. Uranium and thorium concentrations in the core were < 0.2-14.8 ppm and 0.56-45.0 ppm, respectively. Observations by microscope and an electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) showed that the mineral containing the natural radioactive materials was monazite contained in biotite crystals. The uranium, which substituted for major elements in the monazite, appeared to have dissolved and been released into the groundwater in a shear zone. Concentrations of Radon-222 in the borehole showed no close relationship with levels of uranium. The isotopes of noble gases, such as helium and neon, would be useful for analyzing the origins and characteristics of the natural radioactive materials.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.487-494
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• 2008

An experiment was performed for zone refined Re-filament and normal (nonzone refined) Re-filament to reduce the background effect on the measurement of low level uranium samples. From both filaments, the signals which seemed to come from a cluster of light alkali elements, $(^{39}K_6)^+$, $(^{39}K_5+^{41}K)^+$ and $PbO_2$ were identified as the isobaric effect of the uranium isotopes. The isobaric effect signal was completely disappeared by heating the filament about $2000^{\circ}C$ at < $10^{-7}$ torr of vacuum for more than 1.5 hour in zone refined Refilaments, while that from the normal Re-filaments was not disappeared completely and was still remained as 3 pg. of uranium as the impurities after the degassing treatment was performed for more than 5 hours at the same condition of zone refined filaments. A threshold condition eliminating impurities were proved to be at 5 A and 30 minutes of degassing time. The uranium content as an impurity in rhenium filament was checked with a filament degassing treatment using the U-233 spike by isotope dilution mass spectrometry. A 0.31 ng of U was detected in rhenium filament without degassing, while only 3 pg of U was detected with baking treatment at a current of 5.5 A for 1 hr. Using normal Re-filaments for the ultra trace of uranium sample analysis had something problem because uranium remains to be 3 pg on the filament even though degassed for long hours. If the 1 ng uranium were measured, 0.3% error occurred basically. It was also conformed that ionization filament current was recommended not to be increased over 5.5 A to reduce the background. Finally, the contents of uranium isotopes in uranium standard materials (KRISS standard material and NIST standard materials, U-005 and U-030) were measured and compared with certified values. The differences between them showed 0.04% for U-235, 2% for U-234 and 2% for U-236, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.210-214
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• 1998

In general the concentration of uranium in natural water such as fresh water and sea water is in the range of 0.01∼5 ppb, therefore trace analytical technique is required. The aim of present work is to compare a direct and preconcentration methods by evaporation and to investigate rapid and accurate trace analysis of uranium in groundwater using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) which are sensitive and nondestructive method. Identification of analytical procedure was carried out using uranium standard solution of the range of 0.5∼100 ppb. In the given concentration, the deviation of calibration curve was less than 2%, and the standard deviation of measured values at each concentration was the range of 2∼12%. The difference of U content with sampling time for the same sample site was about 10.3%. Using this established method, the concentrations of uranium in samples collected at the 17 spring of Choongchung areas were found to be in the range of 1∼80 ppb.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.203-211
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• 2001

In this paper it was described on the intereference effect of uranium to analyze Cs in $UO_2$ by Electron Probe Micro Analysis(EPMA) and the beam stability of Cs $L_{\alpha}$ X-ray intensity for some Cs compounds. According to the experimental results, the CsI showed the highest $L_{\alpha}$ X-ray intensity among the tested Cs compounds at the experimental condition; 15~30 kV of accelerating voltage and PET, LiF crystal. When 100 nA of beam current was applied to Cs compounds, Cs $L_{\alpha}$ X-ray intensity was continuously decreased with increasing time. The decreasing rate of Cs $L_{\alpha}$ X-ray intensity was directly proportional to the applied beam current and accelerating voltage but inversely proportional to the applied beam size. It was found that uranium interference can be prevented by using Cs $L_{\alpha}$ X-ray wavelength of Lif crytal for Cs analysis in $UO_2$ by EPMA.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 2008

Resins were synthesized by mixing 1-aza-18-crown-6 macrocyclic ligand into styrene(dangerous matter) divinylbenzene(DVB) copolymer with crosslink of 1%, 2%, 6% and 12% by substitution reaction. The synthesis of these resins was confirmed by content of chlorine, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, electron microscopy, and IR. The effects of pH, time, crosslink of resins and dielectric constant of solvent on adsorption of uranium ion by resin adsorbent were investigated. Uranium ion showed a great adsorption above pH 3 and adsorption equilibrium of metal ions was established in about two hours. In addition, adsorptive selectivity of resin in ethanol solvent was $UO{_2}^{2+}$ > $Zn^{2+}$ > $Lu^{3+}$ ion and adsorption of uranium ion increased with the increase of the degree of crosslinking (1%~12%) and was inversely in proportional to the order of dielectric constant of solvents.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.133-147
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• 2001

Recently developing method of age determination using stepwise dissolution technique to expand the applicability of absolute age determination significantly is evaluated whether it is applicable to the Korean samples. The materials selected for the study are uranium-bearing black slates from Changni Formation of Ogcheon metamorphic belt, tourmaline separated from Naedeongni granite of Yeongnam massif, garnet and ilmenite separated from ilmenite-bearing anorthositic rock of Yeongnam massif, scheelites from Ogbang mine, and magnetite separated from Gyemyeongsan Formation of Ogcheon metamorphic belt. For the stepwise dissolution, various acid steps with different normalities and different durations were applied to leach the samples. The leachate from each step was analyzed to determine the Pb isotopic composition and concentrations of Pb and U using thermal ionization mass spectrometer. The black slates from the Changni Formation and the tourmaline from the Naedeongni granite reveal significant variation of Pb isotopic composition, which reveals the potential of such stepwise dissolution technique as a dating method. The behaviors of uranium and lead during the each stage of step leaching are different, which seem to reflect the differences in positions within the crystal lattices depending upon mineral species.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.143-147
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• 2008

U(IV) ion, the valance state of uranium presumed at in a deep-depth disposal of a spent fuel, was prepared and separated from U(VI) ion. In order to prepare U(IV) ion, tests were performed by adding several reducing agents into a uranyl solution or by dissolution of uranium oxide in a mixed acid added with a reducing agent. The valance states of the uranium in the prepared solutions were identified by separating two ions with a Dowex AG 50W-X8 cation exchange resins and measuring the solutions using a laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy. However, U(IV) and U(VI) were not separated by a Lichroprep Si60 exchange resin in the same separation condition of Pu(IV) and Pu(VI).

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.171-186
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• 2013

A drilling project was undertaken to characterize the geochemical relationship and the occurrence of radioactive materials at a test site among public-use groundwaters previously known to have high occurrence of uranium and radon-222 in the Daejeon area. A borehole (121 m deep) was drilled and core rocks mainly consist of two-mica granite, and associated with pegmatite and dykes of intermediate composition. The groundwater samples collected at six different depths in the borehole by a double-packed system showed the pH values ranging from neutral to alkaline (7.10-9.3), and electrical conductivity ranging from 263 to 443 ${\mu}S/cm$. The chemical composition of the borehole groundwaters was of the $Ca-HCO_3(SO_4+Cl)$ type. The uranium and Rn-222 contents in the groundwater were 109-1,020 ppb and 9,190-32,800 pCi/L, respectively. These levels exceed the regulation guidelines of US EPA. The zone of the highest groundwater uranium content occurred at depths of 45 to 55m. The groundwater chemistry in this zone (alkaline, oxidated, and high in bicarbonate) is favorable for the dissolution of uranium into groundwater. The dominant uranium complex in groundwater is likely to be $(UO_2CO_3)^0$ or $(UO_2HCO_3)^+$. Radon-222 content in groundwater shows an increasing trend with depth. The uranium and thorium contents in the core were 0.372-47.42 ppm and 0.388-11.22 ppm, respectively. These levels are higher values than those previously been reported in Korea. Microscopic observations and electron microprobe analysis(EPMA) revealed that the minerals containing U and Th are monazite, apatite, epidote, and feldspar. U and Th in these minerals are likely to substitute for major elements in crystal lattice.

• Nuclear industry
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• v.6 no.9 s.43
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• pp.74-77
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• 1986