• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.1244-1249
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• 2023

Recently, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) announced the development of first-of-a-kind(FOAK) and most advanced futuristic vertical city and named as 'The LINE'. The project will have zero carbon dioxide emissions and will be powered by clean energy sources. Therefore, a study was designed to understand which clean energy sources might be a better choice. Because of its nearly carbon-free footprint, nuclear energy may be a good choice. Nowadays, the development of very small modular reactors (vSMRs) is gaining attention due to many salient features such as cost efficiency and zero carbon emissions. These reactors are one step down to actual small modular reactors (SMRs) in terms of power and size. SMRs typically have a power range of 20 MWe to 300 MWe, while vSMRs have a power range of 1-20 MWe. Therefore, a study was conducted to discuss different vSMRs in terms of design, technology types, safety features, capabilities, potential, and economics. After conducting the comparative test and analysis, the fuel cycle modeling of optimal and suitable reactor was calculated. Furthermore, the levelized unit cost of electricity for each reactor was compared to determine the most suitable vSMR, which is then compared other generation SMRs to evaluate the cost variations per MWe in terms of size and operation. The main objective of the research was to identify the most cost effective and simple vSMR that can be easily installed and deployed.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.267-273
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• 2023

As the impacts of global climate change become increasingly apparent, the reduction of carbon emissions has emerged as a critical subject of discussion. Nuclear power has garnered attention as a potential carbon-free energy source; however, the rapidity of load following in nuclear power generation poses challenges in comparison to fossil-fueled methods. Consequently, power-to-gas systems, which integrate nuclear power and hydrogen, have attracted growing interest. This study presents a preliminary design of a very high temperature reactor (VHTR) integrated blue hydrogen production process utilizing DWSIM, an open-source process simulator. The blue hydrogen production process is estimated to supply the necessary calorific value for carbon capture through tail gas combustion heat. Moreover, a thermodynamic assessment of the main recuperator is performed as a function of the helium flow rate from the VHTR system to the blue hydrogen production system.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2013.01a
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• pp.107-110
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• 2013

Recently, Korea parliament legislated the Low Carbon Green Growth Act (April, 2012) and approved a bill (May, 2012) to start carbon emission trading system in 2015. It means that for the first time, government would regulate the amounts of carbon emission in private entities, and private entities should attain predefined emission reduction goals by implementing clean development mechanism (CDM) project or buy the Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) from the trading market to avoid penalty. Under these circumstances, it is not easy for them to determine when or how to implement the CDM project because the governmental energy policies about the level of governmental subsidies, periods for free emission allocation, etc. are still under discussion and the future price of the CERs is quite uncertain. Thus, this study presents a real-option based model to assess the financial viability of the CDM project which switches bunker-C oil to liquefied natural gas (LNG). The proposed model is expected to assist private entities in establishing the investment strategy for CDM project under uncertain government energy policies.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.1254-1266
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• 2024

This study investigates the application of supercritical carbon dioxide (S-CO₂) direct-cycle micro modular reactors (MMRs) in primary frequency control (PFC), which is a scenario characterized by significant load fluctuations that has received less attention compared to secondary load-following. Using a modified GAMMA + code and a deep neural network-based turbomachinery off-design model, the authors conducted an analysis to assess the behavior of the reactor core and fluid system under different PFC scenarios. The results indicate that the acceptable range for sudden relative electricity output (REO) fluctuations is approximately 20%p which aligns with the performance of combined-cycle gas turbines (CCGTs) and open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs). In S-CO₂ direct-cycle MMRs, the control of the core operates passively within the operational range by managing coolant density through inventory control. However, when PFC exceeds 35%p, system control failure is observed, suggesting the need for improved control strategies. These findings affirm the potential of S-CO₂ direct-cycle MMRs in PFC operations, representing an advancement in the management of grid fluctuations while ensuring reliable and carbon-free power generation.

• Carbon letters
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• v.26
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• pp.18-24
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• 2018

Pollution of chloride ion-reinforced concrete can trigger active corrosion processes that reduce the useful life of structures. Multifunctional materials used as a counter-electrode by electrochemical techniques have been used to rehabilitate contaminated concrete. Cement-based pastes added to carbonaceous material, fibers or dust, have been used as an anode in the non-destructive Electrochemical Chloride Extraction (ECE) technique. We studied the performance of the addition of Carbon Fiber (CF) in a cement-graphite powder base paste used as an anode in ECE of concretes contaminated with chlorides from the preparation of the mixture. The experimental parameters were: 2.3% of free chlorides, 21 days of ECE application, a Carbon Fiber Volume Fraction (CFVF) of 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9%, a lithium borate alkaline electrolyte, a current density of $4.0A/m^2$ and a cement/graphite ratio of 1.0 for the paste. The efficiency of the ECE in the traditional technique using metal mesh as an anode was 77.6% and for CFVF of 0.9% it was 90.4%, with a tendency to increase to higher percentages of the CFVF in the conductive cement-graphite paste, keeping the pH stable and achieving a homogeneous ECE in the mass of the concrete contaminated with chlorides.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.63-101
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• 2015

Banking and borrowing under the ETS may affect the low carbon technology investment level. If the indirect implementation measures are allowed, firms can gradually adjust their carbon reduction costs between implementation periods based on their carbon reduction costs and emission price forecasts. This implies that banking and borrowing may reduce or increase the level of low carbon technology R&D investment. In an oligopoly market, the effects of the measures are quite different from the ones in a perfectly competitive market. This is because the indirect implementation measures can shift market competition in Cournot competition model. The effects of banking and borrowing on the carbon reduction R&D investments depend on emission reduction costs, marginal production costs, discount rate, initial free allocation, and the cost reduction effects of R&D investment.

• Carbon letters
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• v.25
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• pp.95-102
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• 2018

We examined the pressure effects on petroleum pitch synthesis by using open and closed reaction systems. The pressure effects that occur during the pitch synthesis were investigated in three pressure systems: a closed system of high pressure and two open systems under either an atmosphere or vacuum. A thermal reaction in the closed system led to the high product yield of a pitch by suppressing the release of light components in pyrolysis fuel oil. Atmospheric treatment mainly enhanced the polymerization degree of the pitch via condensation and a polymerization reaction. Vacuum treatment results in a softening point increase due to the removal of components with low molecular weights. To utilize such characteristic effects of system pressure during pitch preparations, we proposed a method for synthesizing cost-competitive pitch precursors for carbon materials. The first step is to increase product yield by using a closed system; the second step is to increase the degree of polymerization toward the desired molecular distribution, followed by the use of vacuum treatment to adjust softening points. Thus, we obtained an experimental quinoline insolubles-free pitch of product yield over 45% with softening points of approximately $130^{\circ}C$. The proposed method shows the possibility to prepare cost-competitive pitch precursors for carbon materials by enhancing product yield and other properties.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.121-130
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• 2015

The micro emulsion method has been successfully used for preparing perovskite LaCoO₃ with uniform, fine-shaped nanoparticles showing high activity as electro catalysts in oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs). They are, therefore, promising candidates for the air-cathode in metal-air rechargeable batteries. Since the activity of a catalyst is highly dependent on its specific surface area, nanoparticles of the perovskite catalyst are desirable for catalyzing both oxygen reduction and evolution reactions. Herein, LaCoO₃ powder was also prepared by sol-gel method for comparison, with a broad particle distribution and high agglomeration. The electro catalytic properties of LaCoO₃ and LaCoO₃-carbon Super P mixture layers toward the ORR were studied comparatively using the rotating disk electrode technique in 0.1 M KOH electrolyte to elucidate the effect of carbon Super P. Koutecky-Levich theory was applied to acquire the overall electron transfer number (n) during the ORR, calculated to be ~3.74 for the LaCoO₃-Super P mixture, quite close to the theoretical value (4.0), and ~2.7 for carbon-free LaCoO₃. A synergistic effect toward the ORR is observed when carbon is present in the LaCoO₃ layer. Carbon is assumed to be more than an additive, enhancing the electronic conductivity of the oxide catalyst. It is suggested that ORRs, catalyzed by the LaCoO₃-Super P mixture, are dominated by a 2+2-electron transfer pathway to form the final, hydroxyl ion product.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.20-30
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• 2014

A membrane-coupled sequencing batch reactor (MSBR) was used for the advanced treatment of rural village sewage which is very low C/N ratio. The effect of powdered activated carbon, aeration rate, and external organic material loadings on the treatment efficiency and filtration performance were investigated in sequencing batch reactor, in which a flat-sheet type microfiltration membrane with a pore size of $0.4{\mu}m$ was submerged. At the initial operation (within 54 days) MLSS concentration, and the removal efficiencies of COD, T-N, and T-P were increased with the increase of C/N ratio. After 89 days the removal efficiencies of COD, T-N, and T-P were 97.1%, 75.0%, and 48.3%, respectively. Suspended solid-free effluent was obtained by membrane filtration. The T-P removal was relatively low because of depending on the amount of excess sludge wasting. During the operation of MSBR with powdered activated carbon, the particle size of the sludge reduced by the increase of collision frequency and mixing intensity. In comparison with MSBR without powdered activated carbon, TMP of MSBR with that was significantly elevated.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.62-68
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• 1999

The effects of the carbon content ranging from 17.5 to 21.0 wt.% in TiC-30vol.% $Ni_3Al$ cenmet and the $Mo_2C$ content raging from 0 to 30 wt.% in TiC-20 vol.% $Ni_3Al$ cermet were investigated in the relation to the microstures and harbness. The speciment were sintered at 140$0^{\circ}C$, 143$0^{\circ}C$ and 145$0^{\circ}C$ for 60minutes. The results were summarized as follows; 1) The shrinkages and relative densitites of the specimens were incrased up to 20.0 wt.% C and then decreased. 2) The grains of TiC were almost the same size with the different content of carbon. Free carbons were appeared on the microstrures when carbon was added over 20.5 wt.% while TiC and $Ni_3Al$l were formed when carbon was added below 20.0 wt.%; 3) The lattice parameters of the $Ni_3Al$ and TiC phases were increased up to 20.5 wt.% C, and then saturated. 4) The hardess was increased up to 20.0 wt.% C, and then decreased. 5) The $Mo_2C$ made the TiC grains fine and the surrounding structure around TiC gains. 6) The micropores were decreased with increasing the binder and the sintering temperature. 7) The lattice parameter of the $Ni_3Al$l ana TiC were almost the samp up to 10 wt.% $Mo_2C$ and then decreased. 8) The hatdness was increased up to 5wt.% $Mo_2C$ and then decreased owing to the micrpores. 9) The more the binder phase, the higher the relative density and the proper $Mo_2C$ amount of $TiC-Ni_3Al$ cermets were obtained.