• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제49권7호
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• pp.1369-1378
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• 2017

The present paper reports the development of a computational code based on the Adaptive Group of Ink Drop Spread (AGIDS) for reconstruction of the neutron noise sources in reactor cores. AGIDS algorithm was developed as a fuzzy inference system based on the active learning method. The main idea of the active learning method is to break a multiple input-single output system into a single input-single output system. This leads to the ability to simulate a large system with high accuracy. In the present study, vibrating absorber-type neutron noise source in an International Atomic Energy Agency-two dimensional reactor core is considered in neutron noise calculation. The neutron noise distribution in the detectors was calculated using the Galerkin finite element method. Linear approximation of the shape function in each triangle element was used in the Galerkin finite element method. Both the real and imaginary parts of the calculated neutron distribution of the detectors were considered input data in the developed computational code based on AGIDS. The output of the computational code is the strength, frequency, and position (X and Y coordinates) of the neutron noise sources. The calculated fraction of variance unexplained error for output parameters including strength, frequency, and X and Y coordinates of the considered neutron noise sources were $0.002682{\sharp}/cm^3s$, 0.002682 Hz, and 0.004254 cm and 0.006140 cm, respectively.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.182-189
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• 2018

A neutron generation system was developed to induce fissile fission in a lead slowing down spectrometer (LSDS) system. The source neutron is one of the key factors for LSDS system work. The LSDS was developed to quantify the isotopic contents of fissile materials in spent nuclear fuel and recycled fuel. The source neutron is produced at a multilayered target by the (e,${\gamma}$)(${\gamma}$,n) reaction and slowed down at the lead medium. Activation analysis of the target materials is necessary to estimate the lifetime, durability, and safety of the target system. The CINDER90 code was used for the activation analysis, and it can involve three-dimensional geometry, position dependent neutron flux, and multigroup cross-section libraries. Several sensitivity calculations for a metal target with different geometries, materials, and coolants were done to achieve a high neutron generation rate and a low activation characteristic. Based on the results of the activation analysis, tantalum was chosen as a target material due to its better activation characteristics, and helium gas was suggested as a coolant. In addition, activation in a lead medium was performed. After a distance of 55 cm from the lead surface to the neutron incidence, the neutron intensity dramatically decreased; this result indicates very low activation.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제51권6호
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• pp.1479-1486
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• 2019

The purpose of the present study is to develop the 3D static and noise simulator based on Galerkin Finite Element Method (GFEM) using the unstructured hexahedral elements. The 3D, 2G neutron diffusion and noise equations are discretized using the unstructured hexahedral by considering the linear approximation of the shape function in each element. The validation of the static calculation is performed via comparison between calculated results and reported data for the VVER-1000 benchmark problem. A sensitivity analysis of the calculation to the element type (unstructured hexahedral or tetrahedron elements) is done. Finally, the neutron noise calculation is performed for the neutron noise source of type of variable strength using the Green function technique. It is shown that the error reduction in the static calculation is considerable when the unstructured tetrahedron elements are replaced with the hexahedral ones. Since the neutron flux distribution and neutron multiplication factor are appeared in the neutron noise equation, the more accurate calculation of these parameters leads to obtaining the neutron noise distribution with high accuracy. The investigation of the changes of the neutron noise distribution in axial direction of the reactor core shows that the 3D neutron noise analysis is required instead of 2D.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.380-387
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• 2015

A lead slowing-down spectrometer (LSDS) system is a promising nondestructive assay technique that enables a quantitative measurement of the isotopic contents of major fissile isotopes in spent nuclear fuel and its pyroprocessing counterparts, such as $^{235}U$, $^{239}Pu$, $^{241}Pu$, and, potentially, minor actinides. The LSDS system currently under development at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (Daejeon, Korea) is planned to utilize a high-flux ($>10^{12}n/cm^2{\cdot}s$) neutron source comprised of a high-energy (30 MeV)/high-current (~2 A) electron beam and a heavy metal target, which results in a very intense and complex radiation field for the facility, thus demanding structural shielding to guarantee the safety. Optimization of the structural shielding design was conducted using MCNPX for neutron dose rate evaluation of several representative hypothetical designs. In order to satisfy the construction cost and neutron attenuation capability of the facility, while simultaneously achieving the aimed dose rate limit (< $0.06{\mu}Sv/h$), a few shielding materials [high-density polyethylene (HDPE)eBorax, $B_4C$, and $Li_2CO_3$] were considered for the main neutron absorber layer, which is encapsulated within the double-sided concrete wall. The MCNP simulation indicated that HDPE-Borax is the most efficient among the aforementioned candidate materials, and the combined thickness of the shielding layers should exceed 100 cm to satisfy the dose limit on the outside surface of the shielding wall of the facility when limiting the thickness of the HDPE-Borax intermediate layer to below 5 cm. However, the shielding wall must include the instrumentation and installation holes for the LSDS system. The radiation leakage through the holes was substantially mitigated by adopting a zigzag-shape with concrete covers on both sides. The suggested optimized design of the shielding structure satisfies the dose rate limit and can be used for the construction of a facility in the near future.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제38권5호
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• pp.449-454
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• 2006

Neutron imaging technique was used to investigate the water distribution and movement in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) at HANARO, KAERI. The Feasibility tests were performed in the first and second exposure rooms at the neutron radiography facility (NRF) at HANARO in order to check the ability of each exposure room, respectively. The feasibility test apparatus was composed of water and pressurized air before making up the actual test apparatus. Due to the low neutron intensity in the second exposure room, the exposure time was too long to investigate the transient phenomena of PEMFC. Although the exposure time was improved to 0.1 sec in the first exposure room, it was difficult to discriminate detail water movement at the channel due to the high noise level. Therefore, the experimental setup must be optimized according to the test conditions. Water discharge characteristics were investigated under different flow field geometries by using feasibility test apparatus and the neutron imaging technique. The water discharge characteristics of a 3-parallel serpentine are superior to those of a 1-parallel serpentine, but water at Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) was not removed, regardless of the flow field type.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권9호
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• pp.3121-3125
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• 2023

Neutron conversion detectors that use ¹⁰B-enriched boron carbide are feasible alternatives to ³He-based detectors. We prepared boron carbide films at micron-scale thickness using direct-current magnetron sputtering. The structural characteristics of natural B₄C films, including density, roughness, crystallization, and purity, were analyzed using grazing incidence X-ray reflectivity, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, and scanning electron microscopy. A beam profile test was conducted to verify the practicality of the ¹⁰B-enriched B₄C neutron conversion layer. A clear profile indicated the high quality of the neutron conversion of the boron carbide layer.

• 한국방사성폐기물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국방사성폐기물학회 2005년도 Proceedings of The 6th korea-china joint workshop on nuclear waste management
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• pp.76-85
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• 2005

The conceptual study of Accelerator Driven System (ADS) had lasted for about five years and ended in 1999 in China. As one project of 'the major state basic research program (973)' in energy domain, which is sponsored by the China Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), a five years program of basic research for ADS physics and related technology has been launched since 2000 and passed national review last month. CIAE (China Institute of Atomic Energy), IHEP (Institute of High Energy Physics), PKU-IHIP (Institute of Heavy Ion Physics in Peking University) and other institutions are jointly carrying on the research. The research activities are focused on HPPA physics and technology, reactor physics of external source driven sub-critical assembly, nuclear data base and material study. For HPPA, a high current injector consisting of an ECR ion source, LEBT and a RFQ accelerating structure of 3.5MeV has been built. In reactor physics study, a series of neutron multiplication experimental study has been carried out and is being carrying on. The VENUS facility has been constructed as the basic experimental platform for the neutronics study in ADS blanket. It's a zero power sub-critical neutron multiplying assembly driven by external neutron produced by a pulsed neutron generator. The theoretical, experimental and simulation study on nuclear data, material properties and nuclear fuel circulation related to ADS is carrying on to provide the database for ADS system analysis. The main results on ADS related researches will be reported.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.124-130
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• 2023

Background: When bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) are used as switches, their switching characteristics can be deteriorated because the recombination time of the minority carriers is long during turn-off transient. When BJTs operate as low frequency switches, the power dissipation in the on-state is large. However, when BJTs operate as high frequency switches, the power dissipation during switching transients increases rapidly. Materials and Methods: When silicon (Si) BJTs are irradiated by fast neutrons, defects occur in the Si bulk, shortening the lifetime of the minority carriers. Fast neutron irradiation mainly creates displacement damage in the Si bulk rather than a total ionization dose effect. Defects caused by fast neutron irradiation shorten the lifetime of minority carriers of BJTs. Furthermore, these defects change the switching characteristics of BJTs. Results and Discussion: In this study, experimental results on the switching characteristics of a pnp Si BJT before and after fast neutron irradiation are presented. The results show that the switching characteristics are improved by fast neutron irradiation, but power dissipation in the on-state is large when the fast neutrons are irradiated excessively. Conclusion: The switching characteristics of a pnp Si BJT were improved by fast neutron irradiation.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제53권3호
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• pp.942-948
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• 2021

The aim of this work is to help inform the decision for choosing a convenient material for the PGAA (Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis) collimator plug to be installed at the tangential channel of the Moroccan Triga Mark II Research Reactor. Two families of materials are usually used for collimator construction: a mixture of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with boron, which is commonly used to moderate and absorb neutrons, and heavy materials, either for gamma absorption or for fast neutron absorption. An investigation of two different collimator designs was performed using N-Particle Monte Carlo MCNP6.2 code with the ENDF/B-VII.1 and MCLIP84 libraries. For each design, carbon steel and lead materials were used separately as collimator heavy materials. The performed study focused on both the impact on neutron beam quality and the neutron-gamma background at the exit of the collimator beam tube. An analysis and assessment of the principal findings is presented in this paper, as well as recommendations.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.35-44
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• 2003

The neutron induced nuclear data for Eu-153, Gd-155 and Cd-157 are calculated and evaluated in the high energy region. The evaluation procedure for deformed nuclei is setup by using Ecis-Empire codes. The energy dependent optical model potential parameters are searched based on the recent experimental data and applied up to 20 MeV. Optical model, full featured Hauser-Feshbach model and multistep direct and multistep compound model are used in the calculation. The direct-semidirect capture model and the direct coupled-channels contribution to discrete levels are introduced to improve the capture and inelastic scattering cross sections. The theoretically calculated cross sections are compared with the experimental data and the evaluated files. The model-calculated total and capture cross sections are in good agreement with the reference experimental data. The evaluated cross section results are compiled to ENDF-6 format and are expected to improve the ENDF/B-Vl.