• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.11
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• pp.4226-4230
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• 2022

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) has designed a Hybrid-Low Power Research Reactor (H-LPRR) which can be used for critical assembly and conventional research reactor as well. It is an open tank-in-pool type research reactor (Thermal Power: 50 kW_th) of which the most important applications are Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA), Radioisotope (RI) production, education and training. There are eight irradiation holes on the edge of the reactor core: IR (6 holes for RI production) and NA (2 holes for NAA) holes. In order to quantify the elemental concentration in target samples through the Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), it is necessary to measure neutron spectrum parameters such as thermal neutron flux, the deviation from the ideal 1/E epithermal neutron flux distribution (α), and the thermal-to-epithermal neutron flux ratio (f) for the irradiation holes. In this study, the MCNP6.1 code and FORTRAN 90 language are applied to determine the parameters for the two irradiation holes (NA-SW and NA-NW) in H-LPRR, and in particular its α and f parameters are compared to values of other research reactors. The results confirmed that the neutron irradiation holes in H-LPRR are designed to be sufficiently applied to neutron activation analysis, and its performance is comparable to that of foreign research reactors including the TRIGA MARK II.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.813-820
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• 2009

A rapid pneumatic transfer system (PTS) for an instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) is developed as an automatic irradiation facility involving the measurement of a short half-life nuclide and a delayed neutron counting system. Three new PTS designs with improved functions were constructed at the HANARO research reactor in 2006. The new system is composed of a manual system and an automatic system for both an INAA and a delayed neutron activation analysis (DNAA). The design and basic conception of a modified PTS are described, and the functions of system operation and control, radiation protection and emissions of radioactive gas are improved. In addition, a form of capsule transportation of these systems is tested. The experimental results pertaining to the irradiation characteristics with variation of the neutron flux and the temperature of the irradiation position with the irradiation time are presented, as is an analysis of the reference material for analytical quality control and uncertainty assessments.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.815-820
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• 1995

Instrumental neutron and gamma activation analysis of coal and combustion products, determination of platinum content in natural samples by radiochemical gamma activation analysis and high-sensitive track method of thorium determination has been studied with the use of the MT-25 microtron.The optimal conditions for complete elemental analysis of coal and combustion products, isolation and determination of platinum and thorium are recommended.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.520-528
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• 2005

Two biological Certified Reference Materials (CRMs), KRISS 108-04-001 (oyster tissue) and 108-05-001 (water dropwort stem), were prepared by Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS)during FY '01. The certified values of these materials had been determined by Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry (IDMS) for six elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn). Additional analytical works are now progressing to certify the concentrations of a number of the environmental and nutrimental elements in these CRMs. The certified values in a CRM are usually determined by using a single primary method with confirmation by other method(s) or using two independent critically-evaluated methods. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) plays an important role in the determination of certified values as it can eliminate the possibility of common error sources resulting from sample dissolution. In this study INAA procedure was used in determination of 23 elements in these two biological CRMs to acquire the concentration information and the results were compared with KRISS certified values.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.503-510
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• 2005

An instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to measure the concentrations of about 24 elements associated with airborne particulates (PM10) that were collected in the most polluted urban region of Daejeon city, Korea from 2000 to 2002. Using the measurement data for various elements, both the extent of elemental pollution in the study area and the seasonality in their distribution characteristics were examined. Examinations of their distribution patterns indicated that most elements with crustal origin tend to exhibit seasonal peaks during spring, while most elements with anthropogenic origin tend to exhibit seasonal peaks during fall or winter. In order to explain the factors regulating their mobilization properties, the data were processed by a factor analysis. Results of the factor analysis suggested competing roles of both industrial and natural source processes, despite that the study site is located at a downwind position of the industrial complex. Based on the overall results of this study, it is concluded that the site may be strongly impacted by man-made sources but the general patterns of elemental distributions in the study area inspected over a seasonal scale are quite consistent with those typically observed from natural environment.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.346-353
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• 1999

For the non-destructive multi-elemental analysis of environmental and biological materials, instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was applied for the determination of toxic and trace elements in a set of three Algae samples provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The analytical quality control was evaluated by comparing the analytical results of two standard reference materials of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); Oyster Tissue (SRM 1566a) and Citrus Leaves (SRM 1572). According to given analytical procedure, the concentration of 15-25 elements including spiked elements such as As, Cd, Cr and Hg in Algae samples were determined. To identify and validate these results, a data intercomparison program using more than 35 analytical methods in 150 laboratories was carried out and the estimated statistical data are summarized. Result of INAA is favorable, therefore, it is illustrated that can be applied for routine analysis of essential and toxic elements in algae samples as well as analytical quality assurance.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.425-433
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• 2006

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to measure the concentrations of 27 elements associated with respirable particulate matter (PM10) that were collected from the Third and Fourth Industrial Complex Area of Daejeon City. The distribution patterns of elements were clearly distinguished with their concentrations varying across more than four orders of magnitude. The mean for Al were recorded to be the highest value of 1,527 $ng/m^3$, while that for In showed the lowest value of 0.1 $ng/m^3$. If compared in terms of enrichment factors, it was found that certain elements (e.g., As, Br, Cl, Cr, I, In, Sb, Se, and Zn) are enriched in PM10 samples of the study site. The results of factor analysis indicated six factors with statistical significance, which may exert dominant controls on regulating the elemental concentration levels in the study area.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.11
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• pp.2581-2584
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• 2020

Boron has been considered to play a nutritionally important role in humans and animals, but its biochemical functions are not clearly understood. Though there are signs that boron affects the mineral and hormone metabolisms, there is no comprehensive epidemiological evidence establishing a relationship between a boron intake and osteoporosis due to the excretion of calcium in the bones. In this study, we investigated the influence of boron intake on the calcium excretion of old female mice in the menopause. The concentrations of calcium in backbone, thigh bone, blood, kidney, liver, and spleen were investigated by using instrumental neutron activation analysis.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.450-459
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• 2004

For the evaluation of emission sources by air sampling, airborne particulate matter for fine (<2.5 ${\mu}m2$ EAD : $PM_{2.5}$) and coarse partical (2.5-10 ${\mu}m2$ EAD : $PM_{2.5-10}$ fractions were collected using a Gent stacked filter unit low volume sampler and two types of polycarbonate filters. Air samples were collected twice monthly at two regions in and around Daejeon city in the Republic of Korea from January to December 2002. Monthly mass concentration of $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{2.5-10}$ were measured and the concentrations of 10 marker elements (Al, Sc, Ti ; Na, Cl ; As, V. Sb, Br, Se) were determined by an instrumental neutron activation analysis. Analytical quality control was corried out using certified reference materials. Enrichment factors were also calculated from the monitoring data to classify the anthropogenic and crustal origins.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.1391-1394
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• 2008

Polymer materials are very difficult to decompose for the purpose of chemical analysis. Nondestructive analysis without pretreatment provides a suitable solution that will overcome this obstacle. In this study, CRM candidate samples that contained toxic elements such as As, Cd, Cr and Zn in a polypropylene (PP) were analyzed using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The analytical results were obtained from ten samples selected by random sampling at two different concentration levels (low and high). Particular attention was paid to reducing analytical errors and evaluating the associated uncertainty.