• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.65-98
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• 2022

The nuclear legacy that remains in the United Kingdom (UK) is complex and diverse. Consisting of legacy ponds and silos, redundant reprocessing plants, research facilities, and non-standard or one-off reactor designs, the clean-up of this legacy is under the stewardship of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). Through a mix of prompt and delayed decommissioning strategies, the NDA has made great strides in dealing with the UK's nuclear legacy. Fuel debris and sludge removal from the legacy ponds and silos situated at Sellafield, as part of a prompt decommissioning strategy for the site, has enabled intolerable risks to be brought under control. Reactor defueling and waste retrievals across the Magnox fleet is enabling their transition to a period of care and maintenance; accelerated through the adopted 'Lead and Learn' approach. Bespoke decommissioning methods implemented by the NDA have also enabled the relevant site licence companies to tackle non-standard reactor designs and one-off wastes. Such approaches have potential to influence and shape nuclear decommissioning decision making activities globally, including in Korea.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.1959-1965
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• 2023

The objective of this study was the establishment of clearance method that can ensure radiological safety and reasonably minimize radioactive waste when demolishing contaminated buildings at KRR-1&2. By reviewing Korean and international laws related to decommissioning, the method for clearance of contaminated buildings presented in this study is to first decontaminate the building and then conduct a radiological safety assessment, such as measuring residual radioactivity, to determine whether the radiation dose criteria for clearance are satisfied. The measurement results meet the radiation dose criteria, the contaminated buildings are regarded as clearance and can be converted into the general buildings. The demolition of the cleared buildings is carried out using conventional demolition methods. The waste generated during the demolition is classified as general construction waste and is disposed of according to relevant laws. The proposed method significantly optimized the number of samples analyzed and reduced the time and cost associated with the decommissioning. The established method will be applied to the ongoing decommissioning of contaminated buildings at KRR-1&2, and its application will be verified by regulatory bodies. The study suggests that this method could be used for the decommissioning of contaminated buildings at other Korean nuclear facilities in the future.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.91-104
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• 2024

Safe radiation management is essential not only for operational nuclear power plants but also for nuclear plants to be decommissioned. When spent nuclear fuel is present on-site, meticulous radiation emergency plans are necessary to ensure safety. In Korea, numerous radiation emergency plans have been established for operational nuclear reactors. These plans delineate distinct response mitigation measures for white, blue, and red emergencies. However, clear regulations are yet to be devised for radiation emergency plans for reactors to be decommission. Therefore, this study investigated the decommissioning plan and status of Kori unit 1 to comprehensively analyze the current status of decommissioning safety in Korea. In this study, radiation emergency plans of decommissioning nuclear power plants abroad were reviewed to confirm radiation emergency action levels. Furthermore, radioactive waste treatment facilities, to be used for decommissioning reactors in Korea were evaluated. Moreover, the study assessed emergency plans (especially, emergency initiating conditions) for operational nuclear power plants in Korea for potential use in the decommissioning phase. This study proposed an emergency initiating condition that can be used for decommissioning reactors in Korea. Considering the anticipated introduction of plasma torch melting facility in Korea, this study examined the conditions of radiation emergency plans can be altered. This study identified effective measures and guidelines for managing radiological emergency initiating conditions, and effective decommissioning of nuclear power plants in Korea.

• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.174-181
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• 2021

This study analyzed the groundwater quality characteristics according to the main source of pollution and quarter (season) by using data from the pollution exclusive monitoring network in the Gyeongsangnam-do area for five years (2013-2017). The main source of pollution was the industrial complex areas, waste mines, and sewage treatment facilities. The analysis items were field measurement items (water temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, oxide reduction potential), positive ions, and negative ions. Water temperature and pH did not vary significantly according to the main source of pollution. In industrial complex areas, the value of electrical conductivity was the highest, and dissolved oxygen value was the lowest. The mean concentration of positive and negative ions was the largest in industrial complex areas, followed by sewage treatment facilities and waste mines. It was shown that the concentration of sodium ion was the highest in industrial complex areas and calcium ion in waste mines and sewage treatment facilities. The concentration of bicarbonate ion was the highest in all main sources of pollution. Water temperature, pH, and concentrations of cations and anions did not vary significantly from quarter to quarter. Of the water quality types, the Na-HCO₃ type accounted for the highest proportion, but the Na-Cl type, which has a high possibility of external contamination, accounted for about 20% of the total data in the pollution exclusive monitoring network.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2022

The mechanical and thermal properties of the rock masses can affect the performance associated with both the isolating and retarding capacities of radioactive materials within the deep geological disposal system for High-Level Radioactive Waste (HLW). In this study, the essential parameters for the site descriptive model (SDM) related to the rock mechanics and thermal properties of the HLW disposal facilities site were reviewed, and the technical background was explored through the cases of the preceding site descriptive models developed by SKB (Swedish Nuclear and Fuel Management Company), Sweden and Posiva, Finland. SKB and Posiva studied parameters essential for the investigation and evaluation of mechanical and thermal properties, and derived a rock mechanics site descriptive model for safety evaluation and construction of the HLW disposal facilities. The rock mechanics SDM includes the results obtained from investigation and evaluation of the strength and deformability of intact rocks, fractures, and fractured rock masses, as well as the geometry of large-scaled deformation zones, the small-scaled fracture network system, thermal properties of rocks, and the in situ stress distribution of the disposal site. In addition, the site descriptive model should provide the sensitivity analysis results for the input parameters, and present the results obtained from evaluation of uncertainty.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2018

This study carried out first a component survey on the domestic waste shipped into a waste disposal facility in B city, and then heavy metal analysis of each component according to the SRF standards. Based on this, this study explored the problems with domestic waste and measures to improve them. The results are as follows. The result of the survey of physical components show that paper accounted for the largest proportion with 20.5 %~59.9 %, metals (including batteries) among incombustibles accounted for 0.0~8.3 %, other inorganic substances, glass and ceramics accounted for 0.0~43.7 % and 0.0 %~19.6 % respectively. However, the proportion of coated viny and plastics, which have high lead and cadmium content, was rather high with 2.9 %~30.9 %. This suggests the possibility that actual concentration of lead and cadmium within SRF is likely to be higher. Among the 15 components contained in the waste brought into the waste disposal facility, 10 components (food waste, textiles, vinyl, plastics, wood, rubber and leather, paper, metals, electronic substrates, and nail polish) were analyzed according to assay samples (approximately 0.1 g and 0.3 g). The result of analysis shows that the amount of Cd and Pb detected in coated vinyl for 0.109 g of assay sample was 98.6 mg/kg and 20.6 mg/kg respectively; 117.0 mg/kg and 29.0 mg/kg respectively for 0.313 g of assay sample. This is high contents exceeding the Cd standard. As for wooden component, the amount of Pb was 480.0 mg/kg for 0.3 g of assay sample. This suggests that there always exists the possibility of exceeding the exposure level of heavy metals (Cd and Pb) in SRF as long as coated wood and vinyl plastics with high contents of Pb and Cd are shipped into the waste disposal facility; and the local government and the residents need to work hard to improve the situation including development of the machine to sort electronic substrates and batteries for separate collection of the waste of coated vinyl and plastics within domestic waste.

• World Technopolis Review
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2014

Center for Research of Science and Technology ("PUSPIPTEK") has 460 hectares land area, still maintained as a green area with more than 30% green space. There are 47 centers for research and testing technology, technology-based industries, and as well as public supporting facilities in PUSPIPTEK area. Based on the concepts developed to make this area as an ecological region, PUSPIPTEK can be seen as a model of eco-innovation. The purpose of this research is to develop a model of water, energy and waste management with eco-innovation concept. As a new approach in addressing environmental degradation and maintaining the sustainability of ecosystem, studies related to eco-innovation policy that combines the management of water, energy and waste in the region has not been done. In order to achieve the objectives of the research, a series of techniques for collecting data on PUSPIPTEK existing conditions will be carried out, which includes utilities data (water, electricity, sewage) and master plan of this area. The savings over the implementation of the concept of eco-innovation in water, energy, and waste management were calculated and analyzed using quatitative methods. The amount of cost savings and feasibility were then calculated. Eco innovation in water management among other innovations include the provision of alternative sources of water, overflow of rain water and water environments utilization, and use of gravity to replace the pumping function. Eco-innovation in energy management innovations include the use of LED and solar cell for air conditioning. Eco-innovation in waste management includes methods of composting for organic waste management. The research results: (1) The savings that can be achieved with the implementation of eco innovation in the water management is Rp. 3,032,640 daily, or Rp.1,106,913,600 annually; (2) The savings derived from the implementation of eco innovation through replacement of central AC to AC LiBr Solar Powered will be saved Rp.1,933,992,990 annually and the use of LED lights in the Public street lighting PUSPIPTEK saved Rp.163,454,433 annually; (3) Application of eco innovation in waste management will be able to raise awareness of the environment by sorting organic, inorganic and plastic waste. Composting and plastic waste obtained from the sale revenue of Rp. 44,016,000 per year; (4) Overall, implementation of the eco-innovation system in PUSPIPTEK area can saves Rp. 3,248,377,023 per year, compared to the existing system; and (5)The savings are obtained with implementation of eco-innovation is considered as income. Analysis of the feasibility of the implementation of eco-innovation in water, energy, and waste management in PUSPIPTEK give NPV at a 15% discount factor in Rp. 3,895,228,761; 23.20% of IRR and 4.48 years of PBP. Thus the model of eco-innovation in the area PUSPIPTEK is feasible to implement.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.77-86
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• 2021

In this study, to use as basic data for the organic waste resource energy incentive system, the energy efficiency is evaluated through the mass balance and energy balance calculation results of the anaerobic digester where food waste, food waste leachate and various organic wastes are treated. As a result of the mass balance analysis for 11 biogasification facilities, it was confirmed that 21.1% of process water and 25.7% of tap water were input in large amounts, excluding organic waste. Accordingly, it accounted for 87.6% of the total effluent of linked treated water. In addition, considering that 15.7% of the total input volume is converted to biogas and the average total solids (TS) is 22%, an average material conversion rate of 75% was confirmed. As a result of the energy balance analysis, the energy conversion rate was confirmed to be 78.5% on average by analyzing the biogas calorific value compared to the potential energy of the influent. The average biogas production efficiency including external energy sources for biogas production was 69.4%, and the biogas plant efficiency to which unused effluent energy was applied was 58.9% on average.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Systems Engineering
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2018

This paper discusses decommissioning procedure requirements management using requirement engineering to systematically manage the technical requirements and criteria that are required in decontamination and decommissioning activities, and the regulatory requirements that should be complied with in a decommissioning strategy for research reactors and nuclear power plants. A schema was designed to establish the traceability and change management related to the linkage between the regulatory requirements and technical criteria after classifying the procedures into four groups during the full life-cycle of the decommissioning. The results confirmed that the designed schema was successfully traced in accordance with the regulatory requirements and technical criteria required by various fields in terms of decontamination and decommissioning activities. In addition, the changes before and after the revision of the Nuclear Safety Act were also determined. The dismantling procedure requirement management system secured through this study is expected to be a useful tool in the integrated management of radioactive waste, as well as in the dismantling of research reactor and nuclear facilities.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.239-246
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• 2016

This study aims to analyze region-specific trends in changing greenhouse gas emissions in incineration plants of local government where waste heat generated during incineration are reused for the recent five years (2009 to 2013). The greenhouse gas generated from the incineration plants is largely $CO_2$ with a small amount of $CH_4$ and $N_2O$. Most of the incineration plants operated by local government produce steam with waste heat generated from incineration to produce electricity or reuse it for hot water/heating and resident convenience. And steam in some industrial complexes is supplied to companies who require it for obtaining resources for local government or incineration plants. All incineration plants, research targets of this study, are using LNG or diesel fuel as auxiliary fuel for incinerating wastes and some of the facilities are using LFG(Landfill Gas). The calculation of greenhouse gas generated during waste incineration was according to the Local Government's Greenhouse Emissions Calculation Guideline. As a result of calculation, the total amount of greenhouse gas released from all incineration plants for five years was about $3,174,000tCO_2eq$. To look at it by year, the biggest amount was about $877,000tCO_2eq$ in 2013. To look at it by region, Gyeonggido showed the biggest amount (about $163,000tCO_2eq$ annually) and the greenhouse gas emissions per capita was the highest in Ulsan Metropolitan City(about $154kCO_2eq$ annually). As a result of greenhouse gas emissions calculation, some incineration plants showed more emissions by heat recovery than by incineration, which rather reduced the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions. For more accurate calculation of greenhouse gas emissions in the future, input data management system needs to be improved.