• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.413-426
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• 2009

Nuclear energy plays an important role in world energy production by supplying 6% of the world's current total electricity production. However, 86% of the energy consumed worldwide to produce industrial process heat, to generate electricity and to power the transportation sector still originates in fossil fuels. To cope with dwindling fossil fuels and climate change, it is clear that a clean alternative energy that can replace fossil fuels in these sectors is urgently required. Clean hydrogen energy is one such alternative. Clean hydrogen can play an important role not only in synthetic fuel production but also through powering fuel cells in the anticipated hydrogen economy. With the introduction of the high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) that can produce nuclear heat up to $950^{\circ}C$ without greenhouse gas emissions, nuclear power is poised to broaden its mission beyond electricity generation to the provision of nuclear process heat and the massive production of hydrogen. In this paper, the features and potential of the HTGR as the energy source of the future are addressed. Perspectives on nuclear heat and hydrogen applications using the HTGR are discussed.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.797-805
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• 2003

This paper describes experimental investigations of helium-air exchange flow through single opening and partitioned opening. Such exchange flows may occur following rupture accident of stand pipe in high temperature gas cooled reactor. A test vessel with a small opening on top of test cylinder is used for experiments. An estimation method of mass increment is developed and applied to measure the exchange flow rate. A technique of flow visualization by Mach-Zehnder interferometer is provided to recognize the exchange flows. Flow measurements are made with the opening, for partition ratios H_p/H$_1$$ in the range 0 to 1. where H_p$ and H$_1$ are partition length and height of the opening. respectively. In the case of H_p/H$_1$$ of 0, flow passages of upward flow of the helium and downward flow of the air within the opening are unseparated (bidirectional), and the two flows interfere within the opening. The unseparated flow increases strength of flow resistance and therefore, the exchange flow rate is minimum through range of the partition ratios. Two flow zones, i.e., separated (unidirectional) flow zone and unseparated (bidirectional) flow zone, exist with increasing the partition length. The exchange flow rate increases with increasing the separated flow zone. It is found that a maximum exchange flow rate exists at H_p/H$_1$$ of 1. As a result of comparison of the exchange flow rates by changing the partition ratio, the fluids Interference in the unseparated zone is found to be an important factor on the helium-air exchange flow rate.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권10호
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• pp.3874-3897
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• 2023

A high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was performed using the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) model for the lower plenum of the High-Temperature Test Facility (HTTF), a ¼ scale test facility of the modular high temperature gas-cooled reactor (MHTGR) managed by Oregon State University. In most next-generation nuclear reactors, thermal stress due to thermal striping is one of the risks to be curiously considered. This is also true for HTGRs, especially since the exhaust helium gas temperature is high. In order to evaluate these risks and performance, organizations in the United States led by the OECD NEA are conducting a thermal hydraulic code benchmark for HTGR, and the test facility used for this benchmark is HTTF. HTTF can perform experiments in both normal and accident situations and provide high-quality experimental data. However, it is difficult to provide sufficient data for benchmarking through experiments, and there is a problem with the reliability of CFD analysis results based on Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes to analyze thermal hydraulic behavior without verification. To solve this problem, high-fidelity 3-D CFD analysis was performed using the LES model for HTTF. It was also verified that the LES model can properly simulate this jet mixing phenomenon via a unit cell test that provides experimental information. As a result of CFD analysis, the lower the dependency of the sub-grid scale model, the closer to the actual analysis result. In the case of unit cell test CFD analysis and HTTF CFD analysis, the volume-averaged sub-grid scale model dependency was calculated to be 13.0% and 9.16%, respectively. As a result of HTTF analysis, quantitative data of the fluid inside the HTTF lower plenum was provided in this paper. As a result of qualitative analysis, the temperature was highest at the center of the lower plenum, while the temperature fluctuation was highest near the edge of the lower plenum wall. The power spectral density of temperature was analyzed via fast Fourier transform (FFT) for specific points on the center and side of the lower plenum. FFT results did not reveal specific frequency-dominant temperature fluctuations in the center part. It was confirmed that the temperature power spectral density (PSD) at the top increased from the center to the wake. The vortex was visualized using the well-known scalar Q-criterion, and as a result, the closer to the outlet duct, the greater the influence of the mainstream, so that the inflow jet vortex was dissipated and mixed at the top of the lower plenum. Additionally, FFT analysis was performed on the support structure near the corner of the lower plenum with large temperature fluctuations, and as a result, it was confirmed that the temperature fluctuation of the flow did not have a significant effect near the corner wall. In addition, the vortices generated from the lower plenum to the outlet duct were identified in this paper. It is considered that the quantitative and qualitative results presented in this paper will serve as reference data for the benchmark.

• 한국압력기기공학회 논문집
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.8-14
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• 2018

Printed circuit heat exchangers (PCHEs) are widely used with an increasing demand for industrial applications. PCHEs are capable of operating at high temperatures and pressure. We consider a PCHE as a candidate intermediate heat exchanger type for a high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR). For conventional application using stainless steels, design and manufacturing of PCHEs are well established. For applications to HTGR, knowledge of longitudinal conduction and deformation of channel is required to estimate design margin. This paper analyzes the effects of longitudinal conduction and deformation of channel on thermal performance using a code internally developed for design and analysis of PCHEs. The code has a capability of two dimensional simulations. Longitudinal conduction is estimated using the code. In HTGR operating condition, about ten percent of design margin is required to compensate thermal performance. The cross-sectional images of PCHE channels are obtained using an optical microscope. The images are processed with computer image process technique. We quantify the deformation of channel with dimensional parameters. It is found that the deformation has negative effect on structural integrity. The deformation enhances thermal performance when the shape of channel is straight in laminar flow regime. It reduces thermal performance in cases of a zigzag channel and turbulent flow regime.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제54권8호
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• pp.2840-2851
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• 2022

Electric boilers (EBs) are the backup steam source for the auxiliary steam system of high-temperature gas-cooled reactor nuclear power plants. When the plant is in normal operations, the EB is always in hot standby status. However, the current hot standby operation strategy has problems of slow response, high power consumption, and long operation time. To solve these problems, this study focuses on the optimization of hot standby operations for the EB system. First, mathematical models of an electrode immersion EB and its accompanying deaerator were established. Then, a control simulation platform of the EB system was developed in MATLAB/Simulink implementing the established mathematical models and corresponding control systems. Finally, two optimization strategies for the EB hot standby operation were proposed, followed by dynamic simulations of the EB system transient from hot standby to normal operations. The results indicate that the proposed optimization strategies can significantly speed up the transient response of the EB system from hot standby to normal operations and reduce the power consumption in hot standby operations, improving the dynamic performance and economy of the system.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제47권6호
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• pp.678-699
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• 2015

Although the harsh space environment imposes many severe challenges to space pioneers, space exploration is a realistic and profitable goal for long-term humanity survival. One of the viable and promising options to overcome the harsh environment of space is nuclear propulsion. Particularly, the Nuclear Thermal Rocket (NTR) is a leading candidate for nearterm human missions to Mars and beyond due to its relatively high thrust and efficiency. Traditional NTR designs use typically high power reactors with fast or epithermal neutron spectrums to simplify core design and to maximize thrust. In parallel there are a series of new NTR designs with lower thrust and higher efficiency, designed to enhance mission versatility and safety through the use of redundant engines (when used in a clustered engine arrangement) for future commercialization. This paper proposes a new NTR design of the second design philosophy, Korea Advanced NUclear Thermal Engine Rocket (KANUTER), for future space applications. The KANUTER consists of an Extremely High Temperature Gas cooled Reactor (EHTGR) utilizing hydrogen propellant, a propulsion system, and an optional electricity generation system to provide propulsion as well as electricity generation. The innovatively small engine has the characteristics of high efficiency, being compact and lightweight, and bimodal capability. The notable characteristics result from the moderated EHTGR design, uniquely utilizing the integrated fuel element with an ultra heat-resistant carbide fuel, an efficient metal hydride moderator, protectively cooling channels and an individual pressure tube in an all-in-one package. The EHTGR can be bimodally operated in a propulsion mode of $100MW_{th}$ and an electricity generation mode of $100MW_{th}$, equipped with a dynamic energy conversion system. To investigate the design features of the new reactor and to estimate referential engine performance, a preliminary design study in terms of neutronics and thermohydraulics was carried out. The result indicates that the innovative design has great potential for high propellant efficiency and thrust-to-weight of engine ratio, compared with the existing NTR designs. However, the build-up of fission products in fuel has a significant impact on the bimodal operation of the moderated reactor such as xenon-induced dead time. This issue can be overcome by building in excess reactivity and control margin for the reactor design.

• 비파괴검사학회지
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.69-76
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• 2006

차세대 원자로로 부각되고 있는 고온가스로에서는 윈자로에서는 고온 안정성 및 핵분열생성물 차단 성능이 우수한 TRISO(tri-isotropic) 핵연료를 사용하고 있다. TRISO 핵연료 입자는 직경이 약 1mm인 구 형태로 입자의 중심에는 직경 0.5mm의 핵연료 커널(kernel)이 포함되며 커널 외곽을 코팅 층이 에워싸고 있다. 이 코팅 층은 완충(buffer) PyC(pyrolytic carbon)층, 내부 PyC층, SiC층, 그리고 외부 PyC층으로 구성되어 있다. 각 코팅 층의 두께는 수십-백${\mu}m$ 범위이고 사양으로 정해져 있으며, 본 연구에서는 각 코팅 층의 두께를 비파괴적으로 측정하기 위하여 마이크로포커스 X-선 발생장치와 고해상도 X-선 평판(flat panel) 검출기초 구성된 정밀한 X-선 래디오그래피 장치를 개발하였다. 개발된 마이크로 X-선 래디오그래피 장치를 이용하여 $UO_2$ 핵물질 $ZrO_2$를 커널로 사용한 모의 TRISO 핵연료 입사에 대한 투과 영상을 획득한 후 디지털 영상처리 기술을 이용하여 코팅 층 사이의 경계선이 구분 가능하도록 영상을 개선하고 디지털 영상처리 알고리듬을 개발하여 코팅 층의 두께를 파동으로 측정하였다.

• 에너지공학
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.107-117
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• 2006

물을 분해하여 수소를 만드는 방법으로서 열화학싸이클을 이용한 방법에 대하여 그동안의 연구 동향에 대하여 살펴보았다. 수소생산이란 관점에서 열화학싸이클이 갖는 장점은 일정한 고온의 열을 얻을 수 있다면, 반응속도의 향상과 아울러 대용량화가 가능하다는 점이다. 안정한 물을 분해하려면 물의 산화/환원이 용이한 매개체를 써서 수소 및 산소를 발생하게 하고 순환시키게 되는데, 매개체가 유독성 물질이라면 이 과정에서 누출이 되지 않도록 하여야 한다. 아직 상용화단계에는 미치지 못하였지만, 일본, 스위스, 이스라엘, 미국, 한국 등에서 집중적으로 연구되고 있는 내용은 IS 싸이클과 ZnO/Zn, $Fe_3O_4/FeO$등과 같은 금속산화물계를 이용한 싸이클들이며, 고온용 및 내부식성 소재와 시스템 분야에서 아직 해결해야할 점이 많다.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.192-200
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• 1999

This paper describes experimental investigations of helium-air exchange flow through parti-tioned opening. Such exchange flow may occur following rupture accident of stand pipe in high temperature gas cooled reactor. A test vessel with a opening on top of test cylinder is used for experiments. An estimation method of mass increment is developed and applied to measure the exchange flow rate. A technique of flow visualization by Mach-Zehnder interferometer is provided to recognize the exchange flows. Flow measurements are made with partitioned opening for parti-tion rations $H_p/H_1$ in the range 0 to 1 where $H_p$ and $H_1$ are partition length and height of the open-ing respecticely. In the case of $H_p/H_1$ of 0 flow passages of upward flow of the helium and down-ward flow of the air within the opening are unseparated (bidirectional) and the two flows interact exchange flow rate is minimum through range of the partition ratios, Two flow zones i.e. separat-ed(unidirectional)flow zone and unseparated(bidirectional) flow zone exist with increasing the partition. length, The exchange flow rate increases with increasing the separated flow zone. It is found that a maximum exchange flow rate exists at $H_p/H_1$ of 1. As a result fo comparison of the exchange flow rates by changing the partition ration the fluids interaction in the unseparated zone is found to be an important factor on the helium-air exchange flow rate.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.13-30
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• 2019

This paper presents the recent improvements in the DeCART code for HTGR analysis. A new 190-group DeCART cross-section library based on ENDF/B-VII.0 was generated using the KAERI library processing system for HTGR. Two methods for the eigen-mode adjoint flux calculation were implemented. An azimuthal angle discretization method based on the Gaussian quadrature was implemented to reduce the error from the azimuthal angle discretization. A two-level parallelization using MPI and OpenMP was adopted for massive parallel computations. A quadratic depletion solver was implemented to reduce the error involved in the Gd depletion. A module to generate equivalent group constants was implemented for the nodal codes. The capabilities of the DeCART code were improved for geometry handling including an approximate treatment of a cylindrical outer boundary, an explicit border model, the R-G-B checker-board model, and a super-cell model for a hexagonal geometry. The newly improved and implemented functionalities were verified against various numerical benchmarks such as OECD/MHTGR-350 benchmark phase III problems, two-dimensional high temperature gas cooled reactor benchmark problems derived from the MHTGR-350 reference design, and numerical benchmark problems based on the compact nuclear power source experiment by comparing the DeCART solutions with the Monte-Carlo reference solutions obtained using the McCARD code.