• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.70-74
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• 2023

The Small Punch Test (SPT) was developed to evaluate the softening and embrittlement of materials such as power plants and nuclear fusion reactors by taking samples in the field. Specimens used in the SPT are very thin and small disk-shaped compared to specimens for general tensile test, and thus have economic advantages in terms of miniaturization and repeatability of the test. The cryogenic SPT can also be miniaturized and has a significantly lower heat capacity than conventional universal test machines. This leads to reduced cooling and warm-up times. In this study, the cryogenic SPT was developed by modifying the existing room temperature SPT to be cooled by liquid nitrogen using a super bellows and a thermal insulation structure. Since the cryogenic SPT was first developed, basic experiments were conducted to verify the effectiveness of it. For the validation, aluminum alloy 6061- T6 specimens were tested for mechanical properties at room and cryogenic temperature. The results of the corrected tensile properties from the SPT experiment results were compared with known room temperature and cryogenic properties. Based on the correction results, the effectiveness of the cryogenic SPT test was confirmed, and the surface fracture characteristics of the material were analyzed using a 3d image scanner. In the future, we plan to conduct property evaluation according to the development of various alloy materials.

• Journal of Advanced Technology Convergence
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.43-48
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• 2023

Globally, there is a collaborative effort to achieve global carbon neutrality in response to climate change. In the case of South Korea, greenhouse gas emissions are rapidly increasing, presenting an urgent situation that requires resolution. In this context, this study developed a thermal energy collection device named a 'steam trap' and created an AI model capable of predicting future electricity usage by collecting energy usage data through steam traps. The average accuracy of electricity usage prediction with this AI model was 96.7%, demonstrating high precision. Consequently, the AI model enables the prediction and management of days with high electricity consumption and identifies which facilities contribute to elevated power usage. Future research aims to optimize energy consumption efficiency through efficient equipment operation using anomaly detection in steam traps and standardizing energy management systems, with the ultimate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.841-852
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• 2023

Gas turbines, which are used as generators for frequency regulation of the domestic power system, are increasing in use due to the carbon-neutral policy, quick startup and shutdown, and high thermal efficiency. Since the gas turbine rotates the turbine using high-temperature flame, the turbine inlet temperature is acting as a key factor determining the performance and lifespan of the device. However, since the inlet temperature cannot be directly measured, the temperature calculated by the manufacturer is used or the temperature predicted based on field experience is applied, which makes it difficult to operate and maintain the gas turbine in a stable manner. In this study, we present a model that can predict the inlet temperature of a reheat gas turbine based on Deep Neural Network (DNN), which is widely used in artificial neural networks, and verify the performance of the proposed DNN based on actual data.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.401-411
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• 2023

This study investigates the synthesis, characterization, and application of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles for corrosion resistance and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) mitigation in high-temperature and high-pressure environments. The ZnO nanoparticles are synthesized using plasma discharge in water, resulting in rod-shaped particles with a hexagonal crystal structure. The ZnO nanoparticles are applied to Alloy 600 tubes in simulated nuclear power plant atmospheres to evaluate their effectiveness. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis reveals the formation of thermodynamically stable ZnCr₂O₄and ZnFe₂O₄ spinel phases with a depth of approximately 35 nm on the surface after 240 hours of treatment. Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) mitigation experiments reveal that ZnO treatment enhances thermal and mechanical stability. The ZnO-treated specimens exhibit increased maximum temperature tolerance up to 310 ℃ and higher-pressure resistance up to 60 bar compared to non-treated ZnO samples. Measurements of crack length indicate reduced crack propagation in ZnO-treated specimens. The formation of thermodynamically stable Zn spinel structures on the surface of Alloy 600 and the subsequent improvements in surface properties contribute to the enhanced durability and performance of the material in challenging high-temperature and high-pressure environments. These findings have significant implications for the development of corrosion-resistant materials and the mitigation of stress corrosion cracking in various industries.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2024

Silicon carbide (SiC) has emerged as a promising material for next-generation power semiconductor materials, due to its high thermal conductivity and high critical electric field (~3 MV/cm) with a wide bandgap of 3.3 eV. This permits SiC devices to operate at lower on-resistance and higher breakdown voltage. However, to improve device performance, advanced research is still needed to reduce point defects in the SiC epitaxial layer. This work investigated the electrical characteristics and defect properties using DLTS analysis. Four deep level defects generated by the implantation process and during epitaxial layer growth were detected. Trap parameters such as energy level, capture-cross section, trap density were obtained from an Arrhenius plot. To investigate the impact of defects on the device, a 2D TCAD simulation was conducted using the same device structure, and the extracted defect parameters were added to confirm electrical characteristics. The degradation of device performance such as an increase in on-resistance by adding trap parameters was confirmed.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2024

The n-type Bi_2-xSb_xTe₃ compounds have been of great interest due to its potential to achieve a high thermoelectric performance, comparable to that of p-type Bi_2-xSb_xTe₃. However, a comprehensive understanding on the thermoelectric properties remains lacking. Here, we investigate the thermoelectric transport properties and band characteristics of n-type Bi_2-xSb_xTe₃ (x = 0.1 - 1.1) based on experimental and theoretical considerations. We find that the higher power factor at lower Sb content results from the optimized balance between the density of state effective mass and nondegenerate mobility. Additionally, a higher carrier concentration at lower x suppresses bipolar conduction, thereby reducing thermal conductivity at elevated temperatures. Consequently, the highest zT of ~ 0.5 is observed at 450 K for x = 0.1 and, according to the single parabolic band model, it could be further improved by ~70 % through carrier concentration tuning.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.880-885
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• 2024

For Safety Assisted Engineering works, real-time simulators have emerged as a mandatory tool among all the key actors involved in the nuclear industry (utilities, designers and safety authorities). EDF, Electricité de France, as the leading worldwide nuclear power plant operator, has a crucial need for efficient and updated simulation tools for training, operating and safety analysis support. This paper will present the work performed at EDF/DT to develop a new generation of engineering simulator to fulfil these tasks. The project is called SiRENE, which is the acronym of Re-hosted Engineering Simulator in French. The project has been economically challenging. Therefore, to benefit from existing tools and experience, the SiRENE project combines: - A part of the process issued from the operating fleet training full-scope simulator. - An improvement of the simulator prediction reliability with the integration of High-Fidelity models, used in Safety Analysis. These High-Fidelity models address Nuclear Steam Supply System code, with CATHARE thermal-hydraulics system code and neutronics, with COCCINELLE code. - And taking advantage of the last generation and improvements of instructor station. The intensive and challenging uses of the new SiRENE engineering simulator are also discussed. The SiRENE simulator has to address different topics such as verification and validation of operating procedures, identification of safety paths, tests of I&C developments or modifications, tests on hydraulics system components (pump, valve etc.), support studies for Probabilistic Safety Analysis (PSA). etc. It also emerges that SiRENE simulator is a valuable tool for self-training of the newcomers in EDF nuclear engineering centers. As a modifiable tool and thanks to a skillful team managing the SiRENE project, specific and adapted modifications can be taken into account very quickly, in order to provide the best answers for our users' specific issues. Finally, the SiRENE simulator, and the associated configurations, has been distributed among the different engineering centers at EDF (DT in Lyon, DIPDE in Marseille and CNEPE in Tours). This distribution highlights a strong synergy and complementarity of the different engineering institutes at EDF, working together for a safer and a more profitable operating fleet.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.195-206
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• 2024

Shenzhen Innovation Light source Facility (SILF) is a 3.0 GeV fourth generation diffraction limited synchrotron light source currently under construction in Shenzhen. The SILF storage ring is proposed to use two 500 MHz single cell superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavities to provide 2.4 MV RF voltage. In this study, we examined the geometric structure of mature CESR superconducting cavities and adopted a beam-pipe-type extraction scheme for high-order modes (HOM). One of the objectives of SRF cavity design and optimization in this study is to reduce E_p/E_acc and B_p/E_acc as much as possible to reduce power loss and ensure stable operation of the cavity. To reduce the risk of beam instability and thermal breakdown, the HOM and Multipacting (MP) are simulated. Moreover, the mechanical properties of the cavity are analyzed, including frequency sensitivity from pressure of liquid helium (LHe), stress, tuning, Lorentz force detuning (LFD), the microphone effect, and buckling. By comprehensive design and optimization of 500 MHz single-cell SRF cavities, a superconducting cavity for SILF storage ring was developed. This paper will detailed present the design and simulation.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2024

In-vessel retention through external reactor vessel cooling (IVR-ERVC) is a severe accident management (SAM) strategy that has been adopted and used in many nuclear reactors such as AP1000, APR1400, and light water reactor etc. Some reactor accidents have raised concerns about nuclear reactors among residents, leading to a decrease in residents' acceptability and many studies on SAM are being conducted. Experiments on IVR-ERVC are almost impossible due to its specificity, so fluid characteristics are analyzed through BALI experiments with similar condition. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) via Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and large eddy simulation (LES) for BALI experiments were performed. Steady-state CFD analysis was performed on three turbulence models, and SST k-ω model was in good agreement with the experimental measurement temperature within the maximum error range of 1.9%. LES CFD analysis was performed based on the RANS analysis results and it was confirmed that the temperature and wall heat flux for depth was consistent within an error range of 1.0% with BALI experiment. The LES CFD analysis results were compared with those of the Lagrangian-based solver. LES matched the temperature distribution better than SOPHIA, but SOPHIA calculated the position of boundary between stratified layer and convective layer more accurately. On the other hand, Lagrangian-based solver predicted several small eddy behaviors of the convective layer and LES predicted large vortex behavior. The vibration characteristics near the cooling part of the BALI experimental device were confirmed through Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) investigation. It was found that the power spectral density for pressure at least 10 times higher near the side cooling than near the top cooling.

• Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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• v.488 no.1
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• pp.1427-1445
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• 2019

H₂O (22 GHz) and SiO masers (43, 86, 129 GHz) in the bipolar proto-planetary nebula OH 231.8+4.2 were simultaneously monitored using the 21-m antennas of the Korean VLBI Network in 2009-2015. Both species exhibit periodic flux variations that correlate with the central star's optical light curve, with a phase delay of up to 0.15 for the maser flux variations with respect to the optical light curve. The flux densities of SiO v = 2, J = 1→0 and H₂O masers decrease with time, implying that they may disappear in 10-20 yr. However, there seems to have been a transient episode of intense H₂O maser emission around 2010. We also found a systematic behaviour in the velocity profiles of these masers. The velocities of the H₂O maser components appear to be remarkably constant, suggesting ballistic motion for the bipolar outflow in this nebula. On the other hand, those of the SiO maser clumps show a systematic radial acceleration of the individual clumps, converging to the outflow velocity of the H₂O maser clumps. Measuring the full widths at zero power of the detected lines, we estimated the expansion velocities of the compact bipolar outflow traced by H₂O maser and SiO thermal line, and discussed the possibility of the expanding SiO maser region in the equatorial direction. All of our analyses support that the central host star of OH231.8 is close to the tip of the AGB phase and that the mass-loss rate recently started to decrease because of incipient post-AGB evolution.