Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2026.104148
Jong-Dae Hong , Hongryul Oh , Martin Ševeček , Hyochan Kim , Dong-Joo Kim , Sung Eun Kim
The development of accident tolerant fuel (ATF) claddings, particularly coating techniques, has been encouraged to address the urgent need for improved safety measures. Using the two prominent coating technologies—that is, arc ion plating (AIP) and magnetron sputtering (MS)—pure Cr was coated on Zry-4 claddings, and the effect of the Cr coating on low temperature (≤400 °C) creep behavior was investigated. Moreover, their mechanical performance was compared based on the coating method. Creep tests conducted using internal pressurization methods under constant hoop stresses revealed that the AIP Cr coatings reduced the total creep strain by approximately 43–60 %, whereas the MS Cr coatings exhibited an 18–33 % reduction. These improvements on the creep resistance were attributed to the high elastic modulus and limited plasticity of the Cr layer as well as the compressive residual stresses induced during the deposition process. However, ring compression tests (RCTs) performed after creep deformation showed that the residual ductility, characterized by offset strain, decreased in Cr-coated claddings, most notably in the MS Cr-coated specimens, owing to the intrinsic brittleness of the Cr layer. Experimental findings on thermal creep behaviors suggest that while Cr coatings significantly improved the creep resistance and delay gap closure, their mechanical integrity under irradiation and pellet-to-cladding mechanical interaction conditions must be carefully assessed to ensure long–term fuel performance in ATF systems.
{"title":"Comparative study on thermal creep resistance of arc ion plated and magnetron sputtered Cr coatings on Zircaloy-4 cladding for accident tolerant fuel","authors":"Jong-Dae Hong , Hongryul Oh , Martin Ševeček , Hyochan Kim , Dong-Joo Kim , Sung Eun Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.net.2026.104148","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.net.2026.104148","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The development of accident tolerant fuel (ATF) claddings, particularly coating techniques, has been encouraged to address the urgent need for improved safety measures. Using the two prominent coating technologies—that is, arc ion plating (AIP) and magnetron sputtering (MS)—pure Cr was coated on Zry-4 claddings, and the effect of the Cr coating on low temperature (≤400 °C) creep behavior was investigated. Moreover, their mechanical performance was compared based on the coating method. Creep tests conducted using internal pressurization methods under constant hoop stresses revealed that the AIP Cr coatings reduced the total creep strain by approximately 43–60 %, whereas the MS Cr coatings exhibited an 18–33 % reduction. These improvements on the creep resistance were attributed to the high elastic modulus and limited plasticity of the Cr layer as well as the compressive residual stresses induced during the deposition process. However, ring compression tests (RCTs) performed after creep deformation showed that the residual ductility, characterized by offset strain, decreased in Cr-coated claddings, most notably in the MS Cr-coated specimens, owing to the intrinsic brittleness of the Cr layer. Experimental findings on thermal creep behaviors suggest that while Cr coatings significantly improved the creep resistance and delay gap closure, their mechanical integrity under irradiation and pellet-to-cladding mechanical interaction conditions must be carefully assessed to ensure long–term fuel performance in ATF systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19272,"journal":{"name":"Nuclear Engineering and Technology","volume":"58 5","pages":"Article 104148"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146090476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2026.104121
Yuqing Sun , Binhang Zhang , Hanyuan Gong , Changxiao Guan , Yonghong Zhang , Xianbao Yuan
Burnup calculation ensures the operational safety of nuclear reactors by determining the evolutionary behavior of radioactive nuclides through the solution of the burnup equations. The Mini-Max Polynomial Approximation (MMPA) method is an effective solution technique developed in recent years, and it offers several advantages over the Chebyshev Rational Approximation Method (CRAM). However, solving the MMPA system of equations using sparse Gaussian elimination (SGE) is computationally expensive because it involves repeated symbolic factorization, especially for large-scale problems. This study develops a Gauss-Seidel (GS)-based acceleration method, an iterative approach that avoids matrix preprocessing and reduces storage overhead by retaining only the necessary matrices and vectors. It offers fast convergence for diagonally dominant matrices. The method was rigorously implemented and verified through a light water reactor (LWR) pin-cell case, by utilizing three burnup databases containing the 71-, 221-, and 1487-nuclide inventories. The results obtained from all burnup databases indicate that once the approximation order exceeds 32, the average absolute relative difference of nuclide number densities reaches a magnitude of 10−10. The distribution of relative difference in nuclide number densities also becomes more concentrated and falls below 1.0 × 10−11, confirming excellent computational accuracy. In terms of efficiency, the GS-based acceleration method outperforms the SGE method across the approximation order range of 32–48. For the 1487-nuclide database, the GS-based acceleration method achieves a runtime reduction of nearly 50 % compared to the SGE method. For computations involving the 221- and 71-nuclide databases, the GS-based acceleration method achieves a computational efficiency improvement of at least 70 %. This method provides an effective solution for enhancing the computational efficiency of burnup equations, which in turn contributes to improving the efficiency of large-scale burnup calculations.
{"title":"An efficient Gauss-Seidel-based acceleration method for solving the MMPA burnup equation system in nuclear reactors","authors":"Yuqing Sun , Binhang Zhang , Hanyuan Gong , Changxiao Guan , Yonghong Zhang , Xianbao Yuan","doi":"10.1016/j.net.2026.104121","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.net.2026.104121","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Burnup calculation ensures the operational safety of nuclear reactors by determining the evolutionary behavior of radioactive nuclides through the solution of the burnup equations. The Mini-Max Polynomial Approximation (MMPA) method is an effective solution technique developed in recent years, and it offers several advantages over the Chebyshev Rational Approximation Method (CRAM). However, solving the MMPA system of equations using sparse Gaussian elimination (SGE) is computationally expensive because it involves repeated symbolic factorization, especially for large-scale problems. This study develops a Gauss-Seidel (GS)-based acceleration method, an iterative approach that avoids matrix preprocessing and reduces storage overhead by retaining only the necessary matrices and vectors. It offers fast convergence for diagonally dominant matrices. The method was rigorously implemented and verified through a light water reactor (LWR) pin-cell case, by utilizing three burnup databases containing the 71-, 221-, and 1487-nuclide inventories. The results obtained from all burnup databases indicate that once the approximation order exceeds 32, the average absolute relative difference of nuclide number densities reaches a magnitude of 10<sup>−10</sup>. The distribution of relative difference in nuclide number densities also becomes more concentrated and falls below 1.0 × 10<sup>−11</sup>, confirming excellent computational accuracy. In terms of efficiency, the GS-based acceleration method outperforms the SGE method across the approximation order range of 32–48. For the 1487-nuclide database, the GS-based acceleration method achieves a runtime reduction of nearly 50 % compared to the SGE method. For computations involving the 221- and 71-nuclide databases, the GS-based acceleration method achieves a computational efficiency improvement of at least 70 %. This method provides an effective solution for enhancing the computational efficiency of burnup equations, which in turn contributes to improving the efficiency of large-scale burnup calculations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19272,"journal":{"name":"Nuclear Engineering and Technology","volume":"58 5","pages":"Article 104121"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145941451","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2026.104124
Shrouq AlAzzeh, Fawwaz I. Khalili
This study evaluated the adsorption potential of lemon-derived charcoal for removing Th(IV) and U(VI) ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, revealing a specific surface area of 123.65 m2/g and a pore volume of 0.468 cm3/g. Additional physicochemical properties, including point of zero charge, bulk density, porosity, and cation exchange capacity, were also determined. Optimal adsorption occurred at an adsorbent dose of 0.03 g, pH 4.0, and contact times of 20 min for Th(IV) and 60 min for U(VI). Kinetic studies indicated that adsorption followed the pseudo-second-order model for both ions. The equilibrium data were fitted to four isotherm models—Freundlich, Langmuir, Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Temkin—yielding maximum adsorption capacities (qm) of 75.15 mg/g for Th(IV) at 25.0 °C and 44.26 mg/g for U(VI). Thermodynamic analysis (ΔH°, ΔS°, ΔG°) confirmed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic.
{"title":"Study of the removal of Th(IV) and U(VI) from aqueous solutions using lemon charcoal","authors":"Shrouq AlAzzeh, Fawwaz I. Khalili","doi":"10.1016/j.net.2026.104124","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.net.2026.104124","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the adsorption potential of lemon-derived charcoal for removing Th(IV) and U(VI) ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, revealing a specific surface area of 123.65 m<sup>2</sup>/g and a pore volume of 0.468 cm<sup>3</sup>/g. Additional physicochemical properties, including point of zero charge, bulk density, porosity, and cation exchange capacity, were also determined. Optimal adsorption occurred at an adsorbent dose of 0.03 g, pH 4.0, and contact times of 20 min for Th(IV) and 60 min for U(VI). Kinetic studies indicated that adsorption followed the pseudo-second-order model for both ions. The equilibrium data were fitted to four isotherm models—Freundlich, Langmuir, Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Temkin—yielding maximum adsorption capacities (q<sub>m</sub>) of 75.15 mg/g for Th(IV) at 25.0 °C and 44.26 mg/g for U(VI). Thermodynamic analysis (ΔH°, ΔS°, ΔG°) confirmed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19272,"journal":{"name":"Nuclear Engineering and Technology","volume":"58 5","pages":"Article 104124"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145941455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
14C is a long half-life nuclide (t1/2 = 5730 y) produced naturally and artificially. It is a difficult-to-measure nuclide because of its pure beta decay, but identifying it is essential to ensuring appropriate radwaste disposal and management. This study developed and optimized a practical process for analyzing 14C from 21 radioactive waste samples. The measured activity of 14C in the radioactive waste samples ranged from 0.05 ± 0.04 to 68.83 ± 0.13 Bq g−1, and their scaling factors (14C-to-60Co activity ratio) were calculated to be 0.035–1.015. In summary, the developed simple and low-cost sequential wet-oxidation-acid-stripping extraction process can be routinely used for determining 14C in low-level radwaste samples in the laboratory.
{"title":"Determination of 14C in radwaste samples through sequential wet oxidation and acid stripping extraction","authors":"Feng-Yun J. Huang , Yi-Lun Chen , Tsuey-Lin Tsai , Chun-Yi Fang , Wan-Ling Chen , Ling-Ling Hsieh , Jiunn-Hsing Chao","doi":"10.1016/j.net.2026.104129","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.net.2026.104129","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><sup>14</sup>C is a long half-life nuclide (<em>t</em><sub>1/2</sub> = 5730 y) produced naturally and artificially. It is a difficult-to-measure nuclide because of its pure beta decay, but identifying it is essential to ensuring appropriate radwaste disposal and management. This study developed and optimized a practical process for analyzing <sup>14</sup>C from 21 radioactive waste samples. The measured activity of <sup>14</sup>C in the radioactive waste samples ranged from 0.05 ± 0.04 to 68.83 ± 0.13 Bq g<sup>−1</sup>, and their scaling factors (<sup>14</sup>C-to-<sup>60</sup>Co activity ratio) were calculated to be 0.035–1.015. In summary, the developed simple and low-cost sequential wet-oxidation-acid-stripping extraction process can be routinely used for determining <sup>14</sup>C in low-level radwaste samples in the laboratory.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19272,"journal":{"name":"Nuclear Engineering and Technology","volume":"58 5","pages":"Article 104129"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145941457","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2026.104120
Deping Du , Dabin Sun , Jincheng Wang , Xunjian Che , Jianchuang Sun , Weihua Cai
To make up for deficiencies in neutronics calculation of 3-Pl-shaped fuel rods (TPF), further determine neutron transport characteristics of TPF in conventional assemblies. This paper uses DGA-OpenMC to build neutronic calculation models for cylindrical and petal-shaped fuel assemblies (CFA and TPFA) under different . It compares influences of fuel rod types and on neutronic characteristics. Results show the following. First, when is within [3.18, 7.38], k∞ of CFA is 1342 ± 40pcm to 2125 ± 40pcm higher than that of TPFA, and flux distribution of CFA is more uniform. Analysis of nuclear reaction rates finds that fission nuclear reaction rate of CFA is higher, while resonance absorption nuclear reaction rate of TPFA is higher. Second, when increases, neutron energy spectrum of assemblies softens, and uniformity of flux distribution decreases. Data shows that when water uranium ratio increases from 3.18 to 7.38, fR of CFA and TPFA increase by 1.22 %.
{"title":"Comparative study on neutronic characteristics of cylindrical and three-petal fuel rod","authors":"Deping Du , Dabin Sun , Jincheng Wang , Xunjian Che , Jianchuang Sun , Weihua Cai","doi":"10.1016/j.net.2026.104120","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.net.2026.104120","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To make up for deficiencies in neutronics calculation of 3-Pl-shaped fuel rods (TPF), further determine neutron transport characteristics of TPF in conventional assemblies. This paper uses DGA-OpenMC to build neutronic calculation models for cylindrical and petal-shaped fuel assemblies (CFA and TPFA) under different <span><math><mrow><msub><mi>V</mi><mrow><msub><mi>H</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>O</mi></mrow></msub><mo>/</mo><msub><mi>V</mi><mi>U</mi></msub></mrow></math></span>. It compares influences of fuel rod types and <span><math><mrow><msub><mi>V</mi><mrow><msub><mi>H</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>O</mi></mrow></msub><mo>/</mo><msub><mi>V</mi><mi>U</mi></msub></mrow></math></span> on neutronic characteristics. Results show the following. First, when <span><math><mrow><msub><mi>V</mi><mrow><msub><mi>H</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>O</mi></mrow></msub><mo>/</mo><msub><mi>V</mi><mi>U</mi></msub></mrow></math></span> is within [3.18, 7.38], <em>k</em><sub>∞</sub> of CFA is 1342 ± 40pcm to 2125 ± 40pcm higher than that of TPFA, and flux distribution of CFA is more uniform. Analysis of nuclear reaction rates finds that fission nuclear reaction rate of CFA is higher, while resonance absorption nuclear reaction rate of TPFA is higher. Second, when <span><math><mrow><msub><mi>V</mi><mrow><msub><mi>H</mi><mn>2</mn></msub><mi>O</mi></mrow></msub><mo>/</mo><msub><mi>V</mi><mi>U</mi></msub></mrow></math></span> increases, neutron energy spectrum of assemblies softens, and uniformity of flux distribution decreases. Data shows that when water uranium ratio increases from 3.18 to 7.38, <em>f</em><sub>R</sub> of CFA and TPFA increase by 1.22 %.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19272,"journal":{"name":"Nuclear Engineering and Technology","volume":"58 5","pages":"Article 104120"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145929260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-03DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2026.104114
Wooseong Park, Yong Hoon Jeong
A moderating reflector in Molten Salt Fast Reactors (MSFRs) enables dual‐spectrum core—combining advantages of both fast and thermal spectra—but introduces strong local power peaking and a positive reflector temperature coefficient (RTC), whose impacts in steady and transient states remain largely unexplored. To address the research gap, we systematically evaluated neutronics and thermal-hydraulics model effects on the multi-physics behavior of an MSFR with moderating reflector, using GeN-Foam and OpenMC. First, multi-group diffusion analysis with various multi-group cross section (MGXS) models was conducted, demonstrating that refined MGXS (30-group structure with multi-region spatial homogenization) model can provide reasonably accurate predictions for MSFR with moderating reflector. Next, the influences of different neutronics (N) and thermal-hydraulics (TH) models on steady-state multi-physics calculations were examined. The results show that explicit reflector region modeling in TH simulation, together with the refined MGXS model, is crucial for accurate multi-physics simulation. Finally, transient analysis of accident scenarios was performed to investigate the basic dynamic behavior of the system and to assess the impacts of the positive RTC and MGXS model. The results show that simple MGXS model exhibits delayed power response to negative temperature feedback, and that positive RTC effects are not significant over short-term periods.
{"title":"Systematic investigation on neutronics and thermal-hydraulics model for multi-physics analysis of micro molten salt fast reactor with moderating reflector","authors":"Wooseong Park, Yong Hoon Jeong","doi":"10.1016/j.net.2026.104114","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.net.2026.104114","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A moderating reflector in Molten Salt Fast Reactors (MSFRs) enables dual‐spectrum core—combining advantages of both fast and thermal spectra—but introduces strong local power peaking and a positive reflector temperature coefficient (RTC), whose impacts in steady and transient states remain largely unexplored. To address the research gap, we systematically evaluated neutronics and thermal-hydraulics model effects on the multi-physics behavior of an MSFR with moderating reflector, using GeN-Foam and OpenMC. First, multi-group diffusion analysis with various multi-group cross section (MGXS) models was conducted, demonstrating that refined MGXS (30-group structure with multi-region spatial homogenization) model can provide reasonably accurate predictions for MSFR with moderating reflector. Next, the influences of different neutronics (N) and thermal-hydraulics (TH) models on steady-state multi-physics calculations were examined. The results show that explicit reflector region modeling in TH simulation, together with the refined MGXS model, is crucial for accurate multi-physics simulation. Finally, transient analysis of accident scenarios was performed to investigate the basic dynamic behavior of the system and to assess the impacts of the positive RTC and MGXS model. The results show that simple MGXS model exhibits delayed power response to negative temperature feedback, and that positive RTC effects are not significant over short-term periods.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19272,"journal":{"name":"Nuclear Engineering and Technology","volume":"58 5","pages":"Article 104114"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145980447","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-05DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2026.104117
Keonhee Lee , Eunju Jun
This paper examines a multifaceted strategic approach for Republic of Korea's future nuclear energy policy within the complex framework of the ROK-U.S. Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. This agreement serves as the core legal basis for extensive nuclear cooperation between the two nations, evolving from a supplier-consumer relationship to one aiming for mutual exercise of authority and reciprocity following its 2015 revision. However, the U.S. prior consent requirement continues to impose constraints on Korea's nuclear autonomy and technological sovereignty, particularly concerning sensitive nuclear activities such as spent fuel management and enrichment. This study explores the challenges faced by Korea through a comparative analysis of the differentiated prior consent practices applied by the U.S. to various partner countries. It seeks to derive strategic insights for reconciling Korea's energy needs and technological aspirations with U.S. nonproliferation and regional security objectives, while managing potential friction points within the alliance. Ultimately, by proposing a proactive and multifaceted strategic approach - including strengthening domestic research and development (R&D) capabilities, advancing diplomatic efforts, leveraging joint research outcomes, and enhancing Korea's responsible leadership in international nonproliferation - this paper aims to contribute to improving Korea's energy security and technological self-reliance within the framework of the ROK-U.S. alliance.
{"title":"Towards a strategic path for the Republic of Korea's nuclear energy policy: Insights for the next revision of the ROK-U.S. nuclear cooperation agreement","authors":"Keonhee Lee , Eunju Jun","doi":"10.1016/j.net.2026.104117","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.net.2026.104117","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper examines a multifaceted strategic approach for Republic of Korea's future nuclear energy policy within the complex framework of the ROK-U.S. Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. This agreement serves as the core legal basis for extensive nuclear cooperation between the two nations, evolving from a supplier-consumer relationship to one aiming for mutual exercise of authority and reciprocity following its 2015 revision. However, the U.<em>S. prior</em> consent requirement continues to impose constraints on Korea's nuclear autonomy and technological sovereignty, particularly concerning sensitive nuclear activities such as spent fuel management and enrichment. This study explores the challenges faced by Korea through a comparative analysis of the differentiated prior consent practices applied by the U.S. to various partner countries. It seeks to derive strategic insights for reconciling Korea's energy needs and technological aspirations with U.S. nonproliferation and regional security objectives, while managing potential friction points within the alliance. Ultimately, by proposing a proactive and multifaceted strategic approach - including strengthening domestic research and development (R&D) capabilities, advancing diplomatic efforts, leveraging joint research outcomes, and enhancing Korea's responsible leadership in international nonproliferation - this paper aims to contribute to improving Korea's energy security and technological self-reliance within the framework of the ROK-U.S. alliance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19272,"journal":{"name":"Nuclear Engineering and Technology","volume":"58 5","pages":"Article 104117"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145980459","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
With the rapid development of high-repetition rate X-ray free electron laser (FEL), the issues of thermal deformation and stress in optical elements, such as mirrors, under high thermal loads have become increasingly prominent. Traditional design optimization relies on repeated Thermal-Structural coupling finite element simulations, which face bottlenecks, including low optimization efficiency and insufficient utilization of historical data. This paper proposes an optimization approach that combines PyAnsys parametric scanning with deep learning-based surface shape prediction, aiming to enhance the optimization efficiency of mirror cooling structures and support parameters. A parametric simulation platform is constructed using PyAnsys Geometry and PyMechanical, enabling the rapid generation of model variants within 30 s. Additionally, a historical database containing geometric features, physical parameters, and operating conditions is established. Furthermore, a deep neural network-based mirror height error prediction model is developed, and experiments show that the model can predict surface height errors with RMS <0.08 nm in water-cooled silicon mirror cases. This method has the potential to shorten the traditional design iteration cycle to a few hours, significantly enhancing data reuse. Future work should focus on incorporating incremental learning and physical constraints to improve the reliability of extrapolation for multi-condition scenarios and refine the optimization loop.
{"title":"The beamline optical component structural parameter optimization design based on PyAnsys and deep learning integration","authors":"Tong Li , Hao Zhou , Zhifeng Huang , Zhongmin Xu , Weiqing Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.net.2026.104142","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.net.2026.104142","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the rapid development of high-repetition rate X-ray free electron laser (FEL), the issues of thermal deformation and stress in optical elements, such as mirrors, under high thermal loads have become increasingly prominent. Traditional design optimization relies on repeated Thermal-Structural coupling finite element simulations, which face bottlenecks, including low optimization efficiency and insufficient utilization of historical data. This paper proposes an optimization approach that combines PyAnsys parametric scanning with deep learning-based surface shape prediction, aiming to enhance the optimization efficiency of mirror cooling structures and support parameters. A parametric simulation platform is constructed using PyAnsys Geometry and PyMechanical, enabling the rapid generation of model variants within 30 s. Additionally, a historical database containing geometric features, physical parameters, and operating conditions is established. Furthermore, a deep neural network-based mirror height error prediction model is developed, and experiments show that the model can predict surface height errors with RMS <0.08 nm in water-cooled silicon mirror cases. This method has the potential to shorten the traditional design iteration cycle to a few hours, significantly enhancing data reuse. Future work should focus on incorporating incremental learning and physical constraints to improve the reliability of extrapolation for multi-condition scenarios and refine the optimization loop.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19272,"journal":{"name":"Nuclear Engineering and Technology","volume":"58 5","pages":"Article 104142"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146035720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2026.104133
Yupeng Li , Shengguo Wu , Xiaoke Wang , Jing Zheng , Yufei Wu , Xinnan Chen , Chunyu Gao , Chenyang Tang , Qiaoling Lu , Yang Liu , Xiuzhang Tang
This study presents cosmic-ray muon transmission imaging of a nuclear reactor. A high-spatial-resolution drift-tube muon tracker with an active area of 1.1 × 1.1 m2 was deployed at Unit 1 of a commercial nuclear power plant in China, which is a "Hualong One" pressurized water reactor, and operated for six months to record muon flux from various directions. Prior to fuel loading, a two-dimensional absorption map of the reactor was reconstructed from coincident muon events, which clearly resolved the reactor core and surrounding structures. After fuel loading, measurable changes in the absorption signal were observed in the fuel region. Monte Carlo simulations yielded reactor and core-specific imaging results that were in good agreement with the experimental measurements. In addition, the impact of tracker spatial resolution on image quality was analyzed. These findings indicate that muon transmission imaging is a promising method for reactor imaging.
{"title":"Experimental study on pressurized water reactor imaging using cosmic ray muons","authors":"Yupeng Li , Shengguo Wu , Xiaoke Wang , Jing Zheng , Yufei Wu , Xinnan Chen , Chunyu Gao , Chenyang Tang , Qiaoling Lu , Yang Liu , Xiuzhang Tang","doi":"10.1016/j.net.2026.104133","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.net.2026.104133","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents cosmic-ray muon transmission imaging of a nuclear reactor. A high-spatial-resolution drift-tube muon tracker with an active area of 1.1 × 1.1 m<sup>2</sup> was deployed at Unit 1 of a commercial nuclear power plant in China, which is a \"Hualong One\" pressurized water reactor, and operated for six months to record muon flux from various directions. Prior to fuel loading, a two-dimensional absorption map of the reactor was reconstructed from coincident muon events, which clearly resolved the reactor core and surrounding structures. After fuel loading, measurable changes in the absorption signal were observed in the fuel region. Monte Carlo simulations yielded reactor and core-specific imaging results that were in good agreement with the experimental measurements. In addition, the impact of tracker spatial resolution on image quality was analyzed. These findings indicate that muon transmission imaging is a promising method for reactor imaging.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19272,"journal":{"name":"Nuclear Engineering and Technology","volume":"58 5","pages":"Article 104133"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146035726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2026.104146
Ning Zhang , Jiaqing Chen , Hui Liu , Mona Gad , Bo Gao
High-pressure reactor circulating pumps are widely used in nuclear power systems to maintain the cooling circulation of reactors and serve as the primary loop pump. Rotating stall is likely to occur under low flow conditions, posing a risk to system stability and safety. In this study, the evolution of rotating stall under low flow conditions was investigated using DDES and high-frequency pressure pulsation measurements. The pressure pulsation spectra were analyzed through the improved EEMD. TKE and FEL were used to evaluate energy dissipation inside the pump. Results show that pressure pulsation energy increased rapidly under off-design conditions. At the critical stall condition (0.36ΦN), the amplitude of fBPF increased to three times its design value, and the RMS∗ value in the 0-fR band nearly doubled. According to the EEMD results, the dominant mode IMF7 has an instantaneous frequency consistent with fBPF, during stall, with the low-frequency mode IMF13 surging by 289 % under deep stall conditions. Intense turbulent pulsations are induced by the interaction between secondary backflow at the impeller outlet and main flow. Regions of high TKE and FEL are formed at the guide vane inlet and extend into the impeller channel, leading to significant energy dissipation. This is identified as the main cause of the increased amplitude of the fBPF at the part load conditions. This study provides insights into a better understanding of pressure pulsations and complex flow structures of the impeller/diffuser matched reactor circulating pump.
{"title":"EEMD analysis of unsteady pressure pulsations of a high-pressure reactor circulating pump under off-design working conditions","authors":"Ning Zhang , Jiaqing Chen , Hui Liu , Mona Gad , Bo Gao","doi":"10.1016/j.net.2026.104146","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.net.2026.104146","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High-pressure reactor circulating pumps are widely used in nuclear power systems to maintain the cooling circulation of reactors and serve as the primary loop pump. Rotating stall is likely to occur under low flow conditions, posing a risk to system stability and safety. In this study, the evolution of rotating stall under low flow conditions was investigated using DDES and high-frequency pressure pulsation measurements. The pressure pulsation spectra were analyzed through the improved EEMD. TKE and FEL were used to evaluate energy dissipation inside the pump. Results show that pressure pulsation energy increased rapidly under off-design conditions. At the critical stall condition (0.36Φ<sub>N</sub>), the amplitude of f<sub>BPF</sub> increased to three times its design value, and the RMS∗ value in the 0-f<sub>R</sub> band nearly doubled. According to the EEMD results, the dominant mode IMF<sub>7</sub> has an instantaneous frequency consistent with f<sub>BPF</sub>, during stall, with the low-frequency mode IMF<sub>13</sub> surging by 289 % under deep stall conditions. Intense turbulent pulsations are induced by the interaction between secondary backflow at the impeller outlet and main flow. Regions of high TKE and FEL are formed at the guide vane inlet and extend into the impeller channel, leading to significant energy dissipation. This is identified as the main cause of the increased amplitude of the f<sub>BPF</sub> at the part load conditions. This study provides insights into a better understanding of pressure pulsations and complex flow structures of the impeller/diffuser matched reactor circulating pump.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19272,"journal":{"name":"Nuclear Engineering and Technology","volume":"58 5","pages":"Article 104146"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146090478","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}