The radwaste repository consists of a multi-barrier, including natural and engineered barriers. The repository’s long-term safety is ensured by using the isolation and delay functions of the multi-barrier. Among them, natural barriers are difficult to artificially improve and have a long time scale. Therefore, in order to evaluate its performance, site characteristics should be investigated for a sufficient period using various analytical methods. Natural barriers are classified into lithological and structural characteristics and investigated. Structural factors such as fractures, faults, and joints are very important in a natural barrier because they can serve as a flow path for groundwater in performance evaluation. Considering the condition that the radioactive waste repository should be located in the deep part, the drill core is an important subject that can identify deep geological properties that could not be confirmed near the surface. However, in many previous studies, a unified method has not been used to define the boundaries of structural factors. Therefore, it is necessary to derive a method suitable for site characteristics by applying and comparing the boundary definition criteria of various structural factors to boreholes. This study utilized the 1,000 m deep AH-3 and DB-2 boreholes and the 500 m deep AH-1 and YS- 1 boreholes drilled around the KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) site. Methods applied to define the brittle structure boundary include comparing background levels of fracture and fracture density, excluding sections outside the zone of influence of deformation, and confining the zone to areas of concentrated deformation. All of these methods are analyzed along scanlines from the brittle structure. Deriving a site-specific method will contribute to reducing the uncertainties that may arise when analyzing the long-term evolution of brittle structures within natural barriers.

A methodology is under development to reconstruct and predict the long-term evolution of the natural barrier comprising the site of radioactive waste disposal. The natural barrier must protect the human zone from radionuclides for a long time. So for this, we need to be able to restore the evolution of the bedrock constituting the natural barrier from the past to the present and to predict from the present to the future. A methodology is being studied using surface outcrop, tunnel face of KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel), and drill core at KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute). Among them, drill core is an essential material for identifying deep geological properties, which could not be confirmed near the surface when considering the geological condition of the repository in the deep part. In this study, we selected several qualitative and quantitative analyses to construct a deep lithological model from the disposal perspective. These were applied to drill core samples around the KURT. There are the dikes presumed the Cretaceous were intruded by Jurassic granitoids in the study area. Analyzing trace elements of each rock type in the study area classified through geochemical characteristics and microstructure in previous studies made it possible to obtain qualitative information on the petrogenetic process. In addition, synthesizing the quantitative numerical age allows for grasping the evolution of bedrock, including intrusion and cutting relationships. LAICPMS was used for determining the age of zircons in plutonic rocks. The highly reliable 40Ar-39Ar method was selected for volcanic rocks because it can correct the loss of Ar gas and obtain the values of two types of Ar isotopes in a single sample. As a result, it was possible to infer the formation environment of rocks through anomalies in specific trace element content. And according to the numerical ages, it was possible to support the known separated rock type found in previous studies or to present a quantitative precedence relation for unclassified rocks. These methods could be applied to reconstruct the long-term evolution of bedrock within natural barriers.

Yam is an important tuber crop nutritionally, socio-culturally, and an income generator for many Nigerian. This explains its high demand both locally and internationally, causing increased production as Nigeria leads world production with about 45.41 million metric tons annually. The peculiarity of yam production in Nigeria entails lower yield, high cost of production, and post-harvest losses. Yam produced in Nigeria falls far below the potential crop yield, therefore, it is essential to close these yield gaps through the provision of solutions to the different constraints that hamper sustainable yam production. Despite the challenges, there is still insufficient information on the impact of policies, weeds, pests, and diseases which constitute major constraints. Nigerian farmers mostly utilize indigenous cultural approaches to manage yam production. Their goal of production is to produce yam cultivars that are suitable mainly for food products leading to the neglect of other cultivars. Few selected institutions with a yam mandate have been working on improving the production of D. rotundata and D. alata through breeding yam cultivars suitable for consumption and resilient against pests and diseases. However, more extensive studies should focus on breeding programs for yam resilient under drought and flooding, with peculiar physicochemical properties that give unique textual qualities considered in pounded yam and other yam food products. In this review paper, the significance and limitations of yam production in Nigeria and her efforts to achieve sustainable production are extensively studied.

Major accidents at nuclear power plants generate huge amounts of radioactive waste in a short period of time over a wide area outside the plant boundary. Therefore, extraordinary efforts are required for safe management of the waste. A well-established remediation plan including radioactive waste management that is prepared in advance will minimize the impact on the public and environment. In Korea, however, only limited plans exist to systematically manage this type of off-site radioactive waste generating event. In this study, we developed basic strategies for off-site radioactive waste management based on recommendations from the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and NCRP (National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements), experiences from the Fukushima Daiichi accident in Japan, and a review of the national radioactive waste management system in Korea. These strategies included the assignment of roles and responsibilities, development of management methodologies, securement of storage capacities, preparation for the use of existing infrastructure, assurance of information transparency, and establishment of cooperative measures with international organizations.

Maize is an important cereal crop widely grown in all of Nigeria’s agroecology based on its economic and food values. This has led to its optimum production with Nigeria ranking top 12th maize producer in the world. Presently, the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda is considered a potential threat to food security in Nigeria due to its devastating feeding pattern on maize and its wide host range. Its invasive and high dispersal nature enhances its spread from its first reported state (Oyo) in early 2016 to the entire 36 states of Nigeria by the year 2018. It accounts for averagely an estimated 34% or more yield reduction in Nigeria’s maize field, hence, a need for an efficient management approach. Although most farmers rely on the use of insecticide, it is found ineffective because of the inaccessible location of FAW in maize. This study was carried out to investigate the different management approaches adopted in Nigeria to control FAW and its impact on the insect pest population. Conventional measures such as planting improved seeds, avoidance of late planting, and polyculture to increase the natural enemy’s population have been used but with limited control of FAW. Maize lines with aflatoxin resistance or transgenic Bt-maize are found resistant to FAW. Botanicals such as neem extract lowered the percentage of leaf area damage, incidence of FAW larva infestation, and the number of larvae. It is difficult to curtail the menace of FAW through one control method, hence, the need for an integrated approach

Soybean is an important crop widely grown in the northern region of Nigeria for human and animal consumption. Commercial production of soybean in Nigeria has existed for eight decades. Current malnutrition and nutrient health problems in Nigeria warranted the introduction of high nutritive and affordable food sources such as soybean in the Nigerian diet. The high demand for soybean and its products has led to the rise in the cultivation of soybean in Nigeria. Although an increase in production has been recorded, the region of production has failed to achieve the potential yield per hectare. In improving soybean production in Nigeria, it is paramount to understand the factors that contribute to the process of production. This review paper provides information on factors affecting soybean production across the regions of production in Nigeria. The identified factors responsible for the yield gap include the impact of climate change on the agroecology shift, nutrient depletion and soil fertility, sowing date, the emergence of pests and diseases, and limited improved soybean cultivars. Adoption of improved soybean variety suitable in agroecology and sowing, at the appropriate sowing date by Nigerian farmers, can guarantee optimum soybean production. Further soybean breeding improvement studies are needed to provide more improved varieties with superior performance in Nigeria’s agroecology to achieve yield potential.

A methodology is under development to restore and predict the long-term evolution of the natural barrier comprise the site of radioactive waste disposal for surface geological outcrop, tunnel face and drill core. Considering the condition that the radioactive waste repository should be located in the deep part, the drill core is an important subject that can identify deep geological properties that could not be confirmed near the surface. In this study, we investigated proper age dating methods to construct lithological model of the disposal site with regard to the long-term safety. Also, preliminary age dating locations were selected using the lithological distribution results by depth through geochemical and micro-structural analysis for the deep drill cores excavated around KURT. In the study area, the dikes presumed the Cretaceous were intruded by Jurassic granites. As for the granotoids, U-Pb age dating for zircon, which is resistant to deformation or metamorphism and has loss, is often used. In the case of the dikes, K-Ar and 40Ar/39Ar age dating for the argon captured in the rocks after magmatism is often used. Through U-Pb zircon ages of KURT site granotoids, we expect to solve the clustering problem (granite and granodiorite), which is different from precious chemical analysis (XRF) results and TAS-diagrams. 40Ar/39Ar age dating to be used for the dikes is suitable for the perspective of lithological model of the disposal site. Because, it can compensate for accuracy problems such as sample heterogeneity in K-Ar age dating and is used for volcanic rocks. In the further study, we plan to determine the appropriate sampling locations by the selected age dating methods from the perspective of disposal in this study.

This paper reports the pH effect of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) colloids on formation of three dimensional (3D) graphene network in nucleate boiling condition, so called boiling method. When nucleated bubbles grow on the hot surface, thin liquid film beneath the bubble is supposed to be dried, in which RGO flakes become close to each other and form a structure. Accordingly, what happened when they are in high particle density would be a key issue for the formation of 3D graphene network. Here, we changed pH and oxidation level of RGO colloids so that their effect was observed on extent of 3D graphene network after boiling method. As pH was lower, i.e. being acid, the RGO colloids become unstable, resulting in 3D structure rather than 2D structure. Similarly, As oxidation level was lower, i.e. being more reduced, it showed a tendency to form 3D structure.

This paper reports an uncertainty analysis of quantitative visualization methodology for slug bubble dynamics in downward-facing nucleate boiling condition. Measurement of dynamics of slug bubble, i.e. departing speed, frequency, and diameter, is very important to predict safety margin of thermal systems in moving vehicle. By employing high speed visualization and post-processing, we quantitatively measured the volume and location of slug bubble, so that vapor generation rate and departing speed data were derived from their time differentiation. As a visualization methodology, its reliability was evaluated via uncertainty analysis. For 95% confidence interval, uncertainty of vapor generation rate and departing speed were 3% and 2%, respectively, and which were one order lower than standard deviation of those data.

Microbubble is a part of advanced water treatment technologies, and there are several ways for microbubble generation. A strategy using Venturi (convergent-divergent) nozzle with air-suction holes has advantage of energy and time saving compared with the others. Here, we used 3D printer to make the various nozzle geometries in order to understand two-phase flow in the Venturi nozzle and air-breaking mechanism. It was evaluated the effects of convergent and divergent angles independently on air-suction rate and pressure drop, and the two-phase flow (air bubbles and liquid water) were observed. The convergent angle strongly affect the air-suction rate corresponding with increase of pressure drop. Meanwhile, as the divergent angle increased, it became dominant the minor loss by sudden enlargement of flow area, so that the air-suction rate and pressure drop showed decreased.

Graphene oxide (GO) laminate is a new promising material for water purification system, which has extraordinary permeability only for water molecule. It consists of numerous nano-channels, in which water molecules could be nano-confined, resulting in slip of the molecules for very fast transportation speed. In this study, water penetration rate via different thickness of GO membrane according to driven pressures are measured experimentally, so that speed of water molecules and permeability are evaluated. Generally, water penetration rate via a membrane with macroscopic-sized channel increases linearly with pressure difference between up and bottom side of the membrane, but that via GO membrane approaches asymptotic value (i.e. saturation) as like a log function. Moreover, the permeability of GO membrane was observed in inverse proportion to its thickness. Based on the experimental observations, a correlation for volume flux via GO membrane was suggested with respect to its thickness and external pressure difference.

The AtoN Simulator provides simulation circumstances, which include the topographical and environmental characteristics of a primary harbor, as well as the characteristics of navigating a ship and maritime traffic. The AtoN planning expert can design a safer and more efficient distribution of AtoN using the simulator. AtoN simulation system is a system that adds AtoN part such as AtoN attribute and modeling to ship handling simulation system. AtoN 3D modeling and motion characteristics implemented in existing ship handling simulations were not perfect. Therefore, there was inconvenience in 3D simulation. Therefore, AtoN attribute construction and 3D modeling are required for AtoN simulation system. This study researched the AtoN 3D modeling for AtoN simulator. The AtoN analysis surveyed the AtoN for 3D modeling. Modeling design was designed to be similar to the actual AtoN on the basis of such an analysis of the AtoN scale. Modeling was AtoN 3D modeling based on the design drawings. Each AtoN was grouped into a Main Category and Sub Category. Specific data were easily changed using the 3D tools.

본 연구는 고온 열분해를 통한 Cs, Sr 등 고방사성핵종의 고정화를 위하여 각각 Cs이 흡착된 CHA (K형 Chabazite zeolite)-Cs, CHA-PCFC (potassium cobalt ferrocyanide)-Cs 및 Sr이 흡착된 4A-Sr, BaA-Sr 등의 제올라이트 계에서 TGA 및 XRD에 의한 배소 온도 변화에 따른 상변환을 고찰하였다. CHA-Cs 제올라이트 계의 경우 900℃ 까지는 CHA-Cs의 형태를 유지하고 있으며, 1,000℃에서 무정형 단계를 거친 후 1,100℃에서 pollucite (CsAlSi2O6)로 재결정 되었다. 반면에 CHA-CFC-Cs 제올라이 트 계는 700℃ 까지는 CHA-PCFC-Cs 형태를 유지하고 있으나, 900∼1,000℃ 사이에서 구조가 파괴되어 무정형으로 상변환 된 후 1,100℃에서 pollucite로 재결정 되었다. 한편 4A-Sr 제올라이트 계의 경우 700℃ 까지는 4A-Sr의 구조를 유지하고 있 으며, 800℃에서 무정형으로 상변환 된 다음 900℃에서는 Sr-feldspar (SrAl2Si2O8, hexagonal)으로, 1,100℃에서 SrAl2Si2O8 (triclinic)로 재결정 되었다. 그러나 BaA-Sr 제올라이트 계의 경우는 500℃ 이하부터 구조가 파괴되기 시작하여 500∼900℃ 에서 무정형 단계를 거친 후, 1,100℃에서 Ba/Sr-feldspar (Ba0.9Sr0.1Al2Si2O8 및 Ba0.5Sr0.5Al2Si2O8 공존)로 재결정 되었다. 상기 제올라이트 계 모두 온도 증가에 따라 탈수/(분해)→ 무정형→ 재결정의 단계를 거쳐 광물상으로 재결정 되었으며, 고온 열 분해 과정에서의 Cs 및 Sr의 휘발성, 침출성 등의 추가 연구가 요구되지만 각 제올라이트 계에 흡착된 Cs 및 Sr은 pollucite나 Sr-feldspar, Ba/Sr-feldspar 등으로 광물화 하여 Cs과 Sr을 배소체/(고화체) 내에 완전히 고정화 시킬 수 있을 것으로 보인다.

This study investigated the design and establishment of AtoN(Aids to Navigation) in the AtoN Simulator. In recent years, IALA(International Association of Lighthouse Authorities) has raised the need of a system which could verify whether AtoN is appropriate for the design of AtoN and placement planning. An AtoN Simulator provides simulation circumstances, including the topographical and environmental characteristics of a primary harbor and the characteristics of a navigating ship and the maritime traffic. In the present study, we have developed an AtoN simulator system, including the integrated system design and the construction of an AtoN database. The AtoN Manager was developed as a virtual AtoN to manage the AtoN simulation. However, the data and materials are difficult to manage. Hence, an AtoN Manager and an AtoN simulation system have been needed for an effective managing of the AtoN properties database data. For the database structure design, we have analyzed the database design methodology. The AtoN properties have been analyzed for the effective data management. The AtoN properties designed in the present paper were classified into 19 categories. The status and properties database of AtoN were installed in 14 major ports, those were applied to the AtoN Manager. Designing the AtoN properties database was defined to reduce confusion of the use of English terms and abbreviations. The terms and acronyms have been defined in the AtoN properties and designed to the properties database structure for each AtoN. Before structuring the database for the AtoN Manager, the data of the AtoN properties for each harbor have been organized in accordance with the Excel system. The regulated data were converted into the AtoN properties database in use for the AtoN Manager. The database based on the AtoN properties table structure to each AtoN was designed. The AtoN simulator was implemented by the AtoN Manager applied to the AtoN properties database.