When a loss of coolant accident which causes a partial or a full drainage in the SFP would happen, Zircaloy-4 spent fuel cladding begin to react with high temperature air, and the heat generates by exothermic reaction between Zircaloy-4 cladding and surrounding air. Due to the heat, the ignition may occur in the surface of Zircaloy-4 cladding. If the Zr-fire phenomenon occurs during the accident in a SFP, the spent fuel cladding and pellets would be severely fragmented and powdered and it may bring about a massive release of radioactive source terms. Therefore, it is crucial to prevent the zirconium fire phenomenon for the spent fuel pool safety. However, a main cause to trigger the zirconium fire was not identified. In order to identify a possible mechanism of the Zr-fire phenomenon, OECD-NEA SFP Project I, II was initiated. In this paper, we reviewed the Zr-fire phenomenon which may occur in the spent fuel pool for complete loss of coolant accident scenario. The Spent Fuel Pool Project (hereinafter SFP project) is the experimental program to investigate the phenomena of spent fuel pool complete loss of coolant accident using a 17×17 PWR fuel assembly. In this section, the zirconium fire phenomenon which was observed from the SFP project is briefly investigated. This paper presented the fuel assembly temperature (i.e. zirconium alloy cladding temperature) and oxygen concentration profile of the SFP project phase-1 ignition test. At around 12.7 hour, the temperature abruptly increased and the oxygen concentration also dramatically decreased. This abrupt temperature escalation is the zirconium fire phenomenon. In order to investigate the mechanism of this zirconium fire phenomenon, behaviors of both temperature and oxygen concentration were fully compared. This paper reviewed the results of OECD-NEA SFP project experiment and then a mechanism of Zr-fire phenomenon was dscussed. It seems that the Zr-fire phenomenon might be a consequence of thermal mismatch between heat generation and dissipation. A large amount of heat might be generated by the air oxidation of Zircaloy-4 spent cladding immediately after the kinetic transition which is a breakaway phenomenon. This paper discussed the relationship between the breakaway phenomenon and the Zr-fire phenomenon in case of air oxidation of Zircaloy-4 spent cladding. This paper presents preliminary findings on the Zr-fire phenomenon from the open experiment data of the prototypic spent fuel severe accident scenario. These findings would enhance the understanding of Zircaloy-4 spent cladding air oxidation and severe accident scenario progression in a SFP.

Wood boring insects are the major problem of many industries, such as hardwood brokers, importers, merchants, and manufacturers of furniture. Phosphine (PH3) is highly toxic to insects and is known to penetrate treated material. In this study, effectiveness of PH3 which is altered methyl bromide, was examined with Monochamus saltuaris, Platypus koryoensis, Cryphalus fulvus, and Xyleborus mutilatus. Fumigation to M. saltuaris, P. koryoensis, C. fulvus, and X. mutilatus was carried in a desiccator (12L) at 20℃ for 24 h. As a result, LC99 of PH3 to M. saltuaris, P. koryoensis, C. fulvus, and X. mutilatus was showed 0.455 mg L-1, 0.804 mg L-1, 0.243 mg L-1 and 0.046 mg L-1 in a desiccator(12L) at 20℃, respectively. M. saltuaris, P. koryoensis, C. fulvus, and X. mutilatus 100 % mortality was showed in a fumigation chamber (10 m3 and 100 m3) at normal temperature. In these results indicates that PH3 described could be useful for fumigant agent of 4 species wood pests.

The potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), is considered one of the main causes of potato losses during harvesting and storage. The pest occur throughout the year and its larvae damage the leaves, twigs and tubers. In this study, we have investigated the effects of ethyl formate (EF) and phosphine (PH3) against P. operculella. Fumigation to all stage of P. operculella was carried in a desiccator system at 5℃ and 20℃ for 24 h. As a result, LC99 of PH3 to all stage of P. operculella was showed 1.953 mg L-1 (eggs), 0.100 mg L-1 (larvae), 4.884 mg L-1 (pupae) and 0.240 mg L-1 (adults) at 20℃, respectively. LC99 of EF to all stage of P. operculella was observed 19.808 mg L-1 (eggs), 6.783 mg L-1 (larvae), 141.476 mg L-1 (pupae) and 3.223 mg L-1 (adults), at 20℃ respectively. Larvae and adults showed the highest susceptibility to PH3 and EF at 20℃. LC99 of PH3 to all stage of P. operculella was showed > 1.5 mg L-1 (eggs), 0.187 mg L-1 (larvae), > 1.5 mg L-1 (pupae) and 0.386 mg L-1 (adults) at 5℃ , respectively. LC99 of EF to all stage of P. operculella was showed 27.479 mg L-1 (eggs), 9.580 mg L-1 (larvae), 55.759 mg L-1 (pupae) and 3.084 mg L-1 (adults) at 5℃, respectively. These results indicated that the fumigant efficiency of PH3 and EF is more effective with treated in room temperatures against termites.

The Japanese termite, Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe, is distributed in Korea widely. Although, termites are not currently a great problem in Korea, it might be increased commercial losses from imported timber. Phosphine (PH3) is very effective fumigant and is widely used to control pests. Oxygen treatment was found to enhance phosphine toxicity and reduce fumigation time against various life stage of insects. In this study, we determined efficacy of oxygenated phosphine fumigation for controlling R. speratus. Fumigation to adults of R. speratus was carried in a desiccator system at 20.9% (normal), 50% and 80% of oxygen concentration for 24 h. Fumigations under higher oxygen levels greatly increased phosphine toxicity to R. speratus. Mortality of termite was increased 15.0% and 16.2% in the 50.0% and 80.0% oxygen concentration with 0.25 mg L-1 phosphine at 5℃, respectively. 100% mortality was determined in 80.0% oxygen concentration with 0.5 mg L-1 phosphine at 5℃. Oxygenated phosphine fumigations have marked potential to improve insecticidal efficacy against R. speratus. These results merit further study as potential fumigant for control of wood destroying pests.

Termites are a major problem for home and business owners around the world. Termites gnaw through wood and burrow under the foundations of buildings causing a great deal of damage to the structure of the building. Phosphine (PH3) is very effective fumigant and is widely used to control pests. PH3 rapidly penetrate through treated material, so it replaced many conventional fumigants for treatment of durable materials. In this study, we have investigated the effectiveness of PH3 fumigation on wood pests, Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis. We evaluated two bioassay methods; wooden cube (10×10×10 cm) and insect breeding dish in comparison with effectiveness of PH3 penetrations into the timber block. Fumigation to adults of R. speratus was carried in a desiccator system for 24 h at 5 and 15℃. As a result, LC99 of PH3 to R. speratus in wooden cubes and insect breeding dish at 5℃ was 0.183 and 0.177 mg L-1, respectively. LC99 of PH3 in wooden cubes and insect breeding dish at 15℃ was 0.077 and 0.078 mg L-1, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two bioassay methods. Thess results indicate that PH3 described herein merit further study as potential fumigants for termite control.

Methyl bromide (MB) is a widely used fumigant in most of the countries for quarantine purpose. However, MB has been phasing out and under control in many countries because it is listed as an ozone-depleting substance under the Montreal Protocol. In this study, we have investigated the effectiveness of phosphine fumigation on wood pests for developing an MB alternatives. We evaluated two bioassay methods; wooden cube (10×10×10 cm) and normal fumigation procedures in comparison with effectiveness of phosphine (PH3) penetrations into the timber block. Fumigation to adults of Reticulitermes speratus was carried in a desiccator system for 24hr at 5 and 15 ℃. As a result, LC99 of PH3 to R. speratus in wooden cubes and insect breeding dish at 5℃ was 0.183 and 0.177 mg L-1, respectively. LC99 of PH3 in wooden cubes and insect breeding dish at 15℃ was 0.077 and 0.078 mg L-1, respectively.