This study focuses on analyzing the energy-saving effects of the recirculation aquaculture system using seawater source heat pumps and solar power generation. Based on the thermal load analysis conducted using the transient system simulation tool, the annual energy consumption of the recirculation aquaculture system was analyzed and the energy-saving effects of utilizing the photovoltaic system was evaluated. When analyzing the heat load, the sea areas where the fish farms are located, the type of breeding tank, and the circulation rate of breeding water were taken into consideration. In addition, a method for determining the appropriate capacity for each operation time was examined when applying the energy storage system instead of the existing diesel generator as an emergency power, which is required to maintain the water temperature of breeding water during power outage. The results suggest that, among the four seas considered, Jeju should be estimated to achieve the highest energy-saving performance using the solar power generation, with approximately 45% energy savings.

This study deals with the application of an artificial neural network (ANN) model to predict power consumption for utilizing seawater source heat pumps of recirculating aquaculture system. An integrated dynamic simulation model was constructed using the TRNSYS program to obtain input and output data for the ANN model to predict the power consumption of the recirculating aquaculture system with a heat pump system. Data obtained from the TRNSYS program were analyzed using linear regression, and converted into optimal data necessary for the ANN model through normalization. To optimize the ANN-based power consumption prediction model, the hyper parameters of ANN were determined using the Bayesian optimization. ANN simulation results showed that ANN models with optimized hyper parameters exhibited acceptably high predictive accuracy conforming to ASHRAE standards.

Seawater evaporation and purification powered by solar energy are considered as a promising approach to alleviate the global freshwater crisis, and the development of photothermal materials with high efficiency is imminent. In this study, cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/MXene/Ni chain (CMN) aerogels were successfully synthesized by electrostatic force and hydrogen bond interaction force. CMN10 achieved a favorable evaporation rate as high as 1.85 kg m− 2 h− 1 in pure water, and the corresponding evaporation efficiency could be up to 96.04%. Even if it is applied to seawater with multiple interference factors, its evaporation rate can still be 1.81 kg m− 2 h− 1. The superior seawater evaporation activity origins from the promoted separation of photoexcited charges and photothermal conversion by the synergy of Ni chain and MXene, as well as the water transport channel supported by the 3D structure frame of CNF. Most importantly, CMN aerogel can maintain water vapor evaporation rates above 1.73 kg m− 2 h− 1 under extreme conditions such as acidic (pH 2) and alkaline (pH 12) conditions. In addition, various major ions, heavy metals and organic pollutants in seawater can be rejected by CMN10 during desalination, and the rejection rates can reach more than 99.69%, ensuring the purity of water resources after treatment. This work shows the great potential of CMN aerogel as a high-efficiency solar evaporator and low-cost photothermal conversion material. Cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/MXene/Ni chain (CMN) aerogels demonstrated high evaporation of water from sea water.

Volcanic seawater has been naturally filtered and purified by volcanic rock layers. It contains abundant minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. This study investigated the genotoxicity of calcium from Jeju lava seawater (CJLS). We performed bacterial reverse mutation assay, chromosomal aberration assay, and mammalian micronucleus test at up to 5,000 g/plate concentrations with or without metabolic activation to determine the CJLS genetic toxicity. None of these tests showed any mutagenic potential. The bacterial reverse mutation assay showed that the CJLS did not induce mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535, TA1537, and Escherichia coli WP2uvrA with or without metabolic activation of the S9 mixture. The oral administration of CJLS also did not significantly increase the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes or the mean ratio of polychromatic to total erythrocytes. Additionally, CJLS did not cause a significant chromosomal aberration in CHL cells in the presence or absence of S9 activation. Therefore, CJLS could be considered as a reliable and safe functional food ingredient.

The radioactive cesium, released from the normal operation or the accidental operation of nuclear facilities, should be regularly monitored for environmental regulatory compliance. The 135Cs/137Cs isotopic ratios, potentially useful for long-term tracking Cs transport in seawater, can be used as a tool of understanding how radionuclides are transported from different nuclear production source terms and distributed in the ocean. The ultra-high sensitive mass spectrometers (TIMS, SF-ICP-MS and TQ-ICP-MS) have been used to measure the 135Cs/137Cs isotopic ratios. However, the radiochemical separation of Cs from the seawater matrix is essential for the analysis of Cs using the mass spectrometers. An automated radiochemical procedure for the separation of Cs in seawater was developed for the analysis of 135Cs/137Cs isotopic ratios using a sequential column chromatography with AMPPAN and AG50Wx8 cation exchange resins. National Instrument’s LabVIEW is a graphical programming language and a powerful tool for the instrument control. A virtual instrument system for the automated separation of cesium isotopes was developed by the state machine of the fundamental design patterns in LabVIEW. In this study, the conceptual designs of an automated separation system of cesium isotopes, its virtual instrument system based on the LabVIEW state machine architectures and an automated radiochemical procedure were described for the purification of cesium isotopes at trace levels found in seawater discharged from the various nuclear facilities.

The mobility of radionuclides in the subsurface environment is governed by a interaction of radioactivity characteristics and geochemical conditions with adsorption reactions playing a critical role. This study investigates the characteristics and mechanisms of radionuclides adsorption on site media in viewpoint of nuclear safety, particularly focusing on the potential effect of seawater infiltration in coastal site near nuclear power plant. Seawater intrusion alters the chemistry in groundwater, including parameters such as pH, redox potential, and ionic strength, thereby affecting the behavior of radionuclides. To assess the safety of site near nuclear power plant and the environmental implications of nuclide leakage, this research conducted various experiments to evaluate the behavior of radionuclides in the subsurface environment. High distribution coefficients (50-2,500 ml/g) were observed at 10 mg/L Co, with montmorillonite > hydrobiotite > illite > kaolinite. It decreased with competing cations (Ca2+) and was found to decrease significantly by 90% with a decrease in pH to 4. It is believed that the adsorption capacity of cationic radionuclides decreases significantly as the clay mineral surface becomes less negatively charged. For Cs, the distribution coefficient (180-560 ml/g) was higher for montmorillonite > hydrobiotite > illite > kaolinite. Compared to Co, it was found to be less influenced by pH and more influenced by competing cations. For Sr, the distribution coefficient (100-380 ml/g) was higher in the order of hydrobiotite > montmorillonite > illite > kaolinite. Compared to Cs, it was found to be less affected by pH and also less affected by the effect of competing cations compared to Cs. Seawater samples from Gampo and Uljin site near Nuclear Power Plant in Korea were analyzed to determine their chemical composition, which was subsequently used in adsorption experiments. Additionally, the seawater-infiltrated groundwater was synthesized in laboratory according to previous literature. The study focused on the adsorption and behavior of three key radionuclides such as cesium, strontium, and cobalt onto four low permeability media (clay minerals) such as kaolinite, illite, hydrobiotite, and montmorillonite known for their high adsorption capacity at a site of nuclear power plant. At concentrations of 5 and 10 mg/L, the adsorption coefficients followed the order of cobalt > cesium > strontium for each radionuclide. Notably, the distribution coefficient (Kd) values exhibited higher values in seawater-infiltrated groundwater environments compared to seawater with relatively high ionic strength. Cobalt exhibited a substantial adsorption coefficient, with a marked decrease in Kd values in seawater conditions due to elevated ionic strength. In contrast, cesium displayed less dependency on seawater compared to other radionuclides, suggesting distinct adsorption mechanisms, possibly involving fractured edge sites (FES) in clay. Strontium exhibited a significant reduction in adsorption in seawater compared to groundwater in all Kd sorption experiments. The adsorption data of cobalt, cesium, and strontium on clay minerals in contact with seawater and seawater-infiltrated solutions offer valuable insights for assessing radioactive contamination of groundwater beneath coastal site near nuclear power plant sites. This research provides a foundation for enhancing the safety assessment protocols of nuclear power plant sites, considering the potential effects of seawater infiltration on radionuclide behavior in the subsurface environment.

In the ocean, there exist infinite resources, including certain metallic elements that can serve as potential energy sources. One of the methods for extracting these dissolved resources from seawater involves adsorption. This study discusses the results of experiments conducted in real seawater using a developed fiber-type adsorbent capable of extracting dissolved oceanic resources. The fiber-type adsorbent was deployed in seawater to adsorb the elemental resources. It was then retrieved after 2, 3, and 4 weeks for evaluation of its adsorption performance. The evaluation was carried out by dissolving the adsorbent in a strong acidic solution and calculating the adsorption amount per gram of adsorbent using ICP-MS. The results indicated that the adsorption performance was slightly lower than previously reported values. Nevertheless, it confirmed the feasibility of adsorbing and recovering dissolved resources from actual seawater

Understanding the long-term geochemical evolution of engineered barrier system is crucial for conducting safety assessment in high-level radioactive waste disposal repository. One critical scenario to consider is the intrusion of seawater into the engineered barrier system, which may occur due to global sea level rise. Seawater is characterized by its high ionic strength and abundant dissolved cations, including Na, K, and Mg. When seawater infiltrates an engineered barrier, such dissolved cations displace interlayer cations within the montmorillonite and affect to precipitation/ dissolution of accessory minerals in bentonite buffer. These geochemical reactions change the porewater chemistry of bentonite buffer and influence the reactive transport of radionuclides when it leaked from the canister. In this study, the adaptive process-based total system performance assessment framework (APro), developed by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, was utilized to simulate the geochemical evolution of engineered barrier system resulting from seawater intrusion. Here, the APro simulated the geochemical evolution in bentonite porewater and mineral composition by considering various geochemical reactions such as mineral precipitation/dissolution, temperature, redox processes, cation exchange, and surface complexation mechanisms. The simulation results showed that the seawater intrusion led to the dissolution of gypsum and partial precipitation of calcite, dolomite, and siderite within the engineered barrier system. Additionally, the composition of interlayer cation in montmorillonite was changed, with an increase in Na, K, and Mg and a decrease in Ca, because the concentrations of Na, K, and Mg in seawater were 2-10 times higher than those in the initial bentonite porewater. Further studies will evaluate the geochemical sorption and transport of leaked uranium-238 and iodine-129 by applying TDB-based sorption model.

To ensure the long-term supply and sustainability of uranium fuel, exploring alternative resources is essential, particularly considering that terrestrial reserves of uranium are limited (about 4.6 million tons). Since the amount of uranium dissolved in seawater is approximately 1000 times that of terrestrial reserves (i.e., about 4.5 billion tons), uranium extraction from seawater (UES) can be an alternative resource. However, the ultra-low concentration of uranium in seawater (about 3.3 ppb) poses a significant challenge in achieving economic feasibility for UES. This paper introduces case studies on the cost analysis of systems for recovering uranium from seawater, specifically focusing on braided fiber-based adsorbents developed by JAEA and ORNL. The cost analysis has been conducted based on using the deployment of these adsorbents on the bottom of the sea, which is a passive deployment method, thereby reducing the total costs of recovery. The analysis results can be used to identify R&D areas necessary for reducing cost components, making UES economically feasible.

Uranium extraction from seawater has been a topic of considerable interest over the past decades. However, Commercial facilities for uranium extraction from seawater have not yet been constructed due to its lack of economic feasibility. With the increasing demand for sustainable energy sources, there is a growing interest in eco-friendly uranium extraction methods. Despite this, the safeguards associated with these extraction techniques remain relatively under-researched, necessitating comprehensive studies that address both the economic feasibility and safeguards approach. The Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Central Research Institute is poised to elucidate the economic value of uranium extraction from seawater and embark on research to extract Yellow Cake from seawater on a laboratory scale. Given these advancements, it becomes imperative to consider the approach to safeguards. In this study, a comprehensive review was conducted to understand the relevant regulations that encompass both international obligations in partnership with the IAEA and domestic guidelines, specifically the Nuclear Safety Act. Emphasis was placed on a detailed examination of the IAEA’s comprehensive safeguards agreement and its additional protocol, focusing on deriving the necessary regulatory timings, subjects, and methodologies for effective reporting and verification. We reviewed the safeguards guidelines and the IAEA policy to confirm the international non-proliferation obligations. The study also reviewed the impact of the State-Level Approach promoted by the IAEA and its implications on state-specific factors and evaluations of state technological advancement. Additionally, the regulatory aspects of extracted uranium as an internationally regulated material under the Nuclear Safety Act were critically assessed. In conclusion, this study explains the international and domestic regulatory considerations for uranium extraction from seawater. Ultimately, this study will provide valuable understanding for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners involved in uranium extraction from seawater. Additionally, we expect that this study will contribute to establishing the safeguards approach and regulatory framework for the commercialization of uranium extraction from seawater in the ROK.

The microstructure and mechanical properties of the heat-affected zone welded using the GTAW process on SDSS material used in offshore structures were analyzed. The chemical composition of the specimen material was analyzed using XRF. The microstructure of the heat-affected zone where the plate was welded was examined by SEM, and the ferrite volume fraction was assessed using the point count method of ASTM E562. A lot of ferrite was formed in the overheated weldment region, and In the weld cap where the cooling rate was fast, ferrite was not converted back to austenite and the microstructure was not uniform. From the ferrite phase fraction, it was shown that it can be applied to the pitting resistance equivalent numbers through changes in mechanical properties according to welding conditions.

Lithium (Li) is a key resource driving the rapid growth of the electric vehicle industry globally, with demand and prices continually on the rise. To address the limited reserves of major lithium sources such as rock and brine, research is underway on seawater Li extraction using electrodialysis and Li-ion selective membranes. Lithium lanthanum titanate (LLTO), an oxide solid electrolyte for all-solid-state batteries, is a promising Li-ion selective membrane. An important factor in enhancing its performance is employing the powder synthesis process. In this study, the LLTO powder is prepared using two synthesis methods: sol-gel reaction (SGR) and solid-state reaction (SSR). Additionally, the powder size and uniformity are compared, which are indices related to membrane performance. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy are employed for determining characterization, with crystallite size analysis through the full width at half maximum parameter for the powders prepared using the two synthetic methods. The findings reveal that the powder SGR-synthesized powder exhibits smaller and more uniform characteristics (0.68 times smaller crystal size) than its SSR counterpart. This discovery lays the groundwork for optimizing the powder manufacturing process of LLTO membranes, making them more suitable for various applications, including manufacturing high-performance membranes or mass production of membranes.