한밭대학교

Photo Caption: Department of Mechanical Engineering Professor Jeong Gil-eon (left) and master's student Song Hyun-geun

- Researching disposal system design technology considering safety and economic feasibility of spent nuclear fuel disposal canisters

□ Hanbat National University (President Oh Yong-jun) announced that master's student Song Hyun-geun of the Department of Mechanical Engineering (advised by Professor Jeong Gil-eon) won the Outstanding Paper Award for research on structural optimization of the copper outer wall of spent nuclear fuel disposal canisters at the '2026 Society for Computational Design and Engineering Summer Conference' held in Jeju from the 19th to the 22nd.

 ○ The Society for Computational Design and Engineering (CDE) conducts diverse academic activities for the advancement of computer based design, analysis, and engineering technologies, as well as exchanges among industry, academia, and research institutes, selecting outstanding research by deeply evaluating papers presented at each conference.

□ Graduate student Song Hyun-geun presented research results under the theme of 'Structural Optimization to Derive Minimum Thickness of Copper Outer Wall of Spent Nuclear Fuel Disposal Canisters'.

 ○ This study focused on securing structural safety while optimizing the copper outer wall thickness of the KBS-3V disposal canister applied to deep geological disposal.

 ○ In particular, structural integrity was closely evaluated by applying true plastic strain criteria to disposal environment loads and stress criteria of ASME BPVC Section III to handling loads, respectively.

□ Through finite element analysis (FEA), the research team phased the reduction of the copper outer wall thickness from 50 mm to 5 mm, analyzing structural behaviors under major load conditions such as isostatic pressure, glacial pressure, non uniform swelling pressure, and 3G handling loads.

 ○ As a result of the analysis, while sufficient structural integrity was maintained even at a thickness of 5 mm under disposal environment loads, the 3G load generated during disposal canister handling was confirmed to be the dominant condition determining the minimum structural thickness.

 ○ In addition, additional verification analysis showed that ASME stress criteria were satisfied at a thickness of approximately 6.7 mm, proving the feasibility of design optimization that can significantly reduce copper usage while maintaining structural safety.

□ Advising Professor Jeong Gil-eon of the Department of Mechanical Engineering stated, "This study is an achievement that laid the technical foundation for disposal system design considering both the safety and economic feasibility of spent nuclear fuel disposal canisters," adding, "It is a meaningful and valuable result in that it was recognized for its completeness and practical value, leading to winning the Outstanding Paper Award.“