Dr. Yongsun Yi is an Associate Professor of Nuclear Engineering Department at Khalifa University since 2011. He received his B.Sc. in Nuclear Engineering from Seoul National University in 1986, M.Sc. in Nuclear Engineering from KAIST in 1989, and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Tohoku University in 1995. He had performed research at Tohoku University, University of Michigan, and Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute between 1995 and 2011. Also, he had served as Technical Secretary at OECD/NEA from 2007 to 2009.
His research interests are on the aging and degradation of materials in nuclear power plants. He has performed research on dry storage systems for spent nuclear fuel, corrosion and stress cracking of main components in nuclear power plants, reactor containment buildings, etc. Also, he is working on the safety analysis of accident tolerant fuel concepts.
Title: Development of Selection Methodology of Accident Tolerant Fuel for APR1400 (AARE19-081)
This project aims at i) developing the selection methodology and strategy of an ATF for APR1400 and ii) training Emirati professional manpower on the ATF R&D. To achieve these goals, three tasks will be conducted: Task 1 - Development of ATF selection criteria for APR1400; Task 2 - Evaluation of high-temperature oxidation behavior of coated ATF cladding materials; Task 3 - Development of ATF selection methodology for APR1400. All the tasks will be conducted under the collaboration with KAIST and KAERI that have extensive experience on ATFs.
Title: Prediction of degradation in concrete structures by sulphate attack and development of remedial measures (ENTC Project)
This project consists of four work packages (WPs). In WP-1, the diffusion of sulphate and chloride ions through concrete structures is investigated taking in consideration the effects of harsh environmental conditions in the UAE. Especially, the effect of temperature on the concrete degradation by chemical attack will be studied. WP-2 aims to develop a prediction model of concrete degradation in marine environments. First, concrete samples will be installed on shore and under seawater near Barakah NPPs for different time durations and then these samples will be experimentally analyzed to calculate the penetration depth of detrimental ions such as SO42- and Cl- in concrete. Based on the test results from WP-1 and the exposure tests in this WP, a prediction model of concrete degradation in the UAE environment will be developed. In WP-3, the feasibility of non-destructive evaluation of damaged concrete using the surface electric resistivity (SER) method will be studied. Using concrete samples that have been exposed to solutions at laboratories and on-site, the relationship between measured SER and concrete characteristics (microstructures and microchemistry) will be determined. The applicability of the SER method to concrete structures on shore will be also examined. WP-4 will propose remedial measures for damaged concrete structures. In this WP, conventional repair techniques for damaged concrete will be reviewed and optimized techniques will be proposed. Guidelines for concrete durability and performance evaluation with proposed repairing techniques will be developed and provided.
