Patents by Inventor Cheon-Woo Kim

Cheon-Woo Kim has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11032900
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plasma torch with a structure capable of performing reversed polarity/straight polarity operation, wherein the plasma torch is coupled to a melter and melts a waste material such as radioactive waste or industrial waste by generating and sustaining a plasma arc between electrodes, the plasma torch including: a rear electrode provided inside a torch pipe and electrically connected to become one of an anode and a cathode; and a front electrode provided at a front end of the torch pipe at a position adjacent to a front end of the rear electrode and electrically connected to become a remaining one of the anode and the cathode, wherein electrical connections of the rear and front electrodes are switchable with each other so that the plasma torch operates as a reversed polarity plasma torch or a straight polarity plasma torch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang-Woon Shin, Cheon-Woo Kim, Hyun-Je Cho, Young-Hwan Hwang, Seokju Hwang
  • Publication number: 20210158982
    Abstract: A method for decommissioning a nuclear facility includes: separating a nuclear reactor pressure vessel from biodegradable concrete; decommissioning a concrete structure; covering the biodegradable concrete; and decommissioning the biodegradable concrete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Seok-Ju HWANG, Hyun-Je CHO, Ji-Hoon LEE, Cheon-Woo KIM
  • Publication number: 20210158984
    Abstract: A method of decommissioning a nuclear facility including a plurality of sandboxes that cover a plurality of upper penetration holes, includes: exposing the plurality of pipes through the plurality of upper penetration holes by removing the plurality of sandboxes; and cutting the plurality of pipes through the plurality of upper penetration holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Seok-Ju HWANG, Young Hwan HWANG, Ju-Young YOON, Cheon-Woo KIM
  • Publication number: 20210158983
    Abstract: A method of decommissioning a nuclear facility, including: exposing the plurality of upper penetration holes by removing the plurality of sandboxes; enlarging an upper space of the cavity by cutting an upper portion of the biological shield concrete that is disposed between the plurality of upper penetration holes and between the plurality of upper penetration holes and the cavity; and separating the nuclear reactor pressure vessel from the biological shield concrete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Seok-Ju HWANG, Ju-Young YOON, Young Hwan HWANG, Cheon-Woo KIM
  • Publication number: 20210158981
    Abstract: A decommissioning method of biodegradable concrete of a nuclear power plant according to an exemplary embodiment includes: decommissioning a neutron detector positioning device installed to biodegradable concrete surrounding a nuclear reactor to form a plurality of penetrated parts in the biodegradable concrete; inserting a part of a cutting device into the plurality of penetrated parts; and decomposing the biodegradable concrete into a plurality of sub-concrete parts by using the cutting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Seok-Ju HWANG, Sung-Hoon HONG, Mi-Hyun LEE, Cheon-Woo KIM
  • Patent number: 10914523
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasma furnace capable of separating and discharging different kinds of molten material, which comprises a furnace body 110; and a heating portion 140 for heating the lateral discharge gate 120, 130, wherein the furnace body comprises a melt discharge portion formed through a lower portion of the melting chamber 101 provided for accommodating molten material; and at least two lateral discharge gates 120, 130 provided at different heights capable of discharging molten material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun-Je Cho, Cheon-Woo Kim, Sang-Woo Lee, Sang-Woon Shin
  • Patent number: 10861613
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasma furnace which can efficiently treat various types of waste in large amounts. The plasma furnace comprises a melting chamber 101 for accommodating a melt, an upper surface forming the upper portion of the melting chamber 101 with a horizontal upper surface 111 and an inclined upper surface 112 having a slope with respect to the horizontal upper surface 111, a melt discharge portion 130 formed through a bottom surface of the melting chamber for discharging molten material therethrough, and an input apparatus 120 having a slope for inputting waste into the melting chamber 101, and the mixed type plasma torch 191, 192 provided on the inclined upper surface 112 with a slope for generating melting heat in the melting chamber 101.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun-Je Cho, Cheon-Woo Kim, Young-II Kim, Young-Hwan Hwang, Sang-Woon Shin
  • Publication number: 20200314992
    Abstract: A plasma torch has a multi-electrode front electrode and a button-type rear electrode. The plasma torch allows initial discharge to be easily performed by using the button-type rear electrode and an auxiliary electrode for discharge. Initial ignition of a high-output arc plasma torch is performed easily by naturally forming an arc column between the rear electrode and the front electrode, even in the absence of efficient discharge between the rear electrode and the auxiliary electrode for initial discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Hyun-Je CHO, Cheon-Woo KIM, Sung-Hoon HONG, Mi-Hyun LEE
  • Publication number: 20190331422
    Abstract: A metal oxide barrier and a connecting method for solving the problems in which sectors of an existing cold crucible are connected by means of a mica plate and the mica plate is damaged due to arcing and the like and in which the sectors are strongly connected by means of the mica plate and thus are difficult to replace and maintain. A cold crucible, comprising a metal oxide barrier, according to the present invention can prevent arcing, enables reduction of damage on the edge part of a water cooling sector due to a molten material and thus enhances durability. Moreover, the metal oxide barrier can easily be replaced compared to an existing mica plate and thus enables easy maintenance and repair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Young Hwan HWANG, Seok Ju HWANG, Cheon Woo KIM
  • Publication number: 20190330095
    Abstract: A device for forming a molten solidified body by receiving a molten material discharged from a vitrification device or the like on a lower mold, and a method for forming a molten solidified body and, particularly, to a mold supporting device for forming a uniform molten solidified body such that a height deviation on a mold of a dropping molten material is reduced by providing movement to the mold, and a method for forming an uniform molten solidified body. The mold supporting device and the method for forming a uniform molten solidified body to prevent the formation of a high columnar shape at a specific position by the molten effluent not being uniformly contained in the mold due to the high viscosity thereof, thereby forming a uniform solidified body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Young Hwan HWANG, Seok Ju HWANG, Cheon Woo KIM
  • Publication number: 20180363982
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasma furnace capable of separating and discharging different kinds of molten material, which comprises a furnace body 110; and a heating portion 140 for heating the lateral discharge gate 120, 130, wherein the furnace body comprises a melt discharge portion formed through a lower portion of the melting chamber 101 provided for accommodating molten material; and at least two lateral discharge gates 120, 130 provided at different heights capable of discharging molten material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Hyun-Je CHO, Cheon-Woo KIM, Sang-Woo LEE, Sang-Woon SHIN
  • Patent number: 10107688
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the temperature of a glass melting furnace includes a glass window part which has a transparent glass window and is mounted to a temperature measurement hole of the glass melting furnace and extended outward from the glass melting furnace, and a camera part which has a thermographic camera to capture image of an inside of the glass melting furnace through the glass window part. The measuring apparatus supplies cooling gas into the through hole in upper and lower directions, thereby preventing the surface of the glass window from being covered with fumes, and confines heated gases and fumes to the glass melting furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Deuk Man Kim, Young Il Kim, Cheon Woo Kim
  • Publication number: 20180261347
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasma furnace which can efficiently treat various types of waste in large amounts. The plasma furnace comprises a melting chamber 101 for accommodating a melt, an upper surface forming the upper portion of the melting chamber 101 with a horizontal upper surface 111 and an inclined upper surface 112 having a slope with respect to the horizontal upper surface 111, a melt discharge portion 130 formed through a bottom surface of the melting chamber for discharging molten material therethrough, and an input apparatus 120 having a slope for inputting waste into the melting chamber 101, and the mixed type plasma torch 191, 192 provided on the inclined upper surface 112 with a slope for generating melting heat in the melting chamber 101.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Hyun-Je CHO, Cheon-Woo KIM, Young-Il KIM, Young-Hwan HWANG, Sang-Woon SHIN
  • Patent number: 9991011
    Abstract: This invention relates to the vitrification of radioactive waste products. According to this invention, a glass composition that is suitable for mixed waste products, which include flammable waste products, such as gloves, working clothes, plastic waste, and rubber, and low-level radioactive waste products, and a method of vitrifying the mixed waste products using the same are provided to significantly reduce the volume of radioactive waste products and to vitrify the mixed waste products using the glass composition, which is suitable for vitrifying the mixed waste products, thereby maximally delaying or completely preventing the leakage of radioactive materials from a glass solidified body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Deuk Man Kim, Hyun Je Cho, Cheon Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 9988297
    Abstract: This invention relates to the vitrification of radioactive waste products. According to this invention, a glass composition, which is suitable for flammable waste products, such as gloves, working clothes, plastic waste, and rubber, and a method of vitrifying the flammable waste products using the same are provided to significantly reduce the volume of radioactive waste products and to vitrify the flammable waste products using the glass composition, which is suitable for vitrifying the flammable waste products, thereby maximally delaying or completely preventing the leakage of radioactive materials from a molten solidified body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Deuk Man Kim, Sung Jun Maeng, Cheon Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 9941026
    Abstract: This invention relates to the vitrification of radioactive waste products. According to this invention, a glass composition, which is suitable for low-level radioactive waste resins, and a method of vitrifying the low-level radioactive waste resins using the same are provided to significantly reduce the volume of radioactive waste products and to vitrify low-level radioactive waste products using the glass composition, which is suitable for vitrifying the low-level radioactive waste resins, thereby maximally delaying or completely preventing the leakage of radioactive materials from a glass solidified body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Deuk Man Kim, Byung Kwan Lee, Cheon Woo Kim
  • Publication number: 20180049303
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plasma torch with a structure capable of performing reversed polarity/straight polarity operation, wherein the plasma torch is coupled to a melter and melts a waste material such as radioactive waste or industrial waste by generating and sustaining a plasma arc between electrodes, the plasma torch including: a rear electrode provided inside a torch pipe and electrically connected to become one of an anode and a cathode; and a front electrode provided at a front end of the torch pipe at a position adjacent to a front end of the rear electrode and electrically connected to become a remaining one of the anode and the cathode, wherein electrical connections of the rear and front electrodes are switchable with each other so that the plasma torch operates as a reversed polarity plasma torch or a straight polarity plasma torch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang-Woon SHIN, Cheon-Woo KIM, Hyun-Je CHO, Young-Hwan HWANG, Seokju HWANG
  • Publication number: 20170032859
    Abstract: This invention relates to the vitrification of radioactive waste products. According to this invention, a glass composition, which is suitable for low-level radioactive waste resins, and a method of vitrifying the low-level radioactive waste resins using the same are provided to significantly reduce the volume of radioactive waste products and to vitrify low-level radioactive waste products using the glass composition, which is suitable for vitrifying the low-level radioactive waste resins, thereby maximally delaying or completely preventing the leakage of radioactive materials from a glass solidified body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Deuk Man KIM, Byung Kwan Lee, Cheon Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 9538584
    Abstract: A tapping device and method using induction heat for melt comprises melting furnace made of steel; heating unit disposed in the upper part in the melting furnace and made of graphite material; induction coil wound around the heating unit; insulator disposed adjacent to the bottom surface of the lower part of the melting furnace; supporter disposed outside the insulator; and firebricks disposed on the bottom surface of melting furnace and outside the supporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Je Cho, Cheon Woo Kim, Young Il Kim, Sang Woo Lee, Seung Chul Park, Jong Gil Park, Tae Won Hwang
  • Publication number: 20160307657
    Abstract: This invention relates to the vitrification of radioactive waste products. According to this invention, a glass composition that is suitable for mixed waste products, which include flammable waste products, such as gloves, working clothes, plastic waste, and rubber, and low-level radioactive waste products, and a method of vitrifying the mixed waste products using the same are provided to significantly reduce the volume of radioactive waste products and to vitrify the mixed waste products using the glass composition, which is suitable for vitrifying the mixed waste products, thereby maximally delaying or completely preventing the leakage of radioactive materials from a glass solidified body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Deuk Man KIM, Hyun Je CHO, Cheon Woo KIM