Quantifying uncertainty induced by scattering angle distribution using maximum entropy method

丸山 修平; 山本 章夫*; 遠藤 知弘*

Annals of Nuclear Energy, 205, p.110591_1 - 110591_13, 2024/09

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2024.110591

This study developed a new method for evaluating the uncertainty in reactor core/shielding characteristics attributable to the scattering angle distribution, employing a random sampling (RS) technique integrated with continuous energy Monte Carlo (CEMC) calculations. The impact of neutron scattering angle is not negligible in the analysis of fast reactor cores and shielding. Recent advancements have enabled the high-accuracy assessment of nuclear data-induced uncertainty by merging CEMC calculations and the RS technique. Nonetheless, a method to quantify uncertainty due to scattering angle distribution remains unestablished. This study introduces a new approach for uncertainty quantification related to scattering angle distribution in CEMC-RS, utilizing the maximum entropy method. The effectiveness of this method was verified through comparison with results from the classical deterministic uncertainty quantification approach based on generalized perturbation theory. Overall, this method offers a more accurate tool for nuclear engineers and researchers in evaluating and managing uncertainties in reactor design and safety analysis.

Quantitative analysis of microstructure evolution, stress partitioning and thermodynamics in the dynamic transformation of Fe-14Ni alloy

Li, L.*; 宮本 吾郎*; Zhang, Y.*; Li, M.*; 諸岡 聡; 及川 勝成*; 友田 陽*; 古原 忠*

Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 184, p.221 - 234, 2024/06

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2023.10.037

Dynamic transformation (DT) of austenite () to ferrite () in the hot deformation of various carbon steels was widely investigated. However, the nature of DT remains unclear due to the lack of quantitative analysis of stress partitioning between two phases and the uncertainty of local distribution of substitutional elements at the interface in multi-component carbon steels used in the previous studies. Therefore, in the present study, a binary Fe-Ni alloy with + duplex microstructure in equilibrium was prepared and isothermally compressed in + two-phase region to achieve quantitative analysis of microstructure evolution, stress partitioning and thermodynamics during DT. to DT during isothermal compression and to reverse transformation on isothermal annealing under unloaded condition after deformation were accompanied by Ni partitioning. The lattice strains during thermomechanical processing were obtained via in-situ neutron diffraction measurement, based on which the stress partitioning behavior between and was discussed by using the generalized Hooke's law. A thermodynamic framework for the isothermal deformation in solids was established based on the basic laws of thermodynamics, and it was shown that the total Helmholtz free energy change in the deformable material during the isothermal process should be smaller than the work done to the deformable material. Under the present thermodynamic framework, the microstructure evolution in the isothermal compression of Fe-14Ni alloy was well explained by considering the changes in chemical free energy, plastic and elastic energies and the work done to the material. In addition, the stabilization of the soft phase in Fe-14Ni alloy by deformation was rationalized since the to transformation decreased the total Helmholtz free energy by decreasing the elastic and dislocation energies.

Development of a radioactive substance detection system integrating a Compton camera and a LiDAR camera with a hexapod robot

佐藤 優樹; 角藤 壮*; 田中 孝幸*; 嶋野 寛之*; 諸橋 裕子; 畠山 知圭*; 中島 準作; 石山 正弘

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 1063, p.169300_1 - 169300_7, 2024/06

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2024.169300

A system for locating radioactive substances using a hexapod robot equipped with a Compton camera and light detection and ranging camera was developed, and its performance evaluation test was conducted at FUGEN, a nuclear facility owned by Japan Atomic Energy Agency. In the test, by projecting images of radioactive substances acquired with the Compton camera onto a three-dimensional model of the work environment acquired with a light detection and ranging camera, the locations where radioactive substances have accumulated and the dose rate is higher than the surrounding area were successfully visualized and identified.

革新的水質浄化剤の開発による環境問題低減化技術の開拓(委託研究); 令和4年度英知を結集した原子力科学技術・人材育成推進事業

廃炉環境国際共同研究センター; 信州大学*

JAEA-Review 2023-053, 87 Pages, 2024/05

JAEA-Review-2023-053.pdf:4.67MB

日本原子力研究開発機構(JAEA)廃炉環境国際共同研究センター(CLADS)では、令和4年度英知を結集した原子力科学技術・人材育成推進事業(以下、「本事業」という)を実施している。本事業は、東京電力ホールディングス株式会社福島第一原子力発電所の廃炉等をはじめとした原子力分野の課題解決に貢献するため、国内外の英知を結集し、様々な分野の知見や経験を、従前の機関や分野の壁を越えて緊密に融合・連携させた基礎的・基盤的研究及び人材育成を推進することを目的としている。平成30年度の新規採択課題から実施主体を文部科学省からJAEAに移行することで、JAEAとアカデミアとの連携を強化し、廃炉に資する中長期的な研究開発・人材育成をより安定的かつ継続的に実施する体制を構築した。本研究は、令和2年度に採択された研究課題のうち、「革新的水質浄化剤の開発による環境問題低減化技術の開拓」の令和2年度から令和4年度分の研究成果について取りまとめたものである。本研究は、東日本大震災で発生した放射性汚染水の処理問題改善に資するため、吸着性能に優れ再利用可能なストロンチウムイオン用吸着剤の開発を目指した。その結果、ストロンチウムイオンに対して優れた吸着性能を有する、再利用可能な吸着材料の開発に成功した。現行のストロンチウム用吸着材料は、極めて高価であると共に使い捨てであるため、使用済み吸着剤の廃棄量は既に膨大となっており、それら廃棄物の保管や処分方法が大きな問題となっている。そのため、今回開発した吸着材料を実装化することで、これらの問題を大きく緩和することが期待できる。また、吸着材料は一般に粉体として得られるため、バインダーを利用してカラム通水による除染に適した粒径に造粒化する必要がある。これに対し、今回開発した材料は、最初から適した粒状物として得られるところに大きな特徴があり、煩雑な造粒化工程を省くことで、製造コストの削減も期待できる。これらの結果は当初の開発目標に合致したものであり、廃炉加速化に貢献できると考えられる。これらの研究は、研究代表者の下で各研究項目間並びに廃炉環境国際共同研究センター(CLADS)等との連携を密にして進めた。また、研究実施計画を推進するための打合せや会議等を開催した。

マイクロ波重畳LIBSによるデブリ組成計測の高度化と同位体の直接計測への挑戦(委託研究); 令和4年度英知を結集した原子力科学技術・人材育成推進事業

廃炉環境国際共同研究センター; アイラボ*

JAEA-Review 2023-029, 77 Pages, 2024/05

JAEA-Review-2023-029.pdf:3.98MB

日本原子力研究開発機構(JAEA)廃炉環境国際共同研究センター(CLADS)では、令和4年度英知を結集した原子力科学技術・人材育成推進事業(以下、「本事業」という。)を実施している。本事業は、東京電力ホールディングス株式会社福島第一原子力発電所の廃炉等をはじめとした原子力分野の課題解決に貢献するため、国内外の英知を結集し、様々な分野の知見や経験を、従前の機関や分野の壁を越えて緊密に融合・連携させた基礎的・基盤的研究及び人材育成を推進することを目的としている。平成30年度の新規採択課題から実施主体を文部科学省からJAEAに移行することで、JAEAとアカデミアとの連携を強化し、廃炉に資する中長期的な研究開発・人材育成をより安定的かつ継続的に実施する体制を構築した。本研究は、令和2年度に採択された研究課題のうち、「マイクロ波重畳LIBSによるデブリ組成計測の高度化と同位体の直接計測への挑戦」の令和2年度から令和4年度分の研究成果について取りまとめたものである。本研究は、MW(マイクロ波)重畳によりLIBS(レーザーブレークダウン分光)の発光強度を上げ、ウラン同位体計測に適用することを目的としている。令和4年度では、半導体マイクロ発振器をさらに小型化するために冷却方式の見直しや必須とならない機能の削減を行い、さらにマイクロ波アンテナにおいてはシミュレーションで得た最適化条件をLIBS実験に適用することにより良好な結果が得られた。同位体計測について、スペクトル調査を行い、同位体をもつウランとスペクトルが似ているジルコニウムでLIBS測定の最適化を行い、100倍以上の増倍率が得られた。さらに、テーブルトップLIBS光学系、小型化されたLIBSセンサー部、マイクロ波アンテナの統合とシステムの評価を行い、ステンレス(Cr含有)・Pb・Al等を用いて計測性の向上効果を検討したところ、材料によらずマイクロ波重畳によるシグナル強度の増大効果・SN比向上の効果が出ることが分かった。MW重畳有り/無しのLIBSスペクトルの差異を検討し、スペクトラムの差異、データ処理の仕様を決定し、ビーム検出精度を向上するパラメータ抽出が可能となった。ピーク検出と背景光のデータ解析ソフトウェアの構築を開始した。最終年度である本年の最後に、目的とするウランの同位体計測を行った。マイクロ波による増強効果が得られ、マイクロ波重畳LIBSの計測は成功した。

Experimental investigation on local flow structures of upward cap-bubbly flows in a vertical large-size square channel

孫 昊旻; 功刀 資彰*; 横峯 健彦*; Shen, X.*; 日引 俊*

Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, 154, p.111171_1 - 111171_24, 2024/05

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expthermflusci.2024.111171

Taking the importance of gas-liquid two-phase flows in large square channels for advanced nuclear reactors, such as ESBWR, we experimented with upward cap-bubbly flows in a large square channel. Local void fractions, axial gas velocities, and interfacial area concentrations for two bubble-size groups were measured at three axial locations. Based on the database, cap-bubbly flow characteristics in a large square channel were understood. The existing drift-flux and interfacial area concentration correlations were validated. The void fraction covariances were obtained and used to validate their existing correlations.

Organization of malonamides from the interface to the organic bulk phase

Micheau, C.; 上田 祐生; 元川 竜平; 阿久津 和宏*; 山田 悟史*; 山田 雅子*; Moussaoui, S. A.*; Makombe, E.*; Meyer, D.*; Berthon, L.*; et al.

Journal of Molecular Liquids, 401, p.124372_1 - 124372_12, 2024/05

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2024.124372

Supramolecular organization of extractant molecules impacts metal ions separation behavior. Probing bulk and interfacial structures of the relevant systems is expected to provide key insights into the metal ion selectivity and kinetic aspects. The supramolecular features of two solvent extraction systems based on malonamide extractants, N,N,N′,N′-tetrahexylmalonamide (THMA) in toluene and N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-dibutyl-2-tetradecylmalonamide (DBMA) in n-heptane, were studied using small-angle X-ray scattering for the organic bulk phases, as well as interfacial tension and neutron reflectivity measurements for the interfaces. In the bulk solution, THMA forms dimeric/trimeric associates but no aggregates in toluene, while DBMA forms large aggregates in n-heptane. On the other hand, THMA accumulates in a diffuse layer at the interface at high THMA concentration, whereas DBMA forms a compact but thinner layer. After Pd(II) extraction, the thickness of interfacial layers decreases in the case of THMA, and totally vanishes in the case of DBMA. Based on these new structural information, two mechanisms are proposed for Pd(II) and Nd(III) extraction with malonamides. In toluene, THMA associates slightly accumulate in the vicinity of the interface, then coordinate Pd(II) and diffuse into the organic bulk phase. In n-heptane, DBMA aggregates adsorb at the interface then pick up Nd(III) cations in their polar cores and finally diffuse into the bulk.

Investigation of sorption behavior of Cs in a river-sea system boundary area after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident

高田 兵衛*; 脇山 義史*; 和田 敏裕*; 平尾 茂一*; 青野 辰雄*; 中西 貴宏; 御園生 敏治; 尻引 武彦; 青山 道夫*

Marine Chemistry, 262, p.104384_1 - 104384_6, 2024/05

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2024.104384

The radiocesium (Cs) distribution between dissolved and particulate phases was examined in river water and coastal seawater as a function of the Cs sorption behavior on suspended particles. Dissolved Cs activity concentrations in the Tomioka River (salinity 0.1) and in coastal seawater at Tomioka fishery port (salinity 30), Fukushima Prefecture, from June 2019 to October 2021 were 3.6-20 Bq/m (geometric mean 11 Bq/m) and 2.4-86 Bq/m (13 Bq/m), respectively. Although the suspended particle concentration was lower in the river (0.2-44 mg/L; geometric mean 2 mg/L) than in seawater (0.8-24 mg/L; 6.4 mg/L), the mean Cs activity on suspended particles was 11,000 Bq/kg-dry in the river versus 3,200 Bq/kg-dry in seawater. Proportions of ion-exchangeable, organically bound, and refractory fractions of Cs on suspended particles were determined by sequential extraction. The ion-exchangeable fraction accounted for 0.3-2.0% (mean 1.2%) and 0.4-1.3% (0.8%) at the river and port sites, respectively. The organically bound fraction accounted for 0.3-4.8% (1.8%) and 0.1-5.5% (2.1%) at the river and port sites, respectively. In both areas, the refractory fraction accounted for 90% of Cs. Unexpectedly, the ion-exchangeable fraction did not differ between the river and port sites, and the percentage at the river site did not vary during the sampling period. Therefore, the ion-exchangeable fraction in the river's lower reach was originally low or had decreased before the particles arrived there. The small labile Cs fraction on suspended particles indicates that the mobility of radiocesium to marine biota in this coastal region is low.

First demonstration of a single-end readout position-sensitive optical fiber radiation sensor inside the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station based on wavelength-resolving analysis

寺阪 祐太; 佐藤 優樹; 瓜谷 章*

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 1062, p.169227_1 - 169227_6, 2024/05

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2024.169227

We have developed a new position-sensitive optical fiber radiation sensor that achieves single-end readout and high dose rate application. The sensor determines the incident position of radiation on the optical fiber by using the wavelength dependency of light attenuation within the fiber. Through the analysis of the output wavelength spectrum from the fiber end, the incident position of radiation on the optical fiber can be inversely estimated using the spectrum unfolding procedure. Using this optical fiber sensor, we conducted a measurement of radiation distribution inside the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS). The actual trend of incident position of radiation was successfully reproduced in a high dose rate area, with a maximum dose rate exceeding 100 mSv/h. This validates the effectiveness of our new position-sensitive optical fiber radiation sensor.

Archie's cementation factors for natural rocks; Measurements and insights from diagenetic perspectives

Yuan, X.*; Hu, Q. H.*; Fang, X.*; Wang, Q. M.*; Ma, Y.*; 舘 幸男

Sedimentary Geology, 465, p.106633_1 - 106633_14, 2024/05

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2024.106633

Archie's cementation factor, m, is a critical parameter for petrophysical studies, and the value is influenced by several factors such as the shape, type, and size of grains, degrees of diagenesis, and associated pore structure. Using integrated experimental and theoretical approaches, the goal of this study is to obtain the cementation factor of rocks (both reservoir rock and caprock) and assess the impact of diagenesis processes on the values of the cementation factor. Thirteen samples of geologically diverse rocks (six mudstones, four fossiliferous limestones, two marbles, and one sandstone) were selected to achieve these research objectives. Two approaches, the diffusion of gas tracers and the Bosanquet formula calculation using pore-throat sizes from mercury intrusion porosimetry analyses, were used to derive the cementation factors of these rock samples. These rocks were categorized into two groups based on the correlation between average pore-throat diameter and diffusivity, and an exponential-law relationship between the cementation factor and porosity was determined for these sample groups. In addition, thin-section petrography and field emission-scanning electron microscopy observations were utilized to investigate diagenetic processes, with four diagenetic patterns being established: (1) strong compaction, strong cementation, and weak dissolution-diagenesis pattern; (2) weak compaction, medium cementation, and weak dissolution-diagenesis pattern; (3) weak compaction, medium cementation, and strong dissolution-diagenesis pattern; and (4) fracture-matrix pattern. The results indicated that diagenetic processes and microfractures contribute to the variability in the cementation factors in these rock samples.