海外炉を用いた中性子照射試験,1; キャプセル温度制御システムを用いた照射試験の検討(共同研究)

Irradiation test using foreign reactor, 1; Study of irradiation test with capsule temperature control system (Joint research)

高部 湧吾; 大塚 紀彰 ; 冬島 拓実 ; 佐谷戸 夏紀 ; 井上 修一 ; 森田 寿; Jaroszewicz, J.*; Migdal, M.*; 小沼 勇一; 飛田 正浩*; 遠藤 泰一; 武内 伴照   ; 竹本 紀之 

Takabe, Yugo; Otsuka, Noriaki; Fuyushima, Takumi; Sayato, Natsuki; Inoue, Shuichi; Morita, Hisashi; Jaroszewicz, J.*; Migdal, M.*; Onuma, Yuichi; Tobita, Masahiro*; Endo, Yasuichi; Takeuchi, Tomoaki; Takemoto, Noriyuki

中性子照射場として中核を担ってきた材料試験炉(Japan Materials Testing Reactor: JMTR)の廃止に伴い、軽水炉の一層の安全性、信頼性・効率性向上のための技術開発や革新的な原子炉開発に必要な国内照射場が喪失され、照射試験炉の運転技術や照射技術の継承や人材育成も困難な状況となった。こうした課題に対処するため、代替手段として中性子照射場を海外炉に求めた照射試験の実施に係る検討を行った。「ポーランド国立原子力研究センターと日本原子力研究開発機構との間の試験研究炉の研究開発のための共同研究取決め」に基づきポーランド国立原子力研究センター(NCBJ)が所有するMARIA炉(出力30MW)を中性子照射場として、JMTRの有する照射技術の一つである温度制御システムを導入した照射試験の実施可否を検討した。その結果、JMTRの設計・製作基準に則って製作済であったキャプセルに対し改造を施すことで照射試験の実現が可能である見通しが得られた。改造後に浸透探傷検査、絶縁導通試験及びキャプセルの使用温度である室温300Cの範囲における動作試験等を実施し、良好な結果が得られ、MARIA炉への輸送前準備を完了した。

Because of the decommission of the Japan Materials Testing Reactor (JMTR), the domestic neutron irradiation facility, which had played a central role in the development of innovative nuclear reactors and the development of technologies to further improve the safety, reliability, and efficiency of light water reactors, was lost. Therefore, it has become difficult to pass on the operation techniques of the irradiation test reactors and irradiation technologies, and to train human resources. In order to cope with these issues, we conducted a study on the implementation of irradiation tests using overseas reactors as neutron irradiation sites as an alternative method. Based on the "Arrangement between the National Centre for Nuclear Research and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency for Cooperation in Research and Development on Testing Reactor," the feasibility of conducting an irradiation test at the MARIA reactor (30 MW) owned by the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) using the temperature control system, which is one of the JMTR irradiation technologies, was examined. As a result, it was found that the irradiation test was possible by modifying the ready-made capsule manufactured in accordance with the design and manufacturing standards of the JMTR. After the modification, a penetration test, an insulation continuity test, and an operation test in the range of room temperature to 300C, which is the operating temperature of the capsule, were conducted and favorable results were obtained. We have completed the preparations prior to transport to the MARIA reactor.