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.

Interaction of solute manganese and nickel atoms with dislocation loops in iron-based alloys irradiated with 2.8 MeV Fe ions at 400 C

Nguyen, B. V. C.*; 村上 健太*; Chena, L.*; Phongsakorn, P. T.*; Chen, X.*; 橋本 貴司; Hwang, T.*; 古澤 彰憲; 鈴木 達也*

Nuclear Materials and Energy (Internet), 39, p.101639_1 - 101639_9, 2024/06

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nme.2024.101639

In reactor pressure vessel materials, the formation of Mn- and Ni-rich nanoclusters is a major cause of neutron irradiation embrittlement. The segregation of these solute atoms into dislocation loops has attracted attention as a mechanism to accelerate solute clustering. In this study, the behaviors of solute Mn and Ni atoms in Fe-0.6wt.%Ni, Fe-1.4wt.%Mn, and Fe-1.4wt.%Mn-0.6wt.%Ni alloys irradiated at 400 C up to 3 dpa were analyzed using three-dimensional atom probe tomography. Solute atom clusters were observed in all materials, and their shapes were spherical, flat, and torus in FeNi, FeMn, and FeMnNi, respectively. In ternary alloy FeMnNi, Mn and Ni atoms were concentrated in the sample in the form of arcs, and the orientation of the plane containing the arcs was estimated by comparing field desorption images. The size, number density, and orientation of this structure were found to be in good agreement with those of both types of dislocation loops, namely, b = 1/2 111 and b = 100, identified in a previous study using the same material. The positions of Ni and Mn enrichment did not fully overlap. Ni atoms tended to be concentrated more in the inner part of the loop than the Mn atoms. Mn atoms were enriched only in the vicinity of the dislocation loops, whereas Ni atoms showed a higher concentration inside the dislocation loops than in the bulk.

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.

A Science-based mixed oxide property model for developing advanced oxide nuclear fuels

加藤 正人; 沖 拓海; 渡部 雅; 廣岡 瞬; Vauchy, R.; 小澤 隆之; 上羽 智之; 生澤 佳久; 中村 博樹; 町田 昌彦

Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 107(5), p.2998 - 3011, 2024/05

https://doi.org/10.1111/jace.19609

Herein, a science-based uranium and plutonium mixed oxide (MOX) property model (Sci-M Pro) is derived for determining properties of MOX fuel and analyzing their performance as functions of Pu content, minor-actinide content, oxygen-to-metal ratio, and temperature. The property model is constructed by evaluating the effect of phonons and electronic defects on heat capacity and thermal conductivity of MOX fuels. The effect of phonons was evaluated based on experimental datasets related to lattice parameter, thermal expansion, and sound speeds. Moreover, the effect of electronic defects was determined by analyzing oxygen-potential data based on defect chemistry. Furthermore, the model evaluated the effect of the Bredig transition on the thermal properties of MOX fuel by analyzing the irradiation test results. The derived property model is applied to the performance code to analyze fast reactor fuel pins.

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.

Total and double differential scattering cross-section measurements of isotropic graphite

木村 敦; 遠藤 駿典; 中村 詔司

EPJ Web of Conferences, 294, p.01002_1 - 01002_7, 2024/04

https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202429401002

The total and double differential scattering cross sections (DDSCS) of graphite have been measured in the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) in the J-PARC. The DDSCS were measured using the Beam Line No.14 (AMATERAS) in the MLF. The data were normalized using those of vanadium as a standard. Small angle scattering and Bragg edges were observed, and their intensities varied among the samples. The neutron total cross sections in the energy region from 1 to 100 meV were measured using Beam Line No.04 (ANNRI) in the MLF. In the epithermal range (over 40 meV), all samples tended to have values close to the free atom cross-section of graphite. However, at the first Bragg edge, the deduced total cross sections by those samples started to separate from each other. The difference became more significant with decreasing the neutron energy, and the value tended to increase with the grain size of the sample. The results of these measurements suggest that the discrepancies between the derived total cross sections in the low-energy region are due to small-angle scattering caused by grains of graphite with uniform size.

Overview of development program for engineering scale extraction chromatography MA(III) recovery system

渡部 創; 高畠 容子; 長谷川 健太; 後藤 一郎*; 宮崎 康典; 渡部 雅之; 佐野 雄一; 竹内 正行

Mechanical Engineering Journal (Internet), 11(2), p.23-00461_1 - 23-00461_10, 2024/04

https://doi.org/10.1299/mej.23-00461

Japan Atomic Energy Agency is developing extraction chromatography technology to recover MA(III) from spent nuclear fuel. Developments in the extraction chromatography system especially focusing on safety and stable operation are required for practical application of the technology. This paper discusses the main tasks that have to be challenged preferentially based on achievements obtained by previous studies and potential MA(III) recovery process flow.

Stochastic ray tracing for Fresnel diffraction

瀬戸 慧大

Optics Express (Internet), 32(10), p.16999 - 17011, 2024/04

https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.521317

We propose stochastic ray tracing for laser beam propagation in Fresnel diffraction to find the duality between wave and ray representations. We transform from the Maxwell equations to the Schrdinger equation for a monochromatic laser beam in the slowly varying envelope approximation. The stochastic ray tracing method interprets this Schrdinger equation as a stochastic process, of an analogy of Nelson's stochastic mechanics. It can illustrate the stochastic paths and the wavefront of an optical beam. This ray tracing method includes Fresnel diffraction effects naturally. We show its general theoretical construction and numerical tests for a Gaussian laser beam with diffraction, that stochasticity realizes the beam waist around the Rayleigh range.

令和4年度原子力発電所周辺における航空機モニタリング(受託研究)

普天間 章; 眞田 幸尚; 長久保 梓; 川崎 義晴*; 岩井 毅行*; 平賀 祥吾*; 萩野谷 仁*; 松永 祐樹*; 圷 雄一郎*; 新井 仁規*; et al.

JAEA-Technology 2023-027, 146 Pages, 2024/03

JAEA-Technology-2023-027.pdf:18.12MB

2011年3月11日に発生した東北地方太平洋沖地震による津波に起因した東京電力福島第一原子力発電所事故によって、大量の放射性物質が周辺環境に飛散した。事故直後より、放射線の分布を迅速かつ広範囲に測定する手法として、航空機等を用いた空からの測定方法が適用されている。日本原子力研究開発機構では、有人ヘリコプターを使用した航空機モニタリングを福島第一原子力発電所周辺において継続的に実施してきた。本報告書では、令和4年度に実施した福島第一原子力発電所周辺におけるモニタリング結果について取りまとめると共に、過去のモニタリング結果から空間線量率等の変化量を評価し、その変化要因について考察した。また、航空機モニタリングによる空間線量率の換算精度向上に資するために、航空機モニタリングデータを用いて地形の起伏を考慮に入れた解析を行った。地形の起伏を考慮に入れる前後での解析結果を比較し、本手法による精度向上効果を評価した。さらに、空気中のラドン子孫核種の弁別手法を測定結果に適用して、空気中のラドン子孫核種が航空機モニタリングに与える影響について評価した。