Sintering behavior analysis of compacted dry recycled UPuO powder using master sintering curve theory

中道 晋哉; 砂押 剛雄*; 廣岡 瞬; Vauchy, R.; 村上 龍敏

Journal of Nuclear Materials, 595, p.155072_1 - 155072_11, 2024/07

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2024.155072

Using dry recycled powders for uranium and plutonium mixed oxide (MOX) fuel production can reduce unnecessary storage and accountability of nuclear material in facilities. The shrinkage behavior of green compacts of dry recycled powders differs from that of conventional raw powders because the dry recycled MOX powder is obtained from the fabrication scrap of sintered pellets. The shrinkage behavior of dry recycled MOX powder has been investigated by dilatometry. Based on the shrinkage curves, sintering apparent activation energies were evaluated using the master sintering curve (MSC) and the constant rate of heating methods. The obtained values were higher than the energy evaluated for raw powder experiments. The sigmoid sintering prediction equation using the MSC function was constructed. The accumulation of data on the activation energy for various sintering conditions will lead to the wide application of this prediction formula in the future.

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.

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。

Nondestructive determination of isotopic abundance using multi-energy nuclear resonance fluorescence driven by laser Compton scattering source

Omer, M.; 静間 俊行*; 羽島 良一*; 小泉 光生

Journal of Applied Physics, 135(18), p.184903_1 - 184903_10, 2024/05

https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0197076

We report on the findings of a quantitative nondestructive analysis of the natural isotopic abundances of hafnium and tungsten elements using nuclear resonance fluorescence. Commercial samples of hafnium and tungsten were irradiated to six quasi-monochromatic -ray beams generated by laser Compton scattering in the energy range of 2.4-3.2 MeV. Multiple nuclei were simultaneously excited at each of the six -ray beam energies. A high-purity germanium detector array detected deexcitations of the nuclei. In total, transitions were unprecedentedly employed to estimate the isotopic abundances of heavy elements nondestructively. The estimated abundances of three hafnium isotopes and three tungsten isotopes are consistent with standard known natural abundances within the experimental uncertainties. The deviation from the standard values ranges from 0.18% to 1.36%. This work is a contribution of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under the agreement of the coordinated research program (CRP), J02015 (Facilitation of Safe and Secure Trade Using Nuclear Detection Technology - Detection of RN and Other Contraband). This work was a part of a study of the nuclear resonance fluorescence aiming at nuclear security and safeguards applications, being supported by the subsidiary for "promotion of strengthening nuclear security or the like" of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT), Japan.

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.

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.

Distinguishing ion dynamics from muon diffusion in muon spin relaxation

伊藤 孝; 門野 良典*

Journal of the Physical Society of Japan, 93(4), p.044602_1 - 044602_7, 2024/04

https://doi.org/10.7566/JPSJ.93.044602

We propose a model to describe the fluctuations in the internal magnetic field due to ion dynamics observed in muon spin relaxation (SR) by an Edwards-Anderson-type autocorrelation function that separates the quasi-static and dynamic components of the correlation by the parameter (where ). Our Monte Carlo simulations for this model showed that the time evolution of muon spin polarization deviates significantly from the Kubo-Toyabe function. To further validate the model, the results of simulations were compared with the SR spectra observed in a hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite FAPbI [with FA referring to HC(NH)], where local field fluctuations associated with the rotational motion of FA molecules and quasi-static fields from the PbI lattice are presumed to coexist. The least-squares curve fitting showed reasonable agreement with the model with , and the fluctuation frequency of the dynamical component was obtained. This result opens the door to the possibility of experimentally distinguishing fluctuations due to the dynamics of ions around muons from those due to the self-diffusion of muons. On the other hand, it suggests the need to carefully consider the spin relaxation function when applying SR to the issue of ion dynamics.

2023年秋の大会福島特別プロジェクトセッション(保健物理・環境科学部会共催) ALPS処理水海洋放出に関する経緯とその理解

寺阪 祐太; 飯本 武志*; 三倉 通孝*; 藤田 玲子*

日本原子力学会誌ATOMO, 66(4), p.203 - 207, 2024/04

https://doi.org/10.3327/jaesjb.66.4_203

本報告は、日本原子力学会2023年秋の年会で開催した福島特別プロジェクト企画セッション(保健物理・環境科学部会共催)のとりまとめである。本企画セッションは「ALPS処理水海洋放出に関する経緯とその理解」と題して、資源エネルギー庁および環境省の担当官にALPS処理水の扱いに関する経緯と取組み、海域環境モニタリング等についての講演をいただくとともに、福島特別プロジェクトより海洋放出に関する世論調査(2022年秋)の結果を紹介した。講演後の会場全体での議論を通じて、処理水海洋放出の事実関係が学会関係者間で共有された。

原子力科学研究所における航空機落下確率に関する評価について

神川 豊; 鈴木 真琴; 安掛 寿紀; 村上 貴彦; 森田 祐介; 椎名 秀徳; 福島 学; 平根 伸彦; 大内 靖弘

JAEA-Technology 2023-030, 57 Pages, 2024/03

JAEA-Technology-2023-030.pdf:1.93MB

航空機落下事故に関するデータが原子力規制庁により更新されたことに伴い、原子力科学研究所における航空機落下確率を再評価するため、経済産業省原子力安全・保安院「実用発電用原子炉施設への航空機落下確率の評価基準について(内規)」に基づき評価を行い、原子力科学研究所の各施設における航空機落下確率を評価した。評価の結果、航空機落下確率の総和は最大となる放射性廃棄物処理場において 5.6810回/(炉・年))であり、航空機落下を「想定される外部人為事象」として設計上考慮する必要があるか否かの基準である 10回/(炉・年))を超えないことを確認した。