Oxidation and embrittlement behavior of FeCrAl-ODS cladding tube under loss-of-coolant accident conditions

成川 隆文; 近藤 啓悦; 藤村 由希; 垣内 一雄; 宇田川 豊; 根本 義之

Journal of Nuclear Materials, 587, p.154736_1 - 154736_8, 2023/12

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2023.154736

To evaluate the oxidation and embrittlement behavior of an oxide-dispersion-strengthened FeCrAl (FeCrAl-ODS) cladding tube under loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) conditions, we conducted isothermal oxidation and ring-compression tests on unirradiated, stress-relieved FeCrAl-ODS cladding tube specimens. Further, we discussed the loss of coolable geometry of the reactor core loaded with the FeCrAl-ODS cladding tubes under LOCA conditions, using data from the ring-compression tests in this study and the integral thermal shock tests from our previous study. The results reveal that oxidation kinetics of the FeCrAl-ODS cladding tube at 1523 K is four orders of magnitude lower than that of a conventional Zircaloy cladding tube, which highlights the exceptional oxidation resistance of the FeCrAl-ODS cladding tube. The breakaway oxidation of the FeCrAl-ODS cladding tube was observed at 1623 K for durations equal to or exceeding 6 h, and melting was observed at 1723 K. The ring-compression and the integral thermal shock tests indicate that, depending on the oxidation time, the ductile to brittle transition threshold - as determined by the ring-compression test - exists between 1623 K and 1723 K. Meanwhile, the fracture threshold - established through the integral thermal shock test - falls between 1573 K and 1673 K. Therefore, taking a conservative approach based on available data, the fracture and non-fracture results from the integral thermal shock tests can define the lower and upper boundaries of the threshold for the loss of coolable geometry of the reactor core during a LOCA.

Data report of ROSA/LSTF experiment TR-LF-15; Accident management actions during station blackout transient with pump seal LOCA

竹田 武司

JAEA-Data/Code 2023-012, 75 Pages, 2023/10

JAEA-Data-Code-2023-012.pdf:4.45MB

ROSA-V計画において、大型非定常実験装置(LSTF)を用いた実験(実験番号: TR-LF-15)が2014年6月11日に行われた。ROSA/LSTFTR-LF-15実験では、加圧水型原子炉(PWR)のポンプシール冷却材喪失事故(LOCA)を伴う、補助給水機能喪失を特徴とするTMLB'のシナリオでの全交流電源喪失時のアクシデントマネジメント(AM)策を模擬した。ポンプシールLOCAは、0.1%低温側配管破断により模擬した。このとき、非常用炉心冷却系(ECCS)である高圧注入系及び低圧注入系の全故障とともに、ECCSの蓄圧注入タンクから一次系への非凝縮性ガス(窒素ガス)の流入を仮定した。蒸気発生器(SG)二次側水位が特定の低水位まで低下すると、一次系圧力は上昇に転じた。SG二次側水位喪失後、加圧器の安全弁が周期的に開いたため、一次冷却材の喪失につながった。故に、高圧条件でボイルオフによる炉心露出が生じた。模擬燃料棒被覆管表面温度の10Kの上昇を確認した時点で、SG二次側減圧を一番目のAM策として開始した。このAM策では、両SGの安全弁を開放した。また、一番目のAM策開始後少し遅れた時点で、加圧器の安全弁の開放による一次系減圧を二番目のAM策として開始した。さらに、一番目のAM策に従いSG二次側圧力が1.0MPaに低下した時点で、低水頭ポンプによる給水ラインから両SG二次側への注水を三番目のAM策として開始した。三番目のAM策の開始直後、SG二次系からの除熱が再開したため、一次系圧力の低下が促進された。蓄圧注入系から両低温側配管への冷却材注入による炉心水位の回復により、全炉心はクエンチした。窒素ガスがSGU字管内に蓄積したため、一次系の減圧率は低下した。本報告書は、ROSA/LSTFTR-LF-15実験の手順、条件および実験で観察された主な結果をまとめたものである。

Behavior of FeCrAl-ODS cladding tube under loss-of-coolant accident conditions

成川 隆文; 近藤 啓悦; 藤村 由希; 垣内 一雄; 宇田川 豊; 根本 義之

Journal of Nuclear Materials, 582, p.154467_1 - 154467_12, 2023/08

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2023.154467

To evaluate the behavior of an oxide-dispersion-strengthened FeCrAl (FeCrAl-ODS) cladding tube under loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) conditions of light-water reactors (LWRs), the following two laboratory-scale LOCA-simulated tests were performed: the burst and integral thermal shock tests. Four burst and three integral thermal shock tests were performed on unirradiated, stress-relieved FeCrAl-ODS cladding tube specimens, simulating ballooning and rupture, oxidation, and quenching, which were postulated during a LOCA. The burst temperature of the FeCrAl-ODS cladding tube was 200-300 K higher than that of the Zircaloy cladding tube, and the FeCrAl-ODS cladding tube's maximum circumferential strain was smaller than or equal to the Zircaloy-4 cladding tube. These results indicate that the FeCrAl-ODS cladding tube has higher strength at high temperatures than the conventional Zircaloy cladding tube. The FeCrAl-ODS cladding tube did not fracture after being subjected to an axial restraint load of 5000 N, which is more than 10 times higher than the axial restraint load estimated for existing LWRs, during quenching, following isothermal oxidation at 1473 K for 1 h. The FeCrAl-ODS cladding tube was hardly oxidized during this isothermal oxidation condition. However, it melted after a short oxidation at 1673 K and fractured after abnormal oxidation at 1573 K for 1 h. Based on these results, the FeCrAl-ODS cladding tube should not fracture in the time range expected during LOCAs below 1473 K, where no melting or abnormal oxidation occurs.

燃料デブリ取り出し時における炉内状況把握のための遠隔技術に関する研究人材育成(委託研究); 令和3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; 東京大学*

JAEA-Review 2022-032, 102 Pages, 2022/12

JAEA-Review-2022-032.pdf:9.83MB

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3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始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、研究課題のうち、令和元年度に採択された「燃料デブリ取り出し時における炉内状況把握のための遠隔技術に関する研究人材育成」の令和3年度の研究成果について取りまとめたものである。本研究は、燃料デブリ取り出し時における炉内状況把握のためのモニタリングプラットフォームの構築、およびプラットフォーム上を移動するセンサによる計測・可視化に関する研究開発を行う。また、このような研究課題に参画することによる研究教育、講義等の座学、施設見学の3つの柱で研究人材を育成することを目的とする。令和3年度は、主に令和2年度に取り組んだ基本設計および要素開発の改良に取り組むとともに、統合実験の準備を行った。

Development of safety design criteria and safety design guidelines for Generation IV sodium-cooled fast reactors

二神 敏; 久保 重信; Sofu, T.*; Ammirabile, L.*; Gauthe, P.*

Proceedings of International Conference on Topical Issues in Nuclear Installation Safety; Strengthening Safety of Evolutionary and Innovative Reactor Designs (TIC 2022) (Internet), 10 Pages, 2022/10

In the framework of the GIF, an effort to develop Safety Design Criteria (SDC) for SFR systems was initiated in 2011. For this purpose, an SDC task force (SDC-TF) was formulated in July 2011. The SDC-TF members consist of representatives of CIAE (China), CEA (France), JAEA (Japan), KAERI, KINS (Republic of Korea), IPPE (Russia), ANL, INL, ORNL (United States of America), EC and IAEA. This paper describes the outline of the SDC and SDGs contents and its development background as shown above. These SDC and SDGs refer related IAEA safety standards, such as SSR-2/1 Safety of Nuclear Power Plants: Design, SSG-52 Design of the Reactor Core for Nuclear Power Plants. This paper focuses on both technology neutral aspects, which are common parts between the SDC/SDG and IAEA standards, and SFR specific aspects.

Steam oxidation of silicon carbide at high temperatures for the application as accident tolerant fuel cladding, an overview

Pham, V. H.; 倉田 正輝; Steinbrueck, M.*

Thermo (Internet), 1(2), p.151 - 167, 2021/09

https://doi.org/10.3390/thermo1020011

Since the nuclear accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in 2011, a considerable number of studies have been conducted to develop accident tolerant fuel (ATF) claddings for safety enhancement of light water reactors. Among many potential ATF claddings, silicon carbide is one of the most promising candidates with many superior features suitable for nuclear applications. In spite of many potential benefits of SiC cladding, there are some concerns over the oxidation/corrosion resistance of the cladding, especially at extreme temperatures (up to 2000C) in severe accidents. However, the study of SiC steam oxidation in conventional test facilities in water vapor atmospheres at temperatures above 1600C is very challenging. In recent years, several efforts have been made to modify existing or to develop new advanced test facilities to perform material oxidation tests in steam environments typical of severe accident conditions. In this article, the authors outline the features of SiC oxidation/corrosion at high temperatures, as well as the developments of advanced test facilities in their laboratories, and, finally, give some of the current advances in understanding based on recent data obtained from those advanced test facilities.

Phenomena identification ranking tables for accident tolerant fuel designs applicable to severe accident conditions

Khatib-Rahbar, M.*; Barrachin, M.*; Denning, R.*; Gabor, J.*; Gauntt, R.*; Herranz, L. E.*; Hobbins, R.*; Jacquemain, D.*; 丸山 結; Metcalf, J.*; et al.

NUREG/CR-7282, ERI/NRC 21-204 (Internet), 160 Pages, 2021/04

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is preparing to accept anticipated licensing applications for the commercial use of accident tolerant fuel (ATF) in commercial nuclear power plants in the United States. It is the objective of the NRC to evaluate the effects of ATF designs on severe accident behavior, and to determine potential changes to the NRC severe accident analysis computer codes that would simulate plant conditions using ATFs commensurate with the accuracy in accident analyses involving conventional fuels. This report documents the development of Phenomena Identification and Ranking Tables (PIRTs) for near-term ATFs under severe accident conditions in light water reactors (LWRs). The PIRTs were developed by a panel of experts for various near-term ATF design concepts (i.e., FeCrAl cladding, zirconium alloy cladding coated with chromium, and CrO dopants in uranium dioxide fuels) in addition to the impacts from fuel enrichment and burnup. Panel members also considered the severe accident implications of the longer-term ATF concepts. The main figures-of-merit considered in this ranking process are the amount of fission products released into the containment and the quantity of combustible gases generated during an accident. Special focus is given to whether existing severe accident codes and models would be sufficient as applied to LWRs employing these fuels, and whether additional experimental studies or model development would be warranted.

Data report of ROSA/LSTF experiment SB-SL-01; Main steam line break accident

竹田 武司

JAEA-Data/Code 2020-019, 58 Pages, 2021/01

JAEA-Data-Code-2020-019.pdf:3.85MB

ROSA-IV計画において、大型非定常実験装置(LSTF)を用いた実験(実験番号: SB-SL-01)が1990年3月27日に行われた。ROSA/LSTFSB-SL-01実験では、加圧水型原子炉(PWR)の主蒸気管破断(MSLB)事故を模擬した。このとき、両ループの蒸気発生器(SG)二次側への補助給水(AFW)とともに、非常用炉心冷却系である高圧注入(HPI)系から両ループの低温側配管内への冷却材注入を仮定した。MSLBにより、破断ループのSGは急減圧し、破断ループのSG二次側広域水位は低下した。しかし、破断ループのSG二次側へのAFWにより、破断ループのSG二次側広域水位は回復した。一次系圧力は、MSLB直後一時的に若干低下したが、SG主蒸気隔離弁の閉止に従い16.1MPaまで上昇した。一次系圧力が10MPa以下に低下した数分後、HPI系から両ループの低温側配管内へ冷却材を手動注入した。一次系圧力は、HPI系からの冷却材注入により上昇したが、加圧器逃し弁の開放により16.2MPa以下に維持された。実験中、炉心はサブクール水で満たされた。健全ループでは、流れが停滞し、HPI系からの冷却材注入時に低温側配管での温度成層が観察された。一方、破断ループでは、顕著な自然循環が継続した。HPI系からの冷却材の連続注入による継続的な炉心冷却を確認して実験を終了した。取得した実験データは、PWRのMSLBを伴う多重故障事故時の回復操作および手順の検討に役立てることができる。本報告書は、ROSA/LSTFSB-SL-01実験の手順、条件および実験で観察された主な結果をまとめたものである。

The Working group on the analysis and management of accidents (WGAMA); A Historical review of major contributions

Herranz, L. E.*; Jacquemain, D.*; Nitheanandan, T.*; Sandberg, N.*; Barr, F.*; Bechta, S.*; Choi, K.-Y.*; D'Auria, F.*; Lee, R.*; 中村 秀夫

Progress in Nuclear Energy, 127, p.103432_1 - 103432_14, 2020/09

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnucene.2020.103432

WGAMA started on Dec. 31st 1999 to assess and strengthen the technical basis needed for the prevention, mitigation and management of potential accidents in NPP and to facilitate international convergence on safety issues and AM analyses and strategies. WGAMA addresses reactor thermal-hydraulics (Thys), in-vessel behavior of degraded cores, containment behavior and protection, and FP release, transport, deposition and retention, for both current and advanced reactors. This paper summarizes such WGAMA contributions in Thys, CFD and severe accidents, which include the Fukushima-Daiichi accident impacts on the WGAMA activities and their substantial outcomes. Around 50 technical reports have become reference in the related fields, which appear in References. Recommendations in these reports include further research, some of which have given rise to the joint projects conducted or underway within the OECD framework. Ongoing WGAMA activities are numerous and a number of them are to be launched in the near future, which are shortly mentioned too.

Numerical simulation of natural circulation experiment under asymmetric cooldown using LSTF

石垣 将宏; 渡辺 正*

Proceedings of 12th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal-Hydraulics, Operation and Safety (NUTHOS-12) (USB Flash Drive), 10 Pages, 2018/10

2011年にOECD/ROSA-2プロジェクトの一環として自然循環実験を行った。事故時において蒸気発生器(SG)の2次側の冷却材を喪失した場合、異常側SGにおける循環が停止する可能性がある。実験では片側SGの2次側を空にし、健全側SGの2次側を階段状に減圧した際の自然循環挙動の計測を行った。本研究ではこのLSTFによる自然循環実験をTRACEコードにより解析を実施した。解析の結果、健全側ループの循環流量は実験よりもわずかに過小評価し、異常側ループの流量を過大評価した。さらに冷却率に対する自然循環挙動の感度解析も実施した。