New insight on the thermal impact on cementitious materials due to high-temperature with water supply; Continuous expansive spalling in water

三浦 泰人*; 宮本 慎太郎*; 丸山 一平*; Aili, A.*; 佐藤 拓未; 永江 勇二; 五十嵐 豪*

Case Studies in Construction Materials, 21, p.e03571_1 - e03571_14, 2024/12

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2024.e03571

In this study, the expansion behavior of cement materials after high-temperature heating and water immersion was observed experimentally. Two experiments were conducted using mortar specimens with different sand-to-cement ratios subjected to different high-temperature histories up to 1000C. In Case 1, the specimens were immersed in water after high-temperature heating and then cooled naturally; in Case 2, the specimens were immersed in water at high temperatures without the cooling process. Based on the results, it was confirmed that lime expansion due to the rehydration of CaO by heating occurred in Case 1. In contrast, dynamic continuous explosive spalling occurred in Case 2 because of water penetration into the specimen at a high temperature. The explosive spalling in water observed in Case 2 is a phenomenon that has not been reported to date. Possible failure mechanisms for lime expansion and continuous expansive spalling in water are suggested.

Sm synchrotron-radiation-based Mssbauer spectroscopy of Sm-based heavy fermion compounds

筒井 智嗣; 東中 隆二*; 水牧 仁一朗*; 小林 義男*; 中村 仁*; 伊藤 孝; 依田 芳卓*; 松田 達磨*; 青木 勇二*; 佐藤 英行*

Interactions (Internet), 245(1), p.9_1 - 9_10, 2024/12

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10751-024-01851-y

Sm synchrotron-radiation-based Mssbauer spectroscopy has been applied to Sm-based heavy fermion intermetallics, SmAl ( = Ti, V and Cr) and SmOsSb. The isomer shifts obtained demonstrate that the Sm valence states in these compounds are intermediate. Since the difference of the isomer shifts in 22.502 keV Sm Mssbauer effect between Sm and Sm state is comparable to the 2nd order Doppler shift, consideration of the 2nd order Doppler shift is required to precisely discuss Sm valence state through the shifts of the Mssbauer spectra. In addition, the plots of the isomer shifts obtained by the Mssbauer spectroscopy against the Sm valence states estimated from Sm L-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy exhibit a linear correlation except for that in SmOsSb. This implies that the origin of the intermediate valence state in SmOsSb differs from that in SmAl ( = Ti, V and Cr).

An Evaluation on Inelastic Thermal Neutron Scattering Cross-Section Data of Crystalline Graphite

沖田 将一朗; 安部 豊*; 田崎 誠司*; 深谷 裕司

Radioisotopes, 73(3), p.233 - 240, 2024/11

https://doi.org/10.3769/radioisotopes.73.233

In the latest nuclear data libraries ENDF/B-VIII.0 and JENDL-5, the inelastic scattering cross-section data for reactor graphite and crystalline graphite are employed. The data for reactor graphite reproduces the measurement values very well, while the data for crystalline graphite tends to underestimate the measurement values, and there is room for improvement. Therefore, in the present study, for future updates of JENDL, a new molecular dynamics simulation model for crystalline graphite is prepared and inelastic scattering cross-section data are evaluated based on both incoherent approximation and Vineyard approximation. As a result, the obtained inelastic scattering cross-section data of crystalline graphite show very good agreement with the measured data and successfully presented more reliable data than those employed in ENDF/B-VIII.0 and JENDL-5.

Radioactivity estimation of radioactive hotspots using a Compton camera and derivation of dose rates in the surrounding environment

佐藤 優樹

Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 212, p.111421_1 - 111421_8, 2024/10

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2024.111421

At the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, radiation sources released in the accident were deposited on various equipment and building structures. During decommissioning, it is crucial to understand the distribution of radiation sources and ambient dose equivalent rates to reduce worker exposure and implement detailed work planning. In this study, the author introduces a method for visualizing radiation sources, estimates their radioactivity using a Compton camera, and derives the dose rate around the radiation sources. In the demonstration test, the Compton camera was used to visualize radioactive hotspots caused by Cs radiation sources deposited in the outdoor environment and estimated the radioactivity. Furthermore, the dose rate around the hotspots was calculated from the estimated radioactivity, which confirmed that the calculated dose rate correlated with the dose rate measured using a survey meter. This approach is novel, where a series of analyses were conducted using the Compton camera to visualize radioactive hotspots, estimate the radioactivity, and derive the dose rate in the surrounding environment.

Pearlite growth kinetics in Fe-C-Mn eutectoid steels; Quantitative evaluation of energy dissipation at pearlite growth front via experimental approaches

Zhang, Y.-J.*; 梅田 岳昌*; 諸岡 聡; Harjo, S.; 宮本 吾郎*; 古原 忠*

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, 55(10), p.3921 - 3936, 2024/10

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-024-07518-1

In this study, a series of eutectoid steels with Mn addition up to 2 mass% were isothermally transformed at various temperatures from 873 K to 973 K to clarify the pearlite growth kinetics and the underlying thermodynamics at its growth front. The microscopic observation indicates the acceleration in pearlite growth rate and refinement in lamellar spacing by decreasing the transformation temperature or the amount of Mn addition. After analyzing the solute distribution at pearlite growth front via three-dimensional atom probe, no macroscopic Mn partitioning across pearlite/austenite interface is detected, whereas Mn segregation is only observed at ferrite/austenite interface. Furthermore, in-situ neutron diffraction measurements performed at elevated temperatures reveals that the magnitude of elastic strain generated during pearlite transformation is very small.

Survey on research and development status of Japanese small modular reactors in OECD/NEA activities (2022-2023)

竹田 武司; 柴田 大受

JAEA-Review 2024-040, 29 Pages, 2024/09

JAEA-Review-2024-040.pdf:1.33MB

日本の第6次エネルギー基本計画では、2050年までのカーボンニュートラルを目指したエネルギー政策の道筋を示すことが重要なテーマとなっている。2030年に向けた日本の原子力研究開発(R&D)への政策対応には、国際連携による2030年までの小型モジュール炉(SMR)技術の実証が盛り込まれている。これを踏まえ、脱炭素化と経済成長を同時に達成するGreen Transformation (GX)の実現に向けて、今後10年を見据えた取組の基本方針が取りまとめられた。海外に目を向けると、米国、カナダ、欧州、中国、ロシアを中心に、重工メーカーやR&D機関のみならずベンチャー企業も含めて、国際的にSMRのR&D活動が活発である。このような状況下で、原子力機関(NEA)の原子力施設安全委員会(CSNI)は、SMRの安全性への影響評価を支援するために、SMRに関する専門家グループ(EGSMR)を招集した。EGSMRの取組として、SMRの導入や研究活動に関する最新情報の収集を主目的とした数回にわたるアンケートへの回答の提出が求められた。これに対して、筆頭著者から、JAEAに加えて日立GEニュークリア・エナジー株式会社、三菱重工業株式会社からの情報に基づき回答した。アンケートに対する日本の回答の多くは、CSNI Technical Opinion Paper No.21 (TOP-21)のベースとなる情報である。本報告書では、整理した公開可能な日本のアンケート回答と付加情報を示し、TOP-21の記載内容の一部を補完した。これにより、EGSMRの活動(2022-2023年)を中心とした日本におけるSMRに関するR&Dの調査結果をまとめた。本報告書は、SMRに関する今後の国際協力の議論や国内外の原子力分野の人材育成に役立てることを目的としている。この中で、日本の革新炉のR&Dの主なトピックスとして、高温ガス炉(HTGR)とナトリウム冷却高速炉(SFR)に関して、実用化に必要な技術と現状のギャップを同定している。また、HTGRと水素製造施設の相互接続に関連して、水素製造施設からの可燃性ガスの漏洩と異常発生が安全性に与える影響等について整理している。

幌延深地層研究計画; 令和6年度調査研究計画

中山 雅

JAEA-Review 2024-033, 64 Pages, 2024/09

JAEA-Review-2024-033.pdf:5.15MB

幌延深地層研究計画は、日本原子力研究開発機構が堆積岩を対象に北海道幌延町で実施しているプロジェクトである。令和6年度は、「令和2年度以降の幌延深地層研究計画」で示した、「実際の地質環境における人工バリアの適用性確認」、「処分概念オプションの実証」および「地殻変動に対する堆積岩の緩衝能力の検証」について、引き続き調査研究を行う。令和6年度に実施する主な調査研究は以下のとおりである。「実際の地質環境における人工バリアの適用性確認」では、人工バリア性能確認試験のデータ取得を継続するとともに、解体試験計画の具体化や解析課題などに取り組む。また、物質移行試験について、掘削損傷領域を対象とした試験および有機物・微生物・コロイドの影響について取りまとめ、評価手法を整備する。さらに、ブロックスケールを対象とした物質移行について、稚内層深部を事例とした評価手法を取りまとめる。「処分概念オプションの実証」では、閉鎖技術の実証として、坑道掘削・閉鎖後の地質環境変化に関する調査試験結果などの整理・取りまとめを行うとともに、坑道内から掘削されたボーリング孔の閉塞技術の適用性や技術的な課題について取りまとめる。坑道スケールピットスケールでの調査・設計・評価技術の体系化について、調査・評価手法の整理や解析などを進める。また、高温度(100C以上)等の限界的条件下での人工バリア性能確認試験では、令和5年度に開始した原位置試験を継続し、ひと組の試験体を解体して100Cを超える熱履歴を経た緩衝材の特性を確認する。「実際の地質環境における人工バリアの適用性確認」では、地殻変動が地層の透水性に与える影響、ダクティリティインデックスを用いた透水性の評価手法・隆起侵食の影響の評価手法および水圧擾乱試験による断層の活動性(力学的な安定性)評価手法について取りまとめる。地下施設の建設・維持管理では、令和5年度に引き続き東立坑と換気立坑の掘削を行うとともに、湧水対策を実施した後に西立坑および500m調査坑道の掘削を開始する。国内外の資金や人材の活用に関する取り組みとして、幌延国際共同プロジェクトにて「実際の地質環境における人工バリアの適用性確認」および「処分概念オプションの実証」に関わる3つのタスクについて調査研究を継続する。

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.

Experimental determination of deposition velocity of CsOH aerosols on CaCO at temperature range 170 - 290C

Luu, V. N.; 中島 邦久

Nuclear Engineering and Design, 426, p.113402_1 - 113402_7, 2024/09

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2024.113402

A field assessment at the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Station revealed high radioactivity on the concrete shield plugs, which is estimated above 20 PBq for Cs-137 at units 2 and 3. This leads to significant interest in the retention of Cs on concrete during severe accidents (SA). However, the interaction of CsOH, as one of the main Cs forms released in SA, with concrete surfaces at elevated temperatures remains poorly researched. In this study, we have experimentally investigated the deposition behavior of CsOH on CaCO, which is the primary phase existing on the surface of concrete, under humid atmosphere. As a result, the chemical reaction enhanced deposition rate (N), and increased linearly with CsOH concentration (C), as following expression: N(g/cm・s) = vC, where v is temperature-dependent deposition velocity as given by ln v (cm/s) = -3785.8/T + 3.766, for T in the range of 170 and 290 C. This empirical model can be integrated into severe accident codes to quantify the chemical trapping of cesium on concrete surfaces during ex-vessel release. Moreover, it can contribute to understanding the reasons behind the high dose rate on concrete shield plugs at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear power stations and aid in developing effective decommissioning practices for concrete structures.

Anomalous dislocation response to deformation strain in CrFeCoNiPd high-entropy alloys with nanoscale chemical fluctuations

Ying, H.*; Yang, X.*; He, H.*; Yan, A.*; An, K.*; Ke, Y.*; Wu, Z.*; Tang, S.*; Zhang, Z.*; Dong, H.*; et al.

Scripta Materialia, 250, p.116181_1 - 116181_7, 2024/09

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scriptamat.2024.116181

Nanoscale chemical fluctuations and their effect on the deformation behavior of CrFeCoNi-based high-entropy alloys (HEAs) were investigated using small-angle scattering and in situ neutron diffraction measurements. Small-angle scattering results demonstrated the presence of nano (10 nm) chemical fluctuations in the as-prepared CrFeCoNiPd HEAs, which was attributed to the negative mixing of enthalpy and the significant atomic radius difference between Pd and the constituent elements in the CrFeCoNi-based alloys. Subsequent tensile tests demonstrated that the yield and tensile strengths of the as-prepared CrFeCoNiPd HEA surpass those of the as-prepared CrMnFeCoNi HEA. Neutron diffraction data analysis revealed an anomalous response of dislocation evolution with the strain.