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

Takabe, Yugo; Otsuka, Noriaki; Fuyushima, Takumi; Sayato, Natsuki; Inoue, Shuichi; Morita, Hisashi; Jaroszewicz, J.*; Migdal, M.*; Onuma, Yuichi; Tobita, Masahiro*; et al.

JAEA-Technology 2022-040, 45 Pages, 2023/03

JAEA-Technology-2022-040.pdf:6.61MB

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.

Rapid analysis of Sr in cattle bone and tooth samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Koarai, Kazuma; Matsueda, Makoto; Aoki, Jo; Yanagisawa, Kayo*; Terashima, Motoki; Fujiwara, Kenso; Kino, Yasushi*; Oka, Toshitaka; Takahashi, Atsushi*; Suzuki, Toshihiko*; et al.

Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 36(8), p.1678 - 1682, 2021/08

https://doi.org/10.1039/D1JA00086A

Rapid analysis of Sr in bone and tooth samples of cattle were achieved by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) coupled with mass shift and solid phase extraction techniques. Limit of detection (LOD) in the ICP-MS measurement of 0.1 g samples was lower than that of the radioactivity measurement. Analytical time of the ICP-MS method was reduced from 20 days to 11 hours, compared with the radiometric method. Therefore, the ICP-MS method can be rapid and useful procedure of Sr in small bone and tooth samples derived from terrestrial animals.

Verification of alternative dew point hygrometer for CV-LRT in MONJU; Short- and long-term verification for capacitance-type dew point hygrometer (Translated document)

Ichikawa, Shoichi; Chiba, Yusuke; Ono, Fumiyasu; Hatori, Masakazu; Kobayashi, Takanori; Uekura, Ryoichi; Hashiri, Nobuo*; Inuzuka, Taisuke*; Kitano, Hiroshi*; Abe, Hisashi*

JAEA-Research 2017-001, 40 Pages, 2017/03

JAEA-Research-2017-001.pdf:5.19MB

In order to reduce the influence on a plant schedule of the MONJU by the maintenance of dew point hygrometers, The JAEA examined a capacitance type dew point hygrometer as an alternative dew point hygrometer for a lithium-chloride type dew point hygrometer which had been used at the CV-LRT in the MONJU. As a result of comparing a capacitance type dew point hygrometer with a lithium-chloride type dew point hygrometer at the CV-LRT (Atmosphere: nitrogen, Testing time: 24 hours), there weren't significant difference between a capacitance type dew point hygrometer and a lithium-chloride type dew point hygrometer. As a result of comparing a capacitance dew point hygrometer with a high-mirror-surface type dew point hygrometer for long term verification (Atmosphere: air, Testing time: 24 months), the JAEA confirmed that a capacitance type dew point hygrometer satisfied the instrument specification (2.04C) required by the JEAC4203-2008.

Analysis on ex-vessel loss of coolant accident for a water-cooled fusion DEMO reactor

Watanabe, Kazuhito; Nakamura, Makoto; Tobita, Kenji; Someya, Yoji; Tanigawa, Hisashi; Uto, Hiroyasu; Sakamoto, Yoshiteru; Araki, Takao*; Asano, Shiro*; Asano, Kazuhito*

Proceedings of 26th IEEE Symposium on Fusion Engineering (SOFE 2015), 6 Pages, 2016/06

http://doi.org/10.1109/SOFE.2015.7482333

Safety studies of a water-cooled fusion DEMO reactor have been performed. In the event of the blanket cooling pipe break outside the vacuum vessel, i.e. ex-vacuum vessel loss of coolant accident (ex-VV LOCA), the pressurized steam and air may lead to damage reactor building walls which have confinement function, and to release the radioactive materials to the environment. In response to this accident, we proposed three cases of confinement strategies. In each case, the pressure and thermal loads to the confinement boundaries and total mass of tritium released to outside the boundaries were analyzed by accident analysis code MELCOR modified for fusion reactor. These analyses developed design parameters to maintain the integrity of the confinement boundaries.

Cesium adsorption ability and stability of metal hexacyanoferrates irradiated with -rays

Arisaka, Makoto; Watanabe, Masayuki; Ishizaki, Manabu*; Kurihara, Masato*; Chen, R.*; Tanaka, Hisashi*

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 303(2), p.1543 - 1547, 2015/02

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-014-3710-0

The influence of irradiation with -rays to metal hexacyanoferrate (MHCF: M = Fe, Cu or Ni), which is known as an adsorbent for selective adsorption of cesium (Cs) ion in solution, on Cs adsorption ability and stability was investigated in HNO solutions. Under the adsorbed dose conditions (50-300 kGy), it was found that the MHCF is fully stable although the radiolytic decomposition of MHCF was slightly observed with an increase of the total adsorbed dose, which was confirmed by an increment of Fe, Cu or Ni concentration in HNO solution after the irradiation. The weight percent of the metal in the solution to initial weight of MHCF was less than unity. Moreover, no change in composition of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen in MHCF was observed. On the other hand, the distribution coefficients of Cs to the irradiated MHCF were independent of the total adsorbed dose. This indicates that the Cs adsorption ability was maintained under -ray irradiation.

Key aspects of the safety study of a water-cooled fusion DEMO reactor

Nakamura, Makoto; Tobita, Kenji; Someya, Yoji; Tanigawa, Hisashi; Gulden, W.*; Sakamoto, Yoshiteru; Araki, Takao*; Watanabe, Kazuhito*; Matsumiya, Hisato*; Ishii, Kyoko*; et al.

Plasma and Fusion Research (Internet), 9, p.1405139_1 - 1405139_11, 2014/10

https://doi.org/10.1585/pfr.9.1405139

Key aspects of the safety study of a water-cooled fusion DEMO reactor is reported. Safety requirements, dose target, DEMO plant model and confinement strategy of the safety study are briefly introduced. The internal hazard of a water-cooled DEMO, i.e. radioactive inventories, stored energies that can mobilize these inventories and accident initiators and scenarios, are evaluated. It is pointed out that the enthalpy in the first wall/blanket cooling loops, the decay heat and the energy potentially released by the Be-steam chemical reaction are of special concern for the water-cooled DEMO. An ex-vessel loss-of-coolant of the first wall/blanket cooling loop is also quantitatively analyzed. The integrity of the building against the ex-VV LOCA is discussed.

Proton-exchange mechanism of specific Cs adsorption lattice defect sites of Prussian blue filled with coordination and crystallization water molecules

Ishizaki, Manabu*; Akiba, Sae*; Otani, Asako*; Hoshi, Yuji*; Ono, Kenta*; Matsuba, Mayu*; Togashi, Takanari*; Kanaizuka, Katsuhiko*; Sakamoto, Masatomi*; Takahashi, Akira*; et al.

Dalton Transactions, 42(45), p.16049 - 16055, 2013/12

https://doi.org/10.1039/c3dt51637g

We have revealed the fundamental mechanism of specific Cs adsorption into Prussian blue (PB) in order to develop high-performance PB-based Cs adsorbents in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear accident. We compared two types of PB nanoparticles with formulae of Fe[Fe(CN)]3xHO (x = 10-15) (PB-1) and (NH)0.70Fe1.10[Fe(CN)]1.7HO (PB-2) with respect to the Cs adsorption ability. The synthesised PB-1, by a common stoichiometric aqueous reaction between 4Fe and 3[Fe(CN)], showed much more efficient Cs adsorption ability than did the commercially available PB-2.

Selective removal of cesium ions from wastewater using copper hexacyanoferrate nanofilms in an electrochemical system

Chen, R.*; Tanaka, Hisashi*; Kawamoto, Toru*; Asai, Miyuki*; Fukushima, Chikako*; Na, H.*; Kurihara, Masato*; Watanabe, Masayuki; Arisaka, Makoto; Nankawa, Takuya

Electrochimica Acta, 87, p.119 - 125, 2013/01

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2012.08.124

A novel electrochemical adsorption system using a nanoparticle film of copper (II) hexacyanoferrate (III) was proposed for selectively removing cesium from wastewater. This system can be used for cesium separation without extra chemical reagents or any filtration treatment. Cesium uptake and elution can be simply controlled by switching the applied potentials between anodes and cathodes. Data from batch kinetic studies well fitted the intraparticle diffusion equation, reflecting a two-step process: a steepest ascent portion followed by a plateau extending to the equilibrium. The effective cesium removal with a high distribution coefficient ( 510 mL/g) can be adopted in a large pH range from 0.3 to 9.2, and in the presence of several diverse coexisting alkaline cations, suggesting it can be taken as a promising technology for actual nuclear wastewater treatment.

Preparation of a film of copper hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles for electrochemical removal of cesium from radioactive wastewater

Chen, R.*; Tanaka, Hisashi*; Kawamoto, Toru*; Asai, Miyuki*; Fukushima, Chikako*; Kurihara, Masato*; Watanabe, Masayuki; Arisaka, Makoto; Nankawa, Takuya

Electrochemistry Communications, 25, p.23 - 25, 2012/11

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elecom.2012.09.012

We first synthesized water-dispersed nanoparticle copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCF) ink and then coated its nanoparticles on electrodes to electrochemically remove cesium from wastewater. Cesium uptake and elution can be controlled by switching the potentials between anodes and cathodes. Effective cesium removal can be adopted in a large pH range from 0.2 to 8.9, and in the presence of several diverse coexisting alkaline cations, suggesting that it can be taken as a promising technology for actual radioactive wastewater treatment. The prepared CuHCF nanoparticles can be simply and uniformly coated on electrodes by wet process like conventional printing methods, so any sizes or patterns are feasible at low cost, which indicated the potential as a promising sorption electrode of large size in the columns for sequential removal and recycle of Cs from wastewater.

Intracellular changes of metal elements by fucoidan extracted from brown seaweed;

Nagamine, Takeaki*; Takada, Hisashi*; Kusakabe, Takahiko*; Nakazato, Kyomi*; Sakai, Takuro; Oikawa, Masakazu*; Kamiya, Tomihiro; Arakawa, Kazuo; Iha, Masahiko*

Biological Trace Element Research, 124(1), p.60 - 69, 2008/07

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-008-8123-x

This study was undertaken to elucidate the intracellular changes of metal elements after the administration of fucoidan extracted from . TRL1215 cells (normal rat liver cell line) were treated with 0, 0.1, or 1.0 mg/mL fucoidan. The cellular distribution of elements was analyzed using in-air micro-PIXE induced X-ray emission. In fucoidan-treated cells, the focal accumulation of Br (BrdU) was correlated spatially with phosphorous-rich region, suggesting that Br was localized within the nucleus. Al distribution provided a spatial association with Br map. These data suggest that fucoidan binding Al us postulated to be transferred into the nucleus.