Neutronic design of neutron moderator on a reentrant-hole configuration for Kyoto University Accelerator-based Neutron Source (KUANS)

Okita, Shoichiro; Tasaki, Seiji*; Abe, Yutaka*

Nippon Genshiryoku Gakkai Wabun Rombunshi, 19(3), p.178 - 184, 2020/09

https://doi.org/10.3327/taesj.J19.028

The Kyoto University Accelerator-based Neutron Source (KUANS) is a compact neutron source that is mainly used for spectrometer and detector development. In addition, it is also suited for experiments to study the neutronic design of moderators owing to the relatively low neutron generation yield by Be(p,n). We present a neutronic design of the neutron moderator on a reentrant-hole configuration for KUANS to enhance the neutron emission, and some experiments are conducted at KUANS for verification. A polyethylene moderator on a reentrant-hole configuration is designed by PHITS calculation and is introduced to KUANS to obtain intense oblong neutron beams. The intensity of the pulsed neutron beam is experimentally measured. The results reveal that the intensity becomes approximately 1.9 times stronger than that of the conventional rectangular design. In addition, the ratio of its intensity to the conventional intensity increases to approximately threefold as the neutron wavelength increases. It is interesting to note that the longer the neutron wavelength, the more efficiently they are extracted from the inside of the moderator owing to the existence of the reentrant-hole configuration.

Development of one-dimensional optical fiber type radiation distribution sensing method based on wavelength spectrum unfolding

Terasaka, Yuta; Watanabe, Kenichi*; Uritani, Akira*; Yamazaki, Atsushi*; Sato, Yuki; Torii, Tatsuo; Wakaida, Ikuo

Proceedings of International Youth Nuclear Congress 2020 (IYNC 2020) (Internet), 4 Pages, 2020/05

Experimental research on pool scrubbing of particles of radioactive materials

Akiba, Miyuki*; Hotta, Akitoshi*; Abe, Yutaka*; Sun, Haomin

Nippon Genshiryoku Gakkai Wabun Rombunshi, 19(1), p.1 - 15, 2020/02

https://doi.org/10.3327/taesj.J18.042

Tests at three different scales were conducted in order to understand the mechanisms of pool scrubbing. In the small-scale separate effect test, high resolution two-phase flow measurement techniques such as a high-speed camera, wire mesh sensor and PIV were applied to capture the behaviors of a single bubble and two-phase flow structures. In the large-scale integral effect test, the dependence of the aerosol removal efficiency on submergence and pool temperature was measured under constant pressure and depressurized conditions. To clarify relationships between individual phenomena and combined phenomena observed in two tests, the mid-scale integral effect test was undertaken.

Present status of JAEA-Tokai tandem accelerator

Matsuda, Makoto; Osa, Akihiko; Ishizaki, Nobuhiro; Tayama, Hidekazu; Kabumoto, Hiroshi; Nakamura, Masahiko; Kutsukake, Kenichi; Otokawa, Yoshinori; Asozu, Takuhiro; Matsui, Yutaka; et al.

Proceedings of 16th Annual Meeting of Particle Accelerator Society of Japan (Internet), p.1270 - 1273, 2019/07

https://www.pasj.jp/web_publish/pasj2019/proceedings/index_abstracts.html

The JAEA-Tokai tandem accelerator was operated over a total of 138 days, and delivered 16 different ions to the experiments in the research fields of nuclear physics, nuclear chemistry, atomic physics, solid state physics and radiation effects in material in FY2018. Maximum acceleration voltage was 16.6 MV. A new beam attenuator was installed at the entrance beam line of the tandem accelerator to facilitate control of the beam current and minimize stripper foil consumption. The main maintenance items included replacing the pellet chain used for about 68,000 hours and the drive motor for the high voltage terminal generator used for about 9 years. A fault has occurred in the building's oxygen deficiency monitor. This paper describes the operational status of the accelerators and the major technical developments of our facility.

Cryogenic sample environments shared at the MLF, J-PARC

Kawamura, Seiko; Takahashi, Ryuta*; Ishikado, Motoyuki*; Yamauchi, Yasuhiro*; Nakamura, Masatoshi*; Ouchi, Keiichi*; Kira, Hiroshi*; Kambara, Wataru*; Aoyama, Kazuhiro*; Sakaguchi, Yoshifumi*; et al.

Journal of Neutron Research, 21(1-2), p.17 - 22, 2019/05

https://doi.org/10.3233/JNR-190106

The Cryogenics and Magnets group in the Sample Environment team is responsible for operation of cryostats and magnets for user's experiments at the MLF in J-PARC. We have introduced a top-loading He cryostat, a bottom-loading He cryostat, a dilution refrigerator insert and a superconducting magnet. The frequency of use of them dramatically becomes higher in these two years, as the beam power and the number of proposal increase. To respond such situation, we have made efforts to enhance performance of these equipment as follows. The He cryostat originally involves an operation software for automatic initial cooling down to the base temperature and automatic re-charge of He. Recently we made an additional program for automatic temperature control with only the sorb heater. Last year, a new outer vacuum chamber of the magnet with an oscillating radial collimator (ORC) was fabricated. The data quality was drastically improved by introducing this ORC so that the magnet can be used even for the inelastic neutron scattering experiments.

A New measuring method for elemental ratio and Vickers hardness of metal-oxide-boride materials based on Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

Abe, Yuta; Otaka, Masahiko; Okazaki, Kodai*; Kawakami, Tomohiko*; Nakagiri, Toshio

Proceedings of 2019 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants (ICAPP 2019) (Internet), 7 Pages, 2019/05

Since the hardness of fuel debris containing boride from BC pellet in control rod is estimated to be two times higher as that of oxide, such as UO and ZrO, it is necessary to select the efficient and appropriate operation for removal of fuel debris formed in the severe accident of nuclear power plants. We focused on the characteristics of LIBS, an innovative rapid chemical in-situ analysis technology that enables simultaneous detection of B, O, and other metal elements in fuel debris. Simulated solidified melt specimens were obtained in the plasma heating tests (CMMR-0/-2, performed by JAEA) of simulated fuel assembly (ZrO is used to simulated UO pellet, other materials such as stainless steel, BC are same as fuel assembly). The LIBS signals of (B/O)/Zr ratio showed good linear relationship with Vickers hardness. This technique can be also applied as in-situ assessment tool for elemental composition and Vickers hardness of metal-oxide-boride materials.

Development of compact high field pulsed magnet system for new sample environment equipment at MLF in J-PARC

Watanabe, Masao; Nojiri, Hiroyuki*; Ito, Shinichi*; Kawamura, Seiko; Kihara, Takumi*; Masuda, Takatsugu*; Sahara, Takuro*; Soda, Minoru*; Takahashi, Ryuta

JPS Conference Proceedings (Internet), 25, p.011024_1 - 011024_5, 2019/03

https://doi.org/10.7566/JPSCP.25.011024

Recently, neutron scattering experiments have been rapidly progressed under high magnetic field. In the J-PARC, proto-type compact pulse magnet system with the power supply, the coil and the sample stick has been developed. Basic specifications of the power supply are as follows; maximum charged voltage with capacitor is 2 kV, maximum current is 8 kA, repetition rate is a pulse per several minutes and pulse duration is several msec. Maximum magnetic field in the coil is more than 30 Tesla. The sample stick is designed for Orange-Cryostat. In this presentation, We report the details of the pulsed magnet system and the performance of it on neutron scattering experiments at MLF beam line (HRC).

Mechanism of flashing phenomena by microwave heating and influence of high dielectric constant solution

Fujita, Shunya*; Abe, Yutaka*; Kaneko, Akiko*; Yuasa, Tomohisa*; Segawa, Tomoomi; Kato, Yoshiyuki; Kawaguchi, Koichi; Ishii, Katsunori

Proceedings of 11th Korea-Japan Symposium on Nuclear Thermal Hydraulics and Safety (NTHAS-11) (Internet), 7 Pages, 2018/11

Mixed uranium oxide and plutonium oxide powder is produced from uranyl nitrate and plutonium nitrate mixed solution by the microwave heating denitration method in the spent fuel reprocessing process. Since the microwave heating method is accompanied by a boiling phenomenon, it is necessary to fully grasp the operating conditions in order to avoid flashing and spilling in the mass production of denitrification technology for the future. In this research, it was clarified that the heat transfer coefficient became lower as the dielectric constant increased. The dominant factor of the blowing up phenomena is supposed to be generation of the innumerable bubble rather than bubble's growth.

Development of beam energy position monitor system for RIKEN superconducting acceleration cavity

Watanabe, Tamaki*; Imao, Hiroshi*; Kamigaito, Osamu*; Sakamoto, Naruhiko*; Fukunishi, Nobuhisa*; Fujimaki, Masaki*; Yamada, Kazunari*; Watanabe, Yutaka*; Koyama, Ryo*; Toyama, Takeshi*; et al.

Proceedings of 15th Annual Meeting of Particle Accelerator Society of Japan (Internet), p.49 - 54, 2018/08

https://www.pasj.jp/web_publish/pasj2018/proceedings/PDF/WEOL/WEOL09.pdf

no abstracts in English

Mechanism of flashing phenomena induced by microwave heating

Fujita, Shunya*; Abe, Yutaka*; Kaneko, Akiko*; Yuasa, Tomohisa*; Segawa, Tomoomi; Yamada, Yoshikazu; Kato, Yoshiyuki; Ishii, Katsunori

Proceedings of 26th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE-26) (Internet), 8 Pages, 2018/07

Mixed uranium oxide and plutonium oxide powder is produced from uranyl nitrate and plutonium nitrate mixed solution by the microwave heating denitration method in the spent fuel reprocessing process. Since the microwave heating method is accompanied by a boiling phenomenon, it is necessary to fully grasp the operating conditions in order to avoid flashing and spilling in the mass production of denitrification technology for the future. In this research, it was confirmed that a potassium chloride aqueous solution as a simulant of uranyl nitrate aqueous solution with high dielectric loss cause loss of microwave at the solution surface as the dielectric loss increased with the increase of KCl concentration by experimental and electromagnetic field analysis, and revealed that the change in the heating condition affects the generation of flushing.