Water experiments on thermal striping phenomena at the core outlet of an advanced sodium-cooled fast reactor, 2; Proposal of countermeasures to mitigate temperature fluctuations around radial blanket fuel assemblies

Kobayashi, Jun; Aizawa, Kosuke; Ezure, Toshiki; Kurihara, Akikazu; Tanaka, Masaaki

Hozengaku, 20(3), p.97 - 101, 2021/10

Focusing on the thermal striping phenomena that occurs at a bottom of the internal structure of an advanced sodium-cooled fast reactor (Advanced-SFR) that has been designed by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, a water experiment using a 1/3 scale 60 degree sector model simulating the upper plenum of the Advanced-SFR has been conducted to examine countermeasures for the significant temperature fluctuation generated around the bottom of Upper Internal Structure (UIS). In the previous paper, we reported the effect of measures to mitigate temperature fluctuations around the control rod channels. In this paper, the same test section was used, and a water experiment was conducted to obtain the characteristics of temperature fluctuations around the radial blanket fuel assembly. And the shape of the Core Instrumentation Support Plate (CIP) was modified, and it was confirmed that it was highly effective in alleviating temperature fluctuations around the radial blanket fuel assembly.

Wettability of pure metals with liquid sodium and liquid tin

Saito, Junichi; Kobayashi, Yohei*; Shibutani, Hideo*

Nihon Kinzoku Gakkai-Shi, 85(3), p.110 - 119, 2021/03

https://doi.org/10.2320/jinstmet.J2020042

Formation of clusters in dilute neutron-rich matter

Tanaka, Junki*; Yang, Z.*; Typel, S.*; Adachi, Satoshi*; Bai, S.*; Van Beek, P.*; Beaumel, D.*; Fujikawa, Yuki*; Han, J.*; Heil, S.*; et al.

Science, 371(6526), p.260 - 264, 2021/01

https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abe4688

By employing quasi-free -cluster-knockout reactions, we obtained direct experimental evidence for the formation of clusters at the surface of neutron-rich tin isotopes. The observed monotonous decrease of the reaction cross sections with increasing mass number, in excellent agreement with the theoretical prediction, implies a tight interplay between -cluster formation and the neutron skin.

Ultralow-energy magnon anomaly in yttrium iron garnet

Shamoto, Shinichi; Yasui, Yukio*; Matsuura, Masato*; Akatsu, Mitsuhiro*; Kobayashi, Yoshiaki*; Nemoto, Yuichi*; Ieda, Junichi

Physical Review Research (Internet), 2(3), p.033235_1 - 033235_6, 2020/08

https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.033235

Ultralow energy magnon in yttrium iron garnet crystal has been studied by inelastic neutron scattering in an energy range from 10 to 45 eV. When a magnetic field of about 0.1 T is applied along [111], ultralow energy magnon anomaly is found at 10 K.

Study on multi-dimensional core cooling behavior of sodium-cooled fast reactors under DRACS operating conditions

Ezure, Toshiki; Onojima, Takamitsu; Tanaka, Masaaki; Kobayashi, Jun; Kurihara, Akikazu; Kameyama, Yuri*

Proceedings of 18th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics (NURETH-18) (USB Flash Drive), p.3355 - 3363, 2019/08

Steady-state sodium experiments under the operating conditions of a decay heat removal system (DHRS) were carried out as part of the safety enhancement of sodium-cooled fast reactors using the PLANDTL 2 facility, which has 30 heated channels with electric heaters and 25 no-heated channels as the simulated core. In the experiments, a direct reactor auxiliary cooling system (DRACS) with a dipped type direct heat exchanger (DHX) in the upper plenum was used as the DHRS. This paper reports on the preliminary experimental results of the PLANDTL 2 experiments under the DRACS operating conditions without flow in the primary circuit, including the thermal hydraulic interactions between the upper plenum and the core under the DHX operating conditions and the resulting core cooling behavior from the outside of the multiple rows of the fuel assemblies

Penetration of I released from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in the western North Pacific Ocean

Suzuki, Takashi; Otosaka, Shigeyoshi; Kuwabara, Jun; Kawamura, Hideyuki; Kobayashi, Takuya

JAEA-Conf 2018-002, p.103 - 106, 2019/02

https://doi.org/10.11484/jaea-conf-2018-002

To investigate the dynamics of radionuclides in the ocean released by the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (1F), vertical distributions of I at three stations in the western North Pacific was revealed. The 1F accident-derived I existed within the mixed layer at 3 stations. The maximum layer of the 1F accident-derived I existed at the depth of 370 m - 470 m at the most southern station. Considering the dissolved oxygen concentration and the current velocity arround the station, the maximum layer of the 1F accident-derived I would be fromed that I which existed in the surface seawater at other area of observation point was carried to the depth of 370 m - 470 m by the fast downward flow.

Measurement of Velocity Field in Five Jets Water Test (FIWAT) for thermal striping in sodium-cooled fast reactor

Aizawa, Kosuke; Kobayashi, Jun; Tanaka, Masaaki; Kurihara, Akikazu; Ishida, Katsuji*; Nagasawa, Kazuyoshi*

Proceedings of 11th Korea-Japan Symposium on Nuclear Thermal Hydraulics and Safety (NTHAS-11) (Internet), 10 Pages, 2018/11

A conceptual design of an advanced loop type sodium cooled reactor has been carried out in the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA). Temperature fluctuation is caused by mixing of fluids at different temperature from the control rod channels and the core fuel assemblies, high cycle thermal fatigue may arise on the Core Instrument Plane (CIP) at bottom of the Upper Internal Structure (UIS). In JAEA, 1/3-scaled five jets water tests (FIWAT) have been performed in order to investigate thermal striping phenomena around the CIP. In this study, the velocity field was measured in the mixing area between the jet outlet and the bottom of the structure by using particle image velocimetry (PIV) to compare with the temperature fluctuation characteristics.

Introduction to radiation physics; Third revised edition

Tada, Junichiro*; Nakashima, Hiroshi; Hayano, Ryugo*; Kobayashi, Hitoshi*; Asano, Yoshihiro*

Wakariyasui Hoshasen Butsurigaku; Kaitei 3-Han, 305 Pages, 2018/03

This book is an introduction to radiation physics. Under the concept of "linking physics of high school and radiation physics" for readers with high school graduation degree, we are doing simple commentary on the basis of qualitative explanation as much as possible. This book begins with "What is Radiation Physics", and consists of 12 chapters, including introductory special relativity, introductory quantum theory, structures of atoms and nuclei, radiations, radioactivity, interactions between radiation and matter, accelerators, radiation dose and so on.

Establishment of numerical estimation method for high cycle thermal fatigue in sodium-cooled fast reactor, 2; Benchmark analysis using planar triple parallel jet sodium test for fundamental validation

Tanaka, Masaaki; Kobayashi, Jun; Nagasawa, Kazuyoshi*

Dai-22-Kai Doryoku, Enerugi Gijutsu Shimpojiumu Koen Rombunshu (USB Flash Drive), 4 Pages, 2017/06

In JAEA, a numerical simulation code named MUGTHES which can deal with conjugate heat transfer between the fluid and the structure parts has been developed for estimation of the thermal fatigue issue. In fundamental validation, the benchmark analysis was considered using the experiment of planar triple parallel jet sodium test (PLAJEST). Three specific experimental conditions at Vr=1, 1.56, and 5.56 were employed for the benchmark analyses according to the knowledge in the literatures. Through the benchmarks, applicability of the large eddy simulation (LES) approach with the standard Smagorinsky model in MUGTHES to simulate thermal striping phenomena was potentially confirmed and issues to be modified in the future works were indicated.

Stabilization of MOX dissolving solution at STACY

Kobayashi, Fuyumi; Sumiya, Masato; Kida, Takashi; Kokusen, Junya; Uchida, Shoji; Kaminaga, Jota; Oki, Keiichi; Fukaya, Hiroyuki; Sono, Hiroki

JAEA-Technology 2016-025, 42 Pages, 2016/11

JAEA-Technology-2016-025.pdf:17.88MB

A preliminary test on MOX fuel dissolution for the STACY critical experiments had been conducted in 2000 through 2003 at Nuclear Science Research Institute of JAEA. Accordingly, the uranyl / plutonium nitrate solution should be reconverted into oxide powder to store the fuel for a long period. For this storage, the moisture content in the oxide powder should be controlled from the viewpoint of criticality safety. The stabilization of uranium / plutonium solution was carried out under a precipitation process using ammonia or oxalic acid solution, and a calcination process using a sintering furnace. As a result of the stabilization operation, recovery rate was 95.6% for uranium and 95.0% for plutonium. Further, the recovered oxide powder was calcined again in nitrogen atmosphere and sealed immediately with a plastic bag to keep its moisture content low and to prevent from reabsorbing atmospheric moisture.