Visualizing cation vacancies in Ce:GdAlGaO scintillators by gamma-ray-induced positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy

Fujimori, Kosuke*; Kitaura, Mamoru*; Taira, Yoshitaka*; Fujimoto, Masaki*; Zen, H.*; Watanabe, Shinta*; Kamada, Kei*; Okano, Yasuaki*; Kato, Masahiro*; Hosaka, Masahito*; et al.

Applied Physics Express, 13(8), p.085505_1 - 085505_4, 2020/08

https://doi.org/10.35848/1882-0786/aba0dd

To clarify the existence of cation vacancies in Ce-doped GdAlGaO (Ce:GAGG) scintillators, we performed gamma-ray-induced positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (GiPALS). GiPAL spectra of GAGG and Ce:GAGG comprised two exponential decay components, which were assigned to positron annihilation at bulk and defect states. By an analogy with Ce:YAlO, the defect-related component was attributed to Al/Ga-O divacancy complexes. This component was weaker for Ce, Mg:GAGG, which correlated with the suppression of shallow electron traps responsible for phosphorescence. Oxygen vacancies were charge compensators for Al/Ga vacancies. The lifetime of the defect-related component was significantly changed by Mg co-doping. This was understood by considering aggregates of Mg ions at Al/Ga sites with oxygen vacancies, which resulted in the formation of vacancy clusters.

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.

Modelling of marine radionuclide dispersion in IAEA MODARIA program; Lessons learnt from the Baltic Sea and Fukushima scenarios

Periez, R.*; Bezhenar, R.*; Brovchenko, I.*; Duffa, C.*; Iosjpe, M.*; Jung, K. T.*; Kobayashi, Takuya; Lamego, F.*; Maderich, V.*; Min, B. I.*; et al.

Science of the Total Environment, 569-570, p.594 - 602, 2016/11

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.131

State-of-the art dispersion models were applied to simulate Cs dispersion from Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster fallout in the Baltic Sea and from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant releases in the Pacific Ocean after the 2011 tsunami. Models were of different nature, from box to full three-dimensional models, and included water/sediment interactions. Agreement between models was very good in the Baltic. In the case of Fukushima, results from models could be considered to be in acceptable agreement only after a model harmonization process consisting of using exactly the same forcing (water circulation and parameters) in all models. It was found that the dynamics of the considered system (magnitude and variability of currents) was essential in obtaining a good agreement between models. The difficulties in developing operative models for decision-making support in these dynamic environments were highlighted.

Fundamental validation of fluid-structure thermal interaction simulation code for thermal striping in sodium-cooled fast reactors with parallel triple jets mixing experiments

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

Proceedings of OECD/NEA & IAEA Workshop on Application of CFD/CMFD Codes to Nuclear Reactor Safety and Design and their Experimental Validation (CFD4NRS-6) (Internet), 12 Pages, 2016/09

A numerical simulation code named MUGTHES which can deal with conjugate heat transfer problem between the fluid and the structure parts has been developed in order to predict the thermal response in the structure for estimation of the thermal fatigue issue. To perform fundamental validation of the MUGTHES, the benchmark simulation was considered using the experiment of planar triple parallel jets mixing sodium test (PLAJEST). Since it was known by literatures that three representative flow mixing patterns were shown in accordance with the velocity rate of the side jets to the center jet, three typical experimental conditions in the PLAJEST were employed as boundary conditions for the benchmark. Through the numerical simulations, applicability of the large eddy simulation (LES) approach with the standard Smagorinsky model to simulate thermal striping phenomena was confirmed.

Development of inspection and repair techniques for reactor vessel of experimental fast reactor "Joyo"; Replacement of upper core structure

Takamatsu, Misao; Kawahara, Hirotaka; Ito, Hiromichi; Ushiki, Hiroshi; Suzuki, Nobuhiro; Sasaki, Jun; Ota, Katsu; Okuda, Eiji; Kobayashi, Tetsuhiko; Nagai, Akinori; et al.

Nippon Genshiryoku Gakkai Wabun Rombunshi, 15(1), p.32 - 42, 2016/03

https://doi.org/10.3327/taesj.J15.003

In the experimental fast reactor Joyo, it was confirmed that the top of the irradiation test sub-assembly of "MARICO-2" (material testing rig with temperature control) had been broken and bent onto the in-vessel storage rack as an obstacle and had damaged the upper core structure (UCS). This paper describes the results of the in-vessel repair techniques for UCS replacement, which are developed in Joyo. UCS replacement was successfully completed in 2014. In-vessel repair techniques for sodium cooled fast reactors (SFRs) are important in confirming its safety and integrity. In order to secure the reliability of these techniques, it was necessary to demonstrate the performance under the actual reactor environment with high temperature, high radiation dose and remained sodium. The experience and knowledge gained in UCS replacement provides valuable insights into further improvements for In-vessel repair techniques in SFRs.