Development of technologies for enhanced analysis accuracy of fuel debris; Summary results of the 2020 fiscal year (Subsidy program for the project of decommissioning and contaminated water management)

Ikeuchi, Hirotomo; Koyama, Shinichi; Osaka, Masahiko; Takano, Masahide; Nakamura, Satoshi; Onozawa, Atsushi; Sasaki, Shinji; Onishi, Takashi; Maeda, Koji; Kirishima, Akira*; et al.

JAEA-Technology 2022-021, 224 Pages, 2022/10

JAEA-Technology-2022-021.pdf:12.32MB

A set of technology, including acid dissolving, has to be established for the analysis of content of elements/nuclides in the fuel debris samples. In this project, a blind test was performed for the purpose of clarifying the current level of analytical accuracy and establishing the alternative methods in case that the insoluble residue remains. Overall composition of the simulated fuel debris (homogenized powder having a specific composition) were quantitatively determined in the four analytical institutions in Japan by using their own dissolving and analytical techniques. The merit and drawback for each technique were then evaluated, based on which a tentative flow of the analyses of fuel debris was constructed.

Depth profile analysis of multi-layer laminated thin film interface by spatiotemporal angle-resolved APXPS method

Toyoda, Satoshi*; Yoshimura, Masashi*; Sumida, Hirosuke*; Mineoi, Susumu*; Machida, Masatake*; Yoshigoe, Akitaka; Yoshikawa, Akira*; Suzuki, Satoru*; Yokoyama, Kazushi*

Hoshako, 35(3), p.200 - 206, 2022/05

The present status of spatiotemporal depth profiling analysis of the multilayer stacked film interface based on Ambient Pressure X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (APXPS) is presented. To begin with, depth profiles of the multilayer stacked film interfaces have been achieved by time-division Near Ambient Pressure Hard X-ray Angle-Resolved PhotoEmission Spectroscopy data. We then have promoted our methods to quickly perform peak fittings and depth profiling from time-division angle resolved AP-XPS data including spatial resolution, which enables us to realize spatiotemporal depth profiles of the interfaces under reaction conditions such as oxidation and reduction. In addition, it is found that the traditional maximum entropy method (MEM) combined with Jackknife averaging of sparse modeling is effective to perform dynamic measurement of depth profiles with high precision.

Research plan on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste (Scientific program for fiscal year 2021)

Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Kokubu, Yoko; Shimada, Koji; Shimada, Akiomi; Niwa, Masakazu; Watanabe, Takahiro; Sueoka, Shigeru; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Fujita, Natsuko; Ogita, Yasuhiro; et al.

JAEA-Review 2021-012, 48 Pages, 2021/08

JAEA-Review-2021-012.pdf:1.64MB

This report is a plan of research and development (R&D) on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), in fiscal year 2021. The objectives and contents in fiscal year 2021 are described in detail based on the JAEA 3rd Medium- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2015-2021). In addition, the background of this research is described from the necessity and the significance for site investigation and safety assessment, and the past progress. The plan framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques.

Thermally altered subsurface material of asteroid (162173) Ryugu

Kitazato, Kohei*; Milliken, R. E.*; Iwata, Takahiro*; Abe, Masanao*; Otake, Makiko*; Matsuura, Shuji*; Takagi, Yasuhiko*; Nakamura, Tomoki*; Hiroi, Takahiro*; Matsuoka, Moe*; et al.

Nature Astronomy (Internet), 5(3), p.246 - 250, 2021/03

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-020-01271-2

Here we report observations of Ryugu's subsurface material by the Near-Infrared Spectrometer (NIRS3) on the Hayabusa2 spacecraft. Reflectance spectra of excavated material exhibit a hydroxyl (OH) absorption feature that is slightly stronger and peak-shifted compared with that observed for the surface, indicating that space weathering and/or radiative heating have caused subtle spectral changes in the uppermost surface. However, the strength and shape of the OH feature still suggests that the subsurface material experienced heating above 300 C, similar to the surface. In contrast, thermophysical modeling indicates that radiative heating does not increase the temperature above 200 C at the estimated excavation depth of 1 m, even if the semimajor axis is reduced to 0.344 au. This supports the hypothesis that primary thermal alteration occurred due to radiogenic and/or impact heating on Ryugu's parent body.

Annual report for research on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste in fiscal year 2019

Ishimaru, Tsuneari; Ogata, Nobuhisa; Kokubu, Yoko; Shimada, Koji; Hanamuro, Takahiro; Shimada, Akiomi; Niwa, Masakazu; Asamori, Koichi; Watanabe, Takahiro; Sueoka, Shigeru; et al.

JAEA-Research 2020-011, 67 Pages, 2020/10

JAEA-Research-2020-011.pdf:3.87MB

This annual report documents the progress of research and development (R&D) in the 5th fiscal year during the JAEA 3rd Mid- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2015-2021) to provide the scientific base for assessing geosphere stability for long-term isolation of the high-level radioactive waste. The planned framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques. The current status of R&D activities with previous scientific and technological progress is summarized.

The Surface composition of asteroid 162173 Ryugu from Hayabusa2 near-infrared spectroscopy

Kitazato, Kohei*; Milliken, R. E.*; Iwata, Takahiro*; Abe, Masanao*; Otake, Makiko*; Matsuura, Shuji*; Arai, Takehiko*; Nakauchi, Yusuke*; Nakamura, Tomoki*; Matsuoka, Moe*; et al.

Science, 364(6437), p.272 - 275, 2019/04

https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aav7432

The near-Earth asteroid 162173 Ryugu, the target of Hayabusa2 sample return mission, is believed to be a primitive carbonaceous object. The Near Infrared Spectrometer (NIRS3) on Hayabusa2 acquired reflectance spectra of Ryugu's surface to provide direct measurements of the surface composition and geological context for the returned samples. A weak, narrow absorption feature centered at 2.72 micron was detected across the entire observed surface, indicating that hydroxyl (OH)-bearing minerals are ubiquitous there. The intensity of the OH feature and low albedo are similar to thermally- and/or shock-metamorphosed carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. There are few variations in the OH-band position, consistent with Ryugu being a compositionally homogeneous rubble-pile object generated from impact fragments of an undifferentiated aqueously altered parent body.

Isotope-selective dissociation of diatomic molecules by terahertz optical pulses

Ichihara, Akira; Matsuoka, Leo*; Segawa, Etsuo*; Yokoyama, Keiichi

Physical Review A, 91(4), p.043404_1 - 043404_7, 2015/04

https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.91.043404

We propose a new method for isotope-selective dissociation of diatomic molecules in the gas phase by using two kinds of terahertz-pulse fields. The first field consists of a train of pulses, which composes a frequency comb, excites the selected isotope into highly-rotationally excited state. The second intense pulse field dissociates the excited molecule by further rotational excitations. We performed wave-packet computations using the lithium chlorides LiCL and LiCl to demonstrate the applicability of our method. Nearly 20% of LiCl in the lowest rovibrational state is dissociated in the designed pulse fields, while the dissociation probability is negligible in LiCl. This method is expected to be applicable to other diatomic molecules, and to molecular ensembles whose rotational states spread in energy.

Quantum control of isotope-selective rovibrational excitation of diatomic molecules in the thermal distribution

Ichihara, Akira; Matsuoka, Leo*; Kurosaki, Yuzuru; Yokoyama, Keiichi

Optical Review, 22(1), p.153 - 156, 2015/02

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10043-015-0025-5

We propose a method to excite the rovibrational states of diatomic molecules in the gas-phase isotope-selectively by optical pulses. In this method, the rotational state of the selected isotope molecule is excited by the terahertz frequency comb, and the vibrational state of high J molecule is excited via the fundamental transitions in the P-branch by using the second pulse. The applicability of the proposed method is demonstrated by computer simulations using the LiCl molecules in the thermal distribution at 70 K.

Infrared thermography inspection for monoblock divertor target in JT-60SA

Nakamura, Shigetoshi; Sakurai, Shinji; Ozaki, Hidetsugu; Seki, Yohji; Yokoyama, Kenji; Sakasai, Akira; Tsuru, Daigo

Fusion Engineering and Design, 89(7-8), p.1024 - 1028, 2014/10

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fusengdes.2014.02.067

Carbon Fiber Composite mono-block divertor target is required for power handling in JT-60SA. Heat removal capability of the target is degraded by joint defect which is induced in manufacturing process. For screening heat removal capability, infrared thermography inspection (IR inspection) is improved an accuracy for the target using threaded cooling tube. In IR inspection, the targets heated at 95C by hot water in steady state condition are instantaneously cooled down by cold water flow of 5C in three channels of test section. The heat removal capability of the targets is evaluated with comparing the transient thermal response time between defect-free and tested targets. A construction of a database for a correlation between the known defects, maximum surface temperatures in the heat load test and the IR inspection are successfully completed. Screening criteria is set with finite element methods based on the database.

Annual report on the environmental radiation monitoring around the Tokai Reprocessing Plant FY2012

Sumiya, Shuichi; Watanabe, Hitoshi; Miyagawa, Naoto; Nakano, Masanao; Nakada, Akira; Fujita, Hiroki; Takeyasu, Masanori; Isozaki, Tokuju; Morisawa, Masato; Mizutani, Tomoko; et al.

JAEA-Review 2013-056, 181 Pages, 2014/03

JAEA-Review-2013-056.pdf:6.22MB

Environmental radiation monitoring around the Tokai Reprocessing Plant has been performed by the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering Laboratories, based on "Safety Regulations for the Reprocessing Plant of Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Chapter IV - Environmental Monitoring". This annual report presents the results of the environmental monitoring and the dose estimation to the hypothetical inhabitant due to the radioactivity discharged from the plant to the atmosphere and the sea during April 2012 to March 2013. In this report, some data include the influence of the accidental release from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant of Tokyo Electric Power Co. in March 2011.