Stabilization of post-experiment nuclear materials in Plutonium Fuel Research Facility

Sato, Takumi; Otobe, Haruyoshi; Morishita, Kazuki; Marufuji, Takato; Ishikawa, Takashi; Fujishima, Tadatsune; Nakano, Tomoyuki

JAEA-Technology 2023-016, 41 Pages, 2023/09

JAEA-Technology-2023-016.pdf:2.74MB

This report summarizes the results of the stabilization treatments of post-experiment nuclear materials in Plutonium Fuel Research Facility (PFRF) from August 2018 to March 2021. Based on the management standards for nuclear materials enacted after the contamination accident that occurred at PFRF on June 6, 2017, the post-experiment nuclear materials containing plutonium (Pu): samples mixed with organic substances that cause an increase in internal pressure due to radiolysis (including X-ray diffraction samples mixed with epoxy resin and plutonium powder which caused contamination accidents), carbides and nitrides samples which is reactive in air, and chloride samples which may cause corrosion of storage containers, were selected as targets of the stabilization. The samples containing organic materials, carbides and nitrides were heated in an air flow at 650 C and 950 C for 2 hours respectively to remove organic materials and convert uranium (U) and Pu into oxides. U and Pu chlorides in LiCl-KCl eutectic melt were reduced and extracted into liquid Cd metal by a reaction with lithium (Li) -cadmium (Cd) alloy and converted to U-Pu-Cd alloy at 500 C or higher. All of the samples were stabilized and stored at PFRF. We hope that the contents of this report will be utilized to consider methods for stabilizing post experiment nuclear materials at other nuclear fuel material usage facilities.

Intruder configurations in Ne at the transition into the island of inversion; Detailed structure study of Ne

Wang, H.*; Yasuda, Masahiro*; Kondo, Yosuke*; Nakamura, Takashi*; Tostevin, J. A.*; Ogata, Kazuyuki*; Otsuka, Takaharu*; Poves, A.*; Shimizu, Noritaka*; Yoshida, Kazuki; et al.

Physics Letters B, 843, p.138038_1 - 138038_9, 2023/08

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physletb.2023.138038

Detailed -ray spectroscopy of the exotic neon isotope Ne has been performed using the one-neutron removal reaction from Ne. Based on an analysis of parallel momentum distributions, a level scheme with spin-parity assignments has been constructed for Ne and the negative-parity states are identified for the first time. The measured partial cross sections and momentum distributions reveal a significant intruder p-wave strength providing evidence of the breakdown of the N = 20 and N = 28 shell gaps. Only a weak, possible f-wave strength was observed to bound final states. Large-scale shell-model calculations with different effective interactions do not reproduce the large p-wave and small f-wave strength observed experimentally, indicating an ongoing challenge for a complete theoretical description of the transition into the island of inversion along the Ne isotopic chain.

Technical design of the pressure-resistant chamber for open inspections of the storage containers of nuclear fuel materials

Marufuji, Takato; Sato, Takumi; Ito, Hideaki; Suzuki, Hisashi; Fujishima, Tadatsune; Nakano, Tomoyuki

JAEA-Technology 2019-006, 22 Pages, 2019/05

JAEA-Technology-2019-006.pdf:2.84MB

Radioactive contamination incident occurred at Plutonium Fuel Research Facility (PFRF) in Oarai Research and Development Institute, Japan Atomic Energy Agency on June 6, 2017. During inspection work of storage container containing nuclear fuel materials, the PVC bag packaging in the storage container ruptured when a worker opened the lid in the hood, and a part of contents was spattered over the room. The cause of the increase of internal pressure of the storage container was gas generation by alpha radiolysis of the epoxy resin mixed with nuclear fuel materials. Opening inspection of about 70 similar containers stored in PFRF has been planned to confirm the condition of the contents and to stabilize the stored materials containing organic compounds. For safe and reliable open inspection of the storage containers with high internal pressure in the glove box, it is necessary to develop a pressure-resistant chamber in which the storage containers are opened and the contents are inspected under gastight condition. This report summarizes the concerns and countermeasures of the chamber design and the design results of the chamber.

Periodic safety review of the experimental fast reactor JOYO; Review of the activity for safety

Maeda, Yukimoto; Kashimura, Yoichi; Suzuki, Toshiaki; Isozaki, Kazunori; Hoshiba, Hideaki; Kitamura, Ryoichi; Nakano, Tomoyuki; Takamatsu, Misao; Sekine, Takashi

JNC TN9440 2005-001, 540 Pages, 2005/02

JNC-TN9440-2005-001.pdf:8.35MB

Periodic safety review (Review of the activity for safety) which consisted of "Comprehensive evaluation of operation experience" and "Incorporation of the latest technical knowledge" was carried out up to January 2005.

None

Nakano, Tomoyuki;

PNC TN9420 92-008, 119 Pages, 1992/06

PNC-TN9420-92-008.pdf:3.71MB

None

Irradiation test subassembly bent onto in-vessel storage rack in the experimental fast reactor "Joyo"

Sekine, Takashi; Nakano, Tomoyuki

no journal, , 

During the 15th periodical inspection of the experimental fast reactor "Joyo", in-vessel visual inspections were conducted because of the malfunction of a fuel handling machine. These inspection results confirmed that the test subassembly part of instrumented type irradiation test device "MARICO-2" has been bent onto the in-vessel storage rack, and the regulating grids and guide tubes on the bottom of Upper Core Structure (UCS) have been deformed. After finishing irradiation test, MARICO-2 was transferred from the irradiation position to an in-vessel storage rack. Then the disconnection work of MARICO-2 test subassembly part from the upper structure was carried out. However, disconnecting failure was occurred because of the design deficiency of the separation mechanism. When the rotating plug was returned to the original position, the upper structure of MARICO-2 which was installed in the UCS dragged the test subassembly, and the head of the irradiation test subassembly has been bent.