Mesospheric ionization during substorm growth phase

Murase, Kiyoka*; Kataoka, Ryuho*; Nishiyama, Takanori*; Nishimura, Koji*; Hashimoto, Taishi*; Tanaka, Yoshimasa*; Kadokura, Akira*; Tomikawa, Yoshihiro*; Tsutsumi, Masaki*; Ogawa, Yasunobu*; et al.

Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate (Internet), 12, p.18_1 - 18_16, 2022/06

https://doi.org/10.1051/swsc/2022012

We identified two energetic electron precipitation (EEP) events during the growth phase of moderate substorms and estimated the mesospheric ionization rate for an EEP event for which the most comprehensive dataset from ground-based and space-born instruments was available. The mesospheric ionization signature reached below 70 km altitude and continued for ~15 min until the substorm onset, as observed by the PANSY radar and imaging riometer at Syowa Station in the Antarctic region. We also used energetic electron flux observed by the Arase and POES 15 satellites as the input for the air-shower simulation code PHITS to quantitatively estimate the mesospheric ionization rate. Combining the cutting-edge observations and simulations, we shed new light on the space weather impact of the EEP events during geomagnetically quiet times, which is important to understand the possible link between the space environment and climate.

Gamma-ray glow preceding downward terrestrial gamma-ray flash

Wada, Yuki*; Enoto, Teruaki*; Nakamura, Yoshitaka*; Furuta, Yoshihiro; Yuasa, Takayuki*; Nakazawa, Kazuhiro*; Morimoto, Takeshi*; Sato, Mitsuteru*; Matsumoto, Takahiro*; Yonetoku, Daisuke*; et al.

Communications Physics (Internet), 2(1), p.67_1 - 67_9, 2019/06

https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-019-0168-y

Evaluation of irradiation behavior on oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steel claddings irradiated in Joyo/CMIR-6

Yano, Yasuhide; Otsuka, Satoshi; Yamashita, Shinichiro; Ogawa, Ryuichiro; Sekine, Manabu; Endo, Toshiaki; Yamagata, Ichiro; Sekio, Yoshihiro; Tanno, Takashi; Uwaba, Tomoyuki; et al.

JAEA-Research 2013-030, 57 Pages, 2013/11

JAEA-Research-2013-030.pdf:48.2MB

It is necessary to develop the fast reactor core materials, which can achieve high-burnup operation improving safety and economical performance. Ferritic steels are expected to be good candidate core materials to achieve this objective because of their excellent void swelling resistance. Therefore, oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic steel and 11Cr-ferritic/martensitic steel (PNC-FMS) have been respectively developed for cladding and wrapper tube materials in Japan Atomic Energy Agency. In this study, the effects of fast neutron irradiation on mechanical properties and microstructure of 9Cr-and 12Cr-ODS steel claddings for fast reactor were investigated. Specimens were irradiated in the experimental fast reactor Joyo using the CMIR-6 at temperatures between 420 and 835C to fast neutron doses ranging from 16 to 33 dpa. The post-irradiation ring tensile tests were carried out at irradiation temperatures.

High-temperature continuous operation of the HTTR

Takamatsu, Kuniyoshi; Sawa, Kazuhiro; Kunitomi, Kazuhiko; Hino, Ryutaro; Ogawa, Masuro; Komori, Yoshihiro; Nakazawa, Toshio*; Iyoku, Tatsuo; Fujimoto, Nozomu; Nishihara, Tetsuo; et al.

Nihon Genshiryoku Gakkai Wabun Rombunshi, 10(4), p.290 - 300, 2011/12

https://doi.org/10.3327/taesj.J11.020

A high temperature (950C) continuous operation has been performed for 50 days on the HTTR from January to March in 2010, and the potential to supply stable heat of high temperature for hydrogen production for a long time was demonstrated for the first time in the world. This successful operation could establish technological basis of HTGRs and show potential of nuclear energy as heat source for innovative thermo-chemical-based hydrogen production, emitting greenhouse gases on a "low-carbon path" for the first time in the world.

Fuel performance evaluation of rock-like oxide fuels

Shirasu, Noriko; Kuramoto, Kenichi; Nakano, Yoshihiro; Yamashita, Toshiyuki; Kimura, Yasuhiko; Nihei, Yasuo; Ogawa, Toru

Journal of Nuclear Materials, 376(1), p.88 - 97, 2008/05

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2008.01.019

The concept of the rock-like oxide (ROX) fuel has been developed for the annihilation of excess plutonium in light water reactors. Irradiation tests and post-irradiation examinations were carried out on candidate ROX fuels. The ternary fuel of YSZ-spinel-corundum system, the single-phase fuels of YSZ, the particle dispersed fuels of YSZ in spinel or corundum matrix, and the blended fuels of YSZ and spinel or corundum matrix were fabricated and submitted to irradiation tests. The fuels containing spinel showed chemical instabilities with the vaporization of MgO component, which caused fuel restructuring. The swelling behavior was improved with the particle-dispersed fuels. However, the particle-dispersed fuels showed higher fractional gas release (FGR) than blended type fuels. The FGR of YSZ single-phase fuels were comparable to what would be expected for UO fuels. The YSZ single-phase fuel showed the best irradiation performance among the ROX fuels investigated.

Study of rock-like oxide fuels under irradiation

Shirasu, Noriko; Kuramoto, Kenichi; Nakano, Yoshihiro; Yamashita, Toshiyuki; Ogawa, Toru

Proceedings of 15th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE-15) (CD-ROM), 7 Pages, 2007/04

To evaluate the irradiation behavior of the rock-like oxide fuel, irradiation experiments were carried out. Three fuels were prepared; a single phase fuel of yttria-stabilized zirconia containing UO (U-YSZ) and two particle-dispersed fuels of U-YSZ particles in spinel or corundum matrix. These fuels were irradiated in JRR-3 for about 280 days. The burnups were about 11% FIMA. The fission gas release rate (FGR) was determined by puncture test and gas analysis. Corundum-based fuel showed extremely high FGR (88%). On the other hand, the U-YSZ single-phase fuel showed very low FGR (5%). Microstructure analyses for irradiated fuel pellets were carried out by ceramography and EPMA. The restructuring of fuel pellet was not observed in the spinel-based fuel irradiated below 1400 K. Significant appearance changes were not also observed for corundum-based fuel.

Concentrations and their ratios od Rn decay products in rainwater measured by -ray spectrometry using a low-background Ge detector

Takeyasu, Masanori; Iida, Takao*; Tsujimoto, Tadashi*; Yamasaki, Keizo*; Ogawa, Yoshihiro*

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 88(1), p.74 - 89, 2006/00

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2006.01.001

The concentrations of Pb and Bi in rainwater was measured by a low background Ge detector. The concentrations of Pb and Bi were inverse relations with rainfall rate in some rainfall events, and the concentration ratio of Bi to Pb would be a weak inverse relation with rainfall rate. The model was considered about the scavenging effects of rainfall to Radon decay products, and those results were discussed with the model.

The HTTR project as the world leader of HTGR research and development

Shiozawa, Shusaku; Komori, Yoshihiro; Ogawa, Masuro

Nihon Genshiryoku Gakkai-Shi, 47(5), p.342 - 349, 2005/05

http://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/10014336574

For the purpose to extend high temperature nuclear heat application, JAERI constructed the HTTR, High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor, and has carried out research and development of high temperature gas cooled reactor system aiming at high efficiency power generation and hydrogen production. This paper explains the history, main results, present status of research and development of HTTR project, international cooperation of research and development of HTGR and future plan aiming at development of Japanese original future HTGR-Hydrogen production system. This paper includes results from the study, which is entrusted from Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.

X-ray absorption study of molten uranium chloride system

Okamoto, Yoshihiro; Akabori, Mitsuo; Ito, Akinori; Ogawa, Toru

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 39(Suppl.3), p.638 - 641, 2002/11

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00223131.2002.10875549

We report local structural features of molten UCl with LiCl-KCl eutectic probed by the U L-edge XAFS(X-ray absorption fine structure). The XAFS measurements were performed in a transmission mode at the BL27B station of the Photon Factory(High Energy Accelerator Organization, Tsukuba, JAPAN). Sample prepared by chlorination of uranium hydride and then reduction with zinc powder was sealed in a quartz cell under reduced pressure. The nearest U-Cl distance and the coordination number of Cl around U ion were obtained by a curve fitting of the 1st shell XAFS function k(k). The pair potential in the U-Cl correlation was evaluated from XAFS simulation by combinational use of the MD and the FEFF8. In addition, valence state of uranium in the melt was evaluated by XANES(X-ray absorption near edge structure) spectra.

High-temperature XAFS measurement of molten salt systems

Okamoto, Yoshihiro; Akabori, Mitsuo; Motohashi, Haruhiko*; Ito, Akinori; Ogawa, Toru

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 487(3), p.605 - 611, 2002/07

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-9002(01)02202-1

Measurement system for the high temperature XAFS was developed for investigating the local structure of hygroscopic molten salts like rare earth halides. Solid sample was enclosed in the upper tank of the quartz cell having a sandglass shape under reduced pressure to avoid oxygen and moisture. The measurement was carried out at the electric furnace of the highest arrival temperature 1273K. After melting, the sample runs down through the melt path with 0.1mm(or 0.2mm) thickness to the lower tank. The minimum energy which could be measured was about 10keV mainly due to the absorption of the quartz. It was confirmed that the measurement of the expensive hygroscopic sample became possible in the present work.