Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors

Ohshima, Hiroyuki; Morishita, Masaki*; Aizawa, Kosuke; Ando, Masanori; Ashida, Takashi; Chikazawa, Yoshitaka; Doda, Norihiro; Enuma, Yasuhiro; Ezure, Toshiki; Fukano, Yoshitaka; et al.

Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors; JSME Series in Thermal and Nuclear Power Generation, Vol.3, 631 Pages, 2022/07

https://shop.elsevier.com/books/sodium-cooled-fast-reactors/morishita/978-0-12-824076-2

This book is a collection of the past experience of design, construction, and operation of two reactors, the latest knowledge and technology for SFR designs, and the future prospects of SFR development in Japan. It is intended to provide the perspective and the relevant knowledge to enable readers to become more familiar with SFR technology.

How different is the core of F from O ?

Tang, T. L.*; Uesaka, Tomohiro*; Kawase, Shoichiro; Beaumel, D.*; Dozono, Masanori*; Fujii, Toshihiko*; Fukuda, Naoki*; Fukunaga, Taku*; Galindo-Uribarri, A.*; Hwang, S. H.*; et al.

Physical Review Letters, 124(21), p.212502_1 - 212502_6, 2020/05

https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.124.212502

The structure of a neutron-rich F nucleus is investigated by a quasifree () knockout reaction. The sum of spectroscopic factors of orbital is found to be 1.0 0.3. The result shows that the O core of F nucleus significantly differs from a free O nucleus, and the core consists of 35% O, and 65% excited O. The result shows that the O core of F nucleus significantly differs from a free O nucleus. The result may infer that the addition of the proton considerably changes the neutron structure in F from that in O, which could be a possible mechanism responsible for the oxygen dripline anomaly.

Repeatability and reproducibility of measurements of low dissolved radiocesium concentrations in freshwater using different pre-concentration methods

Kurihara, Momo*; Yasutaka, Tetsuo*; Aono, Tatsuo*; Ashikawa, Nobuo*; Ebina, Hiroyuki*; Iijima, Takeshi*; Ishimaru, Kei*; Kanai, Ramon*; Karube, Jinichi*; Konnai, Yae*; et al.

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 322(2), p.477 - 485, 2019/11

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-019-06696-2

We assessed the repeatability and reproducibility of methods for determining low dissolved radiocesium concentrations in freshwater in Fukushima. Twenty-one laboratories pre-concentrated three of 10 L samples by five different pre-concentration methods (prussian-blue-impregnated filter cartridges, coprecipitation with ammonium phosphomolybdate, evaporation, solid-phase extraction disks, and ion-exchange resin columns), and activity of radiocesium was measured. The z-scores for all of the Cs results were within 2, indicating that the methods were accurate. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) indicating the variability in the results from different laboratories were larger than the RSDs indicating the variability in the results from each separate laboratory.

Evaluation of hydrogeochemical processes provoked by tunnel excavation and closure based on simulated experiment in a mock-up test drift

Hayashida, Kazuki; Kato, Toshihiro*; Kubota, Mitsuru*; Murakami, Hiroaki; Amano, Yuki; Iwatsuki, Teruki

Chikyu Kagaku, 52(1), p.55 - 71, 2018/03

https://doi.org/10.14934/chikyukagaku.52.55

In this study, the simulated experimental drift was constructed in the granite of 500 m depth at Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory, and the hydrochemical process after the drift closure was observed. The groundwater chemistry around the drift changed with the change of the groundwater flow in the fractures when the gallery was constructed. The redox potential increased due to the infiltration of oxygen from the drift into the rock. After closing the drift, the redox potential of the groundwater plunged due to microbial activity, while the groundwater became alkalized conditon due to the influence of cement material such as shotcrete. The amount of cement material consumed for this alkalization was small, and it was considered that its influence would last long in accordance with the amount of cement used.

Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory Project; Synthesis of Phase II (Construction Phase) investigations to a depth of 350m

Sato, Toshinori; Sasamoto, Hiroshi; Ishii, Eiichi; Matsuoka, Toshiyuki; Hayano, Akira; Miyakawa, Kazuya; Fujita, Tomoo*; Tanai, Kenji; Nakayama, Masashi; Takeda, Masaki; et al.

JAEA-Research 2016-025, 313 Pages, 2017/03

JAEA-Research-2016-025.pdf:45.1MB

The Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory (URL) Project is being pursued by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) to enhance the reliability of relevant disposal technologies through investigations of the deep geological environment within the host sedimentary formations at Horonobe, northern Hokkaido. This report summarizes the results of the Phase II investigations carried out from April 2005 to June 2014 to a depth of 350m. Integration of work from different disciplines into a "geosynthesis" ensures that the Phase II goals have been successfully achieved and identifies key issues that need to made to be addressed in the Phase II investigations Efforts are made to summarize as many lessons learnt from the Phase II investigations and other technical achievements as possible to form a "knowledge base" that will reinforce the technical basis for both implementation and the formulation of safety regulations.

Impacts of C-uptake by plants on the spatial distribution of C accumulated in vegetation around a nuclear facility; Application of a sophisticated land surface C model to the Rokkasho reprocessing plant, Japan

Ota, Masakazu; Katata, Genki; Nagai, Haruyasu; Terada, Hiroaki

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 162-163, p.189 - 204, 2016/10

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.05.032

Impacts of plant C uptake on (C) distributions around a nuclear facility were investigated by a land surface C model (SOLVEG-II). The simulation combined the SOLVEG-II with a mesoscale model and an dispersion model was applied to CO transfer at test operations of the Rokkasho reprocessing plant (RRP) in 2007. The calculated C-specific activities in rice grains agreed with the observations. Numerical experiment of chronic CO release from the RRP showed that C-specific activities of rice plants at harvest differed from the annual mean ones in the air, which was attributed to seasonal variations in atmospheric CO and plant growth. C accumulation in plant significantly increased when CO releases were limited during daytime, compared with the results observed during nighttime, due to extensive CO uptake by daytime photosynthesis. These results indicated that plant growth and photosynthesis should be considered in predictions of ingestion dose of C for long-term chronic and short-term diurnal releases of CO, respectively.

Synthesized research report in the second mid-term research phase; Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory Project, Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory Project and Geo-stability Project

Hama, Katsuhiro; Mizuno, Takashi; Sasao, Eiji; Iwatsuki, Teruki; Saegusa, Hiromitsu; Sato, Toshinori; Fujita, Tomoo; Sasamoto, Hiroshi; Matsuoka, Toshiyuki; Yokota, Hideharu; et al.

JAEA-Research 2015-007, 269 Pages, 2015/08

JAEA-Research-2015-007.pdf:68.65MB
JAEA-Research-2015-007(errata).pdf:0.07MB

We have synthesised the research results from Mizunami/Horonobe URLs and geo-stability projects in the second mid-term research phase. It could be used as technical bases for NUMO/Regulator in each decision point from sitting to beginning of disposal (Principal Investigation to Detailed Investigation Phase). High quality construction techniques and field investigation methods have been developed and implemented and these will be directly applicable to the National Disposal Program (along with general assessments of hazardous natural events and processes). It will be crucial to acquire technical knowledge on decisions of partial backfilling and final closure by actual field experiments in Mizunami/Horonobe URLs as main themes for the next phases.

Detailed source term estimation of the atmospheric release for the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident by coupling simulations of an atmospheric dispersion model with an improved deposition scheme and oceanic dispersion model

Katata, Genki; Chino, Masamichi; Kobayashi, Takuya; Terada, Hiroaki; Ota, Masakazu; Nagai, Haruyasu; Kajino, Mizuo*; Draxler, R.*; Hort, M.*; Malo, A.*; et al.

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 15(2), p.1029 - 1070, 2015/01

https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-1029-2015

We estimated a detailed time trend of atmospheric releases during the Fukushima Dai-ichi Power Station (FNPS1) accident by combining environmental monitoring data with coupling simulation of atmospheric model of WSPEEDI-II, and oceanic dispersion model of SEA-GEARN-FDM. The new scheme of dry and fogwater depositions, in-cloud scavenging, cloud condensation nuclei activity, and wet scavenging by ice phase for radioactive iodine gas and other particles was incorporated into WSPEEDI-II. The results revealed that the major releases of radionuclides occurred in the following periods: afternoon on 12 March when the wet venting and hydrogen explosion at Unit 1, morning on 13 March after the venting event at Unit 3, midnight on 14 March when three-time openings of SRV were conducted at Unit 2, morning and night on 15 March, and morning on 16 March.

Validation of surface-based hydrochemical investigation and the impact of underground facility construction at Horonobe URL

Amano, Yuki; Nanjo, Isao; Murakami, Hiroaki; Yabuuchi, Satoshi; Yokota, Hideharu; Sasaki, Yoshito; Iwatsuki, Teruki

Chikasui Gakkai-Shi, 54(4), p.207 - 228, 2012/11

https://doi.org/10.5917/jagh.54.207

We verified the surface-based hydrochemical investigation for deep underground at Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory (URL) at Horonobe, Hokkaido, Japan, and identified the hydrochemical changes during the URL construction. The evaluation of the relationship between the number of borehole and understanding of water chemistry suggests that three basic borehole investigations and additional borehole for high permeable geological structure (fault and fractured zone) are required to illustrate cross-sectional hydrochemical distribution including the uncertainty in kilometers scale survey line. The observation and numerical analysis of hydrochemical variation (salinity, pH, ORP) around URL indicate that the groundwater pressure and the salinity in the vicinity of high permeable geological zone are varying due to groundwater inflow into the drift. The variation was consistent with the prediction reported previously. These results are considered to be referred to the management during surface-based investigation and construction of underground facility at the other sedimentary rock area.

Atmospheric discharge and dispersion of radionuclides during the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, 1; Source term estimation and local-scale atmospheric dispersion in early phase of the accident

Katata, Genki; Ota, Masakazu; Terada, Hiroaki; Chino, Masamichi; Nagai, Haruyasu

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 109, p.103 - 113, 2012/07

AA2011-0656.pdf:1.56MB

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2012.02.006

The source term of I and Cs discharged in early phase of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP1) accident was estimated by combining environmental data with atmospheric dispersion simulations of a computer-based nuclear emergency response system, WSPEEDI-II. Major releases were estimated when air dose rates increased after the hydrogen explosion at Unit 1 during the afternoon on 12 March and during the midnight on 14 March. The high-concentration plumes discharged during these periods caused large deposition to the northwest and south-southwest directions of FNPP1, respectively. The increases of air dose rates observed at the monitoring posts were overall reproduced by WSPEEDI-II using estimated release rates. The simulation indicated that air dose rates significantly increased in the south-southwest region of FNPP1 by dry deposition of the high-concentration plume discharged from the midnight on 14 March to the morning on 15 March.