Background aerial monitoring and UAV radiation monitoring technology development for emergency response and preparedness in the fiscal year 2024 (Contract research)

Futemma, Akira; Ochi, Kotaro; Sasaki, Miyuki; Nakama, Shigeo; Kawasaki, Yoshiharu*; Iwai, Takeyuki*; Hiraga, Shogo*; Haginoya, Masashi*; Matsunaga, Yuki*; Sanada, Yukihisa; et al.

JAEA-Technology 2025-015, 171 Pages, 2026/03

JAEA-Technology-2025-015.pdf:11.43MB

On March 11, 2011, the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake and tsunami caused the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, releasing radioactive material. Since then, Aerial Radiation Monitoring (ARM) with manned helicopters has been used to assess radiation distribution quickly. In FY2024, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), under commission from the Nuclear Regulation Authority, conducted ARM around the Shimane Nuclear Power Station, producing background dose rate maps validated against ground and other data. During a nuclear emergency drill, UAV training flights complemented manned monitoring, confirming the effectiveness of real-time communication and rapid mapping. The UAV data system was developed and demonstrated for real-time analysis and multi-platform use. Skill training for multicopters was also conducted to strengthen operational capability. Additionally, joint monitoring with the U.S., France, South Korea, and Canada provided insights into international technologies and practices, emphasizing the value of information sharing. This report summarizes the results and technical challenges from these FY2024 activities, contributing to the advancement of emergency radiation monitoring.

Separation of Rh(III) and direct electrodeposition in phosphonium-based ionic liquids with electrochemical and spectroscopic analyses for extracted Rh(III) complex

Tokumitsu, Shun*; Matsumiya, Masahiko*; Sasaki, Yuji

Separation and Purification Technology, 382(Part 2), p.135631_1 - 135631_9, 2026/02

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2025.135631

Development of hydrogen behavior integrated analysis system

Terada, Atsuhiko; Thwe Thwe, A.; Hino, Ryutaro*; Harai, Yasutaka*; Sasaki, Gaku*; Shingeya, Hideshi*; Yamashita, Toshiyuki*; Yoneda, Jiro*; Okabayashi, Kazuki*; Sakamoto, Hiroyuki*; et al.

JAEA-Data/Code 2025-012, 151 Pages, 2025/12

JAEA-Data-Code-2025-012.pdf:9.69MB

Based on the lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, we have highly paid attention to the advancement of the fundamental technologies which are indispensable in timely response to hydrogen safety measures and assessments especially in both nuclear reactors and decommissioning. Focusing on this attention, we developed an analysis system that predicts the behavior of hydrogen from generation to diffusion, combustion and explosion. The system utilizes the commercial computational fluid dynamics software (FLUENT, AUTODYN), and incorporates new modules and pre/post-processors in order to withstand the general practical use. We also developed a system by utilizing open-source code (OpenFOAM) that can be used in hydrogen disaster prevention plans for nuclear facilities. So far, we have expanded the system to deal with the phenomena that should be considered from the practical point of view for PWR (Pressurized Water Reactor) in nuclear power plants. This report summarizes the overview of the integrated analysis system for hydrogen behavior, the handling method, and real scale analysis examples.

Development of a phoswich detector for low-energy gamma rays emitted from alpha emitters

Morishita, Yuki; Yamada, Tsutomu*; Nakasone, Takamasa*; Kanno, Marina*; Sasaki, Miyuki; Sanada, Yukihisa; Torii, Tatsuo*

Radiation Measurements, 188, p.107502_1 - 107502_7, 2025/11

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radmeas.2025.107502

The decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station requires thorough inspection of piping for contamination, including alpha nuclides. Since external alpha particle measurements are impractical, detection relies on gamma-rays emitted by the alpha nuclides. Therefore, a phoswich detector for detecting low-energy gamma-rays was developed and experimentally validated. The detector was designed with consideration of energy deposition characteristics and consists of YAP:Ce or HR-GAGG scintillators in combination with BGO scintillators, employing a photomultiplier tube for signal amplification. Validation procedures included Monte Carlo simulations and measurements using actual radiation sources. Both measurement and simulation results demonstrate a correlation in scintillator energy depositions across different gamma-ray energies. Pulse Shape Discrimination (PSD) plots effectively differentiate between low-energy and high-energy gamma-rays, thereby confirming the predictions from simulations. These results suggest promising potential for developing a sensitive low-energy gamma-ray detector utilizing various scintillator combinations. The phoswich detector shows promise for effectively detecting low-energy gamma-rays emitted by alpha nuclides in piping.

Extraction, separation and isolation of MA from Ln using two extractants (TODGA and ADAAM) and a masking agent (DTBA)

Sasaki, Yuji; Kaneko, Masashi; Kumagai, Yuta; Ban, Yasutoshi

Progress in Nuclear Science and Technology (Internet), 8, p.202 - 204, 2025/09

https://doi.org/10.15669/pnst.8.202

Two extractants and a masking agent of TODGA (TetraOctyl-DiGlycolAmide), ADAAM (AlkylDiAmideAMine), and DTBA (DiethyleneTriamine-triacetic-BisAmide) were developed in JAEA. TODGA can extract both trivalent actinides (An) and lanthanides (Ln), DTBA may separate An from Ln, and ADAAM has high separation factor (SF: 6) for Am/Cm. The suitable conditions for the extraction, separation and isolations of An from Ln are investigated using these reagents. In this work, we show the basic information on extraction behavior of An and Ln using TODGA, DTBA and ADAAM and propose the suitable aqueous and the organic conditions for An+Ln extraction, An/Ln separation and Am/Cm separation.

Discrimination of disposal-restricted materials in waste containers by nondestructive testing and image analysis with high-energy X-ray computed tomography

Murakami, Masashi; Yoshida, Yukihiko; Nango, Nobuhito*; Kubota, Shogo*; Kurosawa, Takuya*; Sasaki, Toshiki

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 62(7), p.650 - 661, 2025/07

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2025.2460526

Separation of Am from lanthanides and Cm using the ADAAM(EH)-DTBA extraction system and elucidation of its complexation with DTBA through DFT calculations

Sasaki, Yuji; Kaneko, Masashi; Kumagai, Yuta; Ban, Yasutoshi

Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange, 43(5-6), p.768 - 784, 2025/06

https://doi.org/10.1080/07366299.2025.2513982

We developed a method called the alkyl-diamide amine (ADAAM(EH))-diethylenetriamine-triacetic acid-bis(diethylacetamide) (DTBA) technique for separating actinide (An) and lanthanide (Ln) elements from high-level liquid waste. ADAAM(EH) exhibits a high separation factor (SF) not only for Am/Cm but also for light/heavy Ln under acidic conditions (1.5 M HNO). Consequently, Am can be separated from Cm as well as from middle Ln (Sm, Eu, and Gd) using ADAAM(EH) as an extractant. DTBA enables the stripping of Am and potentially separates it from Ln in the organic phase at low pH ( 2). The lowest SF among the light Ln, observed for Nd/Am, exceeded 10, indicating that Am can be separated from light Ln by stripping using DTBA from the ADAAM(EH) extraction solvent. The density functional theory calculations for understanding the coordination bond properties of metal-DTBA complexes are performed, which supported higher affinity of DTBA toward Am than Nd.

Development of a compact detector for measurement of alpha contamination in piping

Morishita, Yuki; Peschet, L.; Yamada, Tsutomu*; Nakasone, Takamasa*; Kanno, Marina*; Sasaki, Miyuki; Sanada, Yukihisa; Torii, Tatsuo*

Radiation Measurements, 183, p.107414_1 - 107414_6, 2025/04

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radmeas.2025.107414

In the decommissioning nuclear facilities, it is crucial to inspect piping for contamination to prevent worker exposure to alpha-emitting nuclides. Traditional methods using gamma rays and neutrons are inadequate for detecting small amounts of alpha nuclides due to the short range (approximately 4 cm) of alpha particles in air. To address this, we developed a compact detector capable of distinguishing between alpha particles for direct measurement within pipes. This detector, comprising a ZnS(Ag) scintillator for alpha particles and a plastic scintillator for beta particles (gamma rays), was coupled to a small photomultiplier tube. The system demonstrated high accuracy in differentiating between alpha and beta radiation through pulse shape discrimination (PSD). Monte Carlo simulations and empirical measurements confirmed the detector's effectiveness, achieving a 51.3% detection efficiency for alpha particles with negligible sensitivity to beta and gamma radiation. This innovation presents a significant advancement for direct alpha contamination measurement in environments with high beta and gamma backgrounds, such as the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant decommissioning site.

Aerial monitoring around TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station and development of radiation monitoring technology for unmanned airplanes in fiscal year 2023 (Contract research)

Futemma, Akira; Sanada, Yukihisa; Nakama, Shigeo; Sasaki, Miyuki; Ochi, Kotaro; Nagakubo, Azusa; Sawahata, Yoshiro*; Kawasaki, Yoshiharu*; Iwai, Takeyuki*; Hiraga, Shogo*; et al.

JAEA-Technology 2024-021, 232 Pages, 2025/03

JAEA-Technology-2024-021.pdf:25.79MB

The 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake on March 11, 2011, caused a tsunami that led to the TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) accident, releasing a large amount of radioactive material into the surrounding environment. Since the accident, Aerial Radiation Monitoring (ARM) has been used to quickly and widely measure radiation distribution. As a commissioned project from the Nuclear Regulation Authority, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has continuously conducted ARM around FDNPS using manned and unmanned helicopters. This report summarizes the monitoring results for fiscal year 2023, evaluates changes in dose rate from past results, and discusses the factors contributing to these changes. Additionally, an analysis considering terrain undulation was conducted to improve accuracy for converting ARM data into dose rate. Furthermore, a method to discriminate airborne radon progeny was applied for ARM results to evaluate its impact. Moreover, to perform wide-area monitoring more efficiently, we advanced the development of unmanned airplane monitoring technology.

Hydrogen embrittlement in Al-Zn-Mg alloys; Semispontaneous decohesion of precipitates

Shimizu, Kazuyuki*; Toda, Hiroyuki*; Hirayama, Kyosuke*; Fujihara, Hiro*; Tsuru, Tomohito; Yamaguchi, Masatake; Sasaki, Taisuke*; Uesugi, Masayuki*; Takeuchi, Akihisa*

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 109, p.1421 - 1436, 2025/03

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.02.123

Our preceding investigation revealed that multiple hydrogen traps at coherent interfaces of MgZn precipitates initiated spontaneous interface decohesion, causing hydrogen-induced quasicleavage cracking in Al-Zn-Mg alloys. Herein, we performed a quantitative and systematic investigation to discern the mechanisms by which hydrogen trapped at coherent/semi-coherent interfaces of precipitates could influence macroscopic hydrogen embrittlement by modulating the coherent interface of MgZn through aging. To explore this hydrogen embrittlement phenomenon based on hydrogen trapping at the precipitate interface, we determined the hydrogen trapping energy of the semi-coherent MgZn interface via first-principles calculations (0.56 eV/atom). Hydrogen partitioning of all hydrogen trapping sites, including vacancies, grain boundaries, and coherent and semi-coherent MgZn interfaces, revealed that in overaged alloys, over 90% of the hydrogen was sequestered at semi-coherent interfaces. Owing to the inherent characteristics of the MgZn interface, the hydrogen sequestered at the semi-coherent interface decreased the interfacial cohesive energy, causing semispontaneous decohesion of the interface and quasicleavage fracture in the Al-Zn-Mg alloys. These results implied that intergranular fracture was not directly induced by hydrogen trapped at grain boundaries but rather by the decohesion of precipitate interfaces along grain boundaries.