MAAP code analysis focusing on the fuel debris condition in the lower head of the pressure vessel in Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Unit 2

Sato, Ikken; Yoshikawa, Shinji; Yamashita, Takuya; Cibula, M.*; Mizokami, Shinya*

Nuclear Engineering and Design, 404, p.112205_1 - 112205_21, 2023/04

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2023.112205

Based on updated knowledge from plant-internal investigations, experiments and model simulations until now, the in-vessel phase of Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Unit 2 was analyzed using the MAAP code. In Unit 2, it is considered that the core material enthalpy was relatively low when it relocated to the lower plenum of the pressure vessel, then, cooled by the coolant and solidified there. Although the MAAP code tended to underestimate the degree of core-material oxidation during the relocation, this probable underestimation was compensated for by an existing study that was considered more reliable, so that more realistic debris conditions in the lower plenum could be obtained. Basic validity of the former prediction of the Unit 2 accident progression behavior was confirmed and detailed boundary condition for the later phase was provided. This boundary condition should be utilized for future studies addressing debris reheating process leading to lower head failure and debris relocation toward the pedestal.

Post-test analyses of the CMMR-4 test

Yamashita, Takuya; Madokoro, Hiroshi; Sato, Ikken

Journal of Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science, 8(2), p.021701_1 - 021701_13, 2022/04

https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4051443

LIVE-J1 experiment on debris melting behavior toward understanding late in-vessel accident progression of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

Madokoro, Hiroshi; Yamashita, Takuya; Sato, Ikken; Gaus-Liu, X.*; Cron, T.*; Fluhrer, B.*; Stngle, R.*; Wenz, T.*; Vervoortz, M.*; Mizokami, Shinya

Proceedings of 19th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics (NURETH-19) (Internet), 16 Pages, 2022/03

Estimation of the core degradation and relocation at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Unit 2 based on RELAP/SCDAPSIM analysis

Madokoro, Hiroshi; Sato, Ikken

Nuclear Engineering and Design, 376, p.111123_1 - 111123_15, 2021/05

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2021.111123

Visualization of the boron distribution in core material melting and relocation specimen by neutron energy resolving method

Abe, Yuta; Tsuchikawa, Yusuke; Kai, Tetsuya; Matsumoto, Yoshihiro*; Parker, J. D.*; Shinohara, Takenao; Oishi, Yuji*; Kamiyama, Takashi*; Nagae, Yuji; Sato, Ikken

JPS Conference Proceedings (Internet), 33, p.011075_1 - 011075_6, 2021/03

https://doi.org/10.7566/JPSCP.33.011075

Measurement of Doppler broadening of prompt gamma-rays from various zirconium- and ferro-borons

Tsuchikawa, Yusuke; Kai, Tetsuya; Abe, Yuta; Oishi, Yuji*; Sun, Y.*; Oikawa, Kenichi; Nakatani, Takeshi; Sato, Ikken

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 991, p.164964_1 - 164964_5, 2021/03

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2020.164964

Peak shape analysis was performed for the energy spectra of Doppler-broadened prompt -rays generated by neutron capture reactions with various boride or boron samples. Significant differences were observed between nonmetallic and metallic borides. Minor differences between the peak shapes of prompt -rays from zirconium- and ferro-borons were evaluated by a peak fitting method. The identification of zirconium- and ferro-borons and other types of borides was estimated.

Development of three-dimensional distribution visualization technology for boron using energy resolved neutron-imaging system (RADEN)

Abe, Yuta; Tsuchikawa, Yusuke; Kai, Tetsuya; Matsumoto, Yoshihiro*; Parker, J. D.*; Shinohara, Takenao; Oishi, Yuji*; Kamiyama, Takashi*; Nagae, Yuji; Sato, Ikken

Proceedings of 2020 International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE 2020) (Internet), 6 Pages, 2020/08

https://doi.org/10.1115/ICONE2020-16723

New research programme of JAEA/CLADS to reduce the knowledge gaps revealed after an accident at Fukushima-1; Introduction of boiling water reactor mock-up assembly degradation test programme

Pshenichnikov, A.; Kurata, Masaki; Bottomley, D.; Sato, Ikken; Nagae, Yuji; Yamazaki, Saishun

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 57(4), p.370 - 379, 2020/04

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2019.1691070

The CMMR program; BWR core degradation in the CMMR-4 test

Yamashita, Takuya; Sato, Ikken

Proceedings of 9th Conference on Severe Accident Research (ERMSAR 2019) (Internet), 13 Pages, 2019/03

For decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Accident (1F), understanding the final distribution of core materials and their characteristics is important. These characteristics obviously depend on the accident progression in each of the units. However, a large uncertainty is present in BWR accident progression behavior. This uncertainty, which was clarified by the MAAP-MELCOR Crosswalk, cannot be resolved with existing experimental data and knowledge. Once coolant is lost from the BWR core for some time, the following scenario can be divided symbolically into TMI-2 Like Path and Continuous Drainage Path. Main uncertainties for this branching point are summarized as two questions: How is gas permeability of high-temperature degraded core approaching fuel melting ? (Q1). How is downward relocation of hot core materials before fuel melting and its effect on structure heating? (Q2). To address these questions, the core-material melting and relocation experiments were conducted. In the CMMR-4 test, useful information on core state just before slumping was obtained. Presence of macroscopic gas permeability of the core approaching ceramic fuel melting was confirmed (A1) and the fuel columns stayed standing suggesting that collapse of fuel columns, which is likely in the reactor condition, would not allow effective relocation of the hottest fuel away to the bottom of the core thereby limiting the core maximum temperature and significantly heating the support structures (A2).

Development of experimental technology for simulated fuel-assembly heating to address core-material-relocation behavior during severe accident

Abe, Yuta; Yamashita, Takuya; Sato, Ikken; Nakagiri, Toshio; Ishimi, Akihiro; Nagae, Yuji

Proceedings of 26th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE-26) (Internet), 9 Pages, 2018/07

https://asme.pinetec.com/icone26/