Fabrication and test results of testing equipment for remote-handling of MA fuel, 3; Testing equipment for fuel loading

Tazawa, Yujiro; Nishihara, Kenji; Sugawara, Takanori; Tsujimoto, Kazufumi; Sasa, Toshinobu; Eguchi, Yuta; Kikuchi, Masashi*; Inoue, Akira*

JAEA-Technology 2016-029, 52 Pages, 2016/12

JAEA-Technology-2016-029.pdf:5.34MB

Transmutation Physics Experimental Facility (TEF-P) planned in the J-PARC project uses minor actinide (MA) fuels in the experiments. These MA fuels are highly-radioactive, so the fuel handling equipment in TEF-P is necessary to be designed as remote-handling system. This report summarizes fabrication and test results of the testing equipment for fuel loading that is one of components of the testing equipment for remote-handling of MA fuels. The testing equipment which had a remote-handling system for fuel loading was fabricated. And the test in combination with the mock-up core was performed. Through the test, it was confirmed to load/take the dummy fuel pin to/from the mock-up core without failure. It was shown that the concept design of the fuel loading equipment of TEF-P was reasonable.

Fabrication and test results of testing equipment for remote-handling of MA fuel, 1; Testing equipment for fuel cooling

Nishihara, Kenji; Tazawa, Yujiro; Inoue, Akira; Sugawara, Takanori; Tsujimoto, Kazufumi; Sasa, Toshinobu; Obayashi, Hironari; Yamaguchi, Kazushi; Kikuchi, Masashi*

JAEA-Technology 2015-051, 47 Pages, 2016/03

JAEA-Technology-2015-051.pdf:3.6MB

This report summarizes fabrication and test results of a testing equipment for fuel cooling that is a component of the testing equipment for remote-handling of highly-radioactive MA fuels in the transmutation physics experimental facility (TEF-P) planned in the J-PARC. Evaluation formula of pressure drop and temperature increase used in the design of TEF-P was validated by the test, and, feasibility of cooling concept was confirmed.

Visualization of 2D diffusion phenomena in rock by means of X-ray CT

Sato, Akira*; Fukahori, Daisuke*; Sugawara, Katsuhiko*; Sawada, Atsushi; Takebe, Atsuji*

Advances in X-ray Tomography for Geomaterials, p.315 - 321, 2006/09

The two dimensional (2D) diffusion tests with the rock sample which has single plane crack were conducted, and the diffusion of non-sorbing tracer from the crack to rock matrix is visualized by X-ray CT in this study. It was found that the increment of CT value due to the 2D diffusion of the dense tracer from crack surface to the matrix of rock sample was observed. It was also found that the application of image processing techniques makes it possible to obtain the clear image data and that the precious analysis of diffusion phenomena becomes possible. The numerical simulation was also conducted in order to verify the experimental results. The results of 2D diffusion tests show good agreement with the numerical results, and the applicability of X-ray CT to the analysis of diffusion phenomena in a rock sample was verified together with the necessary image processing techniques.

Evaluation of Fracture Aperture Using X-Ray CT

Shimo, Michito*; Fumimura, Kenichi*; Obara, Yuzo*; Sato, Akira*; Sugawara, Katsuhiko*

JNC TJ8400 2003-021, 82 Pages, 2003/02

JNC-TJ8400-2003-021.pdf:3.05MB

Understanding the influence of small scale structure and its heterogeneity onto flow through rock fractures is important for improving the reliability of performance assessment of Geologic Disposal of High Level Nuclear Waste. An established technique for measuring the fracture aperture profile is required to achieve the above purpose. There are several aperture measuring techniques: (1) estimation of aperture from roughness measurement results, (2) direct measurement of the fracture from rock surface, (3) non-destructive method, such as tomography. Among above, tomography method, which is rather new technique and its applicability to aperture measurement is not well known, is expected to become an effective and feasible approach since the aperture profile can be obtained without destroying the rock specimen. In this work, we investigated problems associated with fracture aperture measurement using X-Ray, then we proposed several approaches to improve measurement accuracy, finally

Investigation of preventive measure of gas entrainment phenomena for large-scale FBR; Investigation of partially dip plate

Muramatsu, Toshiharu; Murata, Masayuki*; Ieda, Yoshiaki; Yamaguchi, Akira; Nagata, Takashi; Sugawara, Satoru

PNC TN9410 91-318, 48 Pages, 1991/10

PNC-TN9410-91-318.pdf:1.83MB

In-vessel thermohydraulic analysis with multi-purpose three-dimensional code AQUA as conducted for transient simulating a pump coast down and reactor scram (manual reactor trip event) to confirm efficiency of partially dip plate equipments in a large-scale fast breeder reactor. Throught the analysis using the AQUA code and the discussion based on their results, the following results have been obtained: [Sodium Surface Velocity] Maximum surface velocity is 0.33m/s in the condition of D=0.75m and W=1.905m. The velocity is the same as that or the MONJU reactor. [Thermal Stratification] Maximum axial temperature gradient 445C/m was calculated. The gradient is nearly equal to the results in the MONJU reactor. [Main Loop Temperature Transient] Maximum temperature transients at the outlet nozzle of reactor vessel was -0.51C/s. [Circumferential Temperature Gradient] Maximum circumferential temperature gradient at the neighborhood of reactor vessel was 67C/m. The gradient is equivalent to five times of that when a partially dip plate is not adopted.

Study of heterogeneity effects on the sodium void coefficients (2)

Kobayashi, Takatoshi*; Sugawara, Akira*; Seki, Yuji*; Ikezawa, Hiroko*

PNC TJ206 71-11T, 30 Pages, 1971/08

PNC-TJ206-71-11T.pdf:0.68MB

As a continuation of the previous research, heterogeneity effects of neutron spectra and axial leakage have been examined. Spectra in a two-region cell were computed by a collision probability method and the heterogeneity effect was found to be small. The analysis of the axial leakage was carried out with the benoist's directional collision probability method and it turned out that the heterogeneity has negative contribution to the sodium void coefficient. Combining the results of the previous research and the current one, the heterogeneous void coefficient in a prototype fast reactor moves towards the positive direction from the homogeneous result.

Evaluation of fracture aperture using X-ray CT

Sato, Akira*; Fukahori, Daisuke*; Sugawara, Katsuhiko*; Sawada, Atsushi; Takebe, Atsuji

no journal, , 

no abstracts in English

The Development of the alternative of platinum cathode catalyst of polymer electrolyte fuel cell using precursor polymer material

Yoshizawa, Reina*; Sugawara, Toshifumi*; Aritani, Hirofumi*; Shimada, Akihiko; Idesaki, Akira; Hakoda, Teruyuki; Sugimoto, Masaki; Yoshikawa, Masahito

no journal, , 

Carbon material which is manufactured after high temperature treatment of polymer is one of the candidates for the alternative of platinum cathode catalyst of polymer electrolyte fuel cell. In this study, we examine the influence of potential of oxygen reduction reaction by adding metal including material to polymer, precursor of carbon material. Specifically, 95 wt% of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and 5 wt% of phthalocyanine (Pc) including metal or Pc were mixed. Adding water to this, the mixture of Pc-CMC were prepared. The mixture was irradiated by electron beam up to 100 kGy, dried and treated at 800 degree for 1 h in Ar gas. Then carbon material was manufactured. This was measured by electrochemical measurement. Then oxygen reduction reaction potential was calculated. The carbon material, CMC with Pc including Co has higher potential of 0.1 V than that with Pc including other metal or Pc. This phenomenon is the almost same as that manufactured by other polymer than CMC. It is estimated that Co is contributed to higher potential of oxygen reduction reaction.