Investigation on multi-dimensional short-term behaviour through benchmark analysis of a large-volume sodium combustion experiment

Sonehara, Masateru; Okano, Yasushi; Uchibori, Akihiro; Oki, Hiroshi*

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 12 Pages, 2024/12

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2024.2441427

For sodium-cooled fast reactors, understanding sodium combustion behaviour is crucial for managing sodium leakage accidents. In this study, we perform benchmark analyses of the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) T3 experiment using the multi-dimensional thermal hydraulic code AQUA-SF. Conducted in an enclosed space with a large vessel volume of 100 m and a sodium mass flow rate of 1 kg/s, the experiment highlighted the multi-dimensional effects of local temperature increase shortly after sodium injection. This study aims to extend the capabilities of AQUA-SF by focusing on the simulation of these multi-dimensional temperature variations, in particular the formation of high temperature regions at the bottom of the vessel. The proposed models include the temporary stopping of sodium droplet ignition and spray combustion of sodium splash on the floor. Furthermore, it has been shown that additional heat source near the floor is essential to enhance the reproduction of the high temperature region at the bottom. Therefore, case studies including sensitivity analyses of spray cone angle and prolonged combustion of droplets on the floor are conducted. This comprehensive approach provides valuable insights into the dynamics of sodium combustion and safety measures in sodium-cooled fast reactors.

The Development of Petri Net-based continuous Markov Chain Monte Carlo methodology applying to dynamic probability risk assessment for multi-state resilience systems with repairable multi-component interdependency under longtermly thereat

Li, C.-Y.; Watanabe, Akira*; Uchibori, Akihiro; Okano, Yasushi

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 61(7), p.935 - 957, 2024/07

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2023.2290067

Development of new simulation method; Design support of next generation advanced reactors

Uchibori, Akihiro; Okano, Yasushi

Isotope News, (793), p.32 - 35, 2024/06

The design of a containment vessel in a sodium-cooled fast reactor was optimized from simulation on the hypothetical severe accident including sodium leakage and combustion. The simulation method is one of the base technologies of the design optimization system, ARKADIA. The simulation was performed on the different design conditions including volume of the containment vessel and the safety equipment as optimization parameters. The iterative simulation successfully found that the safety under this accident was kept even in the downsized containment vessel by selecting an effective safety equipment. This study demonstrated that the developed method has basic capability for design optimization in ARKADIA.

Development of element functions and design optimization procedures for knowledge- and AI-aided advanced reactor lifecycle optimization method, ARKADIA

Tanaka, Masaaki; Enuma, Yasuhiro; Okano, Yasushi; Uchibori, Akihiro; Yokoyama, Kenji; Seki, Akiyuki; Wakai, Takashi; Asayama, Tai

Mechanical Engineering Journal (Internet), 11(2), p.23-00424_1 - 23-00424_13, 2024/04

https://doi.org/10.1299/mej.23-00424

The outline and development status of element functions and design optimization process in ARKADIA to transform advanced nuclear reactor design to meet expectations of a safe, economic, and sustainable carbon-free energy source are introduced. It is also briefly explained that ARKADIA will realize Artificial Intelligence (AI)-aided integrated numerical analysis to offer the best possible solutions for the design and operation of a nuclear plant including optimization of safety equipment, and merge state-of-the-art numerical simulation technologies and a knowledge base that stores data and insights from past nuclear reactor development projects and R&Ds with AI technologies.

Effects of nozzle orifice shape on jet breakup and splashing during liquid jet impact onto a horizontal plate

Sun, G.*; Zhan, Y.*; Okawa, Tomio*; Aoyagi, Mitsuhiro; Uchibori, Akihiro; Okano, Yasushi

Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, 151, p.111095_1 - 111095_15, 2024/02

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expthermflusci.2023.111095

JSME series in thermal and nuclear power generation Vol.3 (Sodium-cooled fast reactor development; R&Ds on thermal-hydraulics and safety assessment towards social implementation)

Tanaka, Masaaki; Uchibori, Akihiro; Okano, Yasushi; Yokoyama, Kenji; Uwaba, Tomoyuki; Enuma, Yasuhiro; Wakai, Takashi; Asayama, Tai

Dai-27-Kai Doryoku, Enerugi Gijutsu Shimpojiumu Koen Rombunshu (Internet), 5 Pages, 2023/09

The book, JSME Series in Thermal and Nuclear Power Generation Vol.3 Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor, was published as a 30th anniversary memorial project of Power & Energy Systems Division. This paper describes an introduction of the book on a part of key technologies regarding safety assessment, thermal-hydraulics, neutronics, and fuel and material development. This introductory paper also provides an overview of an integrated evaluation system named ARKADIA to offer the best possible solutions for challenges arising during the design process, safety assessment, and operation of a nuclear plant over its life cycle, in active use of the R&D efforts and knowledges on thermal-hydraulics and safety assessment with state-of-the-art numerical analysis technologies.

The Development of a Multiphysics Coupled Solver for Studying the Effect of Dynamic Heterogeneous Configuration on Particulate Debris Bed Criticality and Cooling Characteristics

Li, C.-Y.; Wang, K.*; Uchibori, Akihiro; Okano, Yasushi; Pellegrini, M.*; Erkan, N.*; Takata, Takashi*; Okamoto, Koji*

Applied Sciences (Internet), 13(13), p.7705_1 - 7705_29, 2023/07

https://doi.org/10.3390/app13137705

Experimental study on the breakup of liquid jet discharged from a nozzle with sudden contraction

Sun, G.*; Okawa, Tomio*; Aoyagi, Mitsuhiro; Uchibori, Akihiro; Okano, Yasushi

Proceedings of 30th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE30) (Internet), 8 Pages, 2023/05

When liquid sodium leaks as a liquid jet from piping in a sodium-cooled fast reactor, the jet impinges with structures to produce splashing droplets which can cause significant combustion. According to previous studies on circular nozzles, the amount of splash is affected by the state of the jet at the moment of impingement. In the present work, a nozzle with a sudden contraction in the cross-sectional area was designed to reproduce a supposed pipe leakage, and the breakup behavior of jet discharged from this nozzle was observed. The result shows that the breakup of jet was accelerated until the jet transformed into a particularly stable state when the jet velocity exceeded a certain value. Once the jet has transformed, it will not turn back unless turning down the flow rate to a very low value. The stable jet after the transformation has a longer breakup length than that before the transformation in the same flow rate.

Development of dynamic PRA methodology for external hazards in sodium-cooled fast reactor via applying Markov chain Monte Carlo method to severe accident analysis code; Assessment of accident management of assigning independent emergency diesel generators to each air cooler

Li, C.-Y.; Watanabe, Akira*; Uchibori, Akihiro; Okano, Yasushi

Proceedings of 30th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE30) (Internet), 10 Pages, 2023/05

ARKADIA; For the innovation of advanced nuclear reactor design

Ohshima, Hiroyuki; Asayama, Tai; Furukawa, Tomohiro; Tanaka, Masaaki; Uchibori, Akihiro; Takata, Takashi; Seki, Akiyuki; Enuma, Yasuhiro

Journal of Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science, 9(2), p.025001_1 - 025001_12, 2023/04

https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4054726

This paper describes the outline and development plan for ARKADIA to transform advanced nuclear reactor design to meet expectations of a safe, economic, and sustainable carbon-free energy source. ARKADIA will realize Artificial Intelligence (AI)-aided integrated numerical analysis to offer the best possible solutions for the design and operation of a nuclear plant, including optimization of safety equipment. State-of-the-art numerical simulation technologies and a knowledge base that stores data and insights from past nuclear reactor development projects and R&D are integrated with AI. In the first phase of development, ARKADIA-Design and ARKADIA-Safety will be constructed individually, with the first target of sodium-cooled reactor. In a subsequent phase, everything will be integrated into a single entity applicable not only to advanced rectors with a variety of concepts, coolants, configurations, and output levels but also to existing light-water reactors.