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Nishino, Hiroyuki; Yamano, Hidemasa; Kurisaka, Kenichi
Mechanical Engineering Journal (Internet), 10(4), p.22-00387_1 - 22-00387_20, 2023/08
For nuclear power plants, probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) should be performed not only against earthquake and tsunami, which are critical events especially in Japan, but also other external hazards such as strong wind. The aim of the present study is to develop a practical PRA methodology for sodium-cooled fast reactors (SFRs) against strong wind, paying attention to the final heat sink, ambient air, that removes decay heat under accident conditions. First, this study used Gumbel distributions to estimate hazard curves of the strong wind based on weather data recorded in Japan. Second, it identified important structures, systems and components (SSCs) for decay heat removal, and developed an event tree that results in core damage, focusing on the impacts of missiles (e.g., steel pipes) caused by strong wind. It also identified missiles that can reach SSCs at elevated places, and calculated the fragility of the SSCs against the missiles as a product of two probabilities. One is a probability of the missiles that would enter an inlet or outlet of the decay heat removal system, and another is a probability of failure caused by missile impacts. Finally, it quantified conditional decay heat removal failure probabilities by introducing the fragilities into the event tree. The core damage frequency (CDF) was estimated at about 5x10-10/y. The dominant sequence is that strong wind causes offsite power loss and missiles, the missiles penetrate the diesel fuel tank, cause a fire, and the fire increases air temperature around the reactor building where air cooler inlets of decay heat removal systems are installed, leads to loss of power for the diesel generator for forced circulation cooling, resulting in loss of decay heat removal. Through the above, this study has developed the practical PRA methodology for SFRs against strong wind.
Yamano, Hidemasa; Futagami, Satoshi; Ando, Masanori
Mechanical Engineering Journal (Internet), 10(4), p.23-00043_1 - 23-00043_12, 2023/08
This study has conducted a detailed structural analysis of a reactor vessel (RV) in a loop-type sodium-cooled fast reactor using a general-purpose finite element analysis code, FINAS/STAR, to understand its deformation behavior under extremely high temperature conditions and to identify the areas which should be focused to mitigate impacts of failure. The RV was heated from the normal operation condition to the sodium boiling temperature in the upper sodium plenum during 20 hours assuming depressurization. The analysis has revealed less significant stress and strain which were sufficiently lower than failure criteria. The upper body of RV was identified as the important area in terms of mitigation of structural failure. The RV was eventually deformed downward about 16 cm, resulting in no failure. This effect contributes to maintaining RV sodium level in a long term, thereby enhancing the RV resilience.
Ohno, Shuji; Yamano, Hidemasa
Nihon Genshiryoku Gakkai-Shi ATOMO
, 65(7), p.438 - 442, 2023/07
This report mainly introduces international/domestic development trends of advanced reactor systems that can coexist with renewable energy in addition to describing the importance of dispatchable energy for the extension of variable renewable energy.
Ota, Hirokazu*; Ogata, Takanari*; Yamano, Hidemasa; Futagami, Satoshi; Shimada, Sadae*; Yamada, Yumi*
Proceedings of 30th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE30) (Internet), 8 Pages, 2023/05
Kurisaka, Kenichi; Nishino, Hiroyuki; Yamano, Hidemasa
Proceedings of 30th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE30) (Internet), 8 Pages, 2023/05
The objective of this study is to develop an effectiveness evaluation methodology of the measures for improving resilience of nuclear structures against excessive earthquake by applying the failure mitigation technology. This study regarded those measures for improving resilience of important structures, systems, and components for safety to enlarge their seismic safety margin. To evaluate effectiveness of those measures, seismic core damage frequency (CDF) is selected as an index. Reduction of CDF as an effectiveness index is quantified by applying seismic PRA technology. Accident sequences leading to loss of decay heat removal are significant contributor to seismic CDF of sodium-cooled fast reactors (SFRs), and those sequences result in core damage via ultra-high temperature condition. This study improved the methodology to evaluate not only the measures against shaking due to excessive earthquake but also the measures at the ultra-high temperature condition. To examine applicability of the improved methodology, a trial calculation was implemented with some assumptions for a loop-type SFR. Within the assumption, the measures for improving resilience were significantly effective for decreasing CDF in excessive earthquake up to several times of a design basis ground motion. Through the applicability examination, the methodology for the effectiveness evaluation was developed successfully.
Onoda, Yuichi; Kurisaka, Kenichi; Yamano, Hidemasa
Proceedings of 30th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE30) (Internet), 7 Pages, 2023/05
The objective of this study is to develop an effectiveness evaluation methodology of the measures for improving resilience of nuclear structures at ultra-high temperature by using the failure mitigation technology. At the beginning, to identify the accident sequences having the potential to improve resilience, the characteristics of a next-generation loop-type sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) in Japan has been investigated by analyzing the event tree of level-1 and level-2 probabilistic risk assessment. As a result, event sequences of loss of heat removal systems (LOHRS) are identified. The effectiveness of the measures for improving resilience is evaluated by quantifying the reduction rate of core damage frequency before and after the introduction of the measures for improving resilience for all the accident sequences leading to LOHRS. To examine applicability of the developed methodology, a trial evaluation has conducted for a next-generation loop-type SFR in Japan. Through the applicability examined, the method for the effectiveness evaluation was developed successfully. The refinement of the conditional success probability of the measures for improving resilience is the future work.
Yamano, Hidemasa; Chenaud, M.-S.*; Tsige-Tamirat, H.*; Sumner, T.*; Lee, J.*; Liu, S.*; Peregudova, O.*
Proceedings of 30th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE30) (Internet), 9 Pages, 2023/05
The Generation IV (GEN-IV) international forum is a framework for international co-operation in research and development for the next generation of nuclear energy systems. Within the GEN-IV sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) system arrangement, the SFR Safety and Operation (SO) project addresses the areas of safety technology and reactor operation technology developments. The aims of the SO project include (1) analyses and experiments that support establishment of the safety approaches and validate the performance of specific safety features, (2) development and verification of computational tools and validation of models employed in safety assessment and facility licensing, and (3) acquisition of reactor operation technology, as determined largely from experience and testing in operating SFR plants. The tasks in the SO topics are categorized into the following three work packages (WP): WP-SO-1 "Methods, Models and Codes" is devoted to the development of tools for the evaluation of safety. WP-SO-2 "Experimental Programs and Operational Experience" includes the operation, maintenance and testing experiences in experimental facilities and SFRs, and WP-SO-3 "Studies of Innovative Design and Safety Systems" relates to safety technologies for GEN-IV reactors such as active and passive safety systems and other specific design features. This paper reports recent activities within the SO project.
Yoshimura, Kazuo; Doda, Norihiro; Igawa, Kenichi*; Tanaka, Masaaki; Yamano, Hidemasa
Journal of Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science, 9(2), p.021601_1 - 021601_9, 2023/04
Feedback reactivity automatically caused by radial expansion of the core is known as one of the inherent safety features in a sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR). In order to validate the evaluation models of the reactivity feedback equipped in the in-house plant dynamics analysis code named Super-COPD, the benchmark analyses for the unprotected loss of heat sink (ULOHS) tests of BOP-302R and BOP-301 in an experimental SFR, EBR-II were conducted and the applicability of the evaluation method for the reactivity feedback was indicated during the ULOHS even, by comparing the numerical results and the experimental data.
Doda, Norihiro; Uwaba, Tomoyuki; Ohgama, Kazuya; Yoshimura, Kazuo; Nemoto, Toshiyuki*; Tanaka, Masaaki; Yamano, Hidemasa
Nihon Kikai Gakkai Kanto Shibu Dai-29-Ki Sokai, Koenkai Koen Rombunshu (Internet), 5 Pages, 2023/03
An evaluation method for reactivity feedback due to core deformation during reactor power increase in sodium-cooled fast reactors is being developed for realistic core design evaluation. In this evaluation method, fuel assembly bowing was modeled with a beam element of the finite element method, and the assembly's pad contact between adjacent assemblies was modeled with a dedicated element which could consider the wrapper tube cross-sectional distortion and the pad stiffness depending on pad contact conditions. This fuel assembly bowing analysis model was verified for thermal bowing of a single assembly and assembly pad contact between adjacent assemblies in a core as past benchmark problems. The calculation results by this model showed good agreement with those of reference solutions of theoretical solutions or results by participating institutions in the benchmark. This study confirmed that the analysis model was able to calculate thermal assembly bowing appropriately.
Fukai, Hirofumi*; Furuya, Masahiro*; Yamano, Hidemasa
Nuclear Engineering and Technology, 55(3), p.902 - 907, 2023/03
Times Cited Count：0 Percentile：0.02(Nuclear Science & Technology)This paper addresses reaction products and their distribution of the eutectic melting/solidifying reaction of boron carbide (B
C) and stainless-steel (SS). The influence of the existence of carbon on the BC-SS eutectic reaction was investigated by comparing the iron boride (FeB)-SS reaction by Raman spectroscopy with Multivariate Curve Resolution (MCR) analysis. The scanning electron microscopy with dispersive X-ray spectrometer was also used to investigate the elemental information of the pure metals such as Cr, Ni, and Fe. In the BC-SS samples, a new layer was formed between BC/SS interface, and the layer was confirmed that the formed layer corresponded to amorphous carbon (graphite) or FeB or Fe
B. In contrast, a new layer was not clearly formed between FeB and SS interface in the FeB-SS samples.
Hong, Z.*; Pellegrini, M.*; Erkan, N.*; Liao, H.*; Yang, H.*; Yamano, Hidemasa; Okamoto, Koji*
Annals of Nuclear Energy, 180, p.109462_1 - 109462_9, 2023/01
Times Cited Count：0 Percentile：0.02(Nuclear Science & Technology)A series of experiments were conducted using BC material and SUS304 tubes as a simulant of the real control rods. Reaction rate constant data in the 1450K-1500K range were obtained, and are consistent with the reference values. The reaction layer microstructure observation and the associated chemical composition analysis were also carried onto the experiment samples.
Takano, Kazuya; Oki, Shigeo; Ozawa, Takayuki; Yamano, Hidemasa; Kubo, Shigenobu; Ogura, Masashi*; Yamada, Yumi*; Koyama, Kazuya*; Kurita, Koichi*; Costes, L.*; et al.
EPJ Nuclear Sciences & Technologies (Internet), 8, p.35_1 - 35_9, 2022/12
The France and Japan teams have carried out collaborative works to have common technical views regarding a sodium-cooled fast reactor concept. Japan has studied the feasibility of an enhanced high burnup low-void effect (CFV) core and fuel using oxide dispersion-strengthened steel cladding in ASTRID 600. Regarding passive shutdown capabilities, Japan team has performed a preliminary numerical analysis for ASTRID 600 using a complementary safety device, called a self-actuated shutdown system (SASS), one of the safety approaches of Japan. The mitigation measures of ASTRID 600 against a severe accident, such as a core catcher, molten corium discharge assembly, and the sodium void reactivity features of the CFV core, are promising to achieve in-vessel retention for both countries. The common design concept based on ASTRID 600 is feasible to demonstrate the SFR core and safety technologies for both countries.
Nakamura, Hironori*; Hayakawa, Satoshi*; Shibata, Akihiro*; Sasa, Kyohei*; Yamano, Hidemasa; Kubo, Shigenobu
Proceedings of 12th Japan-Korea Symposium on Nuclear Thermal Hydraulics and Safety (NTHAS12) (Internet), 7 Pages, 2022/10
In order to evaluate long-term coolablity of the debris-bed with decay heat, a three-dimensional calculation method coupled with the debris bed module was developed in this study. The coupled code calculation results show that natural circulation of the coolant between the hot pool and the cold pool is established through the four intermediate heat exchangers after the activation of the dipped direct heat exchangers. The cold pool with the debris-bed is continually cooled not only by the natural circulation flow, but also by heat transfer to the hot pool through the plenum separation plate between the hot pool and the cold pool. The effect of the three-dimensional flow field around the core catcher on the temperature in the debris-bed is about 20K under the current calculation condition.
Hamase, Erina; Ohgama, Kazuya; Kawamura, Takumi*; Doda, Norihiro; Yamano, Hidemasa; Tanaka, Masaaki
Proceedings of 12th Japan-Korea Symposium on Nuclear Thermal Hydraulics and Safety (NTHAS12) (Internet), 9 Pages, 2022/10
To improve the prediction accuracy of the plant dynamics analysis code named Super-COPD, JAEA has joined the IAEA benchmark for the FFTF Loss of Flow Without Scram Test No.13. In the first blind phase, there was the challenge to perform outlet temperatures of fuel assemblies more accurately. Hence, the renewed analysis was performed with the whole core multi-channel model in which each assembly was modelled to simulate the radial heat transfer among assemblies and the flow redistribution induced by the buoyancy in the NC conditions. Then, to validate the coupled transient analysis between the whole core multi-channel model and the one-point kinetics model, the analysis considering major reactivity feedbacks such as GEM, assembly bowing was performed. As a result, the second peak of outlet temperatures was reproduced successfully, and it was observed that the plant dynamics analysis could follow the measured data.
Onoda, Yuichi; Yamano, Hidemasa
Proceedings of 12th Japan-Korea Symposium on Nuclear Thermal Hydraulics and Safety (NTHAS12) (Internet), 9 Pages, 2022/10
In Japan, sodium-cooled fast reactor design takes In-Vessel Retention (IVR) strategy to stably cool damaged core materials in the reactor vessel during a severe accident with various design measures. Although a possibility to fail IVR is extremely low, a probabilistic risk assessment study needs a wide variety of scenarios including the IVR failure. Therefore, in order to study a wide range of event spectra related to stable cooling of debris in the reactor vessel, this study numerically investigated the deformation and failure behavior of the reactor vessel due to the debris deposited onto the skirt of the core catcher using the FINAS-STAR structural analysis code. The analyses are conducted in two cases of power density with the aim of investigating failure conditions of the bottom of the reactor vessel. Reactor vessel deforms significantly when the temperature reaches about 1100 
C and the reactor vessel reaches the failure criteria in high-power-density case.
Yamano, Hidemasa; Kubo, Shigenobu; Tokizaki, Minako*; Nakamura, Hironori*
Proceedings of International Conference on Topical Issues in Nuclear Installation Safety; Strengthening Safety of Evolutionary and Innovative Reactor Designs (TIC 2022) (Internet), 12 Pages, 2022/10
Specific design features of advanced sodium-cooled fast reactors (SFRs) designed in Japan are a passive reactor shutdown system, a passive decay heat removal system (DHRS), and an in-vessel retention (IVR) concept against an anticipated transients without scram (ATWS) in design extension condition (DECs). The present paper describes numerical analysis methodologies for event sequences studied in Japan and some numerical analyses of DECs to show the effectiveness of the passive shutdown system against a typical ATWS and severe accident mitigation measures for the IVR of molten core. For the passive shutdown capability, the numerical analysis has demonstrated the effectiveness of a self-actuated shutdown system against a severe ATWS event, for which the temperature response time was separately evaluated by a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code. A recently developed debris-bed cooling analysis methodology coupled with a CFD code and a debris-bed module has successfully simulated a three-dimensional coolant flow field near the debris bed with the passive DHRS capability in order to demonstrate the debris-bed coolability on a core catcher.
C in a liquid stateFukuyama, Hiroyuki*; Higashi, Hideo*; Yamano, Hidemasa
Journal of Nuclear Materials, 568, p.153865_1 - 153865_12, 2022/09
Times Cited Count：3 Percentile：84.2(Materials Science, Multidisciplinary)The normal spectral emissivity, specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity of type 316 austenitic stainless steel (SS) containing boron carbide (BC) in a liquid state were experimentally measured over the composition range of SS-
mass% BC (up to 10%) and wide temperature ranges using an electromagnetic levitator in a static magnetic field. The normal spectral emissivity and specific heat capacity were almost constant against temperature for all SS-BC melts, and the thermal conductivities of the melts had a negligible or small positive temperature dependence. The BC-content dependence of each property at 1800 K had a different tendency across the eutectic composition (around 3 mass% BC) of the SS-BC pseudo-binary system.
Yamano, Hidemasa; Morita, Koji*
Nihon Kikai Gakkai 2022-Nendo Nenji Taikai Koen Rombunshu (Internet), 5 Pages, 2022/09
It is necessary to simulate a eutectic melting reaction and relocation behavior of boron carbide (B4C) as a control rod material and stainless steel (SS) during a core disruptive accident (CDA) in an advanced large-scale sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) designed in Japan. A physical model simulating the eutectic reaction and relocation of the eutectic melt was developed to incorporate into the fast reactor severe accident analysis code SIMMER-IV for the CDA numerical analysis of SFRs. This study applied the SIMMER-IV code with the newly developed model to the CDA analysis of the SFR. This analysis indicated that the SIMMER-IV code using the eutectic reaction model has successfully simulated the eutectic reaction and the upward motion of the eutectic melt in the molten core pool as well as the reactivity transient behavior caused by the molten core material relocation.
Yamano, Hidemasa; Takai, Toshihide; Emura, Yuki; Fukuyama, Hiroyuki*; Higashi, Hideo*; Nishi, Tsuyoshi*; Ota, Hiromichi*; Morita, Koji*; Nakamura, Kinya*; Fukai, Hirofumi*; et al.
Proceedings of 13th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal-Hydraulics, Operation and Safety (NUTHOS-13) (Internet), 12 Pages, 2022/09
This paper describes the project overview and progress of experimental and analytical studies conducted until 2020. Specific results in this paper are the measurement of the eutectic reaction rates and the validation of physical model describing the eutectic reaction in the analysis code through the numerical analysis of the BC-SS eutectic reaction rate experiments in which a BC pellet was placed in a SS crucible.
Yamano, Hidemasa; Futagami, Satoshi; Ando, Masanori
Proceedings of 29th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE 29) (Internet), 7 Pages, 2022/08
This study has conducted a detailed structural analysis of a reactor vessel (RV) in a loop-type sodium-cooled fast reactor using a general-purpose finite element analysis code, FINAS/STAR, to understand its deformation behavior under extremely high temperature conditions and to identify the areas which should be focused to mitigate impacts of failure. The RV was heated from the normal operation condition to the sodium boiling temperature in the upper sodium plenum during 20 hours assuming depressurization. The analysis has revealed less significant stress and strain which were sufficiently lower than failure criteria. The upper body of RV was identified as the important area in terms of mitigation of structural failure. The RV was eventually deformed downward about 16 cm, resulting in no failure. This effect contributes to maintaining RV sodium level in a long term, thereby enhancing the RV resilience.
