Investigations and consideration on contamination inspection and decontamination criteria at a nuclear emergency

Togawa, Orihiko; Hokama, Tomonori; Hiraoka, Hirokazu; Saito, Shota

JAEA-Research 2023-011, 78 Pages, 2024/03

JAEA-Research-2023-011.pdf:2.09MB

When radionuclides are released into the atmospheric environment at a nuclear emergency, protective measures such as evacuation and temporal relocation are carried out using motor vehicles such as private cars and buses to reduce radiation exposure to residents. To confirm conditions of contamination for the evacuated/relocated residents and the used motor vehicles, contamination inspection is conducted in the middle of the route from border areas of Nuclear Emergency Planning Zone to evacuation shelters. In the present inspection in Japan, a value of OIL4 = 40,000 cpm is used as decontamination criteria. For the details and derivation methods of the value, however, no official documents are found which give systematically detailed descriptions and explanation. It is also recognized that even few experts on nuclear emergencies can explain these subjects in detail as a whole. In order to explain scientifically and technically the OIL4 value of decontamination criteria used in contamination inspection in Japan, this report aims at investigating and estimating the deviation methods of OIL4, and examining and considering these results. To achieve the objectives, we show the bases for decontamination criteria, and investigate and estimate the derivation methods for limits of a surface contamination density corresponding to the generic criteria for each exposure pathway. Moreover, we give the OIL4 value some consideration and suggestions from a viewpoint of positioning and feature of OIL4 in Japan, and cautionary points at revising the value.

Status of technical development for near surface disposal of radioactive waste generated from research facilities, etc.

Sakai, Akihiro

Dai-33-Kai Genshiryoku Shisetsu Dekomisshoningu Gijutsu Koza Tekisuto, p.31 - 63, 2023/02

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) is promoting the project for concrete-vault disposal and landfill-type disposal of radioactive waste generated from research facilities, etc. This report introduces current status of technical development for JAEA's disposal project as following items; (1) kinds of research facilities and characteristics of radioactivity inventory of the waste, (2) the structures of the disposal facilities which JAEA conceptually designed, (3) development of waste acceptance criteria for major radioactive waste for the JAEA disposal facilities, (4) the concept of the criteria for disposal of uranium bearing waste, that has been established in 2021.

Technical basis of ECCS acceptance criteria for light-water reactors and applicability to high burnup fuel

Nagase, Fumihisa; Narukawa, Takafumi; Amaya, Masaki

JAEA-Review 2020-076, 129 Pages, 2021/03

JAEA-Review-2020-076.pdf:3.9MB

Each light-water reactor (LWR) is equipped with the Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) to maintain the coolability of the reactor core and to suppress the release of radioactive fission products to the environment even in a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) caused by breaks in the reactor coolant pressure boundary. The acceptance criteria for ECCS have been established in order to evaluate the ECCS performance and confirm the sufficient safety margin in the evaluation. The limits defined in the criteria were determined in 1975 and reviewed based on state-of-the-art knowledge in 1981. Though the fuel burnup extension and necessary improvements of cladding materials and fuel design have been conducted, the criteria have not been reviewed since then. Meanwhile, much technical knowledge has been accumulated regarding the behavior of high-burnup fuel during LOCAs and the applicability of the criteria to the high-burnup fuel. This report provides a comprehensive review of the history and technical bases of the current criteria and summarizes state-of-the-art technical findings regarding the fuel behavior during LOCAs. The applicability of the current criteria to the high-burnup fuel is also discussed.

A Conceptual design study of pool-type sodium-cooled fast reactor with enhanced anti-seismic capability

Kubo, Shigenobu; Chikazawa, Yoshitaka; Ohshima, Hiroyuki; Uchita, Masato*; Miyagawa, Takayuki*; Eto, Masao*; Suzuno, Tetsuji*; Matoba, Ichiyo*; Endo, Junji*; Watanabe, Osamu*; et al.

Mechanical Engineering Journal (Internet), 7(3), p.19-00489_1 - 19-00489_16, 2020/06

https://doi.org/10.1299/mej.19-00489

The authors are developing the design concept of pool-type sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) that addresses Japan's specific siting conditions such as earthquakes and meets safety design criteria (SDC) and safety design guidelines (SDGs) for Generation IV SFRs. The development of this concept will broaden not only options for reactor types in Japan but also the range and depth of international cooperation. A design concept of 1,500 MWt (650 MWe) class pool-type SFR was thought up by applying design technology obtained from the design of advanced loop-type SFR, named JSFR, equipped with safety measures that reflect results from the feasibility study on commercialized fast reactor cycle systems and fast reactor cycle technology development, improved maintainability and repairability, and lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants accident.

The Safety design guideline development for Generation-IV SFR systems

Nakai, Ryodai

Proceedings of International Conference on Fast Reactors and Related Fuel Cycles; Next Generation Nuclear Systems for Sustainable Development (FR-17) (USB Flash Drive), 10 Pages, 2017/06

The GIF Safety Design Criteria Task Force (SDC TF) has been developing a set of safety design guidelines (SDG) to support practical application of SDC since the completion of the "SDC Phase I Report" that clarifies safety design requirements for Gen-IV SFR systems. The main objective of the SDG development is to assist SFR developers and vendors to utilize the SDC in their design process for improving the safety in specific topical areas including the use of inherent/passive safety features and the design measures for prevention and mitigation of severe accidents. The first report on "Safety Approach SDGs" aims to provide guidance on safety approaches covering specific safety issues on fast reactor core reactivity and on loss of heat removal. The second report on "SDGs on key Structures, Systems and Components (SSCs)" focuses on the functional requirements for SSCs important to safety; reactor core system, reactor coolant system, and containment system.

Basic concept on structural design criteria for zirconia ceramics applying to nuclear components

Shibata, Taiju; Sumita, Junya; Baba, Shinichi; Yamaji, Masatoshi*; Ishihara, Masahiro; Iyoku, Tatsuo; Tsuji, Nobumasa*

Key Engineering Materials, 297-300, p.728 - 733, 2005/11

no abstracts in English

The High temperature gas cooled reactor fuel

Sawa, Kazuhiro; Ueta, Shohei; Iyoku, Tatsuo

Proceedings of International Conference on Global Environment and Advanced Nuclear Power Plants (GENES4/ANP 2003) (CD-ROM), 10 Pages, 2003/09

This paper provides present status of research and development for the coated fuel particle (CFPs) including the advanced ZrC-CFP. Current HTGR employs so-called TRISO-CFPs with SiC layer. In safety design of the HTGR fuels, it is important to retain fission products within CFPs so that their release to primary coolant does not exceed an acceptable level. The behavior of TRISO-CFPs has been investigated through experiments and reactor operation. These data show excellent performance of the TRISO-CFPs when they are correctly fabricated. On the other hand, the crystalline material comprising the SiC layer has a tendency to decompose at high temperature. The transition temperatures of beta-SiC (as-deposited) to alpha-SiC vary from 1600 to 2200C. ZrC is one of the transition metal carbides which are characterized by the high melting point and the thermodynamic stability etc. The CFPs with CVD-ZrC coatings have been investigated including the fabrication processes and characterization techniques developments.

Safety criteria and quality control of HTTR fuel

Sawa, Kazuhiro; Suzuki, Shuichi*; Shiozawa, Shusaku

Nuclear Engineering and Design, 208(3), p.305 - 313, 2001/09

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0029-5493(01)00358-2

no abstracts in English

Reactivity initiated events analysis for the safety assessment of JRR-3 silicide core by EUREKA-2 code

Kaminaga, Masanori

JAERI-Tech 97-014, 125 Pages, 1997/03

JAERI-Tech-97-014.pdf:4.04MB

no abstracts in English

Method and results of safety evaluation of the high-temperature engineering test reactor

Nakagawa, Shigeaki; Kunitomi, Kazuhiko; Sawa, Kazuhiro

Nuclear Technology, 115(3), p.266 - 280, 1996/09

https://doi.org/10.13182/NT96-A15837

no abstracts in English