Interaction of solute manganese and nickel atoms with dislocation loops in iron-based alloys irradiated with 2.8 MeV Fe ions at 400 C

Nguyen, B. V. C.*; 村上 健太*; Chena, L.*; Phongsakorn, P. T.*; Chen, X.*; 橋本 貴司; Hwang, T.*; 古澤 彰憲; 鈴木 達也*

Nuclear Materials and Energy (Internet), 39, p.101639_1 - 101639_9, 2024/06

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nme.2024.101639

In reactor pressure vessel materials, the formation of Mn- and Ni-rich nanoclusters is a major cause of neutron irradiation embrittlement. The segregation of these solute atoms into dislocation loops has attracted attention as a mechanism to accelerate solute clustering. In this study, the behaviors of solute Mn and Ni atoms in Fe-0.6wt.%Ni, Fe-1.4wt.%Mn, and Fe-1.4wt.%Mn-0.6wt.%Ni alloys irradiated at 400 C up to 3 dpa were analyzed using three-dimensional atom probe tomography. Solute atom clusters were observed in all materials, and their shapes were spherical, flat, and torus in FeNi, FeMn, and FeMnNi, respectively. In ternary alloy FeMnNi, Mn and Ni atoms were concentrated in the sample in the form of arcs, and the orientation of the plane containing the arcs was estimated by comparing field desorption images. The size, number density, and orientation of this structure were found to be in good agreement with those of both types of dislocation loops, namely, b = 1/2 111 and b = 100, identified in a previous study using the same material. The positions of Ni and Mn enrichment did not fully overlap. Ni atoms tended to be concentrated more in the inner part of the loop than the Mn atoms. Mn atoms were enriched only in the vicinity of the dislocation loops, whereas Ni atoms showed a higher concentration inside the dislocation loops than in the bulk.

Data processing and visualization of X-ray computed tomography images of a JOYO MK-III fuel assembly

Tsai, T.-H.; 佐々木 新治; 前田 宏治

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 60(6), p.715 - 723, 2023/06

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2022.2138603

A method for processing and visualizing X-ray computed tomography (CT) images of a fuel assembly is developed and applied to a JOYO MK-III fuel assembly. The method provides vertical-section-like images to observe the spatial distribution of CT values in fuel pins and also supplies images that show the relationship between the linear heat rate (LHR) and radial CT-value distribution. In addition, an attempt to analyze the radial cracks in the CT images is proposed, and the results demonstrate the correlation between LHR and the radial cracks.

Study on the relation between the crystal structure and thermal stability of FeUO and CrUO

秋山 大輔*; 日下 良二; 熊谷 友多; 中田 正美; 渡邉 雅之; 岡本 芳浩; 永井 崇之; 佐藤 修彰*; 桐島 陽*

Journal of Nuclear Materials, 568, p.153847_1 - 153847_10, 2022/09

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2022.153847

ウラン酸鉄,ウラン酸クロム、およびその固溶体を合成し、これらのウラン酸塩が異なる熱的安定性を示すメカニズムを研究した。熱的安定性を評価するため、ウラン酸塩試料の熱重量分析を実施した結果、ウラン酸クロムの分解温度(約1250C)に対してウラン酸鉄は低温(約800C)で分解するが、クロムを含む固溶体では熱分解に対する安定性が高まることが分かった。この熱的安定性と結晶構造との関係性を調べるため、エックス線結晶構造解析,エックス線吸収微細構造測定,メスバウアー分光測定,ラマン分光分析による詳細な結晶構造と物性の評価を行ったが、本研究で用いたウラン酸塩試料の間に明瞭な差異は観測されなかった。そのため、熱的安定性の違いは結晶構造に起因するものではなく、鉄とクロムとの酸化還元特性の違いによるものと推定した。クロムは3価が極めて安定であるのに対して、鉄の原子価は2価と3価を取ることができる。このため、ウラン酸鉄の場合には結晶中でウランと鉄との酸化還元反応が起こり、低温での分解反応を誘起したものと考えられる。

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

阿部 雄太; 土川 雄介; 甲斐 哲也; 松本 吉弘*; Parker, J. D.*; 篠原 武尚; 大石 佑治*; 加美山 隆*; 永江 勇二; 佐藤 一憲

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

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

Since the hardness of fuel debris containing boride from BC pellet in control rod is estimated to be two times higher as that of oxide, such as UO and ZrO, distribution of such boride in the fuel debris formed in the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants may affect the process of debris cutting and removal. The high neutron absorption of boron may affect the possibility of re-criticality during the process of debris removal. Therefore, boride distribution in fuel debris is regarded as an important issue to be addressed. However, boron tends to have difficult in quantification with conventionally applied methods like EPMA and XPS. In this study, accelerator-driven neutron-imaging system was applied. Since boron is the material for neutron absorption, its sensitivity in terms of neutron penetration through specimens is concerned. To adjust neutron attenuation of a specimen to suit a particular measurement by selecting the neutron energy range, we focused on the energy resolved neutron imaging system RADEN, which utilizes wide energy range from meV to keV. Development of a method to visualize boron distribution using energy-resolved neutrons has been started. In this presentation the authors show the status of the development of a method utilizing energy-resolved neutrons and provide some outcome from its application to the Core Material Melting and Relocation (CMMR)-0 and -2 specimens.

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

阿部 雄太; 土川 雄介; 甲斐 哲也; 松本 吉弘*; Parker, J. D.*; 篠原 武尚; 大石 佑治*; 加美山 隆*; 永江 勇二; 佐藤 一憲

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

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

Boron carbide is used as a neutron-absorbing material in Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (1F), producing borides that are twice as hard as oxides (such as UO and ZrO). The high neutron absorption of boron affects the evaluation of re-criticality during the process of debris retrieval. Therefore, it is important not only to determine the presence of boron but also to investigate the distribution of boron inside the material in a non-destructive manner during decommissioning. To address the uncertainties in the core material relocation behavior of boiling water reactor (BWR) during a severe accident (SA), solidified melt specimens of a simulated fuel assembly were prepared by plasma heating. If core material melting and relocation (CMMR) specimens can be used to estimate the B distribution in 1F Unit-3, that will provide valuable information in the decommissioning of 1F. To address this, the authors focused on the energy-resolved neutron imaging system, RADEN, which utilizes a wide energy range, from meV to keV. This is an innovative three-dimensional analysis technology for boride distribution that affects the evaluation of hardness and re-criticality. In the calibration standard samples (ZrB and FeB), there was a good correlation between boron concentration and the energy-dependence of the cross sections of cold and epi-thermal neutrons. In the CMMR specimens, boron distribution was confirmed from the contrast difference between cold and epi-thermal neutrons. In the future, the results of calibration standard samples will be applied to the results of CMMR specimens. With this method, three-dimensional boron distribution will be measured, and the understanding of boride distribution 1F Unit-3 will be improved, which may be reflected in an improved SA code.

3D X Ray micro-tomography as a tool to formulate metakaolin-based geopolymer-oil emulsions

Lambertin, D.*; Davy, C. A.*; Hauss, G.*; Planel, B.*; Marchand, B.*; Cantarel, V.

Proceedings of 1st International Conference on Innovation in Low-Carbon Cement and Concrete Technology (ILCCC 2019) (USB Flash Drive), 4 Pages, 2019/06

ジオポリマー(GP)セメントと有機液体からなる複合材料は、放射性有機液体廃棄物の管理のために、または相変化材料(PCM)として、多孔性制御媒体を合成するのに有用である。GPセメントは、大量の有機オイルをエマルションで新鮮なペーストに閉じ込めることができる。そのエマルション(GEOIL)は、GP硬化中は安定なままである。本報告では、1ミクロン (= 110m)のボクセルサイズの3D X線マイクロコンピューター断層撮影(マイクロCT)を使用することによって、GEOILペーストの3D油滴構造に対する調合パラメータ(油の割合, Si/Alモル比,界面活性剤)の影響を調べた。試料は新鮮な状態で乳し、硬化した状態で画像撮影した。気孔率,油滴サイズ分布、および油滴間の平均距離の全てを定量的に決定した。界面活性剤の存在により、著しく小さい油滴の形成が観察された。Si/Al比の増加も油滴サイズを減少させるが、その程度はより少ない。

3D-microstructure analysis of compacted Na- and Cs-montmorillonites with nanofocus X-ray computed tomography and correlation with macroscopic transport properties

高橋 宏明*; 舘 幸男

Applied Clay Science, 168, p.211 - 222, 2019/02

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2018.11.008

異なる膨潤特性をもつNa型及びCs型モンモリロナイトの微細構造と物質移行特性が、ナノフォーカスX線CTによる3次元微細構造分析と重水の拡散実験とを組み合わせて調査された。X線CT観察により、乾燥状態の圧縮Na型モンモリロナイトが飽和膨潤する過程で、連結性マクロ間隙はゲル相によって埋められ、粘土粒子のサイズは小さくなることが確認された。Cs型モンモリロナイトでは、それとは対照的に飽和過程でのゲル相の生成や粒子・間隙サイズの変化は認められなかった。X線CTによって評価された飽和Cs型モンモリロナイトの連結性マクロ間隙の屈曲度及び収れん度を含む幾何学因子は、重水の拡散試験から評価された値と整合した。Na型モンモリロナイトの場合、X線CTと拡散試験から導出された幾何学因子の差異が確認され、これは静電的相互作用による収れん度とX線CTの解像度では観察できないゲル相や層間間隙の屈曲度に起因するものと考えられた。

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

阿部 雄太; 山下 拓哉; 佐藤 一憲; 中桐 俊男; 石見 明洋; 永江 勇二

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

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

Authors are developing an experimental technology to realize experiments simulating Severe Accident (SA) conditions using simulant fuel material (ZrO with slight addition of MgO for stabilization) that would contribute not only to Fukushima Daiichi (1F) decommissioning but also to enhance the safety of worldwide existing and future nuclear power plants through clarification of the accident progression behavior. Based on the results of the prototype test, improvement of plasma heating technology was conducted. The Core Material Melting and Relocation (CMMR)-1/-2 experiments were carried out in 2017 with the large-scale simulated fuel assembly (1 m 0.3 m ) applying the improved technology (higher heating power and controlled oxygen concentration). In these two tests, heating history was different resulting basically in similar physical responses with more pronounced material melting and relocation in the CMMR-2 experiment. The CMMR-2 experiment is selected here from the viewpoint of establishing an experimental technology. The CMMR-2 experiment adopted 30-min heating period, the power was increased up to a level so that a large temperature gradient ( 2,000 K/m) expected at the lower part of the core in the actual 1F accident conditions. Most of the control blade and the channel box migrated from the original position. After the heating, the simulated fuel assembly was measured by the X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) technology and by Electron Probe Micro Analyzer (EPMA). CT pictures and elemental mapping demonstrated its excellent performance with rather good precision. Based on these results, an excellent perspective in terms of applicability of the non-transfer type plasma heating technology to the SA experimental study was obtained.

Development of residual thermal stress-relieving structure of CFC monoblock target for JT-60SA divertor

鶴 大悟; 櫻井 真治; 中村 誠俊; 尾崎 豪嗣; 関 洋治; 横山 堅二; 鈴木 哲

Fusion Engineering and Design, 98-99, p.1403 - 1406, 2015/10

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fusengdes.2015.02.052

Carbon Fibre-reinforced Carbon (CFC) monoblock target for JT-60SA divertor is under development toward mass-production. A CFC monoblock, a CuCrZr cooling tube at the centre of the monoblock and a interlayer were bonded by vacuum brazing in a high temperature, into a target. After the bonding, strong tensile stress was generated in the CFC monoblock around the CuCrZr cooling tube in a room temperature condition due to difference of thermal expansions between CFC and CuCrZr. In the previous trial productions, only half targets passed the acceptance test. In this research, a new structure of the targets was proposed, to reduce residual thermal stress and to depress the degradation of heat removal capacity of the targets, toward the mass-production. Some measures were implemented on the proposed. The effectiveness of the measures were evaluated by numerical simulations. Thermal performance of target mock-ups with the proposed were evaluated.

稠密格子体系ロッド位置変位のX線CTによる測定と伝熱特性への影響(共同研究)

光武 徹*; 勝山 幸三*; 三澤 丈治; 永峯 剛*; 呉田 昌俊*; 松元 愼一郎*; 秋本 肇

JAERI-Tech 2005-034, 55 Pages, 2005/06

JAERI-Tech-2005-034.pdf:7.76MB

燃料棒と燃料棒の間隙が1mm程度の稠密格子体系では、わずかなロッド位置変位により伝熱特性に影響を及ぼす恐れがある。また、熱的限界出力を評価するサブチャンネル解析において、模擬燃料棒が設計位置からズレた場合の影響を定量的に確認しておくことは、実験解析の予測誤差原因を検討するうえで重要である。本研究では、低減速炉炉心模擬燃料集合体(7本バンドル)に対して、断面内の模擬燃料棒配置を実測し、その結果に基づいて各模擬燃料棒中心位置の変位と伝熱特性との関係について実験的に検討するとともに、サブチャンネル解析結果に及ぼすロッド位置変位の影響を評価した。X線CT装置による断面の可視化画像より、模擬燃料棒位置は設計位置から大きく変位していないことが確認できた。模擬燃料棒位置の変位は、最大0.5mm,平均は0.2mmであった。伝熱実験の結果、BT発生位置・時刻の観点から模擬燃料棒位置の変位の影響は小さかった。X線CT測定結果に基づく限界出力計算値(サブチャンネル解析)は、模擬燃料棒が設計位置にある結果よりも5%程度小さくなったが、過大評価の程度は約25%と依然大きかった。このことから、解析結果と実験結果との差異は、模擬燃料棒の変位(入力データの問題)だけでは説明はつかず、解析モデルの影響の大きいことがわかった。