Paleoclimatic controls on natural tracer profiles in biogenic sedimentary formations of the Horonobe area, Japan

Arthur, R.*; Sasamoto, Hiroshi; Alt-Epping, P.*; Tachi, Yukio

Applied Geochemistry, 155, p.105707_1 - 105707_8, 2023/08

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2023.105707

The experience gained in modeling the evolution, from past to present, of natural tracer profiles in geologic media can help support safety assessment of disposal concepts for radioactive wastes in deep geologic repository. Solute-transport models were developed in the present study using a forward modeling approach constrained by boundary conditions inferred from the paleo-hydrogeological evolution of the Horonobe area in Hokkaido, Japan. Apparent differences in transport behavior at the two boreholes location considered in this study, which were situated only about 1 km apart, appear to have resulted from relatively small differences in accessible porosity and hydraulic conductivity, which in turn may have been controlled by local differences in fracture density and fracture connectivity.

Review of research on Advanced Computational Science in FY2021

Center for Computational Science & e-Systems

JAEA-Evaluation 2022-004, 38 Pages, 2022/11

JAEA-Evaluation-2022-004.pdf:1.38MB

Research on advanced computational science for nuclear applications, based on "the plan to achieve the mid- and long-term goal of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency", has been performed by Center for Computational Science & e-Systems (CCSE), Japan Atomic Energy Agency. CCSE established a committee consisting of external experts and authorities which evaluates and advises toward the future research and development. This report summarizes the results of the R&D performed by CCSE in FY2021 (April 1st, 2021 - March 31st, 2022) and their evaluation by the committee.

Consideration on utilization of atmospheric dispersion models for a nuclear emergency preparedness and response

Togawa, Orihiko; Okura, Takehisa; Kimura, Masanori; Nagai, Haruyasu

JAEA-Review 2021-021, 61 Pages, 2021/11

JAEA-Review-2021-021.pdf:3.72MB

Triggered by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, there have been a lot of arguments among various situations and levels about utilization of atmospheric dispersion models for a nuclear emergency preparedness and response. Most of these arguments, however, were alternative and extreme discussions on whether predictions by computational models could be applied or not for protective measures in a nuclear emergency, and it was hard to say that these arguments were politely conducted, based on scientific verification in an emergency response. It was known, on the other hand, that there were not a few potential users of atmospheric dispersion models and/or calculation results by the models within the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and outside. However, they seemed to have a lack of understanding and a misunderstanding on proper use of different kinds of atmospheric dispersion models. This report compares an outline of models and calculation method in atmospheric dispersion models for a nuclear emergency preparedness and response, with a central focus on the models which have been developed and used in the JAEA. Examples of calculations by these models are also described in the report. This report aims at contributing to future consideration and activities for potential users of atmospheric dispersion models within the JAEA and outside.

Review of research on Advanced Computational Science in FY2019

Center for Computational Science & e-Systems

JAEA-Evaluation 2020-002, 37 Pages, 2020/12

JAEA-Evaluation-2020-002.pdf:1.59MB

Research on advanced computational science for nuclear applications, based on "the plan to achieve the mid and long term goal of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency", has been performed at Center for Computational Science & e-Systems (CCSE), Japan Atomic Energy Agency. CCSE established a committee consisting of outside experts and authorities which does research evaluation and advice for the assistance of the future research and development. This report summarizes the results of the R&D performed at CCSE in FY2019 (April 1st, 2019 - March 31st, 2020) and the evaluation by the committee on them.

Intercomparison of numerical atmospheric dispersion prediction models for emergency response to emissions of radionuclides with limited source information in the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident

Iwasaki, Toshiki*; Sekiyama, Tsuyoshi*; Nakajima, Teruyuki*; Watanabe, Akira*; Suzuki, Yasushi*; Kondo, Hiroaki*; Morino, Yu*; Terada, Hiroaki; Nagai, Haruyasu; Takigawa, Masayuki*; et al.

Atmospheric Environment, 214, p.116830_1 - 116830_11, 2019/10

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2019.116830

The utilization of numerical atmospheric dispersion prediction (NDP) models for accidental discharge of radioactive substances was recommended by a working group of the Meteorological Society of Japan. This paper is to validate the recommendation through NDP model intercomparison in the accidental release from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2011. Emission intensity is assumed to be constant during the whole forecast period for the worst-case scenario unless time sequence of emission is available. We expect to utilize forecasts of surface air contaminations for preventions of inhalations of radioactive substances, and column-integrated amounts for mitigation of radiation exposure associated with wet deposition. Although NDP forecasts have ensemble spread, they commonly figure out relative risk in space and time. They are of great benefit to disseminating effective warnings to public without failure. The multi-model ensemble technique may be effective to improve the reliability.

Atmospheric modeling of Cs plumes from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant; Evaluation of the model intercomparison data of the Science Council of Japan

Kitayama, Kyo*; Morino, Yu*; Takigawa, Masayuki*; Nakajima, Teruyuki*; Hayami, Hiroshi*; Nagai, Haruyasu; Terada, Hiroaki; Saito, Kazuo*; Shimbori, Toshiki*; Kajino, Mizuo*; et al.

Journal of Geophysical Research; Atmospheres, 123(14), p.7754 - 7770, 2018/07

https://doi.org/10.1029/2017JD028230

We compared seven atmospheric transport model results for Cs released during the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. All the results had been submitted for a model intercomparison project of the Science Council of Japan in 2014. We assessed model performance by comparing model results with observed hourly atmospheric concentrations of Cs, focusing on nine plumes over the Tohoku and Kanto regions. The results showed that model performance for Cs concentrations was highly variable among models and plumes. We also assessed model performance for accumulated Cs deposition. Simulated areas of high deposition were consistent with the plume pathways, though the models that best simulated Cs concentrations were different from those that best simulated deposition. The ensemble mean of all models consistently reproduced Cs concentrations and deposition well, suggesting that use of a multimodel ensemble results in more effective and consistent model performance.

Modeling approach to various time and spatial scale environmental issues in Fukushima; Related to radioactive cesium migration in aquatic systems

Kurikami, Hiroshi; Kitamura, Akihiro; Yamada, Susumu; Machida, Masahiko

Proceedings of 23rd International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE-23) (DVD-ROM), 6 Pages, 2015/05

Several numerical models have been prepared to deal with various time- and spatial-scale issues related to radioactive cesium migration in environment in Fukushima area. This paper describes fragments of the JAEA's approaches of modeling to deal with the issues corresponding to radioactive cesium migration in environment with some case studies.

Incorporation of CO exchange processes into a multilayer atmosphere-soil-vegetation model

Nagai, Haruyasu

Journal of Applied Meteorology, 44(10), p.1574 - 1592, 2005/10

This paper describes the incorporation of CO exchange processes into an atmosphere-soil-vegetation model SOLVEG and examination of its sensitivity and impact of its stomatal resistance calculation on the latent heat flux over a winter wheat field. The model framework for the heat and water exchanges between the atmosphere and ground surface was validated in the previous papers (Nagai 2002, 2003). In this study, CO exchange processes are incorporated in the model and the performance is examined. In the test calculation, the model simulated the CO flux at 2 m above the ground well as a whole. A sensitivity test to clarify uncertainties for the model settings and parameters showed that the CO production in the soil is the most important factor for the CO calculation. Also, the impact of the CO processes on the latent heat flux is discussed. The results indicate that the new model is effective and preferable to study surface exchanges of heat and water as well as CO.

Verification of HTTR hydrogen production system analysis code using experimental data of mock-up model test facility with a full-scale reaction tube; Cooling system of the secondary helium gas using steam generator and radiator (Contract research)

Sato, Hiroyuki; Ohashi, Hirofumi; Inaba, Yoshitomo; Maeda, Yukimasa; Takeda, Tetsuaki; Nishihara, Tetsuo; Inagaki, Yoshiyuki

JAERI-Tech 2005-014, 89 Pages, 2005/03

JAERI-Tech-2005-014.pdf:7.25MB

In a hydrogen production system using HTTR, it is required to control a secondary helium gas temperature within an allowable value at an intermediate heat exchanger (IHX) inlet to prevent a reactor scram. To mitigate thermal disturbance of the secondary helium gas caused by the hydrogen production system, a cooling system of the secondary helium gas using a steam generator(SG) and a radiator will be installed at the downstream of the chemical reactor. In order to verify a numerical analysis code of the cooling system, numerical analysis has been conducted. The pressure controllability in SG is highly affected by the heat transfer characteristics of air which flows outside of the heat exchanger tube of the radiator. In order to verify a numerical analysis code of the cooling system, the heat transfer characteristics of air has been investigated with experimental results of a mock-up model test. It was confirmed that numerical analysis results were agreed well with experimental results, and the analysis code was successfully verified.

Engineering aspects in modeling of high burnup LWR fuel behavior

Suzuki, Motoe

Proceedings of 2nd Japan-Korea-China (5th Japan-Korea) Seminar on Nuclear Reactor Fuel and Materials, p.4 - 10, 2004/03

In designing a fuel performance code which describes complicated interactions working in high burnup fuel, the code will inevitably become a complex structure of inter-dependent models. In normal operation conditions, PCMI occurs and the pellet-clad firm bonding layer makes the cladding to be subjected to a bi-axial stress state, i.e. under tough mechanical loading. In contrast, the bonding layer enhances thermal conductance, decreases the pellet temperature and keeps the pellet-clad contact, resulting in increased resistance against the Lift-Off. For pellet behaviors, the fission gas bubble growth is strongly dependent on temperature, so that a reliable prediction of fuel temperature is required by pellet radial meshing which can fully accommodate the burning analysis results and the rim structure growth. The presentation deals with modeling method in terms of specific aspects such as meshing.