Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory Project Investigation Report for the 2022 Fiscal Year

Nakayama, Masashi

JAEA-Review 2023-032, 159 Pages, 2024/02

JAEA-Review-2023-032.pdf:19.37MB

The Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory (URL) Project is being pursued by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) to enhance the reliability of relevant technologies for geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste through investigating the deep geological environment within the host sedimentary rocks at Horonobe Town in Hokkaido, north Japan. In the fiscal year 2022, we continued R&D on "Study on near-field system performance in geological environment", "Demonstration of repository design options", and "Understanding of buffering behaviour of sedimentary rock to natural perturbations". These are identified as key R&D on challenges to be tackled in the Horonobe underground research plan for the fiscal year 2020 onwards. Specifically, "full-scale engineered barrier system (EBS) performance experiment" and "solute transport experiment with model testing" were carried out as part of "Study on near- field system performance in geological environment". "Demonstration of engineering feasibility of repository technology" and "evaluation of EBS behaviour over 100C" were addressed for "Demonstration of repository design options". A study on "Understanding of buffering behaviour of sedimentary rock to natural perturbations" was also implemented in two areas, "evaluation of intrinsic buffering against endogenic and exogenic processes" and "development of techniques for evaluating excavation damaged zone (EDZ) self-sealing behaviour after backfilling". The Horonobe International Project (HIP) was initiated in February 2023 to promote research and development in collaboration with national and international organizations.

Progress status and future issues of development of analysis and estimation technology for fuel debris characterization, 5; Progress status of development of Non-Destructive assay technologies for sorting and segregation of fuel debris and others

Kamada, Masaki*; Yoshida, Takuma*; Sugita, Tsukasa*; Okumura, Keisuke

Nihon Genshiryoku Gakkai-Shi ATOMO, 66(2), p.83 - 86, 2024/02

https://doi.org/10.3327/jaesjb.66.2_83

no abstracts in English

Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory Project; Investigation program for the 2022 fiscal year

Nakayama, Masashi

JAEA-Review 2022-026, 66 Pages, 2022/11

JAEA-Review-2022-026.pdf:12.31MB

The Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory (URL) Project is being pursued by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) to enhance the reliability of relevant disposal technologies for geological disposal of High-level Radioactive Waste through investigations of the deep geological environment within the host sedimentary rock at Horonobe Town in Hokkaido, north Japan. In fiscal year 2022, we continue to conduct research on "Study on near-field system performance in geological environment", "Demonstration of repository design options", and "Understanding of buffering behaviour of sedimentary rocks to natural perturbations", which are the important issues shown in the Horonobe underground research plan from fiscal year 2020. The main studies to be conducted in fiscal year 2022 are as follows. As "Study on near-field system performance in geological environment", we will continue to the test under the simulated condition in which the heat generation by the high-level radioactive waste has subsides in the full-scale engineered barrier system (EBS) performance experiment. We will also conduct solute transport experiment with model testing that take into account the effects of organic matter, microbes, and colloids, and initiate borehole investigation to evaluate solute transport experiments on fractures distribute in Koetoi formation. As "Demonstration of repository design concept", we will continue experiment and analysis of concrete deterioration in the underground environment as a demonstration of remote technique for emplacement and retrievable. As a demonstration of the closure techniques, laboratory tests will be continued to investigate the mechanism of bentonite runoff behaviour, which could be a factor in changing the performance of backfill material, and to expand data on swelling and deformation behaviour. In addition, in-situ borehole closure tests will be conducted to evaluate the applicability of the closure method. As "Understanding of buffering behaviour of

Development of the sintering solidification method for spent zeolite to long-term stabilization (Contract research); FY2020 Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project

Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science; Shibaura Institute of Technology*

JAEA-Review 2022-008, 116 Pages, 2022/06

JAEA-Review-2022-008.pdf:5.36MB

The Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science (CLADS), Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), had been conducting the Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project (hereafter referred to "the Project") in FY2020. The Project aims to contribute to solving problems in the nuclear energy field represented by the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (TEPCO). For this purpose, intelligence was collected from all over the world, and basic research and human resource development were promoted by closely integrating/collaborating knowledge and experiences in various fields beyond the barrier of conventional organizations and research fields. The sponsor of the Project was moved from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to JAEA since the newly adopted proposals in FY2018. On this occasion, JAEA constructed a new research system where JAEA-academia collaboration is reinforced and medium-to-long term research/development and human resource development contributing to the decommissioning are stably and consecutively implemented. Among the adopted proposals in FY2018, this report summarizes the research results of the "Development of the sintering solidification method for spent zeolite to long-term stabilization" conducted from FY2018 to FY2021 (this contract was extended to FY2021). Since the final year of this proposal was FY2021, the results for four fiscal years were summarized. The present study aims to develop a new sintering solidification method in which glass is added as a binder to spent zeolite which is adsorbed radionuclides such as Cs and the nuclides are immobilized by sintering them. In this project, the optimum conditions for sintering solidification and the basic performance of the sintered solidified body will be evaluated by cold tests, and they will be demonstrated by hot tests.

Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory Project; Investigation report for the 2020 fiscal year

Nakayama, Masashi

JAEA-Review 2021-053, 133 Pages, 2022/02

JAEA-Review-2021-053.pdf:14.45MB

The Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory (URL) Project is being pursued by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA). The main aim of this project is to enhance the reliability of relevant disposal technologies for geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste through a comprehensive research and development (R&D) program in the deep geological environment within the host sedimentary rock at Horonobe in Hokkaido, north Japan. In fiscal year 2020, JAEA continued R&D on three important issues specified in the "Horonobe Underground Research Plan from Fiscal Year 2020", which involve "Study on nearfield system performance in geological environment", "Demonstration of repository design options", and "Understanding of buffering behavior of sedimentary rock to natural perturbations". Specifically, 'full scale engineered barrier system (EBS) experiment' and 'solute transport experiment' were carried out as part of "Study on near-field system performance in geological environment". 'Development and testing of EBS emplacement / retrieval and tunnel closure technologies' and 'evaluation of EBS behavior over 100C' were addressed for "Demonstration of repository design options". A study on "Understanding of buffering behavior of sedimentary rock to natural perturbations" was also implemented in two areas, 'evaluation of hydromechanical responses of faults to water pressure changes' and 'development of techniques for evaluating self-sealing behavior of an excavation damaged zone after backfilling'. The results of the R&D, along with those obtained in other departments of JAEA, will reinforce the technical basis for both repository implementation and safety regulation. For the sake of this, JAEA will steadily proceed with this project in collaboration with relevant organizations and universities both domestically and internationally and also widely publish the plans and results of the R&D to ensure their transparency and technical reliability.

Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory Project; Investigation program for the 2021 fiscal year

Nakayama, Masashi

JAEA-Review 2021-009, 54 Pages, 2021/07

JAEA-Review-2021-009.pdf:5.02MB

The Horonobe URL Project is being pursued by the JAEA to enhance the reliability of relevant disposal technologies for geological disposal of High-level Radioactive Waste through investigations of the deep geological environment within the host sedimentary rock at Horonobe Town in Hokkaido, north Japan. In 2021 fiscal year (2021/2022), JAEA continue to conduct research on "Demonstration of EBS in geological environment", "Demonstration of disposal concept", and "Validation of buffer capacity of the sedimentary rock to tectonism", which are the important issues shown in the Horonobe underground research plan after 2020 fiscal year. The main studies to be conducted in 2021 fiscal year are as follows. As "Demonstration of EBS in geological environment", we will shift to the test under the condition that the influence of heating is eliminated in the full scale EBS experiment. As "Demonstration of disposal concept", as a demonstration of the closure techniques, it details the conditions under which long-term transitions in the tunnel and surrounding bedrock have a significant impact on safety assessments. And we will continue engineering scale experiment to confirm the workability and performance of plugs and laboratory tests to examine the interaction between backfilling materials and buffer materials. As "Validation of buffer capacity of the sedimentary rock to tectonism", we will analyze the results of the hydraulic disturbance test and continue to study the hydraulic disconnection of faults/fissures in the Wakkanai Formation. As an advancement of technology for investigating and evaluating areas where the flow of groundwater is extremely slow, a boring exploration will be conducted to confirm the three-dimensional distribution of the fossil seawater area.

Development of the Sintering Solidification Method for Spent Zeolite to Long-term Stabilization (Contract research); FY2019 Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project

Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science; Shibaura Institute of Technology*

JAEA-Review 2020-049, 78 Pages, 2021/01

JAEA-Review-2020-049.pdf:5.85MB

JAEA/CLADS had been conducting the Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project. Among the adopted proposals in FY2018, this report summarizes the research results of the "Development of the Sintering Solidification Method for Spent Zeolite to Long-term Stabilization" conducted in FY2019.

Design and produce training-way system for crawler-type robots against nuclear emergency of JAEA facilities

Tsubaki, Hirohiko; Koizumi, Satoshi*

JAEA-Technology 2020-016, 16 Pages, 2020/11

JAEA-Technology-2020-016.pdf:2.96MB

Maintenance and Operation Section for Remote Control Equipment in Naraha Center for Remote Control Technology Development is the main part of the nuclear emergency response team of JAEA deal with Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness. The section needs to train operators from every nuclear facility in JAEA to control crawler-type robots, and so on. A driving training of a crawler-type robot used a reciprocating passage (U-shaped passage look from above) is one of the important training programs. The section always assembled a reciprocating passage with borrowed parts from other sections for every training of being used the passage. The section designed and produced training-way system included a reciprocating passage with stairs in 2019 fiscal year. The system makes the section members labor-saving, possible to set any time for training and diverse training-ways with easy assembling system. This report shows design and produce training-way system for crawler-type robots against nuclear emergency of JAEA facilities by Maintenance and Operation Section for Remote Control Equipment.

Design and mounting advanced wireless communication equipment on the crawler-type robots for tasks and on the crawler-type scouting robot

Nishiyama, Yutaka; Iwai, Masaki; Tsubaki, Hirohiko; Chiba, Yusuke; Hayasaka, Toshiro*; Ono, Hayato*; Hanyu, Toshinori*

JAEA-Technology 2020-006, 26 Pages, 2020/08

JAEA-Technology-2020-006.pdf:2.43MB

Maintenance and Operation Section for Remote Control Equipment in Naraha Center for Remote Control Technology Development is the main part of the nuclear emergency response team of JAEA deal with Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness. The section needs to remodel crawler-type robots for tasks, crawler-type scouting robots, and so on. About two crawler-type robots for tasks, the section designed and mounted advanced wireless communication equipment on manipulators mounted on the two robots. The crawler part of the robot has been able to be controlled by way of the new equipment, and when it is broken down, it can be changed by way of an original equipment. And the new equipment makes a single relay robot controllable both the crawler part and the manipulator part of the robot, in case of wireless relay robots being needed. And after checking the ability and characteristic about 5 wireless communication equipment, the section chose and mounted the best equipment on one crawler-type scouting robot. This report shows design and mounting advanced wireless communication equipment on the two crawler-type robots for tasks and on the one crawler-type scouting robot.

Research and development of radiation-resistant sensor for fuel debris by integrating advanced measurement technologies (Contract research); FY2018 Center of World Intelligence Project for Nuclear Science/Technology and Human Resource Development

Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science; High Energy Accelerator Research Organization*

JAEA-Review 2019-040, 77 Pages, 2020/03

JAEA-Review-2019-040.pdf:4.61MB

JAEA/CLADS, had been conducting the Center of World Intelligence Project for Nuclear Science/Technology and Human Resource Development (hereafter referred to "the Project") in FY2018. The Project aims to contribute to solving problems in nuclear energy field represented by the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. For this purpose, intelligence was collected from all over the world, and basic research and human resource development were promoted by closely integrating/collaborating knowledge and experiences in various fields beyond the barrier of conventional organizations and research fields. The sponsor of the Project was moved from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to JAEA since the newly adopted proposals in FY2018. On this occasion, JAEA constructed a new research system where JAEA-academia collaboration is reinforced and medium-to-long term research/development and human resource development contributing to the decommissioning are stably and consecutively implemented. Among the adopted proposals in FY2018, this report summarizes the research results of the "Research and Development of Radiation-resistant Sensor for Fuel Debris by Integrating Advanced Measurement Technologies". The present study aims to in-situ measure and analyze the distribution status and criticality of flooded fuel debris. For this purpose, we construct a neutron measurement system by developing compact diamond neutron sensor (200 m 510 m thickness) and integrated circuit whose radiation resistance was improved by circuit design. Along with the multi-phased array sonar and the acoustic sub-bottom profiling (SBP) system, the neutron measurement system will be installed in the ROV (developed by Japan-UK collaboration) and its demonstration tests will be conducted in a PCV mock-up water tank.