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methodNauchi, Yasushi*; Sato, Shunsuke*; Hayakawa, Takehito*; Kimura, Yasuhiko; Suyama, Kenya; Kashima, Takao*; Futakami, Kazuhiro*
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 1050, p.168109_1 - 168109_9, 2023/05
Times Cited Count：0 Percentile：0.02(Instruments & Instrumentation)Measurement of neutrons from spent nuclear fuel is performed in this study using the H method, which detects 2.223 MeV 
rays from neutron capture reaction of hydrogen using a highly pure germanium (HPGe) detector. The detection of the 2.223 MeV ray is affected by intense ray emission from fission products (FPs) because the emission rate of rays from the FP is seven orders of magnitude higher than the emission rate of neutrons. To shield the intense ray from the FP, the HPGe detector is placed off the axis of a collimator, whereas a polyethylene block is placed on the axis. In this geometry, the detector is shielded from the intense rays from the FP, but the detector can measure 2.223 MeV rays from the H reactions in the polyethylene block. The measured count rate of the 2.223 MeV rays is consistent with the expected rate within the statistical error, which is calculated based on the nuclide composition, which is primary 
Cm, estimated via depletion and decay calculations. Accordingly, the H method is considered feasible to quantify the number of neutron leakage from spent nuclear fuel assembly, which is applicable to certify burn up of the assembly.
Geological Disposal Research and Development Department
JAEA-Evaluation 2022-007, 81 Pages, 2022/11
JAEA-Evaluation-2022-007.pdf:2.06MB
JAEA-Evaluation-2022-007-appendix(CD-ROM).zip:37.06MB
Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) consulted the advisory committee, "Evaluation Committee on Research and Development (R&D) Activities for Geological Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Waste", for post- and pre-review assessment of R&D activities on high-level radioactive waste disposal in accordance with "General Guideline for the Evaluation of Government Research and Development (R&D) Activities" by the Cabinet Office, Government of Japan, "Guideline for Evaluation of R&D in Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology" and JAEA's "Regulation on Conduct for Evaluation of R&D Activities". In response to JAEA's request, the Committee reviewed mainly the progress of the R&D project on geological disposal, the relevance of the project outcome and the efficiency of the project implementation during the period of the current and next plan. This report summarizes the results of the assessment by the Committee with the Committee report attached.
Cs activity in spent nuclear fuel with calculated detector response functionSato, Shunsuke*; Nauchi, Yasushi*; Hayakawa, Takehito*; Kimura, Yasuhiko; Kashima, Takao*; Futakami, Kazuhiro*; Suyama, Kenya
Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 60(6), p.615 - 623, 2022/06
Times Cited Count：0 Percentile：0.01(Nuclear Science & Technology)A new non-destructive method for evaluating Cs activity in spent nuclear fuels was proposed and experimentally demonstrated for physical measurements in burnup credit implementation. Cs activities were quantified using gamma ray measurements and numerical detector response simulations without reference fuels, in which Cs activities are well known. Fuel samples were obtained from a lead use assembly (LUA) irradiated in a commercial pressurized water reactor (PWR) up to 53 GWd/t. Gamma rays emitted from the samples were measured using a bismuth germinate (BGO) scintillation detector through a collimator attached to a hot cell. The detection efficiency of gamma rays with the detector was calculated using the PHITS particle transport calculation code considering the measurement geometry. The relative activities of 
Cs, Cs, and 
Eu in the sample were measured with a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector for more accurate simulations of the detector response for the samples. The absolute efficiency of the detector was calibrated by measuring a standard gamma ray source in another geometry. Cs activity in the fuel samples was quantified using the measured count rate and detection efficiency. The quantified Cs activities agreed well with those estimated using the MVP-BURN depletion calculation code.
Shiba, Tomooki; Tomikawa, Hirofumi; Yamaguchi, Tomoki
Dai-41-Kai Nihon Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai Nenji Taikai Kaigi Rombunshu (Internet), 4 Pages, 2020/11
Shiba, Tomooki; Tomikawa, Hirofumi
Nihon Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai Dai-40-Kai Nenji Taikai Puroshidhingusushu, 3 Pages, 2019/11
no abstracts in English
Morita, Yoshihiro*; Suzuki, Hiroaki*; Naito, Masanori*; Nemoto, Yoshiyuki; Kaji, Yoshiyuki
Proceedings of 27th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE-27) (Internet), 9 Pages, 2019/05
In this study, the SAMPSON code was modified to evaluate severe accidents in a spent fuel pool (SFP). Not only the SFP but also upper spaces of the SFP, walls of the reactor building, and the blowout panel were included. Air oxidation models obtained by the Zircaroy-4 cladding (ANL model) and the Zircaroy-2 cladding (JAEA model) were included in the modified SAMPSON code. Experiments done by Sandia National Laboratory using simulated fuel assemblies equivalent to those of an actual BWR plant were analyzed by the modified SAMPSON code to confirm the functions for analysis of the severe SFP accidents.
Suzuki, Hiroaki*; Morita, Yoshihiro*; Naito, Masanori*; Nemoto, Yoshiyuki; Nagatake, Taku; Kaji, Yoshiyuki
Proceedings of 27th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE-27) (Internet), 7 Pages, 2019/05
In this paper, modification of the SAMPSON code was carried out to enable the analysis of spray cooling. The SAMPSON analysis of a spray cooling experiment was performed to confirm reproducibility of spray cooling behavior of fuel claddings. The modified SAMPSON code was applied to a hypothetical loss-of-coolant accident analysis of the SFP. Effectiveness of spray cooling on cladding temperature behavior was investigated. The SAMPSON analysis showed that spraying from the top of the SFP was effective for cooling the fuel assemblies exposed to the gas phase.
Someya, Takayuki*; Chitose, Hiromasa*; Watanabe, Satoshi*; Nemoto, Yoshiyuki; Kaji, Yoshiyuki
Proceedings of 27th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE-27) (Internet), 9 Pages, 2019/05
In this study, CFD analysis has been conducted for the assessment of spent fuel integrity in large LOCA event and the maximum temperature of spent fuel assemblies has been evaluated. Then, it has been compared with the result of the simple assessment method. As a case study, additional CFD analysis has been conducted, where water level in SFP decreases to the Bottom of Active Fuel (BAF) due to boil-off. Since this scenario might be more severe than large LOCA scenario, the number of spent fuel assemblies, their decay heat and loading pattern to maintain spent fuel integrity are investigated.
Morita, Yasuji; Nishihara, Kenji; Tsubata, Yasuhiro
JAEA-Data/Code 2018-017, 32 Pages, 2019/02
JAEA-Data-Code-2018-017.pdf:2.35MB
Potential radiotoxicity defined as a summation of intake dose was estimated for each actinide element to suppose target of recovery ratio of minor actinide (MA). Importance of each element from the viewpoint of the radiotoxicity was evaluated from the evolution of the radiotoxicity and ratio to the total radiotoxicity. In all the 4 types of spent fuels examined, Am is the most important element. For instance, the potential radiotoxicity of Am accounts for 93% of the total radiotoxicity of actinide elements in HLW produced by reprocessing of spent fuel from pressurized water reactor (PWR). Residual Pu after the recovery of 99.5% in reprocessing still gives contribution that cannot be ignored in radiotoxicity. When the burn-up of the UO
fuel in PWR increased, the potential radiotoxicity of actinide elements increased almost in proportion to the burn-up, but in case of MOX fuel in PWR and minor-actinide-recycled MOX fuel in fast reactor, the radiotoxicity of actinide elements increased further. Much consideration is required for the recovery of actinide elements in HLW from different types of fuel.
Kusaka, Ryoji
Bunko Kenkyu, 67(6), p.239 - 240, 2018/12
A spectroscopic technique for analysis developed by collaboration between Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST) is discussed for readers outside the field of nuclear energy. This paper introduces a quantitative analysis for 
Pd radioisotope contained in a spent nuclear fuel by using laser-induced photoreduction and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The importance and problems of quantitative analysis for radioisotopes in spent nuclear fuels are described, and the principle, advantages, and future applications of the spectroscopic technique are discussed.
Nemoto, Yoshiyuki; Kaji, Yoshiyuki; Onizawa, Takashi*; Kanazawa, Toru*; Nakashima, Kazuo*; Tojo, Masayuki*
Proceedings of Annual Congress of the European Federation of Corrosion (EUROCORR 2018) (USB Flash Drive), 8 Pages, 2018/09
The authors proposed oxidation models based on oxidation data which previously obtained in high temperature oxidation tests on small sample of Zircalloy-2 (Zry2) cladding in dry air and in air/steam mixture environment. The oxidation models were implemented in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code to analyse oxidation behavior of long cladding sample in hypothetical spent fuel pool (SFP) accident conditions. The oxidation tests were conducted using Zry2 cladding sample 500 mm in length. The oxide layer growth in dry air was well reproduced in the calculation using the oxidation model, meanwhile which in air/steam mixture was overestimated atmosphere composition change anticipated in the spent fuel rack during the accident, and its influence on the oxidation behaviour of the cladding were discussed in consideration of the oxidation model improvement.
Zr determination with isotope dilution ICP-MSAsai, Shiho; Hanzawa, Yukiko; Konda, Miki; Suzuki, Daisuke; Magara, Masaaki; Kimura, Takaumi; Ishihara, Ryo*; Saito, Kyoichi*; Yamada, Shinsuke*; Hirota, Hideyuki*
Talanta, 185, p.98 - 105, 2018/08
Times Cited Count：8 Percentile：31.98(Chemistry, Analytical)Estimating the risks associated with radiation from long-lived fission products (LLFP) in radioactive waste is essential to ensure the long-term safety of potential disposal sites. In this study, the amount of Zr, a LLFP, was determined by ICP-MS after separating Zr from a spent nuclear fuel solution using a microvolume anion-exchange cartridge (TEDA cartridge). The TEDA cartridge achieved highly selective separation of Zr regardless of its small bed volume of 0.08 cm
. The time taken to complete the Zr separation was 1.2 min with a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min, which was 10 times faster than that for a conventional anion-exchange resin column. Almost all the other elements were removed, leading to accurate measurement of Zr. The result connects experimental value to theoretical prediction provided by ORIGEN2, which requires verification. With the measured value, we demonstrated that the theoretical value is reliable enough to estimate radiation risks.
Pd in Pd recovered by laser-induced photoreduction with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometryAsai, Shiho; Yomogida, Takumi; Saeki, Morihisa*; Oba, Hironori*; Hanzawa, Yukiko; Horita, Takuma; Kitatsuji, Yoshihiro
Analytical Chemistry, 88(24), p.12227 - 12233, 2016/12
Times Cited Count：16 Percentile：53.58(Chemistry, Analytical)Safety evaluation of a radioactive waste repository requires credible activity estimates confirmed by actual measurements. A long-lived radionuclide, Pd, which can be found in radioactive wastes, is one of the difficult-to-measure nuclides and results in a deficit in experimentally determined contents. In this study, a precipitation-based separation method has been developed for the determination of Pd with ICP-MS. The photoreduction induced by laser irradiation at 355 nm provides short-time and one-step recovery of Pd. The proposed method was verified by applying it to a spent nuclear fuel sample. In order to efficiently recover Pd, a natural Pd standard was employed as the Pd carrier. The chemical yield of Pd was about 90% with virtually no impurities, allowing accurate quantification of Pd.
Kitamura, Akira; Chikazawa, Takahiro*; Akahori, Kuniaki*; Tachi, Yukio
Genshiryoku Bakkuendo Kenkyu (CD-ROM), 23(1), p.55 - 72, 2016/06
The Japanese geological disposal program has started researching disposal of spent nuclear fuel (SF) in deep geological strata (hereafter "direct disposal of SF") as an alternative management option other reprocessing followed by vitrification and geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste. We conducted literature survey of dissolution rate of SF matrix and constructing materials (e.g. zircaloy cladding and control rods) selected in safety assessment reports for direct disposal of SF in Europe and United States. We also investigated basis of release rate determination and assignment of uncertainties in the safety assessment reports. Furthermore, we summarized major conclusions proposed by some European projects governed by European Commission. It was found that determined release rates are fairly similar to each other due to use of similar literature data in all countries of interest. It was also found that the determined release rates were including conservativeness because it was difficult to assign uncertainties quantitatively. It is expected that these findings are useful as fundamental information for determination of the release rates for the safety assessment of Japanese SF disposal system.
irradiationYukawa, Takuji*; Inoue, Hiroyuki*; Kojima, Takao*; Iwase, Akihiro*; Taniguchi, Naoki; Tachikawa, Hirokazu*
Zairyo To Kankyo 2016 Koenshu (CD-ROM), p.359 - 362, 2016/05
The immersion tests of pure titanium were carried out in aqueous solution containing carbonate/bicarbonate with 50 mM-chloride ion under gamma irradiation. The effect of pH on general corrosion rate of titanium were studied. The experimental results showed that the concentration of hydrogen preoxide was increased with pH, and the corrosion rate increased with the hydrogen preoxide concentration. The corrosion rate in pH12 and 13 were 5 to10 times larger than those under unirradiated conditions.
Irisawa, Eriko; Ueno, Fumiyoshi; Kato, Chiaki; Abe, Hitoshi
Zairyo To Kankyo, 65(4), p.134 - 137, 2016/04
In order to investigate the effect of boiling under reduced pressure on corrosion of stainless steel in the nitric acid solution, the corrosion tests simulating the high-level radioactive liquid waste evaporator were performed. The results of immersion tests of stainless steels in the solution with and without boiling showed that the corrosion rates in boiling solution were larger than those in not boiling solution in case of same temperature of solution. Moreover, the cathode polarization curves showed that the corrosion potential of stainless steel in boiling solutions were shifted nobler, and the current intensity became larger than that in not boiling solutions. According to these results, it can be concluded that boiling of solution under reduced pressure accelerate the corrosion rates.
Np content in spent nuclear fuelAsai, Shiho; Hanzawa, Yukiko; Konda, Miki; Suzuki, Daisuke; Magara, Masaaki; Kimura, Takaumi; Ishihara, Ryo*; Saito, Kyoichi*; Yamada, Shinsuke*; Hirota, Hideyuki*
Analytical Chemistry, 88(6), p.3149 - 3155, 2016/03
Times Cited Count：8 Percentile：29.82(Chemistry, Analytical)Neptunium-237 (Np) is one of the major long-lived radionuclides found in spent nuclear fuel. To evaluate the long-term safety of a HLW repository, the Np content in spent nuclear fuel must be determined. In this study, micro-volume anion-exchange porous polymer disk-packed cartridges were prepared for Am-Np separation, which is required prior to the measurement of Np with ICP-MS. Disks with a volume of 0.08 cm were cut out from porous sheets having triethylenediamine (TEDA)-containing polymer chains densely attached on the pore surface. The resulting TEDA-introduced disk cartridge was applied to a spent nuclear fuel sample. The chemical yield of Np was 90.4%, which is sufficiently high for ICP-MS measurement of Np. Compared with the conventional separation technique using commercially available anion-exchange resin columns, the time required to adsorb, wash and elute Np using the TEDA-introduced disk cartridge was reduced by 75%.
Radioactive Waste Processing and Disposal Research Department
JAEA-Research 2015-016, 327 Pages, 2015/12
JAEA-Research-2015-016.pdf:41.98MB
The Japan Atomic Energy Agency has prepared the technical progress report on preliminary assessment of geological disposal for spent fuel (hereinafter referred to as "First Progress Report on Direct Disposal"). This report is aiming to examine the technical feasibility of the direct disposal of spent fuel in Japan, based on the results of research and development (R&D) on SF direct disposal carried out during FY 2013. In the First Progress Report on Direct Disposal, the available technology for the direct disposal of spent fuel in Japan was discussed through the preliminary design and safety assessment for the geological disposal system which were made under the limited conditions of representative characteristics of geological environment and spent fuel. Through R&D, the challenges and concerns on the engineering technology and the safety assessment, to be resolved for the Second Progress Report on Direct Disposal, were identified and classified.
Tokai Reprocessing Technology Development Center
JAEA-Evaluation 2015-012, 83 Pages, 2015/12
JAEA-Evaluation-2015-012.pdf:6.67MB
Japan Atomic Energy Agency (hereafter referred as "JAEA") consulted the "Evaluation Committee of Research and Development Activities for Fast Reactor Cycle" to assess the issue on "Research and Development on Reprocessing of Nuclear Fuel Materials" conducted by JAEA during the period from FY2010 to FY2014. In response to the JAEA's request, the committee assessed the R&D programs and the activities of JAEA related to the issue and concluded the mission was accomplished. This evaluation was performed based on the "General guideline for the evaluation of government R&D activities", the "Guideline for evaluation of R&D in Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)" and the "Operational rule for evaluation of R&D activities" by JAEA.
Suyama, Kenya; Kashima, Takao
Proceedings of International Conference on Nuclear Criticality Safety (ICNC 2015) (DVD-ROM), p.273 - 282, 2015/09
In the technical development of the criticality safety control of the fuel debris of Fukushima accident in Japan, there have been a discussion on a possibility of adopting BUC with FP. The Expert Group on Burnup Credit Criticality Safety (EGBUC) under the Working Party on Nuclear Criticality Safety (WPNCS) in OECD/NEA Nuclear Science Committee had carried out an international burnup calculation benchmark "Phase-IIIB" and "Phase-IIIC" for BWR fuel assemblies. In these benchmarks the difference of the calculation results of 
Gd among the participants obtained keen interests because it showed rather larger difference among the participants. Authors has been carried out additional analyses on the accumulation of the gadolinium isotopes in the used nuclear fuel during the burnup. Without cooling time, the assembly-averaged amount of Gd against the burnup value depends on the burnout property of gadolinium in the burnable poison rods. However, after few year cooling time, Gd increase drastically by the decay of Eu. In this case, the amount of gadolinium isotopes in the burnable poison rods has less importance. It means that the adopted parameters and data concerning the Eu generation have much more importance than the burnup treatment of the burnable poison rods for better prediction of Gd.
