Initialising ...
Initialising ...
Initialising ...
Initialising ...
Initialising ...
Initialising ...
Initialising ...
Nishino, Saki; Okada, Jumpei; Watanabe, Kazuki; Furuuchi, Yuta; Yokota, Satoru; Yada, Yuji; Kusaka, Shota; Morokado, Shiori; Nakamura, Yoshinobu
JAEA-Technology 2023-011, 39 Pages, 2023/06
JAEA-Technology-2023-011.pdf:2.51MB
Tokai Reprocessing Plant (TRP) which shifted to decommissioning phase in 2014 had nuclear fuel materials such as the spent fuel sheared powder, the diluted plutonium solution and the uranium solution in a part of the reprocessing main equipment because TRP intended to resume reprocessing operations when it suspended the operations in 2007. Therefore, we have planned to remove these nuclear materials in sequence as Flush-out before beginning the decommissioning, and conducted removal of the spent fuel sheared powder as the first stage. The spent fuel sheared powder that had accumulated in the cell of the Main Plant (MP) as a result of the spent fuel shearing process was recovered from the cell floor, the shearing machine and the distributor between April 2016 and April 2017 as part of maintenance. Removing the recovered spent fuel sheared powder was conducted between June 2022 and September 2022. In this work, the recovered powder was dissolved in nitric acid at the dissolver in a small amount in order to remove it safely and early, and the dissolved solution was sent to the highly radioactive waste storage tanks without separating uranium and plutonium. Then, the dissolved solution transfer route was rinsed with nitric acid and water. Although about 15 years had passed since previous process operations, the removing work was successfully completed without any equipment failure because of the organization of a system that combines veterans experienced the operation with young workers, careful equipment inspections, and worker education and training. Removing this powder was conducted after revising the decommissioning project and obtaining approval from the Nuclear Regulation Authority owing to operating a part of process equipment.
Watanabe, Kazuki; Kimura, Norimichi*; Okada, Jumpei; Furuuchi, Yuta; Kuwana, Hideharu*; Otani, Takehisa; Yokota, Satoru; Nakamura, Yoshinobu
JAEA-Technology 2023-010, 29 Pages, 2023/06
JAEA-Technology-2023-010.pdf:3.12MB
The Krypton Recovery Development Facility reached an intended technical target (krypton purity of over 90% and recovery rate of over 90%) by separation and rectification of krypton gas from receiving off-gas produced by the shearing and the dissolution process in the spent fuel reprocessing at the Tokai Reprocessing Plant (TRP) between 1988 and 2001. In addition, the feasibility of the technology was confirmed through immobilization test with ion-implantation in a small test vessel from 2000 to 2002, using a part of recovered krypton gas. As there were no intentions to use the remaining radioactive krypton gas in the krypton storage cylinders, we planned to release this gas by controlling the release amount from the main stack, and conducted it from February 14 to April 26, 2022. In this work, all the radioactive krypton gas in the cylinders (about 7.1
10
GBq) was released at the rate of 50 GBq/min or less lower than the maximum release rate from the main stuck stipulated in safety regulations (3.710
GBq/min). Then, the equipment used in the controlled release of radioactive krypton gas and the main process (all systems, including branch pipes connected to the main process) were cleaned with nitrogen gas. Although there were delays due to weather, we were able to complete the controlled release of radioactive krypton gas by the end of April 2022, as originally targeted without any problems such as equipment failure.
Yamamoto, Masahiko; Nishida, Naoki; Kobayashi, Daisuke; Nemoto, Ryo*; Hayashi, Hiroyuki*; Kitao, Takahiko; Kuno, Takehiko
JAEA-Technology 2023-004, 30 Pages, 2023/06
JAEA-Technology-2023-004.pdf:1.94MB
Glove-box gloves, that are used for handling nuclear fuel materials at the Tokai Reprocessing Plant (TRP) of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, have an expiration date by internal rules. All gloves are replaced at a maximum of every 4-year. However, degrees of glove deterioration varies depending on its usage environment such as frequency, chemicals, and radiation dose. Therefore, physical properties such as tensile strength, elongation, hardness of gloves are measured and technical evaluation method for the glove life-time is established. It was found that gloves without any defects in its appearance have enough physical properties and satisfies the acceptance criteria values of new gloves. Thus, it was considered that the expired gloves could be used for total of 8-year, by adding 4-year of new glove life-time. In addition, the results of extrapolation by plotting the glove's physical properties versus the used years showed that the physical properties at 8-year is on the safer side than the reported physical properties of broken glove. Also, the data are not significantly different from the physical properties of the long-term storage glove (8 and 23 years). Based on these results, life-time of gloves at TRP is set to be 8-year. The frequency of glove inspections are not changed, and if any defects is found, the glove is promptly replaced. Thus, the risk related to glove usage is not increased. The cost of purchasing gloves, labor for glove replacement, and the amount of generated waste can be reduced by approximately 40%, respectively, resulting in more efficient and rationalized glove management.
Fukaya, Yuji; Goto, Minoru; Ohashi, Hirofumi
Annals of Nuclear Energy, 181, p.109534_1 - 109534_10, 2023/02
Times Cited Count：0 Percentile：0.01(Nuclear Science & Technology)Feasibility of reprocessing of High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) spent fuel by existing Plutonium Uranium Redox EXtraction (PUREX) plant and technology has been investigated. The spent fuel dissolved solution includes approximately 3 times amount of uranium-235 and 1.5 times amount of protonium because of the 3 times higher burnup compared with that of Light Water Reactor (LWR). Then, the heavy metal of the spent fuel is planned to be diluted to 3.1 times by depleted uranium to satisfy the limitation of Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant (RRP) plant. In the present study, recoverability of uranium and plutonium with the dilution is confirmed by a simulation with a reprocessing process calculation code. Moreover, the case without the dilution from the economic perspective is investigated. As a result, the feasibility is confirmed without the dilution, and it is expected that the reprocessed amount is reduced to 1/3 compared with a diluted case even though the facility should be optimized from the perspective of mass flow and criticality.
Yamamoto, Masahiko; Horigome, Kazushi; Kuno, Takehiko
Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 190, p.110460_1 - 110460_7, 2022/12
Times Cited Count：1 Percentile：31.61(Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear)Gravimetric measurement of U content in UO
with ignition in the air has been investigated. The ignition temperature, ignition time and aliquot sample mass are optimized as 900
C, 60 minutes, and 1 g, respectively. The method is validated by IDMS with uncertainty estimation. The obtained result by gravimetry is 0.78236
0.00051 g/g (k=2) and agreed with IDMS value within its uncertainty. It has been found that U in UO can be measured accurately and precisely by gravimetry.
Omori, Kazuki; Yamauchi, Sho; Yanagibashi, Futoshi; Sasaki, Shunichi; Wada, Takuya; Suzuki, Hisanori; Domura, Kazuyuki; Takeuchi, Kenji
Nihon Hozen Gakkai Dai-18-Kai Gakujutsu Koenkai Yoshishu, p.245 - 248, 2022/07
Tokai Reprocessing Plant (TRP), which is shifted to decommissioning stage, stores large amount of high-level radioactive liquid waste (HLLW). Although TRP is implementing vitrification of HLLW to reduce the risks related to HLLW storage, additional 20 years are required to complete vitrification of HLLW. Therefore, TRP is implementing safety countermeasure related to seismic resistance of HLLW storage facility as one of the top priorities. The results of the seismic evaluation indicate that although the facility itself is seismically resistant, there is a risk of insufficient binding force acting between the facility and the surrounding ground. Thus, replacement of the surrounding ground with concrete is performed. Since the countermeasures, to protect existing buries structure and coordinate with the other construction projects around the site, are required, the dedicated team was setup to handle the process and safety management of the concrete replacement construction.
Fujii, Yutaka*; Takada, Chie
FBNews, (540), p.7 - 11, 2021/12
no abstracts in English
Yoshinaka, Kazuyuki; Suzuki, Masafumi*
Gijutsushi, (659), p.4 - 7, 2021/11
The regulatory standards for nuclear facilities were revised, reflecting the lessons learned from Fukushima-Daiichi NPS accident. Many requirements for safety measures, in case there are natural disaster or severe accidents, are added for nuclear fuel cycle facilities. Aiming achievement of the nuclear fuel cycle, various safety measures for conforming to new regulatory standard and improving, have been taken at Rokkasho reprocessing plant.
Yoshinaka, Kazuyuki; Shimizu, Kazuyuki; Sugiyama, Takayuki
JAEA-Review 2021-008, 112 Pages, 2021/07
JAEA-Review-2021-008.pdf:5.99MB
We had drastically been improving quality assurance system for Tokai Reprocessing Plant (TRP), through applying new regulatory requirements, giving up ISO certification from FY2012 to 2019. In revising QA system, it is obviously necessary to satisfy the regulatory requirements, but it is important to continuously improve the QA system considering effectiveness to safety performance based on earlier experiences. In this report, the background of QA system revision, interpretation and thinking way of conformation and application to new regulation and "Application Guide to Quality Assurance Code for Safety in Nuclear Power Plants (JEAC 4111)" to TRP, issues considered. And matters that require attention for future QA activities are described. Key points are "in work processes planning, relationship with other sections and responsibility boundaries should be clearly defined with such as flow chart", "to manage decision-making processes is important, including input information, judgment criteria and so on", "concerning process monitoring and measurement, not only focusing on scheduling but also viewpoints toward conditions of facilities/systems, conformance to regulatory requirements and process improvement are necessary", and "in documentation, matching for existing system, clear relation to other fundamental documents are necessary".
Hashikura, Yasuaki*; Ishijima, Yasuhiro; Nakahara, Masaumi; Sano, Yuichi; Ueno, Fumiyoshi; Abe, Hitoshi
Hozengaku, 19(3), p.95 - 102, 2020/10
A plutonium concentrator was selected, and constant load tensile tests with controlled applied potentials and electrochemical tests were conducted in nitric acid and sodium nitrate solutions. From the results, a map which shows the effect of nitric acid concentration to crack initiation potential was drawn. And, it was pointed out that not only the nitric acid but also the nitrate ion coordinated to the nitrate must be considered in evaluating the possibility of stress corrosion cracking.
Kono, Soma; Yamada, Hiroyuki; Goto, Atsushi*; Yamazaki, Katsuyuki; Nakamura, Hironobu; Kitao, Takahiko
Nihon Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai Dai-39-Kai Nenji Taikai Rombunshu (Internet), 2 Pages, 2018/11
no abstracts in English
Matsushima, Ryotatsu; Sato, Fuminori; Saito, Yasuo; Atarashi, Daiki*
Proceedings of 3rd International Symposium on Cement-based Materials for Nuclear Wastes (NUWCEM 2018) (USB Flash Drive), 4 Pages, 2018/10
At TRP, LWTF was constructed as a facility for processing low radioactive liquid waste and solid waste generated at TRP, and a cold test is been carrying out. In this facility, initially, nitrate waste liquid after separation of nuclides generated with treatment of low radioactive liquid waste was to be solidified by using borate. However, at present, it is necessary to decompose the nitrate in the liquid waste to reduce the environmental burden. For the reason, as a plan to replace the nitrate with the carbonate and to make it as a cement based encapsulation, we are studying for the introduction of the facility. Currently, as a cement solidification technology development for this liquid waste, we are studying the application of cement material based on blast furnace slag (BFS) as a main component. In this report, we show the results of the test conducted on the actual scale (200 L drum can scale).
Goto, Yuichi; Yamamoto, Masahiko; Kuno, Takehiko; Inada, Satoshi
Nihon Hozen Gakkai Dai-15-Kai Gakujutsu Koenkai Yoshishu, p.489 - 492, 2018/07
Radioactive liquid waste from the Tokai Reprocessing Facility Analytical Laboratory is temporarily stored in intermediate waste storage tank by using receiving valves. Then, the liquid waste is transferred to liquid treatment facility by using liquid feed valves. The deterioration of the gasket part of these valves (leakage of waste liquid) was confirmed in 2004. Since then, the material of gaskets was changed from polyethylene to Teflon. In 2016, the gaskets were replaced by periodical update. Therefore, physical properties of used gaskets were investigated, and the relevance between radioactive level and degradation degree was evaluated.
Kitao, Takahiko; Takeuchi, Yoshikatsu; Kimura, Takashi; Kojima, Junji; Shioya, Satoshi; Tasaki, Takashi; Nakamura, Hironobu
Nihon Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai Dai-38-Kai Nenji Taikai Rombunshu (Internet), 9 Pages, 2018/04
In order to ensure and strengthen nuclear security measures, an active cultivation of nuclear security culture implemented by both entire organization and individual persons is vitally essential. Tokai reprocessing facility has conducted various activities such as case study education and training, yearly posters and patrolling the site by upper-level management that all employees hold a deep rooted belief that there is a credible insider and outsider threat, and that nuclear security is important. These activities are conducted in order to establish the foundation of beliefs and attitudes of effective nuclear security culture based on the IAEA guideline. This report introduces our activities fostering nuclear security culture in Tokai reprocessing facility that the evaluation and the continuous improvement of bidirectional activities by both top-down from multiple management levels and bottom-up from individual employee, and our challenges need to be worked on for the future.
Okano, Masanori; Akiyama, Kazuki; Taguchi, Katsuya; Nagasato, Yoshihiko; Omori, Eiichi
Dekomisshoningu Giho, (57), p.53 - 64, 2018/03
The construction of Tokai Reprocessing Plant (TRP) was initiated in June 1971, and its hot test using spent fuel started in September 1977. Thereafter TRP had been operated to reprocess 1,140 tons of spent fuel for approximately 30 years until May 2007, according to the reprocessing contract with domestic electric power companies. JAEA announced a policy of TRP in report of JAEA reform plan published in September 2014. The policy shows that TRP will shift to a decommissioning stage by economic reasons. Based on the policy, application of approval for TRP decommissioning plan was submitted to Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) in June 2017. This plan provides basic guidelines such as procedures for decommissioning and specific activities for risk reduction, and implementation divisions of decommissioning, management of spent fuels and radioactive wastes, decommissioning budget, and decommissioning schedule. The process of TRP decommissioning is planned to continue for approximately 70 years until the release of controlled areas of approximately 30 facilities.
Ito, Yoshiyuki; Matsushima, Ryotatsu; Sato, Fuminori
QST-M-8; QST Takasaki Annual Report 2016, P. 69, 2018/03
no abstracts in English
Tamaki, Hitoshi; Yoshida, Kazuo; Abe, Hitoshi; Sugiyama, Tomoyuki; Maruyama, Yu
Proceedings of Asian Symposium on Risk Assessment and Management 2017 (ASRAM 2017) (USB Flash Drive), 9 Pages, 2017/11
An accident of evaporation to dryness caused by boiling of high level radioactive liquid waste (HLLW) is postulated as one of severe accidents caused by the loss of cooling function at the fuel reprocessing plant. This accident can be divided into early boiling stage, late boiling stage and dry-out stage by characteristics of accident evolution. It is important to estimate the amount of fission product (FP) transport between the liquid and gas phases, and the amount of FP deposition on the walls in each stage in order to estimate the release amount of FP to the environment. Various research activities have been carried out for this issue. This paper reviews these activities and presents the recent activities at JAEA for development of simulation code for this type of accident.
Horigome, Kazushi; Taguchi, Shigeo; Nishida, Naoki; Goto, Yuichi; Inada, Satoshi; Kuno, Takehiko
Nihon Hozen Gakkai Dai-14-Kai Gakujutsu Koenkai Yoshishu, p.381 - 384, 2017/08
no abstracts in English
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.
Tashiro, Shinsuke; Amano, Yuki; Yoshida, Kazuo; Yamane, Yuichi; Uchiyama, Gunzo; Abe, Hitoshi
Nihon Genshiryoku Gakkai Wabun Rombunshi, 14(4), p.227 - 234, 2015/12
The release characteristics of Ru from highly active liquid waste (HALW) have been investigated under the condition of accidental evaporation to dryness by boiling of HALW. Using a laboratory-scale apparatus, non-radioactive simulated HALW (s-HALW) was heated with an external heater to dryness to observe the release characteristics of Ru and gaseous nitrogen oxides. As a result, Ru was significantly released between 120 and 300 C of the s-HALW. The cumulative release ratio of Ru was 0.088. It was also found that the partially released amount of Ru against the temperature of the s-HALW had two peaks with one maximal at about 140 C and maximum at about 240 C. Referring to the results of the release rate of gaseous nitrogen oxides and the volume of condensate, which was a collection of the mixed vapors of steam and nitric acid released from the s-HALW, we discussed the causes of Ru release around these peaks.
