Initialising ...
Initialising ...
Initialising ...
Initialising ...
Initialising ...
Initialising ...
Initialising ...
Iwasa, Toma; Takano, Masahide
JAEA-Technology 2020-024, 29 Pages, 2021/03
JAEA-Technology-2020-024.pdf:2.33MB
Partitioning and transmutation of minor actinides (MA) is an important issue to reduce volume and radio-toxicity of high-level radioactive wastes. In Nuclear Science Research Institute, we have been carrying out R&D on MA-bearing nitride fuel for accelerator driven system. In the actual nitride fuel fabrication process, a special nitrogen gas highly enriched with 
N is required to avoid 
C production from N by (n,p) reaction in the fuel. For the economical use of such expensive gas, we need a nitrogen circulation refining system that can remove carbon monoxide (CO) evolved by carbothermic nitridation of oxides and can use the nitrogen gas in the closed system without loss. To develop the system, at first we listed up the performance requirements, and then designed and assembled a prototype system for laboratory-scale demonstration. The system consists of CO removal unit and circulation unit that can automatically keep the system pressure and the gas flow rate constant. As a result of demonstration on the nitridation of oxide, both units completely satisfy the requirements. We confirmed that the concept can be applied to the actual fuel fabrication with further additional function such as automatic hydrogen feed for the control of decarburization.
N isotopic enrichment plant and its cost for nitride fuel fabrication (Contract research)Takano, Masahide
JAEA-Review 2020-080, 24 Pages, 2021/03
JAEA-Review-2020-080.pdf:1.71MB
Nitride is one of the potential fuel forms for minor actinide transmutation by the accelerator driven system. However, to avoid the C production from N by (n, p) reaction in the fuel, the special N
gas highly enriched with N is needed for the fuel fabrication. To realize the availability of such gas has been an important issue. In this report, the degree of N enrichment and gas amount required for the fuel fabrication are shown first, and then among the existing isotopic enrichment methods, N cryogenic distillation is found to be a promising method from the viewpoint of constructing a huge scale plant because of its non-hazardous feature. Some commercial plants for 
O enrichment based on the similar method have already been operated in Japan. Its technology and components can be applied to the N enrichment plant. Assuming the supply of N gas from a cryogenic distillation plant, a series of enrichment simulation is performed to evaluate the plant size as functions of targeted degree of enrichment and annual production. By using the simulation results, the basic specifications for plant components and equipment are designed. As a result, a huge plant for annual production of 1000 kg N gas with 99% enrichment is found to be technically feasible. The N gas production cost is also evaluated to be approximately 1/30 of the current distribution price. This survey shows the availability of N gas required for the nitride fuel fabrication in both technical and economic aspects.
Arai, Yasuo
Nenryo Saikuru Gijutsu; 21-Seiki No Nenryo Saikuru No Kochiku Ni Mukete, p.119 - 126, 2002/05
no abstracts in English