FBR metallic materials test manual (2023 revised edition)

Imagawa, Yuya; Toyota, Kodai; Onizawa, Takashi; Kato, Shoichi

JAEA-Testing 2023-004, 76 Pages, 2024/03

JAEA-Testing-2023-004.pdf:2.08MB

This manual describes the methods for conducting material tests in air, argon gas, and sodium, and for organizing the data obtained, as a part of the development of high-temperature structural design technology for fast reactors. This manual reflects the revision of test methods in Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) to the "FBR Metallic Materials Test Manual, PNC TN241 77-03" published in 1977 and the "FBR Metallic Materials Test Manual (Revised Edition), JNC TN9520 2001-001" published in 2001. Also, it was written with reference to the recommended room temperature / elevated temperature tensile test method by the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME) and the test standard for the elevated-temperature low-cycle fatigue test method by the Society of Materials Science, Japan (JSMS), which are the standard for material test methods in the domestic academic society.

Training using JMTR and related facilities in FY2021 and FY2022

Nakano, Hiroko; Fujinami, Kyoko; Yamaura, Takayuki; Kawakami, Jun; Hanakawa, Hiroki

JAEA-Review 2023-036, 33 Pages, 2024/03

JAEA-Review-2023-036.pdf:2.47MB

A practical training course using the JMTR (Japan Materials Testing Reactor) and other research infrastructures was held from November 29 to December 2 in 2021 for Asian young researchers and engineers. This course was adopted as International Youth Exchange Program in Science (SAKURA SCIENCE Exchange Program) which is the project of the Japan Science and Technology Agency, and this course aims to enlarge the number of high-level nuclear researchers/engineers in Asian countries which are planning to introduce a nuclear power plant, and to promote the use of facilities in future. In this year, from the viewpoint of preventing the spread of COVID-19 infection, it was decided to hold the event online. 53 young researchers and engineers joined the course from 6 countries. In FY2022, training programs with invitations were held due to the easing of restrictions on entry into Japan from overseas. 7 young researchers and engineers from4 Asian countries participated in the training from February 1 to 10, 2023.The common curriculum in the training course of FY2021 and FY2022 included lectures on nuclear energy, irradiation testing, safety management, JMTR decommissioning plan, etc. In the online session, conducted in FY2021, information exchange on the energy situation in each country was conducted. On-site training conducted in FY2022, included practical training on operation using simulations, environmental monitoring, etc. and facility tours of the JMTR, etc. Many participants could join the online training course, they created a diversity of expertise and made lively discussions during the information exchange. On-site training, while limited in number of participants, provided a good opportunity for personnel exchange through practical training and face-face communication. It is desirable to hold on-site training as long as circumstances permit. This report summarizes the training conducted in FY2021 and FY2022.

Technology information on High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR)

HTGR Design Group, HTGR Project Management Office

JAEA-Technology 2023-019, 39 Pages, 2024/01

JAEA-Technology-2023-019.pdf:1.34MB

In order to realize the development of the demonstration reactor of High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) with a target of starting operation in the 2030s, as indicated in the "Basic Policy for GX Realization" (Cabinet Decision on February 10, 2023) and the Working Group on Innovative Reactors of METI, Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has been working on the development of a standard for the development of a HTGR under the Atomic Energy Society of Japan and the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers. In addition, JAEA has been commissioned by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to conduct the "Demonstration Project for Mass Hydrogen Production Technology Using Ultra-High Temperatures" and has been promoting a hydrogen production project using the HTTR (High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor). Furthermore, in collaboration with the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) of the United Kingdom and the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) of Poland, JAEA are aiming to strengthen the international competitiveness of HTGR technology by further upgrading the HTGR technology developed in Japan through the construction and operation of the HTTR. In response to the growing interest in HTGR development in Japan and abroad, we have developed FAQs on HTGR related technologies in order to provide accurate technical information on HTGRs.

Validation of the applicability of the best-fit fatigue curves for 550C in Mod.9Cr-1Mo steel to 110 cycles

Toyota, Kodai; Imagawa, Yuya; Onizawa, Takashi; Kato, Shoichi; Furuya, Yoshiyuki*

Nihon Kikai Gakkai Rombunshu (Internet), 89(928), p.23-00206_1 - 23-00206_15, 2023/12

https://doi.org/10.1299/transjsme.23-00206

In order to design fast reactors, it is necessary to consider high cycle fatigue of structural materials up to 110 cycles; to evaluate high cycle fatigue at 110 cycles, it is necessary to develop a best-fit fatigue curve applicable up to 110 cycles. In this study, high cycle fatigue tests were conducted under strain-controlled conditions and ultrasonic fatigue tests were also conducted to develop a high cycle fatigue evaluation method for Mod.9Cr-1Mo steel, which is a candidate material for fast reactor structural materials. Based on the test results, the best-fit fatigue curves were extended and the applicability of the JSME best-fit fatigue curves up to 110 cycles was verified.

Annual report for FY2021 on the activities of Naraha Center for Remote Control Technology Development (April 1, 2021 - March 31, 2022)

Akiyama, Yoichi; Shibanuma, So; Yanagisawa, Kenichi*; Yamada, Taichi; Suzuki, Kenta; Yoshida, Moeka; Ono, Takahiro; Kawabata, Kuniaki; Watanabe, Kaho; Morimoto, Kyoichi; et al.

JAEA-Review 2023-015, 60 Pages, 2023/09

JAEA-Review-2023-015.pdf:4.78MB

Naraha Center for Remote Control Technology Development (NARREC) was established in Japan Atomic Energy Agency to promote a decommissioning work of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (Fukushima Daiichi NPS). NARREC consists of a Full-scale Mock-up Test Building and Research Management Building. Various test facilities are installed in these buildings for the decommissioning work of Fukushima Daiichi NPS. These test facilities are intended to be used for various users, such as companies engaged in the decommissioning work, research and development institutions, educational institutions and so on. The number of NARREC facility uses was 84 in FY2021. We participated booth exhibitions and presentations on the decommissioning related events. Moreover, we also contributed to the development of human resources by supporting the 6th Creative Robot Contest for Decommissioning. As a new project, "Narahakko Children's Classroom" was implemented for elementary school students in Naraha Town. This report summarizes the activities of NARREC in FY2021, such as the utilization of facilities and equipment of NARREC, the development of remote-control technologies for supporting the decommissioning work, arrangement of the remote-control machines for emergency response, and training for operators by using the machines.

Analysis of the effect of pre-crack curvature in Mini-C(T) specimen on fracture toughness evaluation

Shimodaira, Masaki; Ha, Yoosung; Takamizawa, Hisashi; Katsuyama, Jinya; Onizawa, Kunio

Proceedings of ASME 2023 Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference (PVP 2023) (Internet), 11 Pages, 2023/07

In the current structural integrity assessment of the reactor pressure vessel, the accurate reference temperature (T) based on the Master Curve method is necessary. The T can be estimated by using the Mini-C(T) fracture toughness specimen in accordance with ASTM E1921 and JEAC4216, which prescribe the pre-crack straightness criteria. A requirement in ASTM E1921 has been revised in a decade to increase the accuracy and reasonability, and the applicable crack curvature has been varied by applied codes. The pre-crack curvature of the Mini-C(T) specimen might have an impact on the T because of the variation of the plastic constraint. In this work, the effect of the crack curvature on the fracture toughness (K) evaluation using the Mini-C(T) specimen was quantitatively evaluated by using the finite element analysis (FEA) including the Weibull stress analysis, to discuss the difference in a requirement of the crack straightness in ASTM E1921 and JEAC4216. FEAs showed a possibility that the upper limit curvature would decrease the plastic constraint, and consequently obtain higher K in the Mini-C(T) specimen. Furthermore, if the upper limit curvature according to the ASTM E1921-21 was allowed, the T would be estimated as non-conservative based on the Weibull stress analysis. In contrast, the difference in (T) between the crack with upper limit curvature according to JEAC4216 and the ideal straight crack was not significant.

Proposition of confirmation items on the borehole sealing for the disposal of radioactive waste

Murakami, Hiroaki; Nishiyama, Nariaki; Takeuchi, Ryuji; Iwatsuki, Teruki

Oyo Chishitsu, 64(2), p.60 - 69, 2023/06

https://doi.org/10.5110/jjseg.64.60

In order to confirm the quality control items for borehole closure in radioactive waste disposal projects, in-situ borehole sealing tests using bentonite material were conducted. As a result, the closure performance was successfully demonstrated by comparing the data of water injection tests conducted before and after the installation of the closure material. However, the breakthrough was observed after closing, probably due to high differential pressure applied to the seal section. Thus, it is important to ascertain throughout the entire operation that the borehole is adequately closed. The placement and specifications of the closure material should be determined according to the hydrogeological structure in the borehole. The confirmation items to use bentonite for sealing material are identified to be: to consider swelling and density loss in the borehole; to place the planned depth using appropriate emplacement technique; to be placed without damage to seals when use some backfilling materials, considering effect of permeability on adjacent seals.

Development of safety design philosophy of HTTR-Heat Application Test Facility

Aoki, Takeshi; Shimizu, Atsushi; Noguchi, Hiroki; Kurahayashi, Kaoru; Yasuda, Takanori; Nomoto, Yasunobu; Iigaki, Kazuhiko; Sato, Hiroyuki; Sakaba, Nariaki

Proceedings of 30th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE30) (Internet), 9 Pages, 2023/05

The safety design philosophy is developed for the HTTR (High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor) heat application test facility connecting high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) and the hydrogen production plant. The philosophy was proposed to apply proven conventional chemical plant standards to the hydrogen production facility for ensuring public safety against anticipated disasters caused by high pressure and combustible gases. The present study also proposed the safety design philosophy to meet specific safety requirements identified to the nuclear facilities with coupling to the hydrogen production facility such as measures to ensure a capability of normal operation of the nuclear facility against a fire and/or explosion of leaked combustible material, and fluctuation of amount of heat removal occurred in the hydrogen production plant. The safety design philosophy will be utilized to establish its basic and detailed designs of the HTTR-heat application test facility.

High temperature mechanical properties and microstructure in 9Cr or 12Cr oxide dispersion strengthened steels

Mitsuhara, Masatoshi*; Kurino, Koichi*; Yano, Yasuhide; Otsuka, Satoshi; Toyama, Takeshi*; Onuma, Masato*; Nakashima, Hideharu*

Tetsu To Hagane, 109(3), p.189 - 200, 2023/03

https://doi.org/10.2355/tetsutohagane.TETSU-2022-080

Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) ferritic steel, a candidate material for fast reactor fuel cladding, has low thermal expansion, good thermal conductivity, and excellent resistance to irradiation damage and high temperature strength. The origin of the excellent high-temperature strength lies in the dispersion of fine oxides. In this study, creep tests at 700 or 750C, which are close to the operating temperatures of fast reactors, and high-temperature tensile tests at 900 to 1350 C, which simulate accident conditions, were conducted on 9Cr ODS ferritic steels, M11 and MP23, and 12Cr ODS ferritic steel, F14, to confirm the growth behavior of oxides. In the M11 and F14 creep test samples, there was little oxide growth or decrease in number density from the initial state, indicating that dispersion strengthening by oxides was effective during deformation. After creep deformation of F14, the development of dislocation substructures such as dislocation walls and subgrain boundaries was hardly observed, and mobile dislocations were homogeneously distributed in the grains. The dislocation density increased with increasing stress during the creep test. In the high-temperature ring tensile tests of MP23 and F14, the strength of both steels decreased at higher temperatures. In MP23, elongation decreased with increasing test temperature from 900 to 1100 C, but increased at 1200 C, decreased drastically at 1250 C, and increased again at 1300 C. In F14, elongation decreased with increasing temperature. It was inferred that the formation of the -ferrite phase was responsible for this complex change in mechanical properties of MP23 from 1200 to 1300 C.

Document collection of the Special Committee on HTTR Heat Application Test

Aoki, Takeshi; Shimizu, Atsushi; Iigaki, Kazuhiko; Okita, Shoichiro; Hasegawa, Takeshi; Mizuta, Naoki; Sato, Hiroyuki; Sakaba, Nariaki

JAEA-Review 2022-016, 193 Pages, 2022/08

JAEA-Review-2022-016.pdf:42.06MB

Aiming to realize a massive, cost-effective and carbon-free hydrogen production technology utilizing a high temperature gas cooled reactor (HTGR), Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) is planning a HTTR heat application test producing hydrogen with High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) achieved 950C of the highest reactor outlet coolant temperature in the world. In the HTTR heat application test, it is required to establish its safety design realizing highly safe connection of a HTGR and a hydrogen production plant by the Nuclear Regulation Authority to obtain the permission of changes to reactor installation. However, installation of a system connecting the hydrogen production plant and a nuclear reactor, and its safety design has not been conducted so far in conventional nuclear power plant including HTTR in the world. A special committee on the HTTR heat application test, established under the HTGR Research and Development Center, considered a safety design philosophy for the HTTR heat application test based on an authorized safety design of HTTR in terms of conformity to the New Regulatory Requirements taking into account new considerable events as a result of the plant modification and connection of the hydrogen production plant. This report provides materials of the special committee such as technical reports, comments provided from committee members, response from JAEA for the comments and minutes of the committee.