Effect of moderation condition on neutron multiplication factor distribution in random media

Araki, Shohei; Yamane, Yuichi; Ueki, Taro; Tonoike, Kotaro

Nuclear Science and Engineering, 195(10), p.1107 - 1117, 2021/10

https://doi.org/10.1080/00295639.2021.1897732

Criticality control of random media such as fuel debris is one of the most important safety issues in post-accident management. spectrum randomizing model is expected to simulate such random media because it is well known that the noise can describe a diverse range of random and disordered natural phenomena. In this paper, we focused on the relationship between the multiplication factor and moderation condition in the random media. A number of random media were realized with the spectrum randomizing model that is based on the Randomized Weierstrass function (RWF). The volume ratio of concrete to fuel was adopted as an index for the moderation condition. The multiplication factors were calculated with a two-energy group Monte Carlo calculation. The calculation results were analyzed by using variance, skewness, and kurtosis. Those statistical parameters had an extreme value around the optimum moderation condition. This result suggested that it is possible to predict the rough trend of variation range, distortion, and outlier of multiplication factors in the random media.

Effect of on effective multiplication factor in 1/f spectrum random system

Araki, Shohei; Yamane, Yuichi; Ueki, Taro; Tonoike, Kotaro

Proceedings of International Conference on the Physics of Reactors; Transition To A Scalable Nuclear Future (PHYSOR 2020) (USB Flash Drive), 8 Pages, 2020/03

We investigated the dependence of the effective multiplication factor (k) in the 1/f noise model. We conducted the two-group Monte Carlo calculations. We found that the standard deviation of the k distribution showed the positive correlation with the value because the spatial distribution of the fuel became less uniform as the value increased.

First-principles calculation of mechanical properties of simulated debris ZrUO

Itakura, Mitsuhiro; Nakamura, Hiroki; Kitagaki, Toru; Hoshino, Takanori; Machida, Masahiko

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 56(9-10), p.915 - 921, 2019/09

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2019.1604271

To elucidate the mechanical properties of fuel debris inside the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, we use first-principles calculations to evaluate mechanical properties of cubic ZrUO, which is a main component of the fuel debris. We focus on the dependence of mechanical properties on the fraction x of zirconium, compare our results with recent experiment of simulated debris, in which dependences of elastic moduli and fracture toughness on the ZrO content showed deviation from a simple linear relation. We show that elastic moduli drop at around x=0.25 and increase again for larger values of x, as has been observed in experiments. The reason of the drop is a softening owing to disordered atomistic structures induced by the solute zirconium atoms. We also find that stress-strain curves for the x=0.125 case show marked hysteresis owing to the existence of many meta-stable states. We show that this hysteresis leads to slightly increased fracture toughness, but it is not enough to account for the significant increase of fracture toughness observed in experiments.

Neutronic design of basic cores of the new STACY

Izawa, Kazuhiko; Ishii, Junichi; Okubo, Takuya; Ogawa, Kazuhiko; Tonoike, Kotaro

Proceedings of 11th International Conference on Nuclear Criticality Safety (ICNC 2019) (Internet), 9 Pages, 2019/09

Japan Atomic Energy Agency, JAEA, is conducting the renewal program of the heterogeneous water moderated critical assembly STACY (Static Experiment Critical Facility) in order to verify the criticality calculation considering fuel debris which have been produced in the accident of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The first criticality of the new STACY is scheduled at the beginning of 2021. After the first criticality, it is necessary to perform a series of critical experiments with a series of basic experimental core in order to gain a proficiency of operators and grasp the uncertainty that accompanies the result of critical experiments in STACY. Prior to the construction of the new STACY, a series of neutronic calculation was carried out for licensing and planning first series of critical experiment. In this paper, possible core configuration of the basic experimental core and their limitations are discussed and presented.

A New measuring method for elemental ratio and Vickers hardness of metal-oxide-boride materials based on Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

Abe, Yuta; Otaka, Masahiko; Okazaki, Kodai*; Kawakami, Tomohiko*; Nakagiri, Toshio

Proceedings of 2019 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants (ICAPP 2019) (Internet), 7 Pages, 2019/05

Since the hardness of fuel debris containing boride from BC pellet in control rod is estimated to be two times higher as that of oxide, such as UO and ZrO, it is necessary to select the efficient and appropriate operation for removal of fuel debris formed in the severe accident of nuclear power plants. We focused on the characteristics of LIBS, an innovative rapid chemical in-situ analysis technology that enables simultaneous detection of B, O, and other metal elements in fuel debris. Simulated solidified melt specimens were obtained in the plasma heating tests (CMMR-0/-2, performed by JAEA) of simulated fuel assembly (ZrO is used to simulated UO pellet, other materials such as stainless steel, BC are same as fuel assembly). The LIBS signals of (B/O)/Zr ratio showed good linear relationship with Vickers hardness. This technique can be also applied as in-situ assessment tool for elemental composition and Vickers hardness of metal-oxide-boride materials.

Development of ROV system to explore fuel debris in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

Kamada, So*; Kato, Michio*; Nishimura, Kazuya*; Nancekievill, M.*; Watson, S.*; Lennox, B.*; Jones, A.*; Joyce, M. J.*; Okumura, Keisuke; Katakura, Junichi*

Progress in Nuclear Science and Technology (Internet), 6, p.199 - 202, 2019/01

https://doi.org/10.15669/pnst.6.199

As a technology development to investigate the distribution of submerged fuel debris in the primary containment vessel (PCV) of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, we are conducting development experiments of sonar system to be mounted in a compact ROV. The experiments were conducted in two types of water tanks with different depths, simulating the PCV, using sonar with different sizes, ultrasonic frequencies, and beam scanning method, and simulated fuel debris. As a result, we characterized the shape discrimination performance of the simulated debris, and the noise due to multi-path in narrow closed space.

Analysis of used BWR fuel assay data with the integrated burnup code system SWAT4.0

Tada, Kenichi; Kikuchi, Takeo*; Sakino, Takao; Suyama, Kenya

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 55(2), p.138 - 150, 2018/02

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2017.1384705

The criticality safety of the fuel debris in Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is one of the most important issues and the adoption of the burnup credit is desired for the criticality analysis. The assay data of used nuclear fuel irradiated in 2F2 is evaluated to validate SWAT4.0 for BWR fuel burnup problem. The calculation results revealed that number density of many heavy nuclides and FPs showed good agreement with the experimental data except for U, Np, Pu and Sm isotopes. The cause of the difference is assumption of the initial number density and void ratio and overestimation of the capture cross section of Np. The C/E-1 values do not depend on the types of fuel rods (UO or UO-GdO) and it is similar to that for the PWR fuel. These results indicate that SWAT4.0 appropriately analyzes the isotopic composition of the BWR fuel and it has sufficient accuracy to be adopted in the burnup credit evaluation of the fuel debris.

Study of experimental core configuration of the modified STACY for measurement of criticality characteristics of fuel debris

Gunji, Satoshi; Tonoike, Kotaro; Izawa, Kazuhiko; Sono, Hiroki

Progress in Nuclear Energy, 101(Part C), p.321 - 328, 2017/11

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnucene.2017.03.002

Criticality safety of fuel debris, particularly MCCI (Molten-Core-Concrete-Interaction) products, is one of the major safety issues for decommissioning of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Criticality or subcriticality condition of the fuel debris is still uncertain; its composition, location, neutron moderation, etc. are not yet confirmed. The effectiveness of neutron poison in cooling water is also uncertain for use as a criticality control of fuel debris. A database of computational models is being built by Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), covering a wide range of possible conditions of such composition, neutron moderation, etc., to facilitate assessing criticality characteristics once fuel debris samples are taken and their conditions are known. The computational models also include uncertainties which are to be clarified by critical experiments. These experiments are planned and will be conducted by JAEA with the modified STACY (STAtic experiment Critical facilitY) and samples to simulate fuel debris compositions. Each of the samples will be cladded by a zircalloy tube whose outer shape is compatible with the fuel rod of STACY and loaded into an array of the fuel rods. This report introduces a study of experimental core configurations to measure the reactivity worth of samples simulating MCCI products. Parameters to be varied in the computation models for the experimental series are:(1) Uranium dioxide with U enrichments of 3, 4, and 5 wt.%; (2) Concrete volume fraction in the samples of 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80%; and (3) Porosity of the samples filled from 0 to 80% where the sample void is filled with water. It is concluded that the measurement is feasible in both under- and over-moderated conditions. Additionally, the required amount of samples was estimated.

The Outline of Japan Atomic Energy Agency's Okuma Analysis and Research Center, 1; The Total progress of Labolatory-1 and Labolatory-2

Inoue, Toshihiko; Ogawa, Miho; Sakazume, Yoshinori; Yoshimochi, Hiroshi; Sato, Soichi; Koyama, Shinichi; Koyama, Tomozo; Nakayama, Shinichi

Proceedings of 54th Annual Meeting of Hot Laboratories and Remote Handling (HOTLAB 2017) (Internet), 7 Pages, 2017/00

http://hotlab.sckcen.be/proceedings

Decommissioning of TEPCO's 1F is in progress according to the Roadmap. The Roadmap assigned the construction of a hot laboratory and analysis to the JAEA. The hot laboratory, Okuma Analysis and Research Center consists of the three buildings; Administrative building, the Laboratory-1 and Laboratory-2. The Laboratory-1 and Laboratory-2 are hot laboratories. Laboratory-1 is for radiometric analysis of low and medium level radioactive rubble and secondary wastes. The license of the Laboratory-1's implementation was approved by The Secretariat of the Nuclear Regulation Authority and the construction started in April 2017 and plans an operational start in 2020. Laboratory-2 provides concrete cells, steel cells for the analysis of the fuel debris and high level radioactive rubble. The Laboratory-2's major analysis items is reviewed by review meeting organized of cognoscente.

Characterization study of four candidate technologies for nuclear material quantification in fuel debris at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (Interim report)

Nagatani, Taketeru; Komeda, Masao; Shiba, Tomooki; Maeda, Makoto; Nauchi, Yasushi*; Sagara, Hiroshi*; Kosuge, Yoshihiro*; Kureta, Masatoshi; Tomikawa, Hirofumi; Okumura, Keisuke; et al.

Proceedings of INMM 57th Annual Meeting (Internet), 10 Pages, 2016/07