Temperature-dependent deformation behavior of dual-phase medium-entropy alloy; In-situ neutron diffraction study

Gu, G. H.*; Jeong, S. G.*; Heo, Y.-U.*; Harjo, S.; Gong, W.; Cho, J.*; Kim, H. S.*; 他4名*

Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 223, p.308 - 324, 2025/07

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2024.11.057

Face-centered cubic (FCC) equi-atomic multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs) exhibit excellent mechanical properties from cryogenic to room temperatures. At room temperature, deformation is dominated by dislocation slip, while at cryogenic temperatures (CTs), reduced stacking fault energy enhances strain hardening with twinning. This study uses in-situ neutron diffraction to analyze the temperature-dependent deformation behavior of Al(CoNiV), a dual-phase (FCC/BCC) medium-entropy alloy (MEA). At liquid nitrogen temperature (LNT), deformation twinning in the FCC matrix leads to additional strain hardening through the dynamic Hall-Petch effect, giving the appearance of improved strengthening at LNT. In contrast, BCC precipitates show dislocation slip at both 77 K and 298 K, with temperature-dependent lattice friction stress playing a significant role in strengthening. The study enhances understanding of deformation behaviors and provides insights for future alloy design.

Uncertainty analysis of the inverse LASSO estimation scheme on radioactive source distributions inside reactor building rooms from air does rate measurements

Shi, W.*; 町田 昌彦; 山田 進; 岡本 孝司

Progress in Nuclear Energy, 184, p.105710_1 - 105710_10, 2025/06

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnucene.2025.105710

最近、原子炉建屋内の少ない観測点で測定された空間線量値から放射線源分布を逆推定する方法としてLASSO(Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator)が提案された。しかし、空間線量値を測定する際には誤差が含まれるが、この誤差が逆推定結果の精度にどのように影響するかは解析されていなかった。そこで本論文では、LASSOに対する不確実性解析を行い、Candesの理論に基づく不確実性推定関数を提案した。実際に、モンテカルロ法の1つであるParticle and Heavy Ion Transport code System (PHITS)を使用して得られた不確実性を持つ数値を入力値として用いたテスト計算を実施し、計算結果の誤差が提案された推定関数に従うことを示した。これにより、LASSOは推定された不確実性の範囲内で放射線源分布を求めることができる方法であることが確認できた。

Numerical analysis of a potential Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) boundary failure mechanism in Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Unit-2

Li, X.; 山路 哲史*; 佐藤 一憲*; 山下 拓哉

Annals of Nuclear Energy, 214, p.111217_1 - 111217_13, 2025/05

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111217

The decommissioning of Fukushima Daiichi NPP Unit-2 requires understanding of reactor damage and fuel debris distribution for effective debris retrieval. This study numerically analyzes potential Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) boundary failure due to eutectic melting of Control Rod Drive (CRD) housings during reheating after debris bed dryout. The Moving Particle Semi-implicit (MPS) method, with an enthalpy-based temperature algorithm and Boussinesq approximation, is applied to simulate melt/solid interactions in a 2-D model of the lower plenum. The CRD housing melting temperature is set at 1523 K based on a quasi-binary phase diagram of 304 Stainless Steel (SS) and Zirconium (Zr) and ELSA experiments. Results suggest local RPV failure at CRD housings, leading to melt release and refreezing. The estimated failure occurs 8-12 hours post-dryout (ca. 12:00-16:00 on 3/15/2011), providing insights into melt progression and boundary breach scenarios in Unit-2.

Role of solute hydrogen on mechanical property enhancement in Fe-24Cr-19Ni austenitic steel; An neutron diffraction study

伊東 達矢; 小川 祐平*; Gong, W.; Mao, W.*; 川崎 卓郎; 岡田 和歩*; 柴田 曉伸*; Harjo, S.

Acta Materialia, 287, p.120767_1 - 120767_16, 2025/04

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2025.120767

Incorporating solute hydrogen into Fe-Cr-Ni-based austenitic stainless steels enhances both strength and ductility, providing a promising solution to hydrogen embrittlement by causing solid-solution strengthening and assisting deformation twinning. However, its impacts on the relevant lattice defects evolution (, dislocations, stacking faults, and twins) during deformation remains unclear. This study compared the tensile deformation behavior in an Fe-24Cr-19Ni (mass%) austenitic steel with 7600 atom ppm hydrogen-charged (H-charged) and without hydrogen-charged (non-charged) using neutron diffraction. Hydrogen effects on the lattice expansion, solid-solution strengthening, stacking fault probability, stacking fault energy, dislocation density, and strain/stress for twin evolution were quantitatively evaluated to link them with the macroscale mechanical properties. The H-charged sample showed improvements in yield stress, flow stress, and uniform elongation, consistent with earlier findings. However, solute hydrogen exhibited minimal influences on the evolution of dislocation and stacking fault. This fact contradicts the previous reports on hydrogen-enhanced dislocation and stacking fault evolutions, the latter of which can be responsible for the enhancement of twinning. The strain for twin evolution was smaller in the H-charged sample compared to the non-charged one. Nevertheless, when evaluated as the onset stress for twin evolution, there was minimal change between the two samples. These findings suggest that the increase in flow stress due to the solid-solution strengthening by hydrogen is a root cause of accelerated deformation twinning at a smaller strain, leading to an enhanced work-hardening rate and improved uniform elongation.

Heat transfer characteristics of downward saturated boiling flow in vertical round pipes

和田 裕貴; 柴本 泰照; 日引 俊*

International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 239, p.126598_1 - 126598_18, 2025/04

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2024.126598

This study reviewed the saturated boiling heat transfer research in downward flows. A database of downward flow heat transfer experiments was created using experimental studies. Saturated boiling heat transfer correlations in internal flows were collected, and no downward flow-specific heat transfer correlations were identified. The applicability of heat transfer correlations to downward flow heat transfer experiments was evaluated, and no correlation could predict the heat transfer coefficients accurately for all experimental databases. However, correlations that could predict heat transfer coefficients reasonably well were determined for each channel size. Cooper's correlation [Int. Chem. Eng. Symp. Ser. 86 (1984) 785-792] had a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 11.7% for mini-channels and Kim and Mudawar's correlation [Int. J. Heat Mass Transf. 64 (2013) 1239-1256] had an MAPE of 66.5% for macro-channels. Furthermore, because the advection direction between the liquid-phase and the generated bubbles differed depending on the liquid-phase velocity in downward flows, we evaluated the prediction performance of the heat transfer coefficient for the liquid-phase velocity. For some experimental data, the prediction performance of the existing correlation for downward flow heat transfer worsened as the advection velocity of the bubbles decreased. This result is one of the issues to be addressed in the future development of heat transfer correlations.

Visualization of radioactive contamination around the startup transformer of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Unit 3 using an integrated radiation imaging system based on a Compton camera

佐藤 優樹; 寺阪 祐太; 一場 雄太*

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 62(4), p.389 - 400, 2025/04

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2024.2431537

Understanding the distribution of radioactive substances and dose-equivalent rates during the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) is crucial for developing detailed decontamination plans and minimizing worker exposure to radiation. This study used an integrated Radiation Imaging System comprising a Compton camera, survey meter, and simultaneous localization and mapping device to visualize the dose-equivalent rate and radioactive contamination distribution around the startup transformer of Unit 3 at the FDNPS. While previous measurements using this system have helped visualize radioactive hotspots where radioactive contamination has accumulated in pipes or specific equipment, this demonstration test helped visualize the radioactive contamination widely distributed on the ground or concrete surfaces inside the nuclear power station. Furthermore, the reconstructed image intensity of radioactive contamination was compared with the dose rate at the target surface, showing for the first time the possibility of creating a calibration curve between the two.

Crystal structures of ReO under hydrostatic pressure; A Combined neutron, X-ray, Raman, and first-principles calculation study

Efthimiopoulos, I.*; Klotz, S.*; Kunc, K.*; Baptiste, B.*; Chauvigne, P.*; 服部 高典

Physical Review B, 111(13), p.134103_1 - 134103_13, 2025/04

https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.111.134103

X線回折、中性子回折、ラマン散乱、第一原理計算を用いて、ReOの高圧力下での挙動を15GPaまで包括的に調べた。常圧=3構造は0.7GPaで空間群=3の立方晶相に連続的に相転移し、その後少なくとも15GPaまで安定であることがわかった。過去この圧力領域で報告されていた単斜晶構造や菱面体晶=3構造への転移は、試料に高輝度放射光X線を照射したことによる試料の劣化によるものであり、人工的なものであることが分かった。また今回、=3相の構造の圧力依存性と正確な状態方程式および天然試料と同位体濃縮O試料のラマン散乱データを示した。このデータから、リジッドなReO八面体が圧力とともに回転することによって、相転移および高密度化が起こることが分かった。

クリープ破断時間および高温引張強度予測モデルの連合学習

櫻井 惇也*; 鳥形 啓輔*; 松永 学*; 高梨 直人*; 日比野 真也*; 木津 健一*; 森田 聡*; 井元 雅弘*; 下畠 伸朗*; 豊田 晃大; et al.

鉄と鋼, 111(5), p.246 - 262, 2025/04

https://doi.org/10.2355/tetsutohagane.TETSU-2024-124

Creep testing is time-consuming and costly, leading institutions to limit the number of tests conducted to the minimum necessary for their specific objectives. By pooling data from each institution, it is anticipated that predictive models can be developed for a wide range of materials, including welded joints and degraded materials exposed to service conditions. However, the data obtained by each institution is often highly confidential, making it challenging to share with others. Federated learning, a type of privacy-preserving computation technology, allows for learning while keeping data confidential. Utilizing this approach, it is possible to develop creep life prediction models by leveraging data from various institutions. In this paper, we constructed global deep neural network models for predicting creep rupture life of heat-resistant ferritic steels in collaboration with eight institutions using the federated learning system we developed for this purpose. Each institution built a local model using only its own data for comparison. While these local models demonstrated good predictive accuracy for their respective datasets, their predictive performance declined when applied to data from other institutions. In contrast, the global model constructed using federated learning showed reasonably good predictive performance across all institutions. The distance between each institution's data was defined in the space of explanatory variables, with the NIMS data, which had the largest dataset, serving as the reference point. The global model maintained high predictive accuracy regardless of the distance from the NIMS data, whereas the predictive accuracy of the NIMS local model significantly decreased as the distance increased.

J-PARC陽子ビーム照射施設の概念設計

明午 伸一郎; 岩元 大樹; 杉原 健太*; 平野 幸則*; 堤 和昌*; 斎藤 滋; 前川 藤夫

JAEA-Technology 2024-026, 123 Pages, 2025/03

JAEA-Technology-2024-026.pdf:14.22MB

J-PARC核変換実験施設ADSターゲット試験施設(TEF-T)の設計をベースとし、J-PARC陽子ビーム照射施設の概念検討を行った。これは、文部科学省の分離変換技術評価タスクフォースの提言「ADSの工学的課題解決に加え、多様なニーズへの対応の可能性を含め、既存のJ-PARCの陽子加速器を利用可能な利点を最大限活用する施設仕様を検討することが望ましい。」を受けたものである。TEF-T設計で不要となった設備を削減する一方、多様なニーズに対応可能な設備の具体化を行った。多様なニーズとして、諸外国の大強度加速器施設の利用法の調査を行った。その結果、1)材料照射試験、2)核破砕中性子を用いた半導体機器のソフトエラー試験、3)医療用RI製造および4)陽子ビーム利用を主な利用目的と特定し、これらの利用に必要な施設の検討を行った。施設概念の検討にあたっては、2022年に施設のユーザーコミュニティを立ち上げ、ユーザーの意見を広く取り入れて施設設計に反映した。本報告書は、陽子ビーム照射施設の概念検討結果、多様なニーズとその対応、施設建設に向けたロードマップおよび今後の課題についてまとめたものである。

TVF3号溶融炉運転条件確認試験

朝日 良光; 福田 茂樹; 白水 大貴; 宮田 晃志; 刀根 雅也; 勝岡 菜々子; 前田 裕太; 青山 雄亮; 新妻 孝一; 小林 秀和; et al.

JAEA-Technology 2024-024, 271 Pages, 2025/03

JAEA-Technology-2024-024.pdf:33.98MB
JAEA-Technology-2024-024-hyperlink.zip:31.96MB

東海再処理施設で発生した高レベル放射性廃液のガラス固化に用いるTVF3号溶融炉(以下、3号炉)を製作し、この溶融炉でガラス固化体18本分のガラスを溶融・流下するコールド運転を行った。ガラス原料には、ホット運転で処理するものと同等の廃液成分を非放射性元素で置き換えた模擬廃液とガラスファイバーカートリッジを使うことで、溶融ガラス液面に仮焼層を形成させた。TVF2号溶融炉(以下、2号炉)と3号炉の構造の違いに起因する溶融炉固有の温度特性を考慮し、運転操作に用いるパラメータには、2号炉で使ってきたものを修正して適用した。本試験の結果、溶融炉各部の温度推移を確認しながら適切に運転できるパラメータ値を見出すことができ、2号炉のコールド運転に比べ、溶融ガラス温度は高く、二つある主電極の冷却は片側あたり約1kW小さいとき、安定的に運転できることが分かった。主電極間のジュール加熱電力を39kW、主電極冷却空気流量を26Nm/hで運転し炉底加熱方法を改良することで、流下前の炉底加熱時間をこれまでより2時間短い約5時間で完了できる見通しを得た。運転期間中は、炉内のガラス温度分布やケーシング表面の温度推移を計測し、今後のシミュレーションモデル開発に有効なデータが得られた。炉内の溶融ガラスの白金族元素濃度が飽和した後に、原料供給と流下を2日間停止する保持運転を行い、炉底部への白金族元素の沈降を遅らせる一定の効果があることを確認した。保持運転中に仮焼層の溶融過程を観察し、薄膜状の流動しない層が確認されたことから、流動計算で液面にNo-slip境界条件を設定する根拠を得た。流下ガラスの成分を分析して白金族元素の流下特性を調査した結果、運転中に溶融炉に蓄積する白金族元素の量は2号炉と比較して少なかった。溶融ガラスを全量流下した後の炉内には、残留ガラスやレンガ片などの異物は確認されなかった。白金族元素の蓄積による運転停止を判断する基準は、流下終了から炉底ガラス温度850Cへ低下するまでの時間を10.3h以上、主電極間補正抵抗値を0.12以下と試算したが、今後のホット運転の結果に応じ再検討が必要である。