Development of a high-resolution imaging camera for alpha dust and high-dose rate monitor (Contract research); FY2023 Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project

Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science; Tohoku University*

JAEA-Review 2025-048, 56 Pages, 2026/02

JAEA-Review-2025-048.pdf:2.89MB

The Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science (CLADS), Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), had been conducting the Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project (hereafter referred to "the Project") in FY2023. The Project aims to contribute to solving problems in the nuclear energy field represented by the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (TEPCO). For this purpose, intelligence was collected from all over the world, and basic research and human resource development were promoted by closely integrating/collaborating knowledge and experiences in various fields beyond the barrier of conventional organizations and research fields. The sponsor of the Project was moved from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to JAEA since the newly adopted proposals in FY2018. On this occasion, JAEA constructed a new research system where JAEA-academia collaboration is reinforced and medium-to-long term research/development and human resource development contributing to the decommissioning are stably and consecutively implemented. Among the adopted proposals in FY2022, this report summarizes the research results of the "Development of a high-resolution imaging camera for alpha dust and high-dose rate monitor" conducted in FY2023. The present study aims to develop a high-resolution imaging camera for alpha dust and a high-dose rate monitor. To realize the high-resolution imaging camera for alpha dust, we have developed novel scintillation materials with emission bands of 500-800 nm. Moreover, we have prepared several materials for the camera and software. We have also developed novel scintillation materials with emission bands of 650-1,000 nm, and simulation studies have been conducted for the high-dose-rate monitor system consisting of optical fiber. In addition, we demonstrated this monitoring system, and the dose-rate dynamic range was found to be 20 mSv/h to 1 kSv/h.

Validation of underwater radiation monitoring detector

Ji, W.*; Lee, E.*; Ji, Y.-Y.*; Ochi, Kotaro; Yoshimura, Kazuya; Funaki, Hironori; Sanada, Yukihisa

Nuclear Engineering and Technology, 58(2), p.103933_1 - 103933_6, 2026/02

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.net.2025.103933

We aimed to validate the performance of an in situ underwater radiation detector, MARK-U1 (Monitoring of Ambient Radiation of KAERI - Underwater), was used to estimate Cs activity concentration in river and reservoir sediment at predicted sites of contamination. Additionally, underwater core samples were collected to measure the radioactivity using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. To estimate radioactivity, a conversion factor was derived by comparing the measured spectrum and Cs activity in the sample. A Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) simulation was conducted to determine the effective source geometry for in situ measurement. The simulation results correlated well with the on-site MARK-U1 monitoring results, with a deviation of 31.62%. These findings validate the performance of the in situ detector. This device can therefore be used to estimate Cs activity concentration in the underwater sediment via on-site monitoring, without requiring sample collection.

Development of an innovative n/ scintillation detection system for simple non-destructive measurements (Contract research); FY2023 Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project

Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science; Tohoku University*

JAEA-Review 2025-046, 70 Pages, 2026/01

JAEA-Review-2025-046.pdf:5.46MB

The Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science (CLADS), Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), had been conducting the Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project (hereafter referred to "the Project") in FY2023. The Project aims to contribute to solving problems in the nuclear energy field represented by the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (1F), Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (TEPCO). For this purpose, intelligence was collected from all over the world, and basic research and human resource development were promoted by closely integrating/collaborating knowledge and experiences in various fields beyond the barrier of conventional organizations and research fields. The sponsor of the Project was moved from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to JAEA since the newly adopted proposals in FY2018. On this occasion, JAEA constructed a new research system where JAEA-academia collaboration is reinforced and medium-to-long term research/development and human resource development contributing to the decommissioning are stably and consecutively implemented. Among the adopted proposals in FY2023, this report summarizes the research results of the "Development of an innovative n/ scintillation detection system for simple non-destructive measurements" conducted in FY2023. At 1F, removal of fuel debris from the primary containment vessel (PCV) is scheduled for FY2023, and a phased expansion of the removal scale is being considered in the future. As a solution to the above problem, this study will develop an innovative scintillation radiation detection system for screening and continuous monitoring during target sample removal. To develop a remote measurement system that contributes to in-vessel investigations for decommissioning of nuclear facilities such as 1F. More specifically, we will develop vertically integrated research into the following elemental technologies: (1) development of innovative high-performance scintillation materials for thermal neutron / gamma-ray discrimination (Tohoku University), (2) downsizing of censer and signal processing system (the University of Tokyo), (3) construction and characterization of various radiation fields (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology), and (4) development of a simple non-destructive measurement system and hot cell demonstration test (JAEA). By vertically integrating elemental technologies, R&D on each research item planned in FY2023 was conducted to develop a detector that can discriminate gamma-ray and neutron radiation in environments exceeding 10 Gy/h and simultaneously identify the dose rate and nuclide of each in PCVs and in each acceptance cell.

Development of LASSO based optimized scheme for reconstructing radioactive source distributions using monitoring air dose rates

Shi, W.*; Machida, Masahiko; Yamada, Susumu; Okamoto, Koji*

Measurement, 258(Part D), p.119444_1 - 119444_15, 2026/01

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2025.119444

Analysis of deposits inside "X-6 penetration" for the Unit 2 primary containment vessel at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

Yoneyama, Kai; Nitta, Ayako; Tanaka, Yasuyuki; Kodaka, Noriyasu; Kikuchi, Riku; Sakano, Takuma; Furuse, Takahiro; Sato, Soichi; Sambongi, Mitsuru; Tanaka, Kosuke

JAEA-Technology 2025-008, 44 Pages, 2025/12

JAEA-Technology-2025-008.pdf:4.3MB

At the TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (1F), an investigation inside the reactors has been carried out. In order to safely carry out the decommissioning work such as fuel debris retrieval and building demolition, it is important to estimate the contamination in primary containment vessel for control the decommissioning planning and the worker radiation exposure levels. Therefore, the analysis of the deposit inside the penetration for the 1F Unit 2 primary containment vessel ("X-6 penetration") was performed to clarify the components and activity. The smears from the deposit were used for the analysis. Non-destructive analysis such as gamma-ray spectrometry, X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) for the smear-samples were performed to determine the gamma-nuclides and the morphology of elements in the deposit. Furthermore, in order to evaluate the nuclides and nuclide composition of the deposit in detail, the smear-samples were dissolved and the quantitative analysis of gamma-nuclides, Sr-90, alpha-nuclides in the dissolved solution were conducted. The results (non-destructive analysis and quantitative analysis) were compared with the results of samples collected at different locations in the X-6 penetration in 2020. In the gamma-ray spectrometry as non-destructive analysis where the smears were analyzed directly, Co-60, Sb-125, Cs-134, Cs-137, Eu-154, Eu-155 and Am-241 were detected. In XRF results, Fe originating from construction material was detected as a major element and small amount of U and Zr originating from the fuel and fuel cladding were also detected. In SEM-EDX results, O and Fe were found as a major element of the deposit and U particles coexisting with Fe, Si, Cr, Ni and Zr were also found. These results were consistent with the SEM-EDX results of the samples collected in 2020. In radioactivity analysis, quantitative values for gamma-nuclides (Co-60, Sb-125, Cs-134, Cs-137, Eu-154, Eu-155), Sr-90, Pu-238, Pu-239+240, Am-241, Cm-244, U-235 and U-238 were obtained. Using the results, the ratios of radioactivity based on Cs-137 and U-238 were calculated. Both sets of the ratios were compared to the calculated value of the Unit 2 fuel composition from ORIGEN.

Challenge for screening of nuclear fuel debris by innovative spectral imaging and its verification by LIBS mapping (Contract research); FY2023 Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project

Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science; The University of Osaka*

JAEA-Review 2025-040, 111 Pages, 2025/12

JAEA-Review-2025-040.pdf:22.28MB

The Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science (CLADS), Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), had been conducting the Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project (hereafter referred to "the Project") in FY2023. The Project aims to contribute to solving problems in the nuclear energy field represented by the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (TEPCO). For this purpose, intelligence was collected from all over the world, and basic research and human resource development were promoted by closely integrating/collaborating knowledge and experiences in various fields beyond the barrier of conventional organizations and research fields. The sponsor of the Project was moved from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to JAEA since the newly adopted proposals in FY2018. On this occasion, JAEA constructed a new research system where JAEA-academia collaboration is reinforced and medium-to-long term research/development and human resource development contributing to the decommissioning are stably and consecutively implemented. Among the adopted proposals in FY2023, this report summarizes the research results of the "Challenge for screening of nuclear fuel debris by innovative spectral imaging and its verification by LIBS mapping" conducted in FY2023. The present study aims to develop a remote-sensing technique to identify the in-reactor materials by a combination of Hyper Spectral Imaging (HSI) and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). HSI analyzes spectral information of more than 100 colors, and is being applied to classify various materials. On the other hand, material composition cannot be directly evaluated by HSI. Therefore, we thought that the combination of HSI and LIBS could be an accurate and wide-ranging visualization technique. In order to demonstrate the HSI and LIBS, it is necessary to prepare standard materials that simulate in-reactor materials, and to acquire and accumulate training data on them. In this study, the University of Osaka is in charge of the preparation of standard materials and HSI data analysis, Nuclear Fuel Development (NFD) is in charge of the preparation of uranium bearing materials and HSI/LIBS measurements, and JAEA is in charge of LIBS development. On the UK side, the Univ. of Strathclyde, National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL), and Lancaster University participate in the joint research project. The compositions of the standard samples were determined from past experiments and thermodynamic calculation results. Several samples such as UO based composites and concrete were prepared. The HSI data were obtained using a hyperspectral camera installed in the NFD. For LIBS, we worked on the automatic optimization of focal distance as part of the development of remote operation technology.

A Study on the methodology for rational treatment/disposal of contaminated concrete waste considering volume reduction of waste (Contract research); FY2023 Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project

Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science; Hokkaido University*

JAEA-Review 2025-037, 103 Pages, 2025/12

JAEA-Review-2025-037.pdf:7.28MB

The Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science (CLADS), Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), had been conducting the Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project (hereafter referred to "the Project") in FY2023. The Project aims to contribute to solving problems in the nuclear energy field represented by the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (TEPCO). For this purpose, intelligence was collected from all over the world, and basic research and human resource development were promoted by closely integrating/collaborating knowledge and experiences in various fields beyond the barrier of conventional organizations and research fields. The sponsor of the Project was moved from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to JAEA since the newly adopted proposals in FY2018. On this occasion, JAEA constructed a new research system where JAEA-academia collaboration is reinforced and medium-to-long term research/development and human resource development contributing to the decommissioning are stably and consecutively implemented. Among the adopted proposals in FY2023, this report summarizes the research results of the "A study on the methodology for rational treatment/disposal of contaminated concrete waste considering volume reduction of waste" conducted in FY2023. The present study aims to evaluate rational waste management strategies incorporating reuse and recycling focusing on radioactive concrete waste, which will be massively generated from dismantling. Feasibility and challenges of aggregate recycling are considered assuming a typical recycled aggregate production technique, based on the characteristics of the concrete. In 2023, the migration behaviors of radionuclides and ions in cementitious materials having interfacial transition zones (ITZ) were investigated through diffusion and leaching experiments using radioactive and non-radioactive tracers and modeled by random walk particle tracking method with a sampling technique using a probabilistic distribution model for two media with an interface. Properties of surrogate contaminated concrete samples prepared by immersing in Cs solution were examined. Migration of ions was studied for surrogate contaminated aggregates and recycled concrete using the surrogate. In addition, surrogate waste package was prepared using by-product powder to study mechanical and chemical properties as well as leaching behavior of radionuclides. Information on properties of the contaminated concrete and tools to estimate the amount of concrete were organized in order to evaluate different waste management scenarios incorporating reuse/recycling.

Development of radiation field mapping measurement system based on high radiation tolerant solar cells for low-light illumination (Contract research); FY2023 Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project

Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science; Institute of Physical and Chemical Research*

JAEA-Review 2025-031, 124 Pages, 2025/12

JAEA-Review-2025-031.pdf:7.93MB

The Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science (CLADS), Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), had been conducting the Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project (hereafter referred to "the Project") in FY2023. The Project aims to contribute to solving problems in the nuclear energy field represented by the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (1F), Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (TEPCO). For this purpose, intelligence was collected from all over the world, and basic research and human resource development were promoted by closely integrating/collaborating knowledge and experiences in various fields beyond the barrier of conventional organizations and research fields. The sponsor of the Project was moved from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to JAEA since the newly adopted proposals in FY2018. On this occasion, JAEA constructed a new research system where JAEA-academia collaboration is reinforced and medium-to-long term research/development and human resource development contributing to the decommissioning are stably and consecutively implemented. Among the adopted proposals in FY2022, this report summarizes the research results of the "Development of radiation field mapping measurement system based on high radiation tolerant solar cells for low-light illumination" conducted in FY2023. The present study aims to develop a system that can map radiation fields by applying independent and remotely operated sensors to obtain radiation information in the Primary Containment Vessel (PCV) in real time. The system will be implemented in a real environment to ensure the safety of workers and equipment by monitoring the leakage of gamma rays and neutrons, which are highly penetrating and can be a cause of accidents. A solar cell dosimeter is being developed as a compact sensor of the built-in potential drive type that utilizes a device with high radiation tolerance that has been developed as a solar cell for space use. The CIGS solar cell dosimeter is the basis for the development of a system with high functionality and systemization for 1F packaging. In FY2023, we will investigate the conditions for creating a flexible device based on the structure of a CIGS solar cell device, and clarify the initial characteristics of a prototype device using a CIGS device on a glass substrate through irradiation tests using gamma rays, electron beams, and neutron beams. In the neutron detection structure, we will explore the conditions for applying the conversion material boron, investigate the conditions for adjusting the particle size of the powder material by milling, and select the coating method and solvent conditions. In mapping measurements, we will develop a system that can display dose information by measuring multiple sensors.

A Methodology for the design of non-uniform core configurations in the modified STACY facility

Dechenaux, B.*; Brovchenko, M.*; Araki, Shohei; Gunji, Satoshi; Suyama, Kenya

Annals of Nuclear Energy, 223, p.111555_1 - 111555_11, 2025/12

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2025.111555

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 Accident analysis considering the thermal stratification and containment leakage

Nakamura, Yuki*; Kojima, Yoshihiro*; Yamashita, Takuya; Shimomura, Kenta; Mizokami, Shinya

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 62(12), p.1226 - 1230, 2025/12

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2025.2570371