Microstructural observation of simulated fuel kernels for Pu-burner high temperature gas-cooled reactor in Japan

Aihara, Jun; Ueta, Shohei; Honda, Masaki*; Kasahara, Seiji; Okamoto, Koji*

JAEA-Research 2024-012, 98 Pages, 2025/02

JAEA-Research-2024-012.pdf:32.24MB

Concept of Pu-burner high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) was proposed for the purpose of more safely reducing amount of recovered Pu. In Pu-burner HTGR concept, coated fuel particle (CFP), with ZrC coated yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) containing PuO (PuO-YSZ) small particle and with tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) coating, is employed for very high burn-up and high nuclear proliferation resistance. ZrC layer is oxygen getter. In research project of Pu-burner HTGR carried out from fiscal year of 2014 to fiscal year of 2017, simulated CFPs were fabricated using Ce to simulate Pu. Moreover, simulated fuel compacts were fabricated using fabricated simulated CFPs. In this report, results of microstructural observation of CeO-YSZ and ZrC layer at each fabrication step are reported.

Numerical simulation on dispersion of hydrogen leaked in particle layers of glass beads and soil

Terada, Atsuhiko; Nagaishi, Ryuji

Nuclear Technology, 210(10), p.1871 - 1887, 2024/10

https://doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2024.2302747

In order to understand dispersion of H2 leaked in packed beds of non-porous/porous particles in a partially open space practically, the dispersion of H2 in the particle layers of glass beads and soil was analytically studied using a CFD code to be compared with the experiments and to elucidate the effects of particle layer. H2 flowed out from a single leak point in the particle layer of non-porous glass beads was affected by buoyancy around the leak point, and diffused directly above the leak point in an elliptical shape faster than in the horizontal direction. After that, when it reached the air layer in the head space above the particle layer, H2 spread horizontally, formed a large concentration gradient near the boundary between the particle layer and the air layer, and further diffused in the air layer until the H2 concentration became about 1/3 or less of the concentration near the surface of particle layer. The calculations largely reproduced the experimental concentration distributions. When the particle layer was porous decomposed granite soil, the diffusion behavior of H2 in the particle layer proceeded in the same manner as in the case of glass beads. However, a large concentration gradient was formed near the boundary between the particle layer and the air layer, and then H2 diffused in the air layer until the H2 concentration became below the lower combustion limit. It was suggested through sensitivity analysis that the air permeability coefficient had a large effect on the time course of H2 concentration distribution. Based on the above, we further simulated H2 behavior in the vessel containing the H2 leaked particle layer. By inserting multiple vent pipes without considering H2 generation distribution and particle properties in the particle layer, H2 accumulated from one pipe was discharged by buoyancy without depending on the H2 generation distribution and particle properties in the particle layer, and air flowed in from the other pipe.

Establishment of characterization method for small fuel debris using the world's first isotope micro imaging apparatus (Contract research); FY2022 Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project

Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science; Kogakuin University*

JAEA-Review 2024-015, 99 Pages, 2024/09

JAEA-Review-2024-015.pdf:5.42MB

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 FY2022. 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 FY2021, this report summarizes the research results of the "Establishment of characterization method for small fuel debris using the world's first isotope micro imaging apparatus" conducted in FY2022. The present study aims to obtain, for the first time in the world, the important data necessary for clarifying the retrieval of small amounts of fuel debris, and to evaluate and examine them. SEM-EDS and TEM-EDS cannot be used for isotopic identification and analysis of Pu and B. On the other hand, bulk analysis such as ICP-MS lacks the information in a micro region.

Anisotropic creep property related to non-spherical shape of mechanically alloyed powder of oxide dispersion strengthened F82H

Sakasegawa, Hideo; Nakajima, Motoki*; Kato, Taichiro*; Nozawa, Takashi*; Ando, Masami*

Materials Today Communications (Internet), 40, p.109659_1 - 109659_8, 2024/08

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.109659

Nanometric oxide particles play an important role in improving the creep property of Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) steels. In our previous research, we examined a microstructural feature known as prior particle boundary (PPB). PPB refers to the surface of mechanically alloyed (MA) powders before consolidation. We revealed that the ODS steel with fine PPBs produced from smaller MA powders, exhibited shorter creep rupture times, compared to that with coarse PPBs produced from larger MA powders. The size of MA powders had an impact on the creep property. In this study, we examined the shape of MA powders, which were non-spherical shapes. Such shapes have the potential to induce anisotropic creep behavior. We conducted small punch creep tests on specimens with two different orientations to study the possible anisotropy. The results revealed that the creep rupture times varied depending on the orientation of specimen, thus indicating anisotropic creep property.

Establishment of characterization method for small fuel debris using the world's first isotope micro imaging apparatus (Contract Research); FY2021 Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project

Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science; Kogakuin University*

JAEA-Review 2024-005, 79 Pages, 2024/06

JAEA-Review-2024-005.pdf:5.72MB

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 FY2021. 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 FY2021, this report summarizes the research results of the "Establishment of characterization method for small fuel debris using the world's first isotope micro imaging apparatus" conducted in FY2021. The present study aims to obtain, for the first time in the world, the important data necessary for clarifying the retrieval of small amounts of fuel debris, and to evaluate and examine them. SEM-EDS and TEM-EDS cannot be used for isotopic identification and analysis of Pu and B. On the other hand, bulk analysis such as ICP-MS lacks the information in a micro region.

Improvement of aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer for on-line measurement of tiny particles containing alpha emitters (Contract research); FY2021 Nuclear Energy Science & Technology and Human Resource Development Project

Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science; Osaka University*

JAEA-Review 2023-039, 71 Pages, 2024/03

JAEA-Review-2023-039.pdf:4.43MB

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 FY2021. 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 FY2021, this report summarizes the research results of the "Improvement of aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer for on-line measurement of tiny particles containing alpha emitters" conducted in FY2021. The present study aims to improve Aerosol Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometer in order to monitor tiny particles containing alpha emitters such as U and Pu generated in removing debris from the reactors of 1F. In FY2021, for improving mass-resolution, we designed the optimized structure of mass spectrometer with much better mass resolution and ion transmittance than commercial ATOFMS by a PC simulation. Further, design of a detection part of ATOFMS fitted to the mass spectrometer was completed.

Kinetic analysis of mass transfer of Eu(III) in extractant-impregnated polymer-layered silica particle in multiple-ion distribution system

Miyagawa, Akihisa*; Hayashi, Naoki*; Iwamoto, Hibiki*; Arai, Tsuyoshi*; Nagatomo, Shigenori*; Miyazaki, Yasunori; Hasegawa, Kenta; Sano, Yuichi; Nakatani, Kiyoharu*

Analytical Sciences, 40(2), p.347 - 352, 2024/02

https://doi.org/10.1007/s44211-023-00462-x

The Eu(III) distribution mechanism in single extractant-impregnated polymer-layered silica particle in a complex solution containing multiple lanthanide ions was investigated using fluorescence microspectroscopy. The rate-determining step was the reaction of Eu(III) with the two extractant molecules. The obtained mechanism and rate constants agreed with those of the single-ion distribution system, in which Eu(III) was distributed to the particles in the Eu(III) solution.

Elucidation of solid particle interfacial phenomena in liquid sodium; Magnetic interactions on liquid metal and solid atoms at the solid interface

Tei, C.; Otaka, Masahiko; Kuwahara, Daisuke*

Chemical Physics Letters, 829, p.140755_1 - 140755_6, 2023/10

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cplett.2023.140755

We were able to detect the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal of a liquid sodium clinging to the interface of solid metal particles for the first time. In this study, we confirmed the difference in the relaxation times due to the difference in the interactions between liquid sodium and metal particles suspended in the liquid sodium. It was found that the surface of the micro titanium particles and liquid metallic sodium interact physically, not chemically.

Soil dust and bioaerosols as potential sources for resuspended Cs occurring near the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant

Ota, Masakazu; Takahara, Shogo; Yoshimura, Kazuya; Nagakubo, Azusa; Hirouchi, Jun; Hayashi, Naho; Abe, Tomohisa; Funaki, Hironori; Nagai, Haruyasu

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 264, p.107198_1 - 107198_15, 2023/08

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2023.107198

One of the current major radiation exposure pathways from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident-fallout is inhalation of the re-suspended Cs occurring in air. While wind-induced soil particle resuspension has been recognized as a primary mechanism of Cs resuspension, studies following the FDNPP accident suggested that fungal spores can be a significant source of the atmospheric Cs particularly in the rural areas such as difficult-to-return zone (DRZ). To elucidate the relative importance of the two resuspension phenomena, we propose a model simulating resuspension of Cs as soil particles and fungal spores, and applied it to DRZ. Our model's calculation showed that soil particle resuspension was responsible for the surface-air Cs observed during winter-spring, but could not account for the higher Cs concentrations observed in summer-autumn. The higher concentrations in the summer-autumn were in general reproduced by implementing fungal spore Cs emission, that replenished low soil particle Cs resuspension in that period. According to our model's concept, Cs accumulation in fungal spores and high spore emission rate characterized by the rural environment were likely responsible for the abundance of spore Cs in the air. It was inferred that the influence of the fungal spores on the atmospheric Cs would last longer since un-decontaminated forests still exist in DRZ.

The Development of a Multiphysics Coupled Solver for Studying the Effect of Dynamic Heterogeneous Configuration on Particulate Debris Bed Criticality and Cooling Characteristics

Li, C.-Y.; Wang, K.*; Uchibori, Akihiro; Okano, Yasushi; Pellegrini, M.*; Erkan, N.*; Takata, Takashi*; Okamoto, Koji*

Applied Sciences (Internet), 13(13), p.7705_1 - 7705_29, 2023/07

https://doi.org/10.3390/app13137705