DECOVALEX-2023: An International collaboration for advancing the understanding and modeling of coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC) processes in geological systems

Birkholzer, J. T.*; Graupner, B. J.*; Harrington, J.*; Jayne, R.*; Kolditz, O.*; Kuhlman, K. L.*; LaForce, T.*; Leone, R. C.*; Mariner, P. E.*; McDermott, C.*; et al.

Geomechanics for Energy and the Environment, 42, p.100685_1 - 100685_17, 2025/06

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gete.2025.100685

An Introduction to spent nuclear fuel decay heat for light water reactors; A Review from the NEA WPNCS

Rochman, D.*; Minato, Futoshi; Watanabe, Tomoaki; 52 of others*

EPJ Nuclear Sciences & Technologies (Internet), 10, p.9_1 - 9_83, 2024/10

https://doi.org/10.1051/epjn/2024010

Cs transfer from soils contaminated by resuspended particles to Japanese mustard spinach in difficult-to-return zone of Fukushima

Tatsuno, Takahiro*; Nihei, Naoto*; Yoshimura, Kazuya; Ote, Nobuhito*

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 332(6), p.1677 - 1686, 2023/06

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-023-08899-0

Consideration on roles and relationship between observations/measurements and model predictions for environmental consequence assessments for nuclear facilities

Togawa, Orihiko; Okura, Takehisa; Kimura, Masanori

JAEA-Review 2022-049, 76 Pages, 2023/01

JAEA-Review-2022-049.pdf:3.74MB

Before construction and after operation of nuclear facilities, environmental consequence assessments are conducted for normal operation and an emergency. These assessments mainly aim at confirming safety for the public around the facilities and producing relief for them. Environmental consequence assessments are carried out using observations/ measurements by environmental monitoring and/or model predictions by calculation models, sometimes using either of which and at other times using both them, according to the situations and necessities. First, this report investigates methods, roles, merits/demerits and relationship between observations/measurements and model predictions which are used for environmental consequence assessments of nuclear facilities, especially holding up a spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plant at Rokkasho, Aomori as an example. Next, it explains representative examples of utilization of data on observations/measurements and results on model predictions, and considers points of attention at using them. Finally, the report describes future direction, for example, improvements of observations/measurements and model predictions, and fusion of both them.

Developing delayed gamma-ray spectroscopy for nuclear safeguards; Project overview and analysis development

Rodriguez, D. C.; Abbas, K.*; Koizumi, Mitsuo; Nonneman, S.*; Oberstedt, S.*; Pedersen, B.*; Rossi, F.; Schillebeeckx, P.*; Takahashi, Tone

Proceedings of INMM 63rd Annual Meeting (Internet), 9 Pages, 2022/09

Leaching behavior of radionuclides from samples prepared from spent fuel rod comparable to core debris in the 1F NPS

Onishi, Takashi; Maeda, Koji; Katsuyama, Kozo

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 58(4), p.383 - 398, 2021/04

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2020.1822943

Development methodology on determination of instant release fractions for generic safety assessment for direct disposal of spent nuclear fuel

Kitamura, Akira; Akahori, Kuniaki; Nagata, Masanobu*

Genshiryoku Bakkuendo Kenkyu (CD-ROM), 27(2), p.83 - 93, 2020/12

https://doi.org/10.3327/jnuce.27.2_83

Direct disposal of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) in deep underground repositories (hereafter "direct disposal") is a concept that disposal canisters stored fuel assemblies dispose without reprocessing. Behavior of radionuclide release from SNF must be different from that from vitrified glass. The present study established a methodology on determination of instant release fraction (IRF) of radionuclides from SNF, which is the one of the parameters on radionuclide release based on the latest safety assessment reports in other countries, especially for IRF values proportional to a fission gas release ratio (FGR). Recommended and maximum values of FGR have been estimated using the fuel performance code FEMAXI-7 after collecting FGR values on Japanese SNFs. Furthermore, recommended and maximum values of IRF for Japanese SNFs used in a pressurized water reactor (PWR) have been estimated using the presently obtained FGR values and experimentally obtained IRF values on foreign SNFs. The recommended and maximum IRF values obtained in the present study have been compared with those of the latest safety assessment reports in other countries.

Pressure resistance thickness of disposal containers for spent fuel direct disposal

Sugita, Yutaka; Taniguchi, Naoki; Makino, Hitoshi; Kanamaru, Shinichiro*; Okumura, Taisei*

Nihon Genshiryoku Gakkai Wabun Rombunshi, 19(3), p.121 - 135, 2020/09

https://doi.org/10.3327/taesj.J19.007

A series of structural analysis of disposal containers for direct disposal of spent fuel was carried out to provide preliminary estimates of the required pressure resistance thickness of the disposal container. Disposal containers were designed to contain either 2, 3 or 4 spent fuel assemblies in linear, triangular or square arrangements, respectively. The required pressure resistance thickness was evaluated using separation distance of the housing space for each spent fuel assembly as a key model parameter to obtain the required thickness of the body and then the lid of the disposal container. This work also provides additional analytical technical knowledge, such as the validity of the setting of the stress evaluation line and the effect of the model length on the analysis. These can then be referred to and used again in the future as a basis for conducting similar evaluations under different conditions or proceeding with more detailed evaluations.

Development of the sintering solidification method for spent zeolite to long-term stabilization (Contract research); FY2018 Center of World Intelligence Project for Nuclear Science/Technology and Human Resource Development

Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science; Shibaura Institute of Technology*

JAEA-Review 2019-028, 71 Pages, 2020/03

JAEA-Review-2019-028.pdf:6.46MB

JAEA/CLADS, had been conducting the Center of World Intelligence Project for Nuclear Science/Technology and Human Resource Development (hereafter referred to "the Project") in FY2018. Among the adopted proposals in FY2018, this report summarizes the research results of the "Development of the Sintering Solidification Method for Spent Zeolite to Long-term Stabilization". The present study aims to develop the sintering solidification method for zeolites (spent zeolites) that adsorbs continuously generated radionuclides such as cesium. The sintering solidification method is able to stabilize adsorbed radionuclides such as cesium in zeolites by adding a glass as a binder to spent zeolite and sintered it. It is expected that the sintering solidification method is significantly reduce the volume of the solidified body compare with the glass solidification method and to form a stable solidified body equivalent to the calcination solidification method. In this project, we planned to select a glass suitable for the sintering solidification method and optimize the sintering temperature, etc. using non-radioactive nuclides (cold tests), and verify it by using radioactive nuclides (hot tests). In FY2018, we investigated the thermal properties of candidate glasses for binder and the effect of heating atmosphere on the sintering solidification method. Irradiated fuel for preparing simulated contaminated water containing radionuclides was selected and the condition of it was observed. In addition, we surveyed existing research results and latest research trends about solidification of zeolite, calcination solidification and so on.

Study on plutonium burner high temperature gas-cooled reactor in Japan; Introduction scenario, reactor safety and fabrication tests of the 3S-TRISO fuel

Ueta, Shohei; Mizuta, Naoki; Fukaya, Yuji; Goto, Minoru; Tachibana, Yukio; Honda, Masaki*; Saiki, Yohei*; Takahashi, Masashi*; Ohira, Koichi*; Nakano, Masaaki*; et al.

Nuclear Engineering and Design, 357, p.110419_1 - 110419_10, 2020/02

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2019.110419

The concept of a plutonium (Pu) burner HTGR is proposed to incarnate highly-effective Pu utilization by its inherent safety features. The security and safety fuel (3S-TRISO fuel) employs the coated fuel particle with a fuel kernel made of plutonium dioxide (PuO) and yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as an inert matrix. This paper presents feasibility study of Pu burner HTGR and R&D on the 3S-TRISO fuel.