Corrosion behavior of extra-high-purity Type 316 austenitic stainless steel in a liquid lead-bismuth eutectic with oxygen saturation or low oxygen concentrations

入澤 恵理子; 加藤 千明

Corrosion Science, 256, p.113173_1 - 113173_16, 2025/11

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2025.113173

This study investigates the corrosion behavior of extra-high-purity Type 316 austenitic (316EHP) stainless steel with reduced impurity segregation at the grain boundaries in a liquid lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) at 530C to evaluate (1) the resistance of the steel to intergranular oxidation in the LBE with oxygen saturation and (2) its dissolution corrosion resistance at lower oxygen concentrations than the equilibrium oxygen potential of magnetite. Under oxygen saturation conditions in the LBE, 316EHP generated protective uniform oxide layers without severe intragranular oxidation. Compared with the case of the conventional 316L stainless steel, enhanced Cr diffusion along the grain boundaries in 316EHP considerably improved the intergranular-oxidation resistance of the steel. However, in the LBE with a low oxygen concentration, 316EHP exhibited high susceptibility to dissolution corrosion, thus undergoing a rapid intergranular attack particularly for short exposure durations, and island-like ferritic particles were formed for long exposure durations. Future studies should explore the optimal oxygen concentrations for oxide scale formation and the long-term corrosion behavior of the steel in dynamic LBE systems.

Weathering promotes the sorption of radiocesium in mafic minerals of river sediments in the Fukushima Prefecture, Japan

萩原 大樹; 渡辺 勇輔; 小西 博巳*; 舟木 泰智; 藤原 健壮; 飯島 和毅

Applied Geochemistry, 190, p.106490_1 - 106490_10, 2025/10

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2025.106490

Radiocesium (Cs and Cs) was sorbed on minerals and transported to river systems due to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Recently, the authors have reported that mafic minerals sorb Cs equally or more strongly than micaceous minerals in fine sands. We characterized mafic minerals and elucidated their weathering using electron microscopy to determine whether they can sorb Cs. The surface of hornblende particles is weathered and altered to vermiculite. The surface of micas is less weathered than that of hornblende, indicating the Cs activity concentrations of highly weathered mafic minerals are higher than those of micas in part of sampling site. The results indicate that the effects of Cs sorption for hornblende depend on the weathering product at the surface.

タンク型ナトリウム冷却高速炉の一次冷却系統内非凝縮性ガス移行挙動評価手法の整備; コールドプレナム領域自由液面部からの気泡離脱挙動の予備評価

松下 健太郎; 江連 俊樹; 藤崎 竜也*; 中峯 由彰*; 今井 康友*; 田中 正暁

日本機械学会2025年度年次大会講演論文集(インターネット), 5 Pages, 2025/09

ナトリウム冷却高速炉の設計において、カバーガスの巻込みや溶解によって一次冷却系統内に混入した非凝縮性ガスの挙動の評価が重要となる。本研究では、分散相モデルを適用した三次元CFD解析によって、タンク型炉コールドプレナム領域内における気泡の移行の軌跡を評価した。コールドプレナム内に流入する気泡の半径をパラメータとした感度解析の結果、自由液面部からの気泡離脱率は、気泡の半径が増大するにつれて増加し、気泡半径が大きくなると漸近的に増加する傾向を示すことがわかった。

Detection of beta-emitting radioactive hotspots inside the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Unit 3 reactor building using an optical fiber radiation sensor based on wavelength-resolving analysis

寺阪 祐太; 佐藤 優樹; 一場 雄太*

Radiation Measurements, 187, p.107486_1 - 107486_8, 2025/09

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radmeas.2025.107486

We measured the distribution of beta-ray emitters inside the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Unit 3 reactor building using a novel optical fiber-based position-sensitive radiation sensor designed for operation in high dose rate environments. Plastic scintillation fibers (PSFs) were installed inside the Unit 3 reactor building, where scintillation light generated through interactions between radiation and the PSFs was detected by a spectrometer to obtain the wavelength spectrum. By applying an unfolding method to the wavelength spectrum, we estimated the distribution of beta ray emitters along the PSFs. To isolate the beta ray contribution in a high gamma dose rate field, we compared measurements taken with and without a stainless steel tube serving as a beta ray shield. As a result, we identified a hotspot predominantly influenced by beta rays for the first time in the high dose rate area on the southern side of the first floor of the Unit 3 reactor building.

Cu/ZnO catalysts integrated with AlO and/or SiO for methanol synthesis; Deciphering the additive-induced boost in catalytic performance by XAFS

Iwasaki, Kosei*; Ashida, Yuya*; 松村 大樹; Kawakami, Kotaro*; Shibuya, Kenta*; Tazawa, Masaru*; 辻 卓也; Shimizu, Hajime*

Journal of CO Utilization, 97, p.103111_1 - 103111_9, 2025/07

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcou.2025.103111

The development of active, long-lived methanol synthesis catalysts can be expedited by thoroughly understanding the operating mechanisms of promoter additives. SiO serves as an effective support and promoter for Cu/ZnO-type methanol synthesis catalysts; however, it has not been studied as extensively as the industrially predominant AlO, despite being similarly potent. Therefore, we conducted X-ray absorption fine structure predominant AlO, despite being similarly potent. Therefore, we conducted X-ray absorption fine structure studies to probe the effects of incorporating AlO and SiO additives into Cu/ZnO-based heterogeneous catalysts. The results revealed that the additive elements primarily affected the ability of the Zn species to generate oxygen vacancies by distorting the local structure around element-doped ZnO and that the number of oxygen vacancies correlated to the catalytic activity. Additionally, the oxygen vacancies in ZnO in the Al/Si-incorporated catalysts diminished under catalytic reaction conditions, thereby providing information on the deactivation of catalytic reactions. Our findings can facilitate the development of highly active industrial-grade methanol synthesis catalysts.

Non-condensable gas accumulation and distribution due to condensation in the CIGMA Facility; Implications for Fukushima Daiichi Unit 3 (1F3)

Hamdani, A.; 相馬 秀; 安部 諭; 柴本 泰照

Progress in Nuclear Energy, 185, p.105771_1 - 105771_13, 2025/07

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnucene.2025.105771

This study, motivated by previous TEPSYS analysis, examined how different temperatures on the 4th and 5th floors of the Fukushima Daiichi Unit 3 reactor building (R/B) influenced non-condensable gas distribution during the 2011 severe accident. Understanding this is vital for assessing risks related to gas accumulation, especially since the hydrogen explosion may have involved multiple stages. An experimental study was conducted using the CIGMA facility, designed to mimic the R/B structure, where steam and helium (as a substitute for hydrogen) were injected for 10,000 seconds to simulate leakage. Two cooling conditions were tested: 50C (Case 1) and 90C (Case 2). Results showed that the highest concentration of non-condensable gases was often found downstream rather than near the injection point. In Case 1, after 10,000 seconds, helium concentration reached 65% in the middle region (4th floor) and 45% in the top region (5th floor). Analysis indicated that the gas mixture in the middle region posed a potential detonation risk. This study offers crucial insights for enhancing safety measures and risk mitigation strategies in nuclear reactor designs.

Detailed computational models for nuclear criticality analyses on the first startup cores of NSRR: A TRIGA annular core pulse reactor

柳澤 宏司; 求 惟子

JAEA-Research 2025-001, 99 Pages, 2025/06

JAEA-Research-2025-001.pdf:1.98MB

中性子吸収棒の反応度価値に関する安全検査データのより深い理解と反応度価値の測定技術の向上のために、TRIGA-ACPR(環状炉心パルス炉)に分類されるNSRR(原子炉安全性研究炉)の初回起動炉心の臨界解析用詳細計算モデルを作成した。本モデルの形状、材料、運転データの誤差から伝播する中性子実効増倍率(keff)の不確かさを、最新の核データライブラリJENDL-5及び旧版のJENDLライブラリとMVP第3版コードを用いて詳細に評価した。その結果、本モデルにおけるkの全体的な不確かさは、0.0027から0.0029kの範囲と評価した。本モデルは、TRIGA-ACPRのkのベンチマークとして利用されることが期待される。さらに、全体的な不確かさは、NSRRで測定された吸収棒価値よりも十分小さいことを確認した。よって、本モデルはNSRRにおける吸収棒反応度価値に関する今後の解析にも適用できる。

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

The DECOVALEX initiative is an international research collaboration (www.decovalex.org), initiated in 1992, for advancing the understanding and modeling of coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC) processes in geological systems. DECOVALEX stands for "DEvelopment of COupled Models and VALidation against EXperiments". DECOVALEX emphasizes joint analysis and comparative modeling of the complex perturbations and coupled processes in geologic repositories and how these impact long-term performance predictions. More than fifty research teams associated with 17 international DECOVALEX partner organizations participated in the comparative evaluation of eight modeling tasks covering a wide range of spatial and temporal scales, geological formations, and coupled processes. This Virtual Special Issue on DECOVALEX-2023 provides an in-depth overview of these collaborative research efforts and how these have advanced the state-of-the-art of understanding and modeling coupled THMC processes. While primarily focused on radioactive waste, much of the work included here has wider application to many geoengineering topics.

Neutron capture cross-section measurement at TC-Pn in KUR for holmium among nuclides in decommissioning

中村 詔司; 遠藤 駿典; Rovira Leveroni, G.; 木村 敦; 芝原 雄司*

KURNS Progress Report 2024, P. 31, 2025/06

本研究は、生成放射能を評価するために、廃止措置で問題となる核種について熱中性子捕獲断面積を測定するものである。本件では、対象核種の中からHoを選定し、京大原子炉にて放射化法によりその熱中性子捕獲断面積を測定した。今回、Ho(n,)Ho反応について2.790.04 barnを得た。従来の報告値は3.40.5(b)に対して、誤差1.4に向上して導出することができた。また副産物として、Ho(n,)Ho反応について61.20.6 barnを得た。HoとHoの生成の断面積を合わせて、64.00.6 barnを求めた。今回の結果は、TOF法による過去の報告値64.42.8(b)や、最近の評価値64.69 barn、64.41.2 barnを誤差の範囲で支持した。

Evaluation of stability of precipitates under irradiation in 316FR steel used as fast reactor structural material

豊田 晃大; 鬼澤 高志; 若井 栄一*

Research & Development in Material Science (Internet), 21(5), p.2632 - 2637, 2025/06

316FR steel, a modification of 316 austenitic stainless steel, will be used as a structural material in the sodium cooled fast reactor (SFR), one of the initiatives being developed in Japan to achieve carbon neutrality in order to combat global warming. To withstand the high-temperature operating environment of the SFR, the alloy design of the 316FR steel has been optimized to have high creep strength for a long time with controlled precipitation by optimizing the alloy composition. In order to clarify that 316FR steel can maintain its properties under the high temperature (around 550C) irradiation environment of the SFR, the authors mainly conducted in-situ observations under electron beam irradiation at high temperatures to investigate in detail the irradiation effects on the precipitates (mainly carbides), which are characteristic of 316FR steel. As a result, it was found that the precipitates in 316FR steel are more stable than those in type 304 stainless steel under irradiation without coarsening at grain boundaries or within grains. The characteristics and attractiveness of 316FR steel, the results obtained, and the mechanism of creep behavior under irradiation are also explained.