Monte Carlo and experimental assessment of the optimal geometry of the source and collimator for a table-top NRTA system for small nuclear material measurement

Guembou Shouop, C. J.; 土屋 晴文

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 1072, p.170189_1 - 170189_14, 2025/03

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2024.170189

The development of a compact mobile neutron resonance transmission analysis (NRTA) instrument is in progress for measuring nuclear materials in the field of nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear security. The present paper focuses on research/developments on designing the source, moderators and shielding for the table-top NRTA system utilising a Cf spontaneous neutron. To this end, three source configurations were assessed using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations-based Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System (PHITS) by evaluating each configuration's neutron/gamma fluxes. Experimental validation of the MC simulation was conducted using an EJ270 plastic scintillation detector, a Bq Cf source, and a thin In sample. The Monte Carlo simulations and experimental results confirmed that an optimal configuration for the table-top NRTA system involves sandwiching the Cf source between the polyethylene (PE) moderator (PE closer to the detector) and the W reflector. Furthermore, the MC simulations showed that resonance dips from NatU and Pu (energy lines of 1.06 and 2.60 eV of Pu and 0.30 eV of Pu) can be observed in the Time-of-Flight spectra obtained using the table-top NRTA system with an appropriate collimator for a small pellet sample. The preliminary experimental results with a 2 mm thick In sample displayed the 1.46 eV resonance dip of In, showing that the table-top NRTA system using a Cf neutron source can measure TOF spectra and observe dips caused by low energy resonances in a sample. These findings suggest the system is well-suited for measuring small pellet samples of Pu and U.

Characterization of neutrons emitted by an expected small amount of fuel debris in a trial retrieval from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

松村 太伊知; 奥村 啓介; 坂本 雅洋; 寺島 顕一; Riyana E. S.; 近藤 千博*

Nuclear Engineering and Design, 432, p.113791_1 - 113791_9, 2025/02

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2024.113791

Retrieving objects with a small amount of fuel debris, such as a few grams, will begin soon at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (1F) at the start of decommissioning. Objects retrieved from the primary containment vessel are not necessarily fuel debris; fuel debris is an object from which neutrons are emitted because it contains nuclear-fuel material. However, the characteristics of the neutrons emitted by fuel debris are unknown. Fuel debris was categorized into five types according to the elapsed time from the accident, burnup, and fuel type (UO or mixed oxide). The number and energy spectra of (, ) and spontaneous fission neutrons emitted from 1 g of each fuel debris type were estimated using the SOURCES 4C code to obtain the neutron characteristics. The results showed that the average neutron energy is approximately 2.1 MeV, regardless of the type of fuel debris. However, the intensities of neutrons emitted from the fuel debris in 1F Units 2 and 3 varied by four orders of magnitude according to the fuel debris type.

令和5年度大型計算機システム利用による研究成果報告集

システム計算科学センター 高性能計算技術利用推進室

JAEA-Review 2024-044, 121 Pages, 2025/01

JAEA-Review-2024-044.pdf:7.42MB

日本原子力研究開発機構では、原子力の総合的研究開発機関として原子力に係わるさまざまな分野の研究開発を行っており、これらの研究開発の多くにおいて計算科学技術が活用されている。日本原子力研究開発機構における計算科学技術を活用した研究開発の論文発表は、過去十数年にわたり、毎年度、全体の約2割を占めている。大型計算機システムはこの計算科学技術を支える重要なインフラとなっている。大型計算機システムは、第4期中長期計画にて重点化して取り組むとされた「安全性向上等の革新的技術開発によるカーボンニュートラルへの貢献」、「原子力科学技術に係る多様な研究開発の推進によるイノベーションの創出」、「東京電力福島第一原子力発電所事故の対処に係わる研究開発の推進」、「高レベル放射性廃棄物の処理処分に関する技術開発の着実な実施」、「原子力安全規制行政及び原子力防災に対する支援とそのための安全研究の推進」等といった研究開発活動に利用された。本報告は、令和5年度における大型計算機システムを利用した研究開発の成果を中心に、それを支える利用支援、利用実績、システムの概要等をまとめたものである。

Possible criticality scenario and its mechanism of the Windscale Works criticality accident in 1970 analyzed by computational fluid dynamics and Monte Carlo neutron transport

福田 航大

Annals of Nuclear Energy, 208(1), p.110748_1 - 110748_10, 2024/12

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2024.110748

The Windscale Works criticality accident in 1970 resulted from mixing an aqueous solution with an organic solvent with different plutonium concentrations and densities. Although this accident has been studied using improved computer capabilities in recent years, a precise criticality scenario has not yet been identified. This study aims to clarify a possible criticality scenario of the accident-the time variation of reactivity and its mechanism. The accident was simulated by combining the multiphase computational fluid dynamics solver of OpenFOAM and the delta-tracking-based Monte Carlo neutron transport code Serpent2. Consequently, the periodic uneven arrangement of fluids might have caused oscillations in neutron leakage and absorption, resulting in periodic wavy reactivity changes. Furthermore, the emulsion, which was thought to be the primary cause, might not be the dominant mechanism for reactivity change, although it contributed to the criticality of the accident.

Role of retained austenite and deformation-induced martensite in 0.15C-5Mn steel monitored by neutron diffraction measurement during tensile deformation

山下 享介*; 諸岡 聡; Gong, W.; 川崎 卓郎; Harjo, S.; 北條 智彦*; 興津 貴隆*; 藤井 英俊*

ISIJ International, 64(14), p.2051 - 2060, 2024/12

https://doi.org/10.2355/isijinternational.ISIJINT-2024-196

An Fe-0.15C-5Mn-0.5Si-0.05Nb steel annealed at 660C and 685C showed Lders deformation followed by high work hardening, with variations in Lders strain and hardening behavior. neutron diffraction during tensile tests analyzed phase stresses, strength contributions, and austenite orientation. Deformation-induced martensite contributed 1000 MPa to strength near tensile failure, while austenite mainly enhanced ductility via transformation-induced plasticity. Austenite transformed to martensite during Lders deformation regardless of orientation, though 311-oriented grains tended to remain along the tensile direction.

Evolution of radionuclide transport and retardation processes in uplifting granitic rocks, Part 1; Key processes, conceptual models and scenario

Metcalfe, R.*; 舘 幸男; 笹尾 英嗣; 川間 大介*

Science of the Total Environment, 957, p.177375_1 - 177375_17, 2024/12

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177375

放射性廃棄物の地層処分の安全評価では、将来において地下水を介した放射性核種の移行が岩盤のバリア性能によって遅延されることを示す必要がある。サイトが選定される前の初期段階の安全評価は、特定のサイト条件を考慮しない一般的なものであり、保守的なパラメータ値や簡略化された安全評価モデルに基づくことになる。その後の特定のサイトを対象とした安全評価では、長期的な地質環境の変遷やその放射性核種の移行・遅延への影響を考慮可能な、より現実的なモデルが必要となる。隆起はそのような長期的な地質環境の変遷の一つである。ここでは、日本の既往の研究に基づき、花崗岩の特性が隆起に伴ってどのように変化するかについての知見をレビューする。また、花崗岩の隆起に伴う放射性核種の移行と遅延過程に関する概念モデルと一般的なシナリオを提示し、安全評価を支える現実的な数値モデルの基礎を提示する。

レーザー駆動中性子源を用いた非破壊分析技術の開発

小泉 光生; 伊藤 史哲*; Lee, J.; 弘中 浩太; 高橋 時音; 鈴木 敏*; 有川 安信*; 安部 勇輝*; Wei, T.*; 余語 覚文*; et al.

第45回日本核物質管理学会年次大会会議論文集(インターネット), 4 Pages, 2024/11

Neutron resonance transmission analysis (NRTA) is a non-destructive method applicable for measuring nuclear material using a time-of-flight (TOF) technique with a pulsed neutron source. To realize a high resolution compact NRTA system, use of a short-pulsed neutron source is essential. Laser-driven neutron sources (LDNSs) are well-suit for generating such neutron beams due to their short pulse width. The advances in laser technology will further reduce the system's size and improve practicality. In this study, we demonstrate the measurement of a neutron transmission TOF spectrum of a sample containing indium and silver using the LDNS of the Osaka University. The obtained spectrum was analyzed using the least-square nuclear-resonance fitting program, REFIT, showcasing for the first time the potential of an LDNS for nondestructive areal-density material characterization.

Relationship with JENDL and expectations for possibilities of opening up nuclear data

深堀 智生

JAEA-Conf 2024-002, p.6 - 11, 2024/11

https://doi.org/10.11484/jaea-conf-2024-002

筆者は日本評価核データライブラリーと約38年間にわたり係ってきた。この間、前平衡核反応計算コード(ALICE-F)や粒子・重イオン輸送コードシステム(PHITS)などのコード開発に貢献してきた。また、筆者はEXFOR活動を支援し、評価核データ処理コード(FRENDY)及び多相多成分詳細熱流体解析コード(JUPITER)の開発を推進支援してきた。本稿では著者の核データ活動の概要を紹介する。さらに、核データの将来の形に対する筆者の視点と課題も報告する。

Deformation behavior of ultrafine-grained TRIP steel observed by neutron diffraction

Harjo, S.; Mao, W.*; Gong, W.; 川崎 卓郎

Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Steel Science (ISSS 2024), p.205 - 208, 2024/11

https://doi.org/10.2355/isijisss.2024.0_205

This study aimed to elucidate the effect of grain size on the deformation behavior of TRIP steel. We prepared metastable austenitic Fe-24Ni-0.3C steel samples with average grain sizes of 35 m (coarse grain: CG) and 0.5 m (ultrafine-grain: UFG) for in situ neutron diffraction studies during tensile deformation at room temperature. Our observations revealed increases in dislocation density in both samples prior to DIMT, indicating that plastic deformation precedes DIMT regardless of grain size. In the UFG sample, a significant rise in dislocation density occurred just around the yielding point with minimal increases in macroscopic plastic strain. Additionally, the dislocations exhibited strong dipole arrangements.

令和5年度計算科学技術研究実績評価報告

システム計算科学センター

JAEA-Evaluation 2024-001, 40 Pages, 2024/10

JAEA-Evaluation-2024-001.pdf:1.46MB

システム計算科学センターでは、「国立研究開発法人日本原子力研究開発機構の中長期目標を達成するための計画(中長期計画)」に基づき、原子力分野における計算科学技術研究に関する研究開発を実施してきた。その計算科学技術研究の実績については、計算科学技術研究・評価委員会(以下「委員会」という。)により評価された。本報告は、システム計算科学センターにおいて実施された計算科学技術研究の、令和5年度における業務の実績及びそれらに対する委員会による評価結果をとりまとめたものである。