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Oizumi, Akito; Akie, Hiroshi
JAEA-Technology 2023-017, 93 Pages, 2023/12
After the decision of decommissioning JMTR (Japan Materials Testing Reactor), Japan Atomic Energy Agency investigated the possibility to construct a new irradiation test reactor to succeed JMTR (post-JMTR), and the final report of the investigated result was submitted to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on March 30th 2021. This investigation was carried out in 4 steps of (1) selection of reactor type, (2) reactor core plans studies, (3) neutronic studies, (4) thermal studies, and was finally (5) considered and evaluated. This JAEA-Technology report summarizes the process and the results of (3) neutronic studies. Neutron fluxes were calculated at irradiation sample positions in the investigated cores, the standard core and the compact core, and the calculated fluxes satisfied the required irradiation capability. It was also evaluated the two investigated cores' continuous reactor operation time in days in one refueling cycle, and the results guaranteed an operation days equality with that of existing JMTR. In addition, neutronic characteristics of the cores were estimated, such as power distribution in the core, control rod reactivity worth, reactivity coefficients, distribution of fuel burnup rate of each fuel element, and kinetics parameters. The evaluated neutronic characteristics were used in the post-JMTR final investigation report to confirm the neutronic feasibility by comparing with the neutronic limiting values of existing JMTR, and to estimate the cooling capability to make the core thermally feasible.
Ho, H. Q.; Ishitsuka, Etsuo; Iigaki, Kazuhiko
Recent Contributions to Physics, 82(3), p.16 - 20, 2022/09
Nakamura, Shoji; Shibahara, Yuji*; Endo, Shunsuke; Kimura, Atsushi
Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 58(10), p.1061 - 1070, 2021/10
Times Cited Count:6 Percentile:63.12(Nuclear Science & Technology)In a well-thermalized neutron field, it is principally possible to drive a thermal-neutron capture cross-section without considering an epithermal neutron component. This was demonstrated by a neutron activation method using the graphite thermal column (TC-Pn) of the Kyoto University Research Reactor. First, in order to confirm that the graphite thermal column was a well-thermalized neutron field, neutron irradiation was performed with neutron flux monitors: Au, Co, Sc, Cu, and Mo. The TC-Pn was confirmed to be extremely thermalized on the basis of Westcott's convention, because the thermal-neutron flux component took a constant value regardless of the sensitivity of each flux monitor to epithermal neutrons. Next, as a demonstration, the thermal-neutron capture cross section of Ta(n,)Ta reaction was measured using the graphite thermal column, and then derived to be 20.50.4 barn, which supported the evaluated value of 20.40.3 barn. The Ta nuclide could be useful as a flux monitor that complements the sensitivity between Au and Mo monitors.
Maeda, Makoto; Komeda, Masao; Tobita, Hiroshi; Ozu, Akira; Kureta, Masatoshi; Bogucarska, T.*; Crochemore, J. M.*; Varasano, G.*; Pedersen, B.*
Dai-37-Kai Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai Nihon Shibu Nenji Taikai Rombunshu (CD-ROM), 7 Pages, 2017/02
JAEA and EC/JRC are carrying out collaborative research to develop NDA techniques that can be utilized for quantification of high radioactive special nuclear materials such as spent fuel and next generation minor actinide fuels. In the research, reliability of neutron transport codes is important because it is utilized for design and development of a demonstration system of next-generation Differential Die-away (DDA) technique in JAEA. In order to evaluate the reliability, actual neutron flux distribution in a sample cavity was examined in PUNITA device using JRC type DDA technique and JAWAS-T device using JAEA type DDA technique, and then the measurement results were compared with the simulation results obtained by the neutron transport codes. The neutron flux distribution in the target matrix was also examined in the PUNITA and compared with the simulation results. We report on the measurement and simulation results of the neutron flux distribution and evaluation results of the reliability of the neutron transport codes.
Maeda, Makoto; Komeda, Masao; Ozu, Akira; Kureta, Masatoshi; Toh, Yosuke; Bogucarska, T.*; Crochemore, J. M.*; Varasano, G.*; Pedersen, B.*
EUR-28795-EN (Internet), p.694 - 701, 2017/00
Maeda, Makoto; Komeda, Masao; Tobita, Hiroshi; Ozu, Akira; Kureta, Masatoshi; Bogucarska, T.*; Crochemore, J. M.*; Varasano, G.*; Pedersen, B.*
Proceedings of INMM 57th Annual Meeting (Internet), 9 Pages, 2016/07
The JAEA and EC/JRC have started collaborative research to develop a technique that can be utilized for quantification of high radioactive special nuclear materials such as next generation minor actinide fuels. In the study of a Differential Die-Away (DDA) technique, which is one of the techniques to be improved in the collaborative research, JRC type and JAEA type DDA techniques are compared. In the JRC type DDA technique, large amount of thermal neutron is generated using D-T neutron generator and graphite moderator to accomplish high detection sensitivity for small amount of fissile material. On the other hand, in JAEA type, relatively hard neutron spectrum and moderation of neutron in the target matrix are utilized to minimize position dependence of detection efficiency. Estimation of the neutron field is important to evaluate the performance of the system in DDA technique. The purpose of this study is to validate simulation results by experimental results and evaluate neutron flux distribution in the system by the simulation and the experiment. In this paper, we present the evaluation results of the neutron flux distributions in PUNITA which utilizes JRC type DDA technique and JAWAS-T which utilizes JAEA type DDA technique obtained by Monte Carlo simulation and activation method.
Kojima, Kensuke; Okumura, Keisuke; Kosako, Kazuaki*; Torii, Kazutaka*
JAEA-Research 2015-019, 90 Pages, 2016/01
At the decommissioning of light water reactors (LWRs), it is important to evaluate an amount of radioactivity in the ex-core structures such as a reactor containment vessel, radiation shieldings, and so on. It is thought that the leakage neutron spectra in these radioactivation regions, which strongly affect the induced radioactivity, would be changed by different reactor core configurations such as fuel assembly loading pattern and fuel burnups. This study was intended to evaluate these effects. For the purpose, firstly, partial neutron currents on the core surfaces were calculated for some core configurations. Then, the leakage neutron flux spectra in major radioactivation regions were calculated based on the provided currents. Finally, influence of the core configurations upon the neutron flux spectra was evaluated. As a result, it has been found that the influence is small on the spectrum shapes of neutron fluxes. However, it is necessary to pay attention to the facts that intensities of the leakage neutron fluxes are changed by the configurations and that intensities and spectrum shapes of the leakage neutron fluxes are changed depending on the angular direction around the core.
Kai, Tetsuya; Harada, Masahide; Teshigawara, Makoto; Watanabe, Noboru; Kiyanagi, Yoshiaki*; Ikeda, Yujiro
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, 550(1-2), p.329 - 342, 2005/09
Times Cited Count:19 Percentile:74.36(Instruments & Instrumentation)Neutronic study was performed on coupled hydrogen moderators to maximize time-integrated and pulse-peak intensities of slow neutrons when a large number of beams was required. The total increased with the number of beams, although the average decreased due to a reflector-missing by the beam extraction holes in the reflector. At a large beam extraction angle (25 degree), the spatial distribution of the vector-flux of neutrons was undesirable for a rectangular shape moderator. As an alternative we proposed a cylindrical shape one, resulting in a much improved spatial distribution. In addition, neutronic performance was calculated as a function of the diameter, indicating the optimal diameter was about 140 mm. The cylindrical one gave higher pulse-peak intensities with narrower pulse widths without penalty in time-integrated intensities and pulse decay characteristics, providing a more uniform angle-dependence. Some explanations are given for the difference in the pulse characteristics between the two. We decided to adopt the cylindrical one for the Japanese spallation neutron source.
Fujimoto, Nozomu; Yamashita, Kiyonobu*; Nojiri, Naoki; Takeuchi, Mitsuo; Fujisaki, Shingo; Nakano, Masaaki*
Nuclear Science and Engineering, 150(3), p.310 - 321, 2005/07
Times Cited Count:6 Percentile:39.99(Nuclear Science & Technology)Annular cores were formed in startup-core-physics tests of the High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) to obtain experimental data for verification of calculation codes. The first criticality, control rod positions at critical conditions, neutron flux distribution, excess reactivity etc. were measured as representative data. These data were evaluated with Monte Carlo code MVP that can consider the heterogeneity of coated fuel particles (CFP) distributed randomly in fuel compacts directly. It was made clear that the heterogeneity effect of CFP on reactivity for annular cores is smaller than that for fully-loaded cores. Measured and calculated effective multiplication factors (k) were agreed with differences less than 1%k. Measured neutron flux distributions agreed with calculated results. The revising method was applied for evaluation of excess reactivity to exclude negative shadowing effect of control rods. The revised and calculated excess reactivity agreed with differences less than 1%k/k.
Nojiri, Naoki; Shimakawa, Satoshi; Fujimoto, Nozomu; Goto, Minoru
Nuclear Engineering and Design, 233(1-3), p.283 - 290, 2004/10
Times Cited Count:12 Percentile:60.98(Nuclear Science & Technology)This paper describes the results of core physics test in start-up and power-up of the HTTR. The tests were conducted in order to ensure performance and safety of the high temperature gas cooled reactor, and was carried out to measure the critical approach, the excess reactivity, the shutdown margin, the control rod worth, the reactivity coefficient, the neutron flux distribution and the power distribution. The expected core performance and the required reactor safety characteristics were verified from the results of measurements and calculations.
Nishitani, Takeo; Ochiai, Kentaro; Yoshida, Shigeo*; Tanaka, Ryohei*; Wakisaka, Masashi*; Nakao, Makoto*; Sato, Satoshi; Yamauchi, Michinori*; Hori, Junichi; Wada, Masayuki*; et al.
Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 41(Suppl.4), p.58 - 61, 2004/03
no abstracts in English
Nemoto, Yoshiyuki; Hasegawa, Akira*; Sato, Manabu*; Abe, Katsunori*; Hiraoka, Yutaka*
Journal of Nuclear Materials, 324(1), p.62 - 70, 2004/01
Times Cited Count:45 Percentile:92.29(Materials Science, Multidisciplinary)In this study, stress-relieved specimens and recrystallized specimens of pure Mo and Mo-Re alloys (Re content=2,4,5,10,13 and 41wt%) were neutron irradiated up to 20dpa at various temperatures (681-1072K). On microstructure observation, sigma phase and chi phase precipitates were observed in all irradiated Mo-Re alloys. Voids were observed in all irradiated specimen, and dislocation loops and dislocations were observed in the specimens that were irradiated at lower temperatures. On Vickers hardness testing, all of the irradiated specimens showed hardening. Especially Mo-41Re were drastically embrittled after irradiation at 874K or less. From these results, authors discuss about relation between microstructure development and radiation hardening, embrittlement, and propose the most efficient Re content and thermal treatment for Mo-Re alloys to be used under irradiation condition.
Akiba, Masato; Ishitsuka, Etsuo; Enoeda, Mikio; Nishitani, Takeo; Konishi, Satoshi
Purazuma, Kaku Yugo Gakkai-Shi, 79(9), p.929 - 934, 2003/09
no abstracts in English
Murazaki, Minoru; Uno, Yuichi; Miyoshi, Yoshinori
JAERI-Tech 2003-029, 107 Pages, 2003/03
We have measured neutron flux distribution around the core tank of STACY heterogeneous core by position sensitive proportional counter (PSPC) to develop the method to measure reactivity for subcritical systems. The neutron flux distribution data in the position accuracy of 13mm have been obtained in the range of uranium concentration of 50g/L to 210g/L both in critical and in subcritical state. The prompt neutron decay constant, , was evaluated from the measurement data of pulsed neutron source experiments. We also calculated distribution of neutron flux and He reaction rates at the location of PSPC by using continuous energy Monte Carlo code MCNP. The measurement data was compared with the calculation results. As results of comparison, calculated values agreed generally with measurement data of PSPC with Cd cover in the region above half of solution height, but the difference between calculated value and measurement data was large in the region below half of solution height. On the other hand, calculated value agreed well with measurement data of PSPC without Cd cover.
Nagao, Yoshiharu; Itabashi, Yukio; Komori, Yoshihiro; Niimi, Motoji; Fujiki, Kazuo
KAERI/GP-195/2002, p.49 - 55, 2002/00
An improved analysis procedure has been introduced to evaluate irradiation field at each specimen in the irradiation capsule by using the MCNP code, which is able to model the complicated structure of the capsule directly. As the verification results, it was confirmed that the calculated fast and thermal neutron flux/fluence were agreed with measured ones within 10% and 30%, respectively, for the irradiation tests in the JMTR. Concerning gamma dose/spectrum, it was confirmed that the calculated temperature was evaluated within -3+14% using gamma heating obtained by MCNP calculations. The evaluations of neutron flux/fluence and specimens temperature with high accuracy are therefore possible in the irradiation test of the JMTR.
Nagao, Yoshiharu; Takemoto, Noriyuki; Takeda, Takashi
JAERI-Tech 2001-069, 83 Pages, 2001/10
no abstracts in English
Sukegawa, Takenori; Hatakeyama, Mutsuo; Yanagihara, Satoshi
JAERI-Tech 2001-058, 81 Pages, 2001/09
In general, neutron transport and activation calculation codes are used for residual radioactive inventory estimation; however, it is essential to verify calculations by measurement results because of geometrical complexity of the reactor and so on. The comparison between measured and calculated radioactivity in the JPDR core components showed a relatively good agreement (factor of 2), and it was cleared that water content and weight ratio of steel bars to concrete materials significantly influenced the neutron flux distribution in the biological shield (factor of 2-10 error). The measured radioactivity inside of the reactor pressure vessel wall and at the inner part of the biological shield was compared in detail with the calculations to verify the methodology applied to calculations of radioisotope production. Then it was found that the radioactive inventory could be estimated accurately with combination of calculations and measurement of radioactivity in samples and dose rate distribution for planning of dismantling activities.
Yamamoto, Kazuyoshi; Kumada, Hiroaki; Torii, Yoshiya; Kishi, Toshiaki; Horiguchi, Yoji
JAERI-Tech 2001-015, 43 Pages, 2001/03
no abstracts in English
Kawabata, Yuji*; Ebisawa, Toru*; Tasaki, Seiji*; Suzuki, Masatoshi; Soyama, Kazuhiko
JAERI-Research 2000-019, p.20 - 0, 2000/03
no abstracts in English
Sukegawa, Takenori; Hatakeyama, Mutsuo; Yanagihara, Satoshi
Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 37(Suppl.1), p.367 - 371, 2000/03
no abstracts in English