Applicability confirmation experiment of DDSI method for quantification of plutonium in fuel debris

Mitsuboshi, Natsumi; Nagatani, Taketeru; Kosuge, Yoshihiro*; Suzuki, Risa; Okada, Toyofumi

Dai-44-Kai Nihon Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai Nenji Taikai Kaigi Rombunshu (Internet), 4 Pages, 2023/11

This paper reports the applicability confirmation experiment of DDSI method for quantification of plutonium in fuel debris. We conducted passive neutron measurement for the samples which consist of un-irradiated MOX sample, Cf-252 neutron source, and B-10 neutron absorber to simulate the fuel debris. It was revealed that DDSI method has enough capability to evaluate the leakage multiplication of the sample with unknown amounts of fissile material and neutron absorbers.

Development of a method for the determination of plutonium in fuel debris by dual times neutron measurements

Nagatani, Taketeru; Sagara, Hiroshi*; Kosuge, Yoshihiro*; Nakaguki, Sho; Nomi, Takayoshi; Okumura, Keisuke

Dai-43-Kai Nihon Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai Nenji Taikai Kaigi Rombunshu (Internet), 3 Pages, 2022/11

Characterization study of four candidate technologies for nuclear material quantification in fuel debris at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

Nagatani, Taketeru; Komeda, Masao; Shiba, Tomooki; Nauchi, Yasushi*; Maeda, Makoto; Sagara, Hiroshi*; Kosuge, Yoshihiro*; Kureta, Masatoshi; Tomikawa, Hirofumi; Okumura, Keisuke; et al.

Energy Procedia, 131, p.258 - 263, 2017/12

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.09.447

Study on improving measurement accuracy of Epithermal Neutron Measurement Multiplicity Counter (ENMC)

Nomi, Takayoshi; Kawakubo, Yoko; Nagatani, Taketeru; Shiromo, Hideo; Asano, Takashi; Menlove, H. O.*; Swinhoe, M. T.*; Browne, M. C.*

Proceedings of INMM 57th Annual Meeting (Internet), 9 Pages, 2016/07

Experimental studies of passive neutron measurement for fuel debris at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants

Nagatani, Taketeru; Shirato, Atsuhiko*; Kosuge, Yoshihiro*; Sato, Takashi*; Kawakubo, Yoko; Shiromo, Hideo; Asano, Takashi

Proceedings of INMM 56th Annual Meeting (Internet), 10 Pages, 2015/07

As one of the candidate material accountancy technologies for the fuel debris at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants (1F), we propose the application of a passive neutron technique. The applicability of the new concept to the fuel debris at 1F was evaluated by simulation and the results were presented at the last INMM annual meeting. As the next phase, we conducted experimental tests to confirm the validity of the simulation results. Because actual fuel debris or irradiated fuel cannot be handled at our facility due to a licensing limitation, un-irradiated MOX samples, neutron absorbers and Cf-252 sources were utilized as the best available material to imitate the property of the fuel debris and various configurations were measured using an Epithermal Neutron Multiplicity Counter. The fissile mass in the samples, neutron absorber mass surrounding the samples and intensity of Cf-252 source were varied to confirm the correlation between DDSI response and the leakage multiplication. Test results agreed well with the trend of the simulation results. This indicates that DDSI has sufficient capability to evaluate the leakage multiplication of a sample which includes an unknown amount of fissile material and neutron absorber such as the fuel debris at 1F. This paper provides experimental studies of passive neutron measurement based on the combination of DDSI technique and coincidence counting for fuel debris at 1F.

Monte Carlo N-Particle eXtended (MCNPX) simulation for passive neutron measurement of fuel debris at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants

Nagatani, Taketeru; Nakajima, Shinji; Kosuge, Yoshihiro*; Shiromo, Hideo; Asano, Takashi

Proceedings of INMM 55th Annual Meeting (Internet), 10 Pages, 2014/07

Meltdown of the reactor cores of Units 1-3 occurred at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants (1F). Fuel debris at 1F contains minor actinides and fission products and neutron absorber. These materials make it difficult to quantify fertile nuclear materials in fuel debris by the conventional passive neutron technique. We consider that DDSI and PNAR which focused on fissile material are promising techniques to quantify the nuclear materials in the fuel debris. A concept of application of these techniques to fuel debris measurement was investigated and presented at the last INMM annual meeting. In order to evaluate the applicability of these techniques to fuel debris measurement, we investigated the neutron behavior in the fuel debris by using MCNPX simulation code. Because property of fuel debris is not clear, source term data used were prepared by referring TMI data. This paper provides results of MCNPX simulation for fuel debris measurement at 1F with passive neutron techniques.

Performance test results of the Advanced Verification for Inventory Sample System (AVIS), 2

Nakajima, Shinji; Nagatani, Taketeru; Asano, Takashi; Kawasue, Akane*; Iso, Shoko*; Kumakura, Shinichi*; Watanabe, Takehito*; Marlow, J. B.*; Swinhoe, M. T.*; Menlove, H. O.*; et al.

Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai (INMM) Nihon Shibu Dai-34-Kai Nenji Taikai Rombunshu (Internet), 9 Pages, 2013/10

The Advanced Verification for Inventory Sample System (AVIS) is a nondestructive assay (NDA) system in order to verify the plutonium mass in the small MOX samples at Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited (JNFL) MOX fuel fabrication plant (J-MOX) under construction. The AVIS is required the high measurement performance because the AVIS will be used as a verification tool to substitute destructive analysis for a part of the samples which needs the bias defect verification. Therefore, the AVIS will fulfill an important role in the safeguards approach for J-MOX. Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) conducted the performance test of the AVIS under the contract with NMCC. As the results of these tests, we confirmed that the AVIS could almost satisfy the required performance by IAEA.

Performance test results of the advanced verification for inventory sample system (AVIS)

Nakajima, Shinji; Nagatani, Taketeru; Asano, Takashi; Marlow, J. B.*; Swinhoe, M. T.*; Menlove, H. O.*; Rael, C. D.*; Kawasue, Akane*; Iso, Shoko*; Kumakura, Shinichi*; et al.

Proceedings of INMM 54th Annual Meeting (CD-ROM), 10 Pages, 2013/07

The advanced verification inventory system (AVIS) is a nondestructive assay (NDA) system developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) to measure small samples of bulk plutonium and uranium mixed oxide (MOX) powder and pellets at the Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited (JNFL) mixed oxide fuel fabrication plant (J-MOX). In order to mitigate the workload on the Rokkasho On-Site Laboratory (OSL), it is intended that the AVIS measurement will be substituted for a part of the Destructive Assay (DA) for J-MOX. Based on the commission from Office for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Safeguards (JSGO) of Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and Nuclear Material Control Center (NMCC), Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has conducted the performance test of the AVIS in order to confirm the system performance before installation at the J-MOX site. The performance test consists of two phases. In the phase 1 test, detector parameters such as detector efficiency and die-away time were evaluated by using a californium-252 neutron source. These results agreed well with design value and were reported at the 53rd INMM annual meeting. JAEA conducted the phase 2 test by using MOX materials in order to evaluate the total measurement uncertainty (TMU). In the test, influence of sample density, plutonium concentration and organic additives in samples were also evaluated. Consequently, it is expected that AVIS can achieve the target TMU of 0.5% required in user requirement of IAEA by optimizing measurement condition and by using well-characterized standards. This paper provides a summary of the results of comprehensive performance test of AVIS.

Experience on implementation of the Integrated Safeguards approach for the MOX facility from the operator's point of view

Nomi, Takayoshi; Nagatani, Taketeru; Ninagawa, Junichi; Nakajima, Shinji; Maruyama, Hajime; Asano, Takashi; Fujiwara, Shigeo

Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai (INMM) Nihon Shibu Dai-32-Kai Nenji Taikai Rombunshu (Internet), 8 Pages, 2011/11

The IS approach for the JNC-1 site was implemented in August 2008, and this was the first experience in the world. This IS approach aimed not only to improve efficiency and effectiveness of safeguards but also to reduce burden of the plant operation by improvement of efficiency of the inspection activity. It was planned to review effectiveness of this new approach after three years from implementation. And JAEA also evaluated effects by application of the IS approach for two MOX fuel facilities in the JNC-1 site based on the three years experiences from the operator's view point. As the result of evaluation, it was confirmed that there were some difference of benefits by application of the IS approach depending on features of the facility, automation level of equipment and advance level of safeguards systems.

Evaluation of application effect of the integrated safeguards approach for MOX fuel fabrication facilities from the operator's viewpoint

Ninagawa, Junichi; Asano, Takashi; Nagatani, Taketeru; Nakajima, Shinji; Nomi, Takayoshi; Fujiwara, Shigeo

Proceedings of INMM 52nd Annual Meeting (CD-ROM), 8 Pages, 2011/07

Japan was transferred to the Integrated Safeguards (IS) scheme in September 2004. The IS approach for JNC-1 site, including PFPF, was developed to improve the efficiency of safeguards while maintaining the effectiveness and has been implemented since August 2008. JAEA has evaluated the validity of the IS approach for PFPF based on the historical performance over about three-year period. As the result of evaluation, JAEA confirmed the improvement of efficiency of inspection activities and the reduction of the impact of inspection activities on plant operation. On the other hand, the IAEA has also evaluated the validity of IS approach and considered to modify based on the result of its evaluation. In order to maintain or improve the validity of the IS approach, JAEA thinks that it will be necessary to work very closely and honestly with the inspectorate to address this modification process.