Study of natural fracture topography in 50cm scale granodiorite rock block including natural fracture intersection measured by precision grinder

Tetsu, Keiichi*; Takayama, Yusuke; Sawada, Atsushi

JAEA-Research 2022-005, 84 Pages, 2022/08

JAEA-Research-2022-005.pdf:10.32MB
JAEA-Research-2022-005-appendix(CD-ROM).zip:35.68MB

Nuclide migration analyses are conducted for the safety assessment in geological disposal system of HLW. Nuclide migration evaluation of fractured host rock mainly uses a model that approximates the fracture with parallel flat plates. However, the actual fractures in the host rock are different from the parallel flat plates, the fractures have complex characteristics such as roughness of fracture surface and the fillings in the fracture. In approximating a fracture model, the methodology development how to set parameter values such as the transmissivity coefficient and the fracture aperture is an issue. One of the issues is to investigate the geometrical features of actual fractures in the host rock. In this study, for the purpose of understanding the geometrical features of fractures including fracture intersection, the internal fracture shape was measured in detail using the method of surface grinding on 50cm scale granodiorite with natural fracture intersection. Thus, the fracture width, fracture aperture, and the shape of the fracture surfaces were obtained. From the obtain data, characteristics such as the average value of the fracture width, the roughness of the fracture surfaces, and the distribution of the fracture aperture were evaluated. As a result, it was confirmed that one of the fractures near the fracture intersection has a particularly large fracture width and fracture aperture as compared with the other part of fractures. Thus, in the granodiorite rock block used in this study, it was inferred that the most permeable path is not the fracture intersection itself, but the particularly large fracture aperture in the vicinity of the fracture intersection.

Thermally altered subsurface material of asteroid (162173) Ryugu

Kitazato, Kohei*; Milliken, R. E.*; Iwata, Takahiro*; Abe, Masanao*; Otake, Makiko*; Matsuura, Shuji*; Takagi, Yasuhiko*; Nakamura, Tomoki*; Hiroi, Takahiro*; Matsuoka, Moe*; et al.

Nature Astronomy (Internet), 5(3), p.246 - 250, 2021/03

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-020-01271-2

Here we report observations of Ryugu's subsurface material by the Near-Infrared Spectrometer (NIRS3) on the Hayabusa2 spacecraft. Reflectance spectra of excavated material exhibit a hydroxyl (OH) absorption feature that is slightly stronger and peak-shifted compared with that observed for the surface, indicating that space weathering and/or radiative heating have caused subtle spectral changes in the uppermost surface. However, the strength and shape of the OH feature still suggests that the subsurface material experienced heating above 300 C, similar to the surface. In contrast, thermophysical modeling indicates that radiative heating does not increase the temperature above 200 C at the estimated excavation depth of 1 m, even if the semimajor axis is reduced to 0.344 au. This supports the hypothesis that primary thermal alteration occurred due to radiogenic and/or impact heating on Ryugu's parent body.

The Surface composition of asteroid 162173 Ryugu from Hayabusa2 near-infrared spectroscopy

Kitazato, Kohei*; Milliken, R. E.*; Iwata, Takahiro*; Abe, Masanao*; Otake, Makiko*; Matsuura, Shuji*; Arai, Takehiko*; Nakauchi, Yusuke*; Nakamura, Tomoki*; Matsuoka, Moe*; et al.

Science, 364(6437), p.272 - 275, 2019/04

https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aav7432

The near-Earth asteroid 162173 Ryugu, the target of Hayabusa2 sample return mission, is believed to be a primitive carbonaceous object. The Near Infrared Spectrometer (NIRS3) on Hayabusa2 acquired reflectance spectra of Ryugu's surface to provide direct measurements of the surface composition and geological context for the returned samples. A weak, narrow absorption feature centered at 2.72 micron was detected across the entire observed surface, indicating that hydroxyl (OH)-bearing minerals are ubiquitous there. The intensity of the OH feature and low albedo are similar to thermally- and/or shock-metamorphosed carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. There are few variations in the OH-band position, consistent with Ryugu being a compositionally homogeneous rubble-pile object generated from impact fragments of an undifferentiated aqueously altered parent body.

Two protonation states and structural features of a bilin reductase PcyA revealed by neutron crystallography

Unno, Masayoshi*; Sugishima, Masakazu*; Wada, Kei*; Hagiwara, Yoshinori*; Kusaka, Katsuhiro*; Tamada, Taro; Fukuyama, Keiichi*

Nihon Kessho Gakkai-Shi, 57(5), p.297 - 303, 2015/10

https://doi.org/10.5940/jcrsj.57.297

Bilin compounds are fundamentally important for oxygenic photosynthetic organisms, because they are utilized as pigments for photosynthesis (phycobilins) and photoreceptors (phytochromobilin). Phycocyanobilin (PCB), a phycobilin, comprises the chromophore of algal phytochromes and the core phycobiliprotein antennae of cyanobacteria and red algae. PCB is biosynthesized by a member of the ferredoxin-dependent bilin reductase family, phycocyanobilin:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PcyA). In the present study, we determined the neutron crystal structure of PcyA in complex with its substrate biliverdin (BV). This neutron structure revealed the protonation state of BV and the surrounding residues. We found that two forms of BV, neutral BV and protonated BVH, were coupled with the two conformation/protonation states of the essential residue Asp105. Further, His88 and His74 near BV were singly protonated and were connected with an intervening hydronium ion. Neutron analysis also revealed how X-ray irradiation of the PcyA-BV crystal altered the structure of the PcyA-BV complex.

Gyrotron development for high-power, long-pulse electron cyclotron heating and current drive at two frequencies in JT-60SA and its extension toward operation at three frequencies

Kobayashi, Takayuki; Moriyama, Shinichi; Yokokura, Kenji; Sawahata, Masayuki; Terakado, Masayuki; Hiranai, Shinichi; Wada, Kenji; Sato, Yoshikatsu; Hinata, Jun; Hoshino, Katsumichi; et al.

Nuclear Fusion, 55(6), p.063008_1 - 063008_8, 2015/06

https://doi.org/10.1088/0029-5515/55/6/063008

A gyrotron enabling high-power, long-pulse oscillations at both 110 GHz and 138 GHz has been developed for electron cyclotron heating (ECH) and current drive (CD) in JT-60SA. Oscillations of 1 MW for 100 s have been demonstrated at both frequencies, for the first time as a gyrotron operating at two frequencies. The optimization of the anode voltage, or the electron pitch factor, using a triode gun was a key to obtain high power and high efficiency at two frequencies. It was also confirmed that the internal losses in the gyrotron were sufficiently low for expected long pulse operation at the higher power level of 1.5 MW. Another important result is that an oscillation at 82 GHz, which enables to use fundamental harmonic waves in JT-60SA while the other two frequencies are used as second harmonics waves, was demonstrated up to 0.4 MW for 2 s. These results of the gyrotron development significantly contribute to enhancing operation regime of the ECH/CD system in JT-60SA.

A Preliminary evaluation of unprotected loss-of-flow accident for a prototype fast-breeder reactor

Suzuki, Toru; Tobita, Yoshiharu; Kawada, Kenichi; Tagami, Hirotaka; Sogabe, Joji; Matsuba, Kenichi; Ito, Kei; Ohshima, Hiroyuki

Nuclear Engineering and Technology, 47(3), p.240 - 252, 2015/04

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.net.2015.03.001

Development of a dual frequency (110/138 GHz) gyrotron for JT-60SA and its extension to an oscillation at 82 GHz

Kobayashi, Takayuki; Moriyama, Shinichi; Isayama, Akihiko; Sawahata, Masayuki; Terakado, Masayuki; Hiranai, Shinichi; Wada, Kenji; Sato, Yoshikatsu; Hinata, Jun; Yokokura, Kenji; et al.

EPJ Web of Conferences, 87, p.04008_1 - 04008_5, 2015/03

https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/20158704008

A dual-frequency gyrotron, which can generate 110 GHz and 138 GHz waves independently, is being developed in JAEA to enable electron cyclotron heating (ECH) and current drive (ECCD) in a wider range of plasma discharge conditions of JT-60SA. Operation for the gyrotron conditioning and parameter optimization toward 1 MW for 100 s, which is the target output power and pulse length for JT-60SA, is in progress without problems. Oscillations of 1 MW for 10 s and 0.51 MW for 198 s were obtained, so far, at both frequencies. In addition, an oscillation (0.3 MW for 20 ms) at 82 GHz was demonstrated as an additional frequency of the dual-frequency gyrotron which shows a possibility of the use of fundamental harmonic wave in JT-60SA.

Development of instrument to measure transmission power density distribution using dielectric disk in millimeter waveguide

Yokokura, Kenji; Moriyama, Shinichi; Kobayashi, Takayuki; Hiranai, Shinichi; Sawahata, Masayuki; Terakado, Masayuki; Hinata, Jun; Wada, Kenji; Sato, Yoshikatsu; Hoshino, Katsumichi; et al.

JAEA-Technology 2014-002, 64 Pages, 2014/03

JAEA-Technology-2014-002.pdf:6.83MB

A new instrument has been developed to measure spatial distribution of power density and total power of the millimeter wave, by measuring temperature rise of dielectric material inserted in the waveguide. For a measurement, a dielectric disk with thermally insulated support is inserted into the few millimeters gap in the waveguide. The disk is heated by the millimeter wave pulse for 0.10.2 s, and immediately after the pulse, it is pulled up and its temperature distribution is measured by an infrared camera to estimate the spatial power density distribution of the millimeter wave. In the other hand, total transmission power is estimated by the disk temperature reached equilibrium. In the measurement test, deformation of the power density distribution was successfully detected when the mirror angle was intentionally changed in the matching optics unit (MOU) at the waveguide input from the gyrotron. The test result shows that the instrument is effective for both adjustment of MOU without opening the vacuum boundary and to detect any abnormal transmission during operation of the ECH system. The test also shows high reliability of the instrument which stands with 1 MW high power transmission without any arcing or pressure rise in vacuum region. The instrument will be contributed to keep good condition of high power long pulse ECH system by detecting abnormal transmission in the waveguide in operation without open vacuum boundary.

Dual frequency ECRF system development for JT-60SA

Kobayashi, Takayuki; Isayama, Akihiko; Sawahata, Masayuki; Suzuki, Sadaaki; Terakado, Masayuki; Hiranai, Shinichi; Wada, Kenji; Sato, Yoshikatsu; Hinata, Jun; Yokokura, Kenji; et al.

Fusion Science and Technology, 63(1T), p.160 - 163, 2013/05

https://doi.org/10.13182/FST13-A16895

A dual frequency electron cyclotron range of frequency system has been developed for JT-60SA, by which a second frequency (135 140 GHz) is generated in addition to the first frequency of 110 GHz. A development of a dual frequency gyrotron is a key to realize the dual frequency system. The second frequency was chosen to be 138 GHz from the above frequency range from the viewpoint of gyrotron design. In order to realize high-power ( 1 MW) and long-pulse operation for both frequencies, we designed main components of the gyrotron (the diamond window, cavity resonator and quasi-optical mode converter). We found the optimum parameter set from the parameters of these components, which has discrete characteristics. It was confirmed that the output power higher than 1 MW is obtained for both frequencies as a result of numerical design. Based on the above design, a dual frequency gyrotron was newly fabricated. In the conditioning operation, an output power was obtained as we expected.

Dual frequency gyrotron development for JT-60SA

Kobayashi, Takayuki; Isayama, Akihiko; Sawahata, Masayuki; Suzuki, Sadaaki; Terakado, Masayuki; Hiranai, Shinichi; Wada, Kenji; Sato, Yoshikatsu; Hinata, Jun; Yokokura, Kenji; et al.

Proceedings of 37th International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves (IRMMW-THz 2012) (USB Flash Drive), 2 Pages, 2012/09

A new dual frequency (110 GHz and 138 GHz) gyrotron development began for JT-60SA. An output power and efficiency higher than 1 MW and 30% with a peak heat load lower than 1.4 kW/cm were obtained for both frequencies in calculation. High mode conversion efficiencies of the quasioptical mode converter (96.8% for 110 GHz and 98.3% for 138 GHz), which is higher than the previously developed 110 GHz long pulse gyrotron (96.5%), was obtained. The new gyrotron was fabricated and conditioning operation has been started from the middle of June 2012. The gyrotron output power of approximately 200 kW was obtained, so far, as we expected in the design of the gyrotron at low beam current of 10 A and low beam voltage of 75 kV.