Utilization of gamma ray irradiation at the WASTEF Facility

Sano, Naruto; Yamashita, Naoki; Watanabe, Masaya; Tsukada, Manabu*; Hoshino, Kazutoyo*; Hirai, Koki; Ikegami, Yuta*; Tashiro, Shinsuke; Yoshida, Ryoichiro; Hatakeyama, Yuichi; et al.

JAEA-Technology 2023-029, 36 Pages, 2024/03

JAEA-Technology-2023-029.pdf:2.47MB

At the Waste Safety Testing Facility (WASTEF), the gamma ray irradiation device "Gamma Cell 220" was relocated from the 4th research building of the Nuclear Science Research Institute in FY2019, and the use of gamma ray irradiation has begun. Initially, Fuel Cycle Safety Research Group, Fuel Cycle Safety Research Division, Nuclear Safety Research Center, Sector of Nuclear Safety Research and Emergency Preparedness, the owner of this device, conducted the tests as the main user, but since 2022, other users, including those outside the organization, have started using it. The gamma ray irradiation device "Gamma Cell 220" is manufactured by Nordion International Inc. in Canada. Since it was purchased in 1989, the built-in 60Co radiation source has been updated once, and safety research related to nuclear fuel cycles, etc. It is still used for this purpose to this day. This report summarizes the equipment overview of the gamma ray irradiation device "Gamma Cell 220", its permits and licenses at WASTEF, usage status, maintenance and inspection, and future prospects.

Intercalative and non-intercalative photo-recharge using all-solid-state cells for solar energy conversion and storage

Yoshimoto, Masataka*; Tamura, Kazuhisa; Watanabe, Kenta*; Shimizu, Keisuke*; Horisawa, Yuhei*; Kobayashi, Takeshi*; Tsurita, Hanae*; Suzuki, Kota*; Kanno, Ryoji*; Hirayama, Masaaki*

Sustainable Energy & Fuels (Internet), 8(6), p.1236 - 1244, 2024/03

https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SE01636F

Photo-rechargeable systems, which can efficiently convert and store solar energy into chemical energy within single devices, are essential to harness sunlight effectively. Photo-(de)intercalation plays a pivotal role in the functionality of photorechargeable systems. Nevertheless, the photo-(de)intercalation process has not been conclusively confirmed owing to potential interference from side reactions, such as the decomposition of liquid electrolytes and the elution of electrode materials. In this study, we successfully demonstrated photo-responsive Li-deintercalation using an all-solid-state thin-film battery comprised of epitaxially-grown anatase TiO doped with Nb (a-TiO:Nb) as the cathode. Under light irradiation, Li-deintercalation occurred and was subsequently reversibly intercalated into a-TiO:Nb during discharge.

Annual report for research on geosphere stability for long-term isolation of radioactive waste in fiscal year 2022

Niwa, Masakazu; Shimada, Koji; Sueoka, Shigeru; Ishihara, Takanori; Ogawa, Hiroki; Hakoiwa, Hiroaki; Watanabe, Tsuyoshi; Nishiyama, Nariaki; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Ogata, Manabu; et al.

JAEA-Research 2023-005, 78 Pages, 2023/10

JAEA-Research-2023-005.pdf:6.51MB

This annual report documents the progress of research and development (R&D) in the 1st fiscal year of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency 4th Medium- and Long-term Plan (fiscal years 2022-2028) to provide the scientific base for assessing geosphere stability for long-term isolation of high-level radioactive waste. The plan framework is structured into the following categories: (1) Development and systematization of investigation techniques, (2) Development of models for long-term estimation and effective assessment, (3) Development of dating techniques. The current status of R&D activities with previous scientific and technological progress is summarized.

LA-ICPMS U-Pb dating of zircon in paleotsunami deposits from Miyazaki plain, southwest Japan

Watanabe, Takahiro; Kagami, Saya; Yokoyama, Tatsunori; Niwa, Masakazu

Chigaku Zasshi, 132(4), p.353 - 361, 2023/08

https://doi.org/10.5026/jgeography.132.353

U-Pb dating of detrital zircons in paleotsunami deposits from the 1662 CE Kanbun-Hyuganada sea earthquake, Miyazaki plain on the Pacific coast of southwest Japan, was performed by a laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) system at Tono Geoscience Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency. Twenty-five zircon grains were separated from the paleotsunami deposits by chemical abrasion and analyzed by the LA-ICPMS. U-Pb ages of the detrital zircons showed from ca. 14 Ma to 2405 Ma, and the age spectrum revealed high relative probability values around ca. 100 Ma and 2000 Ma. Detrital zircons with the age of ca. 100 Ma in the 1662 CE paleotsunami deposits could be partly originated from the Shimanto supergroup in southwest Japan. Moreover, the age spectrum of detrital zircons with Precambrian grains from the paleotsunami deposits was similar with those of fore-arc sandstones from central Kyushu Island.

Status report of JAEA-AMS-TONO; Research and technical development in the last four years

Kokubu, Yoko; Fujita, Natsuko; Watanabe, Takahiro; Matsubara, Akihiro; Ishizaka, Chika; Miyake, Masayasu*; Nishio, Tomohiro*; Kato, Motohisa*; Ogawa, Yumi*; Ishii, Masahiro*; et al.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B, 539, p.68 - 72, 2023/06

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2023.03.005

The JAEA-AMS-TONO facility at the Tono Geoscience Center, JAEA has an accelerator mass spectrometer (JAEA-AMS-TONO-5MV). The spectrometer enabled us to use a multi-nuclide AMS of carbon-14 (C), beryllium-10, aluminium-26 and iodine-129, and we have recently been proceeding test measurement of chlorine-36. In response to an increase of samples, we installed a state-of-the-art multi-nuclide AMS with a 300 kV Tandetron accelerator in 2020. Recently, we are driving the development of techniques of isobar separation in AMS and of sample preparation. Ion channeling is applied to remove isobaric interference and we are building a prototype AMS based on this technique for downsizing of AMS. The small sample graphitization for C has been attempted using an automated graphitization equipment equipped with an elemental analyzer.

Demonstration of a kicker impedance reduction scheme with diode stack and resistors by operating the 3-GeV rapid cycling synchrotron of the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex

Shobuda, Yoshihiro; Harada, Hiroyuki; Saha, P. K.; Takayanagi, Tomohiro; Tamura, Fumihiko; Togashi, Tomohito; Watanabe, Yasuhiro; Yamamoto, Kazami; Yamamoto, Masanobu

Physical Review Accelerators and Beams (Internet), 26(5), p.053501_1 - 053501_45, 2023/05

https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevAccelBeams.26.053501

At the Rapid Cycling Synchrotron (RCS) in Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC), theoretical predictions have indicated that the kicker-impedance would excite the beam-instability. A 1 MW beam with large emittance can be delivered to the Material and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) through suppression of the beam instabilities by choosing the appropriate machine parameters. However, we require other high-intensity and high-quality smaller emittance beams (than the 1 MW beam) for the Main Ring (MR). Hence, we proposed a scheme for suppressing the kicker-impedance by using prototype diodes and resistors, thereby demonstrating the effect on the kicker impedance reduction. However, the J-PARC RCS must be operated with a repetition rate of 25 Hz, which urged us to consider special diodes that are tolerant to heating. After developments, we have demonstrated that the special diodes with resistors can suppress the beam instability by reducing the kicker impedance. Enhanced durability of the prototype diodes and resistors for the 25 Hz operation was also realized. Moreover, the new diodes and the resistors have negligible effect on the extracted beam from the RCS. From a simulation point of view, the scheme can be employed for at least 5 MW beam operation within the stipulated specifications.

The Report on "study meetings about the ICRP Internal Dosimetry"

Nakajima, Junya; Hirota, Seiko*; Tsuji, Tomoya; Watanabe, Yuki; Sakoda, Akihiro; Kobayashi, Noriko*

Hoken Butsuri (Internet), 58(1), p.13 - 20, 2023/04

https://doi.org/10.5453/jhps.58.13

no abstracts in English

Phase analysis of simulated nuclear fuel debris synthesized using UO, Zr, and stainless steel and leaching behavior of the fission products and matrix elements

Tonna, Ryutaro*; Sasaki, Takayuki*; Kodama, Yuji*; Kobayashi, Taishi*; Akiyama, Daisuke*; Kirishima, Akira*; Sato, Nobuaki*; Kumagai, Yuta; Kusaka, Ryoji; Watanabe, Masayuki

Nuclear Engineering and Technology, 55(4), p.1300 - 1309, 2023/04

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.net.2022.12.017

Simulated debris was synthesized using UO, Zr, and stainless steel and a heat treatment method under inert or oxidizing conditions. The primary U solid phase of the debris synthesized at 1473 K under inert conditions was UO, whereas a (U,Zr)O solid solution formed at 1873 K. Under oxidizing conditions, a mixture of UO and (Fe,Cr)UO phases formed at 1473 K whereas a (U,Zr)O solid solution formed at 1873 K. The leaching behavior of the fission products from the simulated debris was evaluated using two methods: the irradiation method, for which fission products were produced via neutron irradiation, and the doping method, for which trace amounts of non-radioactive elements were doped into the debris. The dissolution behavior of U depended on the properties of the debris and aqueous medium the debris was immersed in. Cs, Sr, and Ba leached out regardless of the primary solid phases. The leaching of high-valence Eu and Ru ions was suppressed, possibly owing to their solid-solution reaction with or incorporation into the uranium compounds of the simulated debris.

Present status of the JAEA-AMS-TONO (2021)

Matsubara, Akihiro*; Fujita, Natsuko; Miyake, Masayasu; Ishii, Masahiro*; Watanabe, Takahiro; Kokubu, Yoko; Nishio, Tomohiro*; Ogawa, Yumi; Jinno, Satoshi; Kimura, Kenji; et al.

JAEA-Conf 2022-002, p.55 - 62, 2023/03

https://doi.org/10.11484/jaea-conf-2022-002

We report the present status of the JAEA-AMS-TONO. Particularly, the destructions of varistors used in the beamline equipment will be presented. The cause of the destruction as well as implementation of the safety measures are mentioned.

Materials science and fuel technologies of uranium and plutonium mixed oxide

Kato, Masato; Machida, Masahiko; Hirooka, Shun; Nakamichi, Shinya; Ikusawa, Yoshihisa; Nakamura, Hiroki; Kobayashi, Keita; Ozawa, Takayuki; Maeda, Koji; Sasaki, Shinji; et al.

Materials Science and Fuel Technologies of Uranium and Plutonium mixed Oxide, 171 Pages, 2022/10

https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003298205

Innovative and advanced nuclear reactors using plutonium fuel has been developed in each country. In order to develop a new nuclear fuel, irradiation tests are indispensable, and it is necessary to demonstrate the performance and safety of nuclear fuels. If we can develop a technology that accurately simulates irradiation behavior as a technology that complements the irradiation test, the cost, time, and labor involved in nuclear fuel research and development will be greatly reduced. And safety and reliability can be significantly improved through simulation of nuclear fuel irradiation behavior. In order to evaluate the performance of nuclear fuel, it is necessary to know the physical and chemical properties of the fuel at high temperatures. And it is indispensable to develop a behavior model that describes various phenomena that occur during irradiation. In previous research and development, empirical methods with fitting parameters have been used in many parts of model development. However, empirical techniques can give very different results in areas where there is no data. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to construct a scientific descriptive model that can extrapolate the basic characteristics of fuel to the composition and temperature, and to develop an irradiation behavior analysis code to which the model is applied.