Cross-section-induced uncertainty evaluation of MA sample irradiation test calculations with consideration of dosimeter data

Sugino, Kazuteru; Numata, Kazuyuki*; Ishikawa, Makoto; Takeda, Toshikazu*

Annals of Nuclear Energy, 130, p.118 - 123, 2019/08

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2019.02.035

In MA sample irradiation test data calculations, the neutron fluence during irradiation period is generally scaled by using dosimetry data in order to improve calculation accuracy. In such a case, appropriate correction is required to burnup sensitivity coefficients obtained by the conventional generalized perturbation theory because some cancellations occur in the burnup sensitivity coefficients. Therefore, a new formula for the burnup sensitivity coefficient has been derived with the consideration of the neutron fluence scaling effect (NFS). In addition, the cross-section-induced uncertainty is evaluated by using the obtained burnup sensitivity coefficients and the covariance data based on the JENDL-4.0.

Prototype fast breeder reactor Monju; Its history and achievements

Tsuruga Comprehensive Research and Development Center

JAEA-Technology 2019-007, 159 Pages, 2019/07

JAEA-Technology-2019-007.pdf:19.09MB
JAEA-Technology-2019-007-high-resolution1.pdf:42.36MB
JAEA-Technology-2019-007-high-resolution2.pdf:33.56MB
JAEA-Technology-2019-007-high-resolution3.pdf:38.14MB
JAEA-Technology-2019-007-high-resolution4.pdf:48.82MB
JAEA-Technology-2019-007-high-resolution5.pdf:37.61MB

This report summarizes the history and achievements of the prototype fast breeder reactor Monju. The development of Monju started in 1968 as a prototype reactor following the experimental fast reactor Joyo. The development covers all the activity related to the fast reactor; plant design, mockup tests, construction, operation, and plant management. This report summarizes the history and achievements for 11 technical areas: history and principal achievements, design and construction, operation test, plant safety, core physics, fuel, plant system, sodium technology, materials and mechanical design, plant management, and trouble management.

Ion beam induced luminescence of complexes formed in adsorbent for MA recovery process

Watanabe, So; Katai, Yuya*; Matsuura, Haruaki*; Kada, Wataru*; Koka, Masashi*; Sato, Takahiro*; Arai, Tsuyoshi*

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B, 450, p.61 - 65, 2019/07

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2018.08.029

Assessment report on research and development activities; Activity "Research and development on fast reactor cycle technologies" (Interim report)

Sector of Fast Reactor and Advanced Reactor Research and Development

JAEA-Evaluation 2019-004, 47 Pages, 2019/06

JAEA-Evaluation-2019-004.pdf:2.32MB
JAEA-Evaluation-2019-004-appendix(CD-ROM).zip:14.87MB

Japan Atomic Energy Agency (hereafter referred to as "JAEA") consulted with the "Evaluation Committee of Research and Development Activities for Fast Reactor Cycle" (hereinafter referred to as "Committee"), which consists of specialists in the fields of the evaluation subjects of fast reactor cycle technologies, for interim assessment of R&D activities of fast reactor cycle in the 3rd Mid- and Long-Term Plan (from April 2015 to March 2022) in accordance with "General Guideline for the Evaluation of Government Research and Development (R&D) Activities" by Cabinet Office, Government of Japan, "Guideline for Evaluation of R&D in Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology" and Regulation on Conduct for Evaluation of R&D Activities" by JAEA. In response to the JAEA's request, the Committee assessed the R&D program of fast reactor cycle technologies during the period of four years from April 2015 to March 2018. The Committee evaluated the management and R&D activities based on the explanatory documents and oral presentations by JAEA. The results of the evaluation were compiled in assessment report that was organized including the reasons for evaluation and the opinions and recommendations. This report is issued for the purpose of actively disseminate evaluation information to the people of Japan (based on General Guideline), which lists the members of the Committee and outlines the assessment items and the review process for procedure of the assessment. The assessment report which was issued by the Committee is attached.

Melting behavior and thermal conductivity of solid sodium-concrete reaction product

Kawaguchi, Munemichi; Miyahara, Shinya; Uno, Masayoshi*

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 56(6), p.513 - 520, 2019/06

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2019.1599744

This study revealed melting points and thermal conductivities of four samples generated by sodium-concrete reaction (SCR). We prepared the samples using two methods such as firing mixtures of sodium and grinded concrete powder, and sampling depositions after the SCR experiments. In the former, the mixing ratios were determined from the past experiment. The latter simulated the more realistic conditions such as the temperature history and the distribution of Na and concrete. The thermogravimetry-differential thermal analyzer (TG-DTA) measurement showed the melting points were 865-942C, but those of the samples containing metallic Na couldn't be clarified. In the two more realistic samples, the compression moldings in a furnace were observed. The observation revealed the softening temperature was 800-840C and the melting point was 840-850C, which was 10-20C lower than the TG-DTA results. The thermodynamics calculation of FactSage 7.2 revealed the temperature of the onset of melting was caused by melting of the some components such as NaSiO and/or NaSiO. Moreover, the thermal conductivity was =1-3W/m-K, which was comparable to xNaO-1-xSiO (x=0.5, 0.33, 0.25), and those at 700C were explained by the equation of .

Study on the discharge behavior of molten-core through the control rod guide tube in the core disruptive accident of SFR

Kato, Shinya; Matsuba, Kenichi; Kamiyama, Kenji; Ganovichev, D. A.*; Baklanov, V. V.*

Proceedings of 2019 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants (ICAPP 2019) (Internet), 9 Pages, 2019/05

In order to ensure In-Vessel Retention (IVR) of molten-core in Core Disruptive Accident (CDA), we are investigating the possibility of the molten-core discharge through the control rod guide tube (CRGT) to prevent energetics due to exceeding the prompt criticality. Internal structures of the CRGT, such as a sodium-flow regulator when the CRGT is connected to the high-pressure plenum, may disturb the discharge of molten-core from the core region. Based on above background, an experimental program to clarify characteristics of molten-core discharge through the CRGT has been commenced as one of subjects under a joint study with National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NNC-RK) named EAGLE-3 project. An experiment using molten-alumina as fuel simulant and sodium was conducted at the out-of-pile test facility owned by NNC-RK to investigate sodium cooling effect around the sodium flow regulator on its destruction. The experimental result represented that void development at the initiation of molten-alumina discharge eliminated liquid-phase sodium from the discharge path and this also eliminated sodium cooling effect around the sodium flow regulator. As a result, early destruction of the sodium flow regulator and massive discharge of molten alumina occurred in turn.

A Design study on a mixed oxide fuel sodium-cooled fast reactor core partially loading highly concentrated MA-containing metal fuel

Ohgama, Kazuya; Ota, Hirokazu*; Oki, Shigeo; Iizuka, Masatoshi*

Proceedings of 2019 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants (ICAPP 2019) (Internet), 9 Pages, 2019/05

Impact of safety design enhancements on construction cost of the advanced sodium loop fast reactor in Japan

Kato, Atsushi; Mukaida, Kyoko

Proceedings of 2019 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants (ICAPP 2019) (Internet), 10 Pages, 2019/05

Improvement of economic competitiveness is a part of key requirement in the project. By adopting innovative technologies to reduce plant commodities, JSFR could achieve economic competitiveness compared with LWR. After the Fukushima-Dai-Ichi nuclear power plants accident, safety enhancement measures were added on LWR in Japan mainly against external hazards. In parallel, Safety Design Criteria and Guidelines (SDC/SDG) for SFR were constructed in the framework of Generation IV international forum. Design studies of JSFR were carried out responding to GIF SDC/SDG and lessons learn from the Fukushima accident. This reports an impact of recent safety design enhancements on JSFR construction cost. Safety design enhancement adopted in JSFR.

Development of prototype reactor maintenance, 3; Application to valves of sodium-cooled reactor prototype

Chikazawa, Yoshitaka; Takaya, Shigeru; Tagawa, Akihiro; Kubo, Shigenobu

Proceedings of 2019 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants (ICAPP 2019) (Internet), 6 Pages, 2019/05

A maintenance management required to prototype nuclear power reactors has been developed. One of important mission of a prototype reactor is to develop maintenance program for commercial reactors step by step securing safety. Since operating experience at the early stage is limited, the maintenance program for the prototype reactor should be a progressive one. It has to be modified and improved frequently taking into account R&D insight and operation experiences. Additionally, the maintenance program has to consider features of the prototype reactor even at the early stage. To select maintenance grades on particular components/systems, risk informed and graded approaches are effective. And maintenance programs have to take into account degradation mechanism originally due to reactor features. In this paper, applications for maintenance program on sodium valves of prototype fast breeder reactor Monju are studied as an example of prototype sodium-cooled reactors (SFR).

Development of granulation system for simplified MOX pellet fabrication process

Ishii, Katsunori; Segawa, Tomoomi; Kawaguchi, Koichi; Suzuki, Masahiro

Proceedings of 2019 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants (ICAPP 2019) (Internet), 5 Pages, 2019/05

Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) is developing a simplified pelletizing process for MOX fuel fabrication. In this process, the flowability of MOX powder produced by de-nitration conversion based on microwave heating, calcination, and reduction is improved using the wet granulation method. In a previous paper, to produce MOX granules of appropriate sizes for pelletizing them effectively, we proposed a granulation system composed of a wet granulator and a sizing machine. In the present work, we modernized the wet granulator, completed the granulation system by adding auxiliary equipment, and conducted performance tests of the granulation system with WO powder. The results of a performance test indicated that it is possible to convert raw powder into granules characterized by appropriate size and excellent flowability. The time required to process 5 kg of WO powder was about 70 min, which almost satisfies the target time.