Results (FY2021)

1. Tour of Tomari Nuclear Power Station, Hokkaido Electric Power Co.

(Tomari Village, Hokkaido)

(not planned at application submission stage)

Tour the Tomari Nuclear Power Station of Hokkaido Electric Power Co. to learn about the structure and functions of nuclear power plants.
Please refer to Attachment 1-1 for the tour information. 1-1 Hokkaido Electric Power Company Tomari Nuclear Power Station Tour Information 2021
All costs are borne by Hokkaido Electric Power Co.

Date and Time

Sunday, October 24, 2021, 9:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Location

Tomari Nuclear Power Station, Hokkaido Electric Power Co.
https://www.hepco.co.jp/english/index.html

Participant

Contents

  • Learn about nuclear power plants conceptually at the Tomarin Museum.
  • Outside, visitors will see the seawalls and other facilities related to the disaster prevention system against natural disasters.
  • In the indoor facility, the participants will enter the control area where control equipment, power generation equipment, reactor equipment, and fuel handling equipment are located, and also enter the reactor containment vessel.
  • Visitors will also have hands-on experience with the simulator equipment to experience the operation of a nuclear reactor.
  • See Attachment 1-3 for the detailed schedule. 1-3 Tomari Power Station Tour Schedule 2021

Pre-learning materials

01 “Nuclear Reactor Engineering
https://ocw.hokudai.ac.jp/lecture/backend-nuclear-reactor-engineering

Question

2. field trips to the Horonobe Underground Research Center of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and the Horonobe Geosphere Research Institute of the Hokkaido Science and Technology Agency (HSTA)

(Horonobe-cho, Teshio-gun, Hokkaido)

The purpose of this program is to deepen understanding of research and development on geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste by experiencing some aspects of research and development in underground facilities. At the Horonobe Underground Research Center of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) in Horonobe, Hokkaido, participants will visit the underground research tunnels and other facilities, and exchange opinions with staff members of the center. At the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory, participants will learn about the current status of research on microorganisms, groundwater, sedimentary rocks, etc. at the laboratory.

For details of the tour guide, please refer to Attachment 2-1 Tour Guide 2021 of JAEA Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory and Hokkaido Science and Technology Agency Horonobe Geo-environmental Research Institute.

Date and Time

Monday, November 15, 2021 8:50 a.m. – Tuesday, November 16, 2021 7:00 p.m.

Location

Participant

Contents

  • The Horonobe Research Institute for the Subsurface Environment (H-RISE: Horonobe Research Institute for the Subsurface Environment) was established in June 2003 by the Hokkaido Science and Technology Agency (HSTA) to conduct research on geosphere improvement using the deep geological research facilities of the JAEA Horonobe Underground Research Center. H-RISE (Horonobe Research Institute for the Subsurface Environment) was established in June 2003 to conduct research on geoenvironmental remediation using the geosphere and its characteristics, utilizing the deep geological research facilities of the JAEA Horonobe Underground Research Center. Three research groups, the Subsurface Microbial Environment Research Group, the Groundwater Environment Research Group, and the Sedimentary Rock Characterization Research Group, are conducting field science research to understand the subsurface environment of diatomaceous rock formations and coal seams, utilizing the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory, which is under construction in a sedimentary rock formation, and the Tenboku coal fields located in northern Hokkaido. The tour will also visit the laboratories where research is being conducted to develop elemental technologies for the development of methane gas deposits and carbon dioxide sequestration using the underground environment.
  • At the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory, the significance of the research, design method, construction method, data acquisition status, and development of simulation technology to reproduce the data will be introduced under the title of “Artificial barrier performance verification test being conducted at 350 m underground” after a general overview of the project. In addition, under the title of “Advancement of Technology for Investigating and Evaluating Areas with Very Slow Groundwater Flow,” the area around the Horonobe Center contains seawater that was taken in when the area was a sea in the past (fossil seawater). This seawater is thought to have hardly moved since it was taken in. The lecture will cover how to determine if the seawater is fossil seawater and how to survey the area where fossil seawater is distributed. After that, we will visit the 250 m gallery and the full-scale test facility, which is a surface facility, in order to see the issues being addressed in the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory Project in the field.
  • For details, please refer to Appendix 2-3-1 Field Trip to Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory and 2-3-2 Field Trip to JAEA Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory.

Pre-learning materials

  • Nuclear Human Resource Development Project (*) #03 “Radioactive Waste Disposal Engineering
    Lecture 7: Research and Development at the Deep Underground Research Laboratory
    (Dr. Asao Fujita, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry *Formerly belonged to Japan Atomic Energy Agency)
    https://ocw.hokudai.ac.jp/lecture/backend-radioactive-waste-disposal-engineering

<Other helpful materials>

Question

Questionnaire Results

  • I would have appreciated advance materials on microorganisms, rocks, and geological formations, as I felt that learning more about the research being conducted at the Horonobe Geo-environmental Research Institute would have helped me to understand more about microorganisms and rocks.
  • I would have liked to have had more time for the tour of the Geoscience Center. I felt that the contents of the advance learning materials (videos) were somewhat outdated. Slides summarizing recent trends would have been helpful. It would have been nice to have a place to learn about other participants’ information in advance.
  • It was a very meaningful visit. The tour of the Horonobe Underground Research Center provided an understanding of the scale, size, and schedule of the engineered barrier performance test, and the underground tunnels provided a deeper understanding of the content of the classroom lecture. I thought the point that participating students watched the open educational materials in advance and raised questions was useful for learning. On the other hand, I thought that if the students and faculty discussed the questions raised by the students in advance (60 to 90 minutes, with participants from far away participating via ZOOM, etc.) and the students had a full understanding, it would reduce the gap between the explanation by the tour guide and the students’ knowledge during the tour and make the tour even better. How about assigning a report after the visit to have the students organize what they understood during the visit and to grasp their level of understanding? I think it would be good to specify the content of the report, e.g., “Summarize what you learned about ….” or something like that.
  • The URLs of all the advance learning materials were linked to the same video, and it was difficult to understand where the video was located on the video site itself, so I would like to see improvements. I believe that vitrified waste is produced partly to reduce the volume of waste, but from what I saw during the tour today, it seemed that the volume occupied by a single vitrified waste product would eventually become very large, and I think that direct disposal should be considered, given that there are still uranium resources to spare.
  • For details of the survey results, see Appendix 2-5 Survey Results 2021.

3. Tour of JNFL Reprocessing Plant and Low-Level Radioactive Waste Burial Center

(Rokkasho Village, Aomori Prefecture)

The participants will visit the JNFL Reprocessing Plant and the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Burial Center (Rokkasho-mura, Aomori Prefecture) to observe radioactive waste treatment facilities, hear first-hand the knowledge, skills and perspectives of experts at the facilities, and further exchange opinions.

See Attachment 3-1 Tour Guide to JNFL Reprocessing Plant and Enrichment Burial Facilities 2021 for the tour guide materials.

Date and Time

Monday, November 22, 2021, 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Location

Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited, Reprocessing Plant and Enrichment Burial Facility
https://www.jnfl.co.jp/en/

Participant

Contents

  • Explanation and tour of JNFL’s corporate profile and nuclear fuel cycle at the PR building
  • Tour of the Fuel Enrichment Plant
  • Visit to the low-level radioactive waste burial site and the research well for medium-depth disposal of radioactive waste
  • Tour of the vitrification technology development facility and the Technology Development Institute
  • Visited the site of the safety measures for the reprocessing plant, including the main exhaust stacks, the new safety cooling system for the main reprocessing plant, and the construction site of the new emergency response station.
  • Tour of the high-level radioactive waste management facility
  • Finally, a discussion with JNFL employees
  • For the detailed schedule, please refer to Attachment 3-3 JNFL Reprocessing Plant and Concentrated Burying Plant Tour Schedule 2021.

Pre-study materials

#07 “Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering

Questionnaire Results

Examples of Student Opinions

  • I hope they will continue to do so because it is very fulfilling and satisfying to have so many places to visit like this one. It was very easy to understand. However, I was confused at the part about waste and pit disposal, so I thought I would review that part again. I would like to participate in some other event.
  • I have seen and visited all of the materials that I learned about in advance. I was glad that I had the materials for prior learning, because I only partially knew how to dispose of highly radioactive waste from my university classes. However, when I actually went to visit the site, I learned many more things. Before the visit, I had a strong impression of Rokkasho Village as a place for processing radioactive waste from nuclear power plants, but I learned from the advance materials that there is a reprocessing facility, and I also learned for the first time that there are various research facilities for renewable energy. The explanation of the collection of answers to questions was easy to understand. I also learned a lot from the questions and answers of other visitors who were not like me, and I would have liked to stay for another 3 hours because the exhibits in the PR Center were fascinating. I heard later that the general public can come and go only to the PR Center, so I think it would be a good idea. Next time I come to Aomori, I would like to visit the PR Center again. The subsequent tours were all very fascinating. I have never had the opportunity to visit so many facilities, so I was really happy to have this precious opportunity to see them. There were a few words I did not know during the tour, but I was glad that the explanations were easy to understand and questions were answered. I will start working next year, and it seems that I may be transferred to Rokkesho-mura for a nuclear power-related job, so perhaps I will be able to help you again indirectly. I look forward to working with you again when you come to Rokkesho-mura. Thank you very much for your time today.
  • For details of the survey results, please see Attachment 3-5 JNFL Questionnaire Results 2021.

4. Radiochemistry experimental training at Shizuoka University and Chubu Electric Power Company’s Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station

(Shizuoka City and Hamaoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture)

In this practical training, students will acquire basic knowledge of radioactivity and radiation through hands-on training. In the practical training for sealed RI, students learn that different types of detectors are used for different types and energies of radiation, that the exposure dose is inversely proportional to the distance from the source, and that the principle of radiation measuring instruments is known. In the practical training for unsealed RI, students will learn how to safely handle and manage exposure, contamination, disposal, and storage methods. In particular, students learn the measurement methods of chemical dosimetry, which is a dosimetry method using large-dose irradiation equipment. In the practical training for sealed RI, students learn that different types of detectors are used for different types and energies of radiation, that the exposure dose is inversely proportional to the distance from the source, and that the principle of radiation measuring instruments is known, and that the energy spectrum is measured to decipher the nuclide and measure the amount of radioactivity. In the practical training for unsealed RI, students learn analysis and evaluation methods by isotope dilution analysis method, and learn how to safely handle and manage tritium, which emits low-energy beta rays, including exposure, contamination, disposal, and storage methods, as well as handling and measurement methods.

See Attachment 4-1 Guide to Radiochemistry Experiments at Shizuoka University and Chubu Electric Power Company’s Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station for details.

Date and Time

Thursday, December 23, 2021, 8:30 a.m. – Monday, December 27, 2021, 7:00 p.m.
The practical training scheduled in September will be conducted online only for Shizuoka University students.

Location

Shizuoka University (Thursday, December 23 through Monday, December 27, except December 25 and 26)
https://www.shizuoka.ac.jp/english/

Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station, Chubu Electric Power Company (Saturday, December 25 through Sunday, December 26)
https://www.chuden.co.jp/english/

Participant

Contents

  • Practical Training at Shizuoka University
  • How to use the Survey Meter
  • 32P labeling of DNA
  • Tritium Measurement with Proportional Counters
  • Measurement with a Flikke iron dosimeter
  • Handling of Ge semiconductor detectors
  • Handling of GM counters and radiation measurement
  • Determination of Ca by isotope dilution analysis
  • Practical training at Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station
  • Practical training on radioactivity control
  • Performance management of gaseous waste treatment facility and observation of gaseous waste treatment facility
  • Practical training in radiation control measurement
  • Measurement and evaluation of surface contamination density in a controlled area and measurement and evaluation of airborne contaminant concentration in a controlled area
  • Operation of a nuclear reactor using an operation training simulator
  • Practical training of reactor criticality and confirmation of reactor safety
  • Practical training for measuring environmental radioactivity
  • Practical training for radioactivity analysis using a wave height analyzer and environmental radioactivity measurement using a monitoring car
  • For the detailed schedule, please refer to Appendix 4-3 Schedule of Radiation Chemistry Experiments at Shizuoka University and Chubu Electric Power Company’s Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station” in the second half of 2021.

Pre-study materials

Textbook “Radiation Measurement and Safety Handling

The following online materials recorded and made available this year will also be used as pre-study materials in the future.

Introduction to radiochemistry

Grades in Practical Training

Attachment 4-4 Report Grading Table for Radiochemistry Laboratory Practice at Shizuoka University and Chubu Electric Power Company’s Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station in the second semester of 2021.

Shizuoka University students are given credit for their work, so all of them submit reports, and their grades are generally good. On the other hand, students from other universities do not submit reports because they do not receive credit for their work.

The need to consider credit at other universities in the future became clear once again.

Questionnaire Results

  • The purpose of taking this practical training was to broaden my future dream and what field I want to go into since I haven’t decided what field I want to go into. After completing the training, I really enjoyed it because there were so many interesting things to learn. Also, the practical training at Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station was a valuable experience for me because I was able to feel the atmosphere of the site firsthand. It was helpful for my future dream!
  • I took this practical training because I had enough time to spare in my course status, but I think it was a very fulfilling experience as it deepened my knowledge and interest in the field of radiochemistry.
  • In the experiment of DNA labeling using 32P, the instructions for caution when performing RI work were loose (e.g., you can write in the gloves you worked in), and I felt a temperature difference from the other practicals. It was especially memorable because the last practical exercise our group performed was DNA labeling. I thought that the instructions could have been as strict as the other practical training.
  • The content of the practical training was very meaningful and I was very satisfied with what I gained. However, there was no uniformity in the method of writing the report to be submitted at the end of the training, and I wished that the format of the report would have been clearly standardized. I am very grateful to have had this opportunity to participate in this workshop, as it was the first time for me to conduct experiments and learn about radiochemistry dealing with unsealed RI. I hope that they will continue to provide such opportunities in the future.
  • I have attended a number of lectures on nuclear power and radiation, but I have not had many opportunities to do hands-on experiments. Through this practical training, I was able to further understand what I had heard about the study. In particular, the content of the practical training on radiation chemistry/biology is new to me. There are still some parts that I don’t understand, so this is a good opportunity for me to study them on my own. It was also a very valuable opportunity for me to be able to practice in the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station. I became even more interested in the field of nuclear power through the talks of the actual nuclear power plant staff.
  • At first, I had little knowledge about radiation, and I was a bit apprehensive, but through the easy-to-understand explanations and experiments, I was able to understand to some extent, and my interest in the field increased. Although I have not yet reached the level of being able to explain everything, I was able to somewhat understand the purpose and principles of the experiments conducted, and the training was very fulfilling.
  • For details of the questionnaire results, please refer to Appendix 4-5 Results of Questionnaire on Radiochemistry Experiments at Shizuoka University and Chubu Electric Power Company’s Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station in the latter half of 2021.

5. Radiochemistry experimental training at Shizuoka University and Chubu Electric Power Company’s Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station

(Sapporo, Hokkaido)

(finally cancelled after two postponements due to the corona)

Neutron beams and other quantum beams are used in materials science, materials science, life science, nuclear physics, particle physics, industrial applications, cancer treatment, and pharmaceutical applications. Among these, elemental analysis experiments using neutron activation and gamma-ray spectrometry are used for nondestructive elemental analysis of valuable samples such as sandstone brought back from asteroids by space probes and ancient cultural properties.

In this practical training, you will learn neutron activation and gamma-ray spectrometry using HUNS, an electron linear accelerator-driven pulsed neutron experimental facility of the Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University, which conducts a wide range of academic, industry-academic, and international joint research on demand, including materials research, food research, cultural heritage research, and space ray resistant semiconductor research using neutron beams. The course provides experience in elemental analysis experiments using neutron activation and gamma-ray spectrometry. The program is very basic, and is designed so that beginners can take the course without any worries. On the other hand, the program is designed to provide a valuable experience for those who are not beginners so that they can experience radiation practice, spectrum analysis, and discussions based on the students’ free ideas, surrounded by a different environment and people than usual.

See Attachment 5-1 Practical Guide to Experiments on Neutron Activation Using Electron Accelerator Driven Neutron Source and Elemental Analysis by Gamma-ray Spectrometry, Hokkaido University 2021 for materials on the experimental practice guide.

Date and Time

Friday, February 18, 2022 9:30 a.m. – Sunday, February 20, 2022 3:00 p.m.

Location

Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University
Laboratory of Instantaneous Intense Pulsed Radiation Generator (LINAC, Hokkaido University)
https://www.eng.hokudai.ac.jp/labo/QBMA/LINAC/index-e.html
https://www.chuden.co.jp/english/

Participant

12 students, 1 working adult (15 planned to be listed in the application form)
For details, see Attachment 5-2 List of Participants for Experimental Training for Elemental Analysis by Neutron Activation Experiment and Gamma-ray Spectrometry Using Electron Accelerator Driven Neutron Source, Hokkaido University 2021.
Guidance and escort: 4 Hokkaido University faculty members

Contents

  • Practical Training Plan
  • Education and Training in Radiation Facilities
  • Introduction and tour of the Electron Linear Accelerator and Neutron Experimental Facility at Hokkaido University
  • Introduction to Quantum Beam/Neutron Science
  • Introduction to Accelerators, Neutron Beam Sources and Neutron Beam Engineering
  • Introduction to Neutron Activation Analysis
  • Neutron activation experiments using the HUNS, Hokkaido University Electron Linear Accelerator Driven Neutron Source
  • Measurement of Gamma-ray Energy Spectra Using an NaI Scintillator Type Gamma-ray Spectrometer
  • Energy calibration experiment of spectrometer
  • Energy resolution evaluation experiment of the spectrometer
  • Gamma-ray background
  • Measurement of gamma-ray spectra from neutron-activated samples
  • Identification and quantification of elements and nuclides
  • Estimation of neutron flux at the sample irradiation position
  • For detailed schedule, please refer to Appendix 5-3 Practical schedule of neutron activation experiment using electron accelerator-driven neutron source and elemental analysis experiment by gamma-ray spectrometry at Hokkaido University 2021.

6. Practical Training for Heavy Ion Fusion Reaction Experiments Using JAEA Tandem Accelerator

(Tokai-mura, Ibaraki Prefecture)

(finally cancelled after two postponements due to the corona)

The heaviest element in nature is uranium (U, atomic number 92). Heavier elements have been synthesized artificially using atomic nuclear reactions. In Japan, a group led by RIKEN succeeded in synthesizing the new element 113 and became the first Asian group to obtain the naming rights for the element, giving it the element name “nihonium”. So far, humans have successfully synthesized up to element 118.

In a nuclear reactor, an element with a heavier atomic number is produced by the β-decay of a certain type of proto-nucleus formed by the absorption of a neutral ƒ-electron by a proto-nucleus. Starting from uranium, elements up to fermium (Fm, 100th element) are produced in a nuclear reactor by repeating this process. In the other hand, how is nifonium produced?

The nuclei heavier than fermium are produced by a “heavy-ion fusion reaction”. This is a reaction in which accelerated protons are bombarded with target protons, causing them to merge. In the case of nihonium, a zinc nucleus (Zn, atomic number 30) is accelerated and bombarded with bismuth (Bi, atomic number 83) to produce the element 30 + 83 = 113. In the world, countries are competing to create elements beyond the number 118.

In this practical training, the fundamentals and experimental methods of this heavy-ion fusion reaction will be studied. For this purpose, a heavy ion beam from a tandem accelerator is irradiated onto a target to synthesize an unnatural atomic nucleus. In the experiment, we will learn how to separate the produced nuclei from the beam and how to identify the nuclei of the produced nuclei.

Through the practical training, students will learn “basics of protonuclei,” “operation of detectors and radiation measurement techniques,” and “methods of data analysis,” aiming not only at the development of nuclear engineers but also at the development of future scientists.

See Attachment 6-1 Practical Guide to Heavy Ion Fusion Reaction Experiments Using JAEA Tandem Accelerator 2021 for the experimental guide materials.

Date and Time

Monday, February 21, 2022 9:30 a.m. – Friday, February 25, 2022 5:00 p.m.

Location

Contents

  • Practical training: The practical training consists of classroom lectures and experimental practice, and the following four topics will be covered over a period of about four days.
    Principles of heavy-ion fusion reactions and the world of superheavy elements (classroom lecture)
    Principles of accelerators and transport of beams (classroom and hands-on training)
    Kinematic separation of product nuclei (classroom and practical)
    How to identify product nuclei by radiation measurements (classroom and hands-on)
  • On the last day, a discussion will be held as a general discussion of this training.
  • For the detailed schedule, please refer to Appendix 6-3 Schedule of Heavy Ion Fusion Reaction Experiments Using JAEA Tandem Accelerator 2021.