Taisuke Yonomoto

Bio: Taisuke Yonomoto is an academic researcher from Japan Atomic Energy Agency. The author has contributed to research in topics: Heat transfer & Turbulence. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 24 publications receiving 203 citations.

Insights from review and analysis of the Fukushima Dai-ichi accident

Abstract: An unprecedented earthquake and tsunami struck the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plants on 11 March 2011. Although extensive efforts have been continuing on investigations into the causes and consequences of the accident, and the Japanese Government has presented a comprehensive report on the accident in the IAEA Ministerial Conference held in June 2011, there is still much to be clarified on what happened during the accident and why. This article aims at identifying what should be clarified further about the progression of the accident at Units 1–3 through the review and analysis of information released from Tokyo Electric Power Company and government authorities. It also discusses the safety issues raised by the accident based on the insights gained, in order to contribute to establishing a new framework that pursues continuous improvement toward the highest standards of safety that can reasonably be achieved.

Protective coatings on zirconium-based alloys as accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) claddings

Abstract: Abstract Surface-modified zirconium (Zr)-based alloys, mainly by fabricating protective coatings, are being developed and evaluated as accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) claddings, aiming to improve fuel reliability and safety during normal operations, anticipated operational occurrences, and accident scenarios in water-cooled reactors. In this overview, the performance of Zr alloy claddings under normal and accident conditions is first briefly summarized. In evaluating previous studies, various coating concepts are highlighted based on coating materials, focusing on their performance in autoclave hydrothermal corrosion tests and high-temperature steam oxidation tests. The challenges for the utilization of coatings, including materials selection, deposition technology, and stability under various situations, are discussed to provide some valuable guidance to future research activities.

Structural Arrangements of Isomorphic Substitutions in Smectites: Molecular Simulation of the Swelling Properties, Interlayer Structure, and Dynamics of Hydrated Cs–Montmorillonite Revisited with New Clay Models

Abstract: Three new structural models of montmorillonite with differently distributed Al/Si and Mg/Al substitutions in the tetrahedral and octahedral clay layers are systematically developed and studied by means of MD simulations to quantify the possible effects of such substitutional disorder on the swelling behavior, the interlayer structure, and mobility of aqueous species. A very wide range of water content, from 0 to 700 mgwater/gclay is explored to derive the swelling properties of Cs–montmorillonite. The determined layer spacing does not differ much depending on the clay model. However, at low water contents up to 1-layer hydrate (∼100 mgwater/gclay) the variation of specific locations of the tetrahedral and octahedral substitutions in the two TOT clay layers slightly but noticeably affects the total hydration energy of the system. Using atom–atom radial distribution functions and the respective atomic coordination numbers we have identified for the three clay models not only the previously observed binding ...

Preparation, structure, and properties of an AlCrMoNbZr high-entropy alloy coating for accident-tolerant fuel cladding

Abstract: A nearly equal molar ratio AlCrMoNbZr high-entropy alloy (HEA) coating was deposited on N36 zirconium alloy substrates using magnetron co-sputtering technology to enhance the corrosion resistance of light water reactor (LWR) fuel cladding. The microstructure, mechanical properties, surface wettability and corrosion resistance of the AlCrMoNbZr coating were systematically investigated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses showed that the AlCrMoNbZr HEA coating contained a composite of amorphous and bcc-structured nanocrystals. A nanoindentation test revealed that the coating had a high hardness of 11.8 GPa, and a scratch test indicated that the coating well adhered to the N36 substrate. The contact angle test showed that the static contact angle was 109°, which indicated the good hydrophobic property of the coating. The corrosion measurement showed that the AlCrMoNbZr coating remained effective after it was immersed in static pure water at 360 °C and 18.7 MPa for 30 days, and no N36 substrate oxides formed, which indicated a superior corrosion resistance. Furthermore, the corrosion behaviour of the coating was discussed. The weight gain measurement (8.8 mg/dm2 weight gain) proved that the coating experienced an oxidation process, and during the process, protective Nb2Zr6O17, ZrO2 and Cr2O3 formed on the surface of the coating. Hence, the AlCrMoNbZr HEA coating is a potential candidate material for accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) coatings.