Observation of the molten metal behaviors during the laser cutting of thick steel specimens using attenuated process images

Molten metal behaviors during the laser cutting of carbon steel and stainless steel specimens up to 300 mm in thickness were observed to dismantle large steel objects for the nuclear decommissioning, where attenuated process images from both steels were observed for detailed process analysis. Circular and rod-like molten metal structures were observed at the laser irradiated region depending on the assist gas flow conditions. Molten metal blow-off and flow processes were observed as cutting processes. The observations were explained by the aerodynamic interaction of the melted surface layer. The method is useful for the detailed observation of the molten metal behaviors, and the results are informative to understand and optimize the laser cutting process of very thick steel specimens.     

Laser cutting of thick steel plates and simulated steel components using a 30 kW fiber laser

Laser cutting of thick steel plates and simulated steel components using a 30 kW fiber laser was studied for application to nuclear decommissioning. Successful cutting of carbon steel and stainless steel plates up to 300 mm in thickness was demonstrated, as was that of thick steel components such as simulated reactor vessel walls, a large pipe, and a gate valve. The results indicate that laser cutting applied to nuclear decommissioning is a promising technology.     

Fukushima Daiichi fuel debris retrieval: results of aerosol characterization during laser cutting of non-radioactive corium simulants

ABSTRACT

The production and dispersion of contaminated aerosols during the laser cutting of corium can potentially provide useful insights into the dispersion of contamination during the evacuation of damaged reactors during decommissioning. Quantitative assessments of contamination dispersion are fundamental to the development of a safety case for the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi plant. This collaborative work between IRSN, ONET Technologies and CEA, managed by the Mitsubishi Research Institute on behalf of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, presents the characterization of aerosols generated during laser cutting of corium simulants both in air and under water.

The objective is to obtain quantitative data for risk assessment related to the contamination released and disseminated when implementing this technique, over the next few years, in the process of decommissioning the damaged reactors. This paper presents a part of the results stemming from this project, focused on the characterization of aerosols produced during laser cutting of two representative corium simulants in air and underwater conditions. The experimental configuration also enabled investigation of the production of other material residues such as particle dross and water purity on the particulate composition of the aerosols. Ultimately, the radioisotope concentration distribution in the aerosols are transposed to radioactivity in order to assess the risk to radiation workers during decommissioning.     

Measurement of nitrogen depth profile in steel

The characterization of nitridated steel samples, in special the depth profile of nitrogen, aims to help improving the quality of the surface and to increase the durability of the steel pieces. In this work we used ERDA and NRA to determinate the profile of nitrogen in different sets of stainless steel samples. An incident beam of ³⁵Cl of 56 MeV was used for ERDA analysis of a first set of samples. Results indicated an homogeneous distribution for most of the identified elements, with atomic nitrogen concentrations around 2% in the analyzed depth range (0.2 μm) and the presence of thin films on the surface (about 50 × 10¹⁵ at/cm²), one of C and the other of iron oxide. In a second set of samples, 4.43 MeV gamma rays produced from ¹⁵N(H,αγ)¹²C reaction, using an external proton beam of 1.3 MeV, were used to quantify nitrogen concentration. N concentrations of about 0.47% were obtained comparing the gamma production rate of the samples with a referenced material (Stainless steel CRM298 - 0.236% of N in mass) irradiated in the same conditions. Also PIXE analyses were done on both sets of samples in order to identify main elements in the matrix.     

Confirmatory experiments for nuclear emissions during acoustic cavitation

Confirmatory experiments were conducted to assess the potential for nuclear fusion related emissions of neutrons and tritium during neutron-seeded acoustic cavitation of deuterated acetone. Corresponding control experiments were conducted with normal acetone. Statistically significant (5–11S.D. increased) emissions of 2.45 MeV neutrons and tritium were measured during cavitation experiments with chilled deuterated acetone. Control experiments with normal acetone and irradiation alone did not result in tritium activity or neutron emissions. Insights from imaging studies of bubble clusters and shock trace signals relating to bubble nuclear fusion are discussed.     

Particle emissions from graphite during disruption heat load

It is regarded that the life time of a graphite divertor wall is determined by erosion during the disruptions. In the disruption heat load experiments, the erosion of graphite due to particle emissions has been observed to be extremely serious. The particle emission process is considered based on localized thermal stress at the surface. There is a critical heat flux for the particle emission to take place. Erosion depth observed in the experiment is also discussed using the present simple model.     

Measurement and analysis of SHCCT diagram for CLAM steel

China Low Activation Martensitic (CLAM) steel is a leading candidate material for construction of the Chinese fusion reactor Test Blanket Module. The Simulated HAZ Continuous Cooling Transformation (SHCCT) diagram is developed via physical simulation, and the effects of thermal history on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the weld coarse-grain heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) in CLAM steel are evaluated. The results of thermal cycle simulation show that grain size increases and hardness decreases gradually with increasing heat input. Under certain conditions, especially when cooling times from 800 °C to 500 °C (T8/5) are larger than 136 s, delta ferrite may form which is deleterious for the TBM application. The amounts of delta ferrite are given under different T8/5. A SHCCT diagram of CLAM steel is developed using dilatometry and it predicts the AC1, AC3 and the Ms temperatures. With decreased cooling rate (larger T8/5), martensite laths widen and carbide precipitates grow. The results indicate that welding heat input should be taken into consideration and controlled in practical CLAM steel welding process applications.     

Laser cutting performances for thick steel specimens studied by molten metal removal conditions

Laser cutting performances for thick carbon steel and stainless steel specimens up to 300 mm in thickness were studied to dismantle large steel objects. The cutting performances were summarized based on the assist gas flow rate and the front kerf width, and the range for appropriate cutting conditions was shown. Gas pressure in the kerf region required for molten metal removal was estimated from the pressure loss on the kerf surface, which depended on the gas flow rate and the kerf width. The relation to keep sufficient gas pressure in the kerf well corresponded to the experimental relations for appropriate cutting. Drag force to the molten metal on the kerf surface was also estimated, which varied by the structures and materials. The behaviors such as cavity formation and its expansion in the kerf region at the unsuccessful cutting trials were well explained. The results are informative for the development of the laser cutting technology applied to the thick steel specimen for the nuclear decommissioning.     

Measurement of neutron spectra in nickel,iron, and stainless steel

Measurements of neutron spectra in various media, obtained by the transit-time method in the fast pulse reactor IBR with a resolution of 0.04 sec/m, are presented. The spectra of neutrons emerging from iron and nickel prisms of various thickness and also those from stainless-steel prisms are studied. The fine structure due to the resonance character of the cross sections of the media studied was clearly seen in the spectra measured. The experimental neutron spectra are compared with calculations made with a multigroup system of constants allowing for resonance self-screening of the cross sections. The reasons for the slight discrepancies found are analyzed.Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 18, No. 6, pp. 593–601, June, 1965     

Study of particulate emissions near a steel plant in Genova by continuous sampling and PIXE hourly analysis

The particulate emissions near a large steel plant located in a densely inhabited suburb of the town of Genova (Italy) have been studied for a period of six months. We have used two-stage continuous streaker samplers and subsequent PIXE analysis with hourly resolution, to follow both seasonal and daily trends. The first streaker sampler remained installed very close to the plant cokery and furnaces, while another sampler was moved to different locations. Samples have been analysed by PIXE, deducing concentrations for elements from Na to Pb. During part of the campaign, the aerosol fractions with aerodynamic diameter (D_ae) < 2.5 μm (fine fraction) and with 2.5 < D_ae < 10 μm (coarse fraction) have been separately collected. We have measured and analysed about 8500 PIXE spectra: the steel plant emissions have been identified to some extent and resolved from other aerosol sources.     

Failure of type 316 stainless steel cladding during thermal transients

To obtain a basic understanding of the deformation and failure behaviors of 20% cold-worked type 316 stainless steel cladding during reactor over-power and loss-of-coolant transients, the mechanical response of the cladding was investigated, using a true 2 to 1 stress-state transient tube-burst method at a heating rate of 5.6°C/s (10°F/s).The uniform diametral strain to failure of the tubular cladding specimens was uniquely defined, based on strain profiles of the failure specimens and high-speed motion pictures taken during the tests. The effects of initial hoop stress, specimen length and metallurgical condition on the transient tube-burst response were studied. The heat-to-heat variation of the test results were examined.The uniform diametral strains to failure for the three heats of cladding tested in the present study were found to be consistently higher than the strains reported by Hunter et al.     

Measurement of thermal properties of a ceramic/metal joint by laser flash method

This work describes the measurement of thermal diffusivity and the subsequent calculation of thermal conductivity and thermal contact resistance (from room temperature to 800 °C in N₂ atmosphere) at the material interface for carbon/carbon composites (C/C) joined to copper by using the laser flash method. According to these measurements, the thermal resistance at the interface, that is related to the heat transfer through the solid, is <10⁻⁶ m² K W⁻¹ up to 800 °C, indicating a high quality of the joint and no limitations for the thermal heat transfer during operation, e.g. in a nuclear fusion reactor. This measurement is proposed as an innovative non-contact and qualitative investigation technique to assess the ceramic/metal joint integrity.     

Measurement of transformation temperatures and specific heat capacity of tungsten added reduced activation ferritic-martensitic steel

The on-heating phase transformation temperatures up to the melting regime and the specific heat capacity of a reduced activation ferritic-martensitic steel (RAFM) with a nominal composition (wt%): 9Cr-0.09C-0.56Mn-0.23V-1W-0.063Ta-0.02N, have been measured using high temperature differential scanning calorimetry. The α-ferrite + carbides → γ-austenite transformation start and finish temperatures, namely Ac₁, and Ac₃, are found to be 1104 and 1144 K, respectively for a typical normalized and tempered microstructure. It is also observed that the martensite start (M_S) and finish (M_f) temperatures are sensitive to the austenitising conditions. Typical M_S and M_f values for the 1273 K normalized and 1033 K tempered samples are of the order 714 and 614 K, respectively. The heat capacity C_P of the RAFM steel has been measured in the temperature range 473-1273 K, for different normalized and tempered samples. In essence, it is found that the C_P of the fully martensitic microstructure is found to be lower than that of its tempered counterpart, and this difference begins to increase in an appreciable manner from about 800 K. The heat capacity of the normalized microstructure is found to vary from 480 to 500 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ at 500 K, where as that of the tempered steel is found to be higher by about, 150 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹.     

Evaluation methodology for seismic base isolation of nuclear equipments

An evaluation methodology for seismic base isolated nuclear equipments is proposed. The evaluation can be classified into two steps. In the first step, the seismic functional failure probability during the lifetime of equipment without base isolation devices is quantified in order to decide the applicability of the base isolated structure. The second step is comparative and calculates the ratio of the seismic failure frequency of the equipment without base isolation devices to that with them in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the base isolated structure. The sample evaluation considers the case of high voltage type emergency transformer with ceramic tubes.     

Void shrinkage and disappearance in stainless steel during electron irradiation

It has been observed that stainless steel foils irradiated in the Harwell High Voltage Electron Microscope in the temperature range 600–700°C thin by erosion of the lower surface after a threshold exposure. The thinning rate is very dependent on temperature, increasing from approximately zero at 500°C to a peak of about 0.1nm per second at 650°C and decreasing to zero again by 750°C.The thinning effect, which can be non-uniform, is attributed to the surface diffusion of atoms from regions of high diffusion rate to regions of lower activity. The localisation of the effect to the lower foil surface is ascribed to cleaning of this surface by electron sputtering. Electron sputtering alone does not account for the experimental observations.The observed shrinkage and disappearance of voids close to the lower surface is tentatively attributed to the preferential condensation of interstitial atoms at voids, as compared with the foil surface.     

Surface melting technique of small diameter stainless steel pipe by means of yttrium aluminium garnet laser

A new method of surface melting by using a high power yttrium aluminium garnet laser was developed. This method is applicable to a long distance and narrow space, because of the good accessibility of the laser beam through optical fibre.A desensitization of sensitized type 304 stainless steel pipe was demonstrated by using this technique. A melted layer of thickness approximately 200 μm had a very finite solidification structure, which contained approximately 1.5% δ-ferrite. The average chemical composition of this layer was almost the same as that of type 304 stainless steel, and a band of 300 μm thickness under the melted layer underwent solution heat treatment (SHT).As a result of such surface melting, the melted layer exhibited superior resistance to intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC). Since the SHT layer is highly resistant to IGSCC generally, it may be possible to improve the IGSCC resistance of base metal to a comparatively deep extent (500 μm from the surface) by this technique.