Development of automatic vent filter using low-melting-point alloy

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25820453
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Nuclear engineering
• Research Institution: Japan Atomic Energy Agency
• Principal Investigator: SAKASEGAWA Hideo 独立行政法人日本原子力研究開発機構, 核融合研究開発部門 六ヶ所核融合研究所, 副主任研究員 (00566250)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: フィルター / 低融点合金 / 焼結金属 / 原子炉 / 自動ベント機能 / コールドトラップ効果

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The malfunction of venting system was a reason which worsened the accident of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in 2011. Consequently, the improvement of venting system is important as a safety measure in nuclear power plants. The purpose of this research is to develop a porous metallic filter impregnated with a low-melting-point alloy. A filter made of Oxide Dispersion Strengthened steel, which has an attractive corrosion resistance and a superior high temperature strength, impregnated with a Sn-Bi alloy was developed. This impregnated filter becomes porous at temperatures higher than the melting point of the low-melting-point alloy and it can automatically vent the reactor pressure vessel. In addition, the external emission of radioactive iodine and cesium can be reduced by the effect of cold trap.

Free Research Field

材料工学