Natural Reactor Research Articles

Inception and evolution of Oklo natural nuclear reactors

The occurrence of more than 15 natural nuclear Reactor Zones (RZ) in a geological environment remains a mystery even 40 years after their discovery. The present work gives for the first time an explanation of the chemical and physical processes that caused the start-up of the fission reactions with two opposite processes, uranium enrichments and progressive impoverishment in 235U. Based on Monte-Carlo neutronics simulations, a solution space was defined taking into account realistic combinations of relevant parameters acting on geological conditions and neutron transport physics. This study explains criticality occurrence, operation, expansion and end of life conditions of Oklo natural nuclear reactors, from the smallest to the biggest ones.

Flashing-Induced Instability Analysis and the Start-Up of Natural Circulation Boiling Water Reactors

To help achieve the necessary natural circulation flow, a fairly long chimney is installed in a natural circulation boiling water reactor (BWR) like the ESBWR. In such systems, hot water near the chimney exit could flash, thus leading to thermal-hydraulic instability during low-pressure start-up. A BWR stability analysis code in the frequency domain, named the Flashing-Induced STability Analysis for BWR (FISTAB), was developed in this work to address the issue of flashing-induced instability. The FISTAB code was benchmarked against the experimental results from the SIRIUS-N facility at the Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry in Japan. Both stationary and perturbation results agreed well with the experimental observations.The proposed ESBWR start-up procedure under natural convection conditions was examined by the FISTAB code. It was confirmed that the examined operating points along the ESBWR start-up trajectory from TRACG simulation would be stable. Furthermore, to avoid the instability resulting from the transition from single-phase natural circulation to two-phase circulation, a simple criterion was proposed for the natural convection BWR start-up when the steam dome pressure is still low.

Monte-Carlo Based Numerical Modeling and Simulation of Criticality Conditions Occurrence in Natural Reactor Zone 9 in Oklo Deposit (Gabon)

Monte-Carlo Based Numerical Modeling and Simulation of Criticality Conditions Occurrence in Natural Reactor Zone 9 in Oklo Deposit (Gabon)

The Rosetta Stone of isotope science and the uranium/lead system.

The nucleosynthetic characteristics of U and Pb, together with the interconnectivity between these elements by two radioactive decay chains, are the foundation on which the U/Pb system was able to make a unique contribution to isotope science. The Rosetta Stone is an ancient Egyptian tablet that enabled previously indecipherable hieroglyphics to be translated. In a similar manner, the isotopic investigation of the U/Pb system, by a variety of mass spectrometric instrumentation, has led to our knowledge of the age of the Earth and contributed to thermochronology. In a similar manner, climate change information has been garnered by utilizing the U-Disequilibrium Series to measure the ages of marine archives. The impact of Pb in the environment has been demonstrated in human health, particularly at the peak of leaded petrol consumption in motor vehicles in the 1970s. Variations in the isotopic composition of lead in samples enable the source of the lead to be "fingerprinted" so as to trace the history of the Pb in ice cores and aerosols. The discovery of nuclear fission of (235)U led to the development of nuclear reactors and the isotopic investigation of the Oklo natural reactors. The mass spectrometer is the modern Rosetta Stone of isotope science, which has enabled the isotopic hieroglyphics of the U/Pb system to be investigated to reveal new horizons in our understanding of nature, and to address a number of societal and environmental problems.

Varying Constants, Gravitation and Cosmology.

Fundamental constants are a cornerstone of our physical laws. Any constant varying in space and/or time would reflect the existence of an almost massless field that couples to matter. This will induce a violation of the universality of free fall. Thus, it is of utmost importance for our understanding of gravity and of the domain of validity of general relativity to test for their constancy. We detail the relations between the constants, the tests of the local position invariance and of the universality of free fall. We then review the main experimental and observational constraints that have been obtained from atomic clocks, the Oklo phenomenon, solar system observations, meteorite dating, quasar absorption spectra, stellar physics, pulsar timing, the cosmic microwave background and big bang nucleosynthesis. At each step we describe the basics of each system, its dependence with respect to the constants, the known systematic effects and the most recent constraints that have been obtained. We then describe the main theoretical frameworks in which the low-energy constants may actually be varying and we focus on the unification mechanisms and the relations between the variation of different constants. To finish, we discuss the more speculative possibility of understanding their numerical values and the apparent fine-tuning that they confront us with.

SHRIMP in situ isotopic analyses of REE, Pb and U in micro-minerals bearing fission products in the Oklo and Bangombé natural reactors: A review of a natural analogue study for the migration of fission products

In the Precambrian, parts of the Oklo, Okélobondo and Bangombé uranium deposits of the Republic of Gabon, central Africa, functioned as natural fission reactors. Many elements in the Oklo and Bangombé uranium deposits show variations in isotopic composition caused by a combination of nuclear fission, neutron capture and radioactive decay. Isotopic studies provide useful information to understand the behavior of radionuclides in geological media. In our recent work, in situ REE, Pb and U isotopic analyses of individual tiny minerals in and around reactor zones have been performed using a SHRIMP (Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe). The isotopic results of the SHRIMP analyses on micro-minerals found in and around the Oklo and Bangombé natural reactors are reviewed in this paper. The data suggest the selective uptake behavior of (1) Ra into illite, and (2) Pu into apatite, (3) the formation process of secondary minerals bearing fissiogenic REE and depleted U, (4) evidence of nuggets (ɛ-particles) bearing fissiogenic platinum group elements (PGE), and (5) from the U–Pb systematics of highly altered zircons, the redistribution of U and Pb.

Formation and geochemical significance of micrometallic aggregates including fissiogenic platinum group elements in the Oklo natural reactor, Gabon

Metallic aggregates with a size of a few tens μm and consisting mainly of Ru, Rh, Pd, Te, Pb, As, Sb, S and Bi were found in the acid residue of SD37-S2/CD uraninite taken from Oklo natural reactor zone (RZ) 13. Quantitative analyses of major elements using an electron probe microanalyzer and in situ isotopic analyses of Zr, Mo, Ru, Pb and U using a sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe were performed on the metallic aggregates to determine the geochemical behaviors of fission products and actinides and to ascertain the processes of formation of the aggregates in the RZs. The chemical compositions of the aggregates investigated in this study are significantly different from those reported previously, showing lower Pb content and no correlation between the contents of Pb and S in the individual grains. The 235U/ 238U ratios in metallic aggregates vary significantly from 0.00478 to 0.01466, indicating chemical fractionation between U and Pu during the formation of the aggregates. The Pb isotopic data indicate that most of the Pb in the aggregates decayed from 2.05 Ga-old uraninite that existed in the RZ originally and that there was chemical fractionation between U and Pb in some aggregates. The Zr and Mo isotopic ratios, 90Zr/ 91Zr and 95Mo/ 97Mo, for most of the aggregates had small variations, which can be simply explained by constant separate mixing of fissiogenic and nonfissiogenic components. On the other hand, a large variation in the 99Ru/ 101Ru ratio (0.324–1.73) cannot be explained only by a two component mixing theory; thus, chemical fractionation between Tc and Ru during the reactor criticality is suggested. The large variations in the 235U/ 238U and 99Ru/ 101Ru isotopic ratios suggest that the aggregates formed under various redox conditions owing to the radiolysis of water.

Results of measuring the residual strains in the WWER-1000 reactor vessel

Internal stresses in specimens cut from the natural WWER-1000 reactor vessel have been investigated using neutron diffraction. Thin and thick templates (flat specimens cut from a bulk product) have been studied and the effect of the volume factor on the stress distribution has been revealed. A good agreement between the experimental data and previous theoretical calculations has been established. The tangential stresses in the ferrite at the ferrite-austenitic coating interface are compression stresses, which allows us to assume that the product has a high resistance to corrosion cracking.

Hanohano: Hawaiian antineutrino observatory

Design studies are underway for the deep ocean antineutrino observatory Hanohano. The 10 kton monolitic underwater detector will be able to make precision measurement of neutrino mixing parameters (including θ13 and neutrino mass hierarchy) if stationed around 60 km offshore, from the nuclear reactor. Hanohano will be a mobile detector and placing it in a mid-Pacific location will provide the first ever flux measurement of geoneutrinos (antineutrinos emitted in the radioactive decay series of uranium and thorium), coming from the Earth's mantle and perform a sensitivity search for a hypothetical natural fission reactor in the Earth's core. Additional deployment at a different mid-ocean location will lead to tests of lateral heterogeneity of uranium and thorium in the Earth's mantle. These measurements would provide an important insight into deep-Earth geophysics, mantle composition and understanding of the Earth's heat flow and sources of energy inside the Earth.

KamLAND-experiment and soliton-like nuclear georeactor

We give an alternative description of the new data produced in the KamLAND experiment, assuming the existence of a natural nuclear reactor on the boundary of the liquid and solid phases of the Earth's core. Analyzing the uncertainty of antineutrino spectrum of georeactor origin, we show that the theoretical (which takes into account the soliton-like nuclear georeactor with power about 20 TW) reactor antineutrino spectrum describes with good accuracy the new experimental KamLAND-data. At the same time the parameters of mixing ( Δm212 =2.5х10-5 eV2, tan2Θ12 =0.437) calculated within the framework of georeactor hypothesis are substantially closer to the data of solar flux SNO-experiment then the parameters of mixing obtained in KamLAND-experiment.

Anomalous Uranium Isotope Ratio in Atmospheric Deposits in Japan

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image sizeKEYWORDS: atmospheric deposituranium isotope ratioenriched uraniumdepleted uraniumnuclear test explosionanthropogenic radionuclideAsian mineral dustKosa

Searching for space-time variation of the fine structure constant using QSO spectra: overview and future prospects

Current theories that seek to unify gravity with the other fundamental interactions suggest that spatial and temporal variation of fundamental constants is a possibility, or even a necessity, in an expanding Universe. Several studies have tried to probe the values of constants at earlier stages in the evolution of the Universe, using tools such as big-bang nucleosynthesis, the Oklo natural nuclear reactor, quasar absorption spectra, and atomic clocks (see, e.g. Flambaum & Berengut (2009)).

Accelerating universe and the time-dependent fine-structure constant

I start with assuming a gravitational scalar field as the dark-energy supposed to be responsible for the accelerating universe. Also from the point of view of unification, a scalar field implies a time-variability of certain “constants” in Nature. In this context I once derived a relation for the time-variability of the fine-structure constant α: Δα/α =ζ Ƶ(α/π) Δσ, where ζ and Ƶ are the constants of the order one, while σ on the right-hand side is the scalar field in action in the accelerating universe. I use the reduced Planckian units with c=ℏ =MP(=(8π G)−1/2)=1. I then compared the dynamics of the accelerating universe, on one hand, and Δα/α derived from the analyses of QSO absorption lines, Oklo phenomenon, also different atomic clocks in the laboratories, on the other hand. I am here going to discuss the theoretical background of the relation, based on the scalar-tensor theory invented first by Jordan in 1955.

Did natural reactors form as a consequence of the emergence of oxygenic photosynthesis during the Archean?

The advent of oxygenic photosynthesis changed Earth’s surface environment in numerous ways, perhaps most notably by making possible the evolution of large and complex life-forms. Current models suggest that organisms that can perform oxygenic photosynthesis first took hold in isolated marine and freshwater basins, producing local oxygen oases. Here we present calculations that suggest that uranium deposits could have formed at the margins of these basins due to the strong local reductionoxidation gradients. Because of the high abundance of 235 U at this time, these uranium deposits could have formed widespread, near-surface, critical natural fission reactors. These natural reactors would have represented point sources of heat, ionizing radiation, and free radicals. Additionally, they would have far-field effects through the production of mobile short- and long-lived radioactive daughter isotopes and toxic byproducts. It is possible that these fission products pro vided a negative feedback, helping to limit the proliferation of the cyanobacteria in the Archean environment. Secular decreases in the abundance of 235 U in

In-situ U-Pb analyses of highly altered zircon from sediments overlying the Bangombé natural fission reactor, Gabon

In-situ isotopic analyses of Pb and U in the highly altered zircons found in the clay and black shale layers above the Bangombé natural reactor, Republic of Gabon, were analyzed using a sensitive high resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) to understand the geological history in this area. The analyzed zircons widely vary in the U contents ranging from <100 to 59000 ppm. To confirm the problem on insufficient Pb/U calibration of high-U zircon in the SHRIMP technique, 206Pb/238U isotopic ratios from the SHRIMP analysis were compared with those from the analytical combination of U/Pb elemental ratios by electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA) with Pb isotopic ratios by SHRIMP. A significant deviation was found in the 206Pb/238U data of high-U zircons between two analytical techniques. Then, we concluded that the analytical data with U concentrations less than 2500 ppm can be used as reliably calibrated SHRIMP U-Pb data and those with high U concentration greater than 2500 ppm were determined by the analytical combination by EPMA and SHRIMP. The U-Pb data of zircons provide chronological information on the igneous activity associated with the basement rock formation at ca. 2.8 Ga. Moreover, nearly constant 207Pb/206Pb data corresponding to the mean age of 1959 ± 12 Ma and wide variation of 238U/206Pb data suggest that U and Pb were originated from 2.05-Ga old uraninite and migrated into zircon grains independently under the recent severe weathering.

Innovative Natural Functional Ingredients from Microalgae

Nowadays, a wide variety of compounds such as polyphenols, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), or phytosterols obtained, for example, from wine, fish byproducts, or plants are employed to prepare new functional foods. However, unexplored natural sources of bioactive ingredients are gaining much attention since they can lead to the discovery of new compounds or bioactivities. Microalgae have been proposed as an interesting, almost unlimited, natural source in the search for novel natural functional ingredients, and several works have shown the possibility to find bioactive compounds in these organisms. Some advantages can be associated with the study of microalgae such as their huge diversity, the possibility of being used as natural reactors at controlled conditions, and their ability to produce active secondary metabolites to defend themselves from adverse or extreme conditions. In this contribution, an exhaustive revision is presented involving the research for innovative functional food ingredients from microalgae. The most interesting results in this promising field are discussed including new species composition and bioactivity and new processing and extraction methods. Moreover, the future research trends are critically commented.

Neutrino mixing discriminates geo-reactor models

Geo-reactor models suggest the existence of natural nuclear reactors at different deep-earth locations with loosely defined output power. Reactor fission products undergo beta decay with the emission of electron antineutrinos, which routinely escape the earth. Neutrino mixing distorts the energy spectrum of the electron antineutrinos. Characteristics of the distorted spectrum observed at the earth's surface could specify the location of a geo-reactor, discriminating the models and facilitating more precise power measurement.

Crystal chemistry and radiation-induced amorphization of P-coffinite from the natural fission reactor at Bangombe, Gabon

Phosphorous-rich coffinite, U(Si, P)04Ti20, from the natural nuclear reactor at Bangombe, Gabon (depth 12.25 m), has been examined as an important primary mineral and alteration product of uraninite under reducing conditions. Based on electron microprobe analyses (EMPA) and textural relationships, two distinct types of coffinite have been identified: (1) P-coffinite-(i) [with P2C)5 and (REE+Y)20, as high as 9.84 and 8.66 wt%, respectively] replaces uraninite and has a chemical formula of (FJ0.84±.0.05Y, REE 0.12±0.02Ca0.10±0.02Th 0.003±0.002)Σ1.07±o.o6(Si 0.41±0.07P0.34±0.03S 0.08±0.05) Σ0.84±0.05O4 and; (2) coffmite-(ii), lacks uraninite inclusions [with P20 5 and (Y+REE)203 up to 1.45 and 1.79 wt%, respectively] and has a chemical formula of (U0.78±0.02Ca 0.05±0.003YREE0.03±0.01 Th0.002 ±0.001) Σ0.87±0.02(Si 1.02±0.02P0.06±0.01) Σ 1.08±0.01O4- The EMPA elemental maps reveal a homogeneous distribution of P, Si, Nd, and FT in P-coffinite-(i). Charge-balance calculations indicate that S substitution for Si in the coffinite structure results in the enhancement of the incorporation of P and REEs. High EMPA totals (95-100 wt%), suggest that water is not an essential component of the coffmite structure. High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) reveal the decomposition of single crystals of uraninite into 50 nm grains during the alteration process to P-coffmite-(i). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (F1RTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns confirm that P-cofiinite-(i) has the coffinite structure. However, P-coffmite-(i) has a large amorphous fraction probably due to radiation damage caused by a-decay events. The calculated cumulative dose for both types of coffinite varies from 1.6-1.9 x 10 18 (a-decay events/mg), which is equivalent to 134.2-161.5 displacement per atom (dpa) that have accumulated most probably during the past 800 million years.

Competing bounds on the present-day time variation of fundamental constants

We compare the sensitivity of a recent bound on time variation of the fine structure constant from optical clocks with bounds on time varying fundamental constants from atomic clocks sensitive to the electron-to-proton mass ratio, from radioactive decay rates in meteorites, and from the Oklo natural reactor. Tests of the Weak Equivalence Principle also lead to comparable bounds on present variations of constants. The "winner in sensitivity" depends on what relations exist between the variations of different couplings in the standard model of particle physics, which may arise from the unification of gauge interactions. WEP tests are currently the most sensitive within unified scenarios. A detection of time variation in atomic clocks would favour dynamical dark energy and put strong constraints on the dynamics of a cosmological scalar field.

Enhanced effect of quark mass variation inTh229and limits from Oklo data

The effects of the variation of the dimensionless strong interaction parameter X{sub q}=m{sub q}/{lambda}{sub QCD} (m{sub q} is the quark mass, {lambda}{sub QCD} is the QCD scale) are enhanced about 1.5x10{sup 5} times in the 7.6 eV ''nuclear clock'' transition between the ground and first excited states in the {sup 229}Th nucleus and about 1x10{sup 8} times in the relative shift of the 0.1 eV compound resonance in {sup 150}Sm. The best terrestrial limit on the temporal variation of the fundamental constants, |{delta}X{sub q}/X{sub q}|<4x10{sup -9} at 1.8 billion years ago (|X{center_dot}{sub q}/X{sub q}|<2.2x10{sup -18}y{sup -1}), is obtained from the shift of this Sm resonance derived from the Oklo natural nuclear reactor data. The results for {sup 229}Th and {sup 150}Sm are obtained by extrapolation from light nuclei where the many-body calculations can be performed more accurately. The errors produced by such extrapolation may be smaller than the errors of direct calculations in heavy nuclei. The extrapolation results are compared with the ''direct'' estimates obtained using the Walecka model. A number of numerical relations needed for the calculations of the variation effects in nuclear physics and atomic spectroscopy have been obtained: for the nuclear binding energy {delta}E/E{approx_equal}-1.45 {delta}m{sub q}/m{sub q},more » for the spin-orbit intervals {delta}E{sub so}/E{sub so}{approx_equal}-0.22 {delta}m{sub q}/m{sub q}, for the nuclear radius {delta}r/r{approx_equal}0.3 {delta}m{sub q}/m{sub q} (in units of {lambda}{sub QCD}); for the shifts of nuclear resonances and weakly bound energy levels {delta}E{sub r}{approx_equal}10 {delta}X{sub q}/X{sub q} MeV.« less