TOKYO, Sep 12 (News On Japan) –
The elimination of gas particles, a vital and extremely difficult a part of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Energy Plant decommissioning course of, has resumed. This course of, considered probably the most troublesome side of the decommissioning effort, focuses on extracting melted and solidified nuclear gas, often known as gas particles, from the plant’s reactors.
Professor Takashi Okamoto from the College of Tokyo defined the operation, which passed off on September 10 on the No. 2 reactor. Because of the excessive radiation ranges contained in the containment vessel, the particles can solely be eliminated utilizing robots.
Gas particles is extraordinarily hazardous as a consequence of its excessive radiation ranges, making it unimaginable for people to entry the world with out extreme danger. On this operation, robots had been deployed alongside human staff, though even the areas the place folks had been current had comparatively excessive radiation ranges, complicating the duty. The whole quantity of gas particles in reactors 1 to three is estimated to be about 880 tons, however solely a small amount — lower than 3 grams — was eliminated throughout this part because of the excessive radiation dangers.
The operation has made important progress, with the profitable insertion of the gear into the containment vessel marking a serious step ahead. Tokyo Electrical Energy Firm (TEPCO) considers this the primary part of the operation, an essential milestone within the lengthy and sophisticated means of gas particles elimination. In keeping with Professor Okamoto, the elimination of particles is difficult as a result of it should be completed solely by robots, given the hazardous nature of the fabric and the shortcoming of people to strategy it.
There aren’t any issues about radioactive contamination or a possible recriticality throughout the operation, as the quantity being eliminated could be very small. Even when the method fails, there can be no environmental influence, and the duty could possibly be redone. The extracted gas particles can be analyzed at a analysis facility in Ibaraki Prefecture to review its crystal construction, which is able to assist develop future methods for extra intensive particles elimination.
Whereas there are 880 tons of gas particles remaining, Professor Okamoto expressed cautious optimism that after they perceive the situation of the fabric inside, it might be potential to take away the remaining inside an inexpensive timeframe. The general purpose is to finish the decommissioning by 2051, with the elimination and protected storage of the particles as the highest precedence.
Supply: FNN
