EGN NEWS DESK
The operator of the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear energy plant, which suffered a meltdown after an enormous earthquake and tsunami overwhelmed the ability in 2011, will begin the experimental removing course of at reactor No. 2 on Thursday, as long as essential inspections are accomplished on time, an official from the corporate mentioned in a information convention Monday.
It’s a step ahead for the utility and the federal government, which estimates the whole decommissioning of the ability will take three to 4 a long time. Removal of the lethal particles has proved difficult, requiring the event of a robotic arm that may fish out radioactive gas, metallic cladding and different constructions within the reactor that melted, cooled and solidified collectively. Tepco has delayed the beginning of process up to now.
About 880 metric tons of gas particles stay within the three reactors that suffered a meltdown, in response to estimates by the International Research Institute for Nuclear Decommissioning. The preliminary demonstration will retrieve lower than 3 grams of the particles.
A robotic arm that appears like a fishing rod shall be operated from a distant room into reactor No. 2, earlier than a metallic claw-like grip shall be lowered right down to retrieve a small quantity of particles, the corporate mentioned on its web site. Tepco has chosen the No. 2 reactor to reveal the tactic and plans to take away particles in reactors No. 1 and No. 3 sooner or later.
It is estimated that the cleanup at Fukushima, the location of the worst nuclear catastrophe for the reason that 1986 Chernobyl accident, will price round ¥23 trillion ($157 billion). Tepco additionally began a course of to launch handled wastewater from the ability final yr, as a part of its decommissioning efforts.
