nuclear-news

Cover of Fukushima reactor 1 building to be removed

The operator of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant has decided to resume work to dismantle the cover of the No.1 reactor building later this month.

The work is part of efforts to decommission the facility, which suffered a meltdown after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster.

A hydrogen explosion damaged the No.1 reactor building. Tokyo Electric Power Company installed the cover to prevent radioactive material from dispersing.

The utility initially planned to start dismantling the cover last year to clear away radioactive rubble and remove spent nuclear fuel stored at a pool inside the building.

The plan was postponed several times after people expressed concern about the dispersal of radioactive substances.

Engineers also found a problem with a device that controls the air flow in the building when dismantling work was set to begin in May.

The engineers say they have addressed the problem. TEPCO decided to resume the dismantling work on July 28th as long as weather conditions permit.

As part of the plan, chemical agents will be sprayed to prevent radioactive dust from being released into the air.

Engineers plan to remove the six roof panels in about 4-months’ time.
Source : NHK
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20150716_01.html

July 16, 2015 - Posted by dunrenard | Japan | Fukushima Daiichi, Reactor1