Quake shifts 53 water tanks at Fukushima plant

February 26, 2021

The operator of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant says it has found that 53 tanks storing radioactive wastewater were shifted from their original locations by a powerful earthquake earlier this month. But it says there have been no leaks from the tanks.

Tokyo Electric Power Company inspected 1,074 tanks after a magnitude-7.3 quake struck off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture on February 13.

TEPCO discovered that 53 tanks had moved from their original locations by 3 to 19 centimeters.

TEPCO treats the water used to cool molten nuclear fuel at the damaged reactors before storing it in tanks. But the water still contains radioactive substances.

The company says it also found that five sections of piping connecting the tanks shifted more than the limit recommended by the manufacturer.

But it says it has so far found no cracks or other abnormalities in the piping. It plans to conduct further examinations.

TEPCO also laid out a plan to repair two seismometers at the No.3 reactor building next month.

It came to light on Monday that the devices went out of order partly because of heavy rain last July. As a result, they were unable to collect data when the quake struck.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210226_03/

February 28, 2021 - Posted by dunrenard | Fukushima 2021 | Earthquake damages, Fukushima Daiichi, Water Tanks