nuclear-news

TEPCO begins removal of pipes contaminated at the time of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.

March 1, 2022
On January 1, TEPCO began removing pipes in Units 1 and 2 of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant that were contaminated with radioactive materials when they were vented to prevent damage to the plant. After the pipes are disconnected, TEPCO plans to investigate the situation with the Nuclear Regulation Commission.

The pipes to be removed are called “SGTS pipes” and are used to filter out gases in the reactor building during an accident.

TEPCO has begun removing the piping from the portion of the piping that goes outdoors because it will interfere with the installation of a large cover to cover the entire Unit 1 reactor building, which experienced a hydrogen explosion.

The pipes to be removed are approximately 65 meters long on the Unit 1 side and 70 meters long on the Unit 2 side. At the time of the accident 11 years ago, the containment vessel covering the reactor was contaminated when it was vented to release gases containing radioactive materials to prevent it from being damaged by the internal pressure.

Radiation levels of up to 160 millisieverts per hour were observed in the pipes when they were surveyed last May.

TEPCO and the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) plan to examine the severed pipes to determine the effects of the “vent” on the pipes’ contamination and other factors.

The removal work is scheduled to last until the end of this month, but according to TEPCO, the work was suspended for one day due to a malfunction of the shredding equipment, and the cause is being investigated.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20220301/k10013507101000.html?fbclid=IwAR0yB_LUsoi0sKIPR0-jh-R6u7KmMGo93QQ7OjxMCbIp-WKesxtLvm_nIh8

March 3, 2022 - Posted by dunrenard | Fuk 2022 | Fukushima Daiichi, Pipes removal, SGTS pipes