Fuel Debris Retrieval Trial
On October 30th, a retrieval device was deployed in the No. 2 reactor of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. This marked a significant step in the ongoing efforts to remove fuel debris that melted down during the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
On November 5th, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the plant operator, reported that the radiation level of the retrieved fuel debris was within the safe handling threshold. This finding paves the way for the completion of the trial removal, which is expected to be finalized on or after November 7th.
Following the retrieval, the device containing the fuel debris was placed in an isolation box outside the containment vessel on November 2nd. On November 5th, TEPCO measured the radiation level at approximately 0.2 millisievert per hour at a distance of 20 centimeters from the box. This level is well below the safety threshold of 24 millisieverts per hour, ensuring the safety of workers involved in the process.
The next step involves placing the debris in a box-shaped container within the isolation box on November 6th. Subsequently, a window on the side of the box will be opened on or after November 7th to transfer the container into a bucket-shaped container, marking the successful completion of the trial retrieval.
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster resulted in the meltdown of fuel rods in the No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 reactors. An estimated 880 tons of fuel debris remain inside these reactors. The ongoing trial aims to retrieve up to 3 grams of fuel debris from the No. 2 reactor for analysis. This analysis will provide valuable insights into the composition and characteristics of the debris, which will be crucial for developing future retrieval methods.
The successful completion of this trial represents a significant milestone in the decommissioning process of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. It brings hope for the eventual removal of all fuel debris and the restoration of the site to a safe and stable condition.