Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant: First Extraction of Fuel Debris Yields Only 0.7 Grams
Tokyo, Japan – Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO)announced on November 8th that the first experimental extraction of nuclear fuel debris from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, conducted on November 7th, yieldedonly approximately 0.7 grams of material.
This marks the first time TEPCO has extracted fuel debris from the plant since the devastating nuclear accident in2011. The debris, a mixture of melted nuclear fuel and surrounding structural materials, was extracted from the reactor core of Unit 2. The extracted sample, described as a pebble-like fragment measuring approximately 5 millimeters indiameter, was significantly smaller than the anticipated several grams.
The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), the primary research institution for analyzing the debris, had initially hoped for a sample weighing at least 1 gram to conduct a comprehensive analysis. However, thelimited amount of extracted material raises concerns about the feasibility of a thorough investigation.
“It is unclear at this point whether this amount will be sufficient for analysis,” stated a TEPCO official at a press conference on November 8th. “We will discuss the best approach for dividing the sample once it arrives at the researchfacility.”
The extraction process, a crucial step in the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi plant, aims to understand the condition of the melted fuel and the extent of its interaction with the reactor vessel. This information is vital for developing safe and effective decommissioning strategies.
While the initial extraction yielded a smaller sample than expected,TEPCO remains committed to continuing the process. The company plans to extract additional debris in the future, hoping to obtain larger samples for comprehensive analysis.
The limited amount of extracted debris raises questions about the effectiveness of the extraction method and the potential challenges in fully understanding the condition of the melted fuel. The scientific community willbe closely monitoring the progress of the extraction process and the subsequent analysis of the debris.
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