Fuel debris removal attempt halted at Fukushima Daiichi

Posted: 23rd August 2024

22 August 2024

Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) has suspended the first attempt to extract fuel debris from within the primary containment vessel of unit 2 at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant after an error in the setup of the debris retrieval device was identified.

The push pipes to be used in the fuel debris extraction operation (Image: Tepco)

On 19 August, Tepco announced that it planned to remove a few grams of melted fuel debris from unit 2 on August 22. The operation was expected to last about two weeks using a telescopic device equipped with a gripper tool. The device can extend up to 22 metres and access the debris through a penetration point in the primary containment vessel (PCV). The removal technique, which is being used for the first time in unit 2, will then be gradually extended to unit 3, where a large-scale recovery is expected in the early 2030s.

https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Fuel-debris-removal-attempt-halted-at-Fukushima-Da