Tokyo Electric Unable to Complete Step 1 of Fukushima Recovery Plan

Researched by Industrial Info Resources East Asia (Kofu-shi, Japan)--As announced last week, Tokyo Electric Power Company Incorporated (TYO:9501) (TEPCO) (Tokyo) planned to finish Step 1 of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station's "roadmap to recovery" by July 17. However, TEPCO has not fully completed Step 1 as planned, only having fully accomplished nitrogen injection in units 1 through 3 and stable cooling in the spent fuel pools. Several key stages remain untouched or in flux as TEPCO continues into Step 2.

A few major issues that remain in flux revolve around stable cooling of the reactors. TEPCO has been able to start operations at the on-site water treatment facility after numerous difficulties, however the system is only operating at approximately 50% of its full capacity. The idea is for TEPCO to pull standing, irradiated water from the units, decontaminate it, then recycle it back to the reactors in order to cool them. Ma-on, the recent typhoon that swept through most of Japan, brought more rain to Fukushima prefecture, raising water levels within the units again. Concerns now lie with irradiated water seeping into the water table if overflow occurs.

Other unresolved stages in Step 1 include the removal of debris around Fukushima Daiichi. Due to high, though dwindling, radiation levels, debris removal has been done remotely with cranes and robots, making the process cumbersome. Radiation levels have also impeded the improvement of working conditions, another unsettled Step 1 issue.

As TEPCO moves into Step 2, which includes the end result of cold shutdown, it plans to begin focusing on lowering radiation, while also resolving outstanding issues like stable reactor cooling and water decontamination. TEPCO has, however, removed reactor vessel repair from Step 2, saying that it would be more logical to cool the reactors before attempting repairs. Another immediate issue, disposal of radioactive waste produced by the water decontamination facility, will also have to be tackled soon. For more information, read the June 17 Industrial Info article Treatment of Fukushima Daiichi Standing Water to Generate Unprecedented Radioactive Waste.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. IIR's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle™, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.