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Boat-type Submersible Access Devices to Investigate Interiors of PCV at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station[Developed by Hitachi GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd. in 2019]

Oct.25,2019

For the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (NPS), owned by the Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (TEPCO), the International Research Institute for Nuclear Decommissioning (IRID) has developed the boat-type submersible access devices and small-type remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to investigate the details of the Unit 1 primary containment vessel (PCV) at the Fukushima Daiichi NPS. Here, IRID introduces line-up of the devices.

 These devices are the results of a subsidy project on decommissioning and contaminated water management in the fiscal year of 2017 of the Development of Technologies for Detailed Investigation inside PCV (onsite-demonstration of detailed investigation technologies considering management of deposits), which is granted by the Agency of Natural Resources and Energy (ANRE) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

 

 

 

An Operation Confirmation Test for a Robot Arm and Access Rail: Element Technology for Retrieving Fuel Debris using a Partial Submersion Side-Access Method.[Developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.]

Oct.10,2019

Fuel debris retrieval in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station is planned to start with a small-scale retrieval. As the review of the retrieval work, conducted flexibly on the basis of fuel debris properties and new findings obtained from the work experience, progresses, the scale of retrieval will be increased.A robot arm and access rail have been developed as one of element technologies for retrieving fuel debris using a partial submersion side-access method. These have been created to be used as the scale of fuel debris retrieval expands.

 

 

 

Development of a Small-amount Fuel Debris Sampling Device for the Detailed Investigation inside the Primary Containment Vessel [Developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries] (August 2019)]

Aug.31,2019

A sampling device used for collecting small amounts of fuel debris was developed for decommissioning the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) Holdings, Inc. Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (NPS). It was developed using an ultrafine metal wire brush method for the detailed investigation inside the Primary Containment Vessel (PCV) at Unit 2 of the Fukushima Daiichi NPS, The device was introduced to the public at the International Research Institute for Nuclear Decommissioning (IRID) Symposium 2019, held on August 1, 2019.

 

Investigation Inside PCV / Development of a Device to Investigate inside PCV of Fukushima Daiichi NPS Unit 2 [Development by Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation] (December 22, 2017)

Dec.22,2017

As part of decommissioning activities for the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (NPS), operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), an investigation device was developed to survey the internal conditions of the pedestal in the primary containment vessel (PCV) of Fukushima Daiichi NPS Unit 2. The investigation device was released to the media on December 22, 2017.

Investigation inside Primary Containment Vessel (PCV): Development of Submersible Crawling Robot to Survey inside PCV of Fukushima Daiichi Unit 3 [Development by TOSHIBA] (June 15, 2017)

Jun.15,2017

As part of the decommissioning activities for the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co., (TEPCO), a small submersible crawling robot was developed to investigate the internal surroundings of the pedestal, under the Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV), in the PCV of Unit 3, where coolant water had accumulated. The robot was released to the media on June 15, 2017.

Study on Fuel Debris Retrieval Method: “Reactor Pressure Vessel 1/1 Scale Model Test”, etc. [Development by Hitachi GE Nuclear Energy] (April 2017)

Apr.17,2017

As part of its R&D efforts for the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (NPS), the IRID (development by Hitachi GE Nuclear Energy) is involved in developing fundamental technologies for the retrieval and removal of fuel debris and internal reactor structures, and subsidizing costs for the Decommissioning and Contaminated Water Management Project.

Development of Robot “PMORPH” for Investigation inside Unit 1 Primary Containment Vessel (PCV) (Investigation outside Pedestal Basement: B2 Investigation) [Developed by IRID and Hitachi GE Nuclear Energy] (February 3, 2017)

Feb.03,2017

The “PMORPH”, developed by IRID and Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, was presented to the media on February 3. The device, equipped with a dosimeter and underwater camera, will be used to investigate outside the Unit 1 pedestal basement in the PCV, in which fuel debris may have spread to, towards decommissioning TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (NPS).

Full-scale Testing of Technology for Repairing PCV Leakage Points
Full-scale Testing of Strengthening Technology for Suppression Chamber (S/C) Support Columns [IRID/Hitachi GE Nuclear Energy] (November 29, 2016)

Nov.29,2016

IRID is engaged in ongoing development of technology for repairing leakage points in the Primary Containment Vessel (PCV) under a project sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) for the FY2016-2017 period towards the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.