September 29, 2014

Sep 29, 2014 | Fukushima Accident Updates

  • Decision Sciences International Corporation (DSIC) will send its Muon tracking system to F. Daiichi. Toshiba has awarded the contract to DSIC making the system’s use official. The technology has been covered in earlier Fukushima Updates, but only as a potential way to locate the damaged cores inside units 1, 2 & 3. The DSIC will design, manufacture and deliver detector and tube arrays that fit into the power plant’s damaged buildings. Company President/CEO Dr. Stanton D. Sloane said, “We are delighted to extend the application of our solution to assist in the recovery of the Fukushima power plant as well as support and secure a safe working environment for personnel.” Muon tracking detectors detect and track muons as they pass through objects. Subtle changes in the trajectory of the muons as they penetrate materials vary with material density. Nuclear materials such as uranium and plutonium are very dense and are relatively easy to find. The information provided by the detectors will assist Toshiba in developing a safe and effective remediation plan. http://www.decisionsciencescorp.com/ds-awarded-toshiba-contract-fukushima-daiichi-nuclear-project/
  • One of the advanced water treatment systems was shut down on Friday. The unit showed cloudiness in the water being processed and was stopped when it could not be cleared up. Operators found a calcium filter in the stream was inadequately filtering out radioactive Strontium. The affected line will remain off until the problem can be verified and subsequently resolved. http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140927_03.html
  • The work-force at F. Daiichi has doubled since last year. Tepco says an average of 5730 people worked at the site each day between July 2013 and July 2014. This shows that numerous Japanese and international Press reports forecasting an imminent labor shortage were incorrect. Contractors at F. Daiichi say there are more than 10,000 registered workers available. Tepco says it will continue to improve working conditions and reduce radiation levels around the station. http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140929_09.html
  • Tokyo has drafted legislation to guarantee rural waste storage will end in 30 years. Local acceptance of a storage facility in Okuma and Futaba hinges on irrevocable assurance that the low level materials be gone in no longer than thirty years. The bill maintains that the wastes will be safely stored and subsequently transferred to a permanent site in a timely fashion. It also says new technologies are to be pursued to lower the radioactivity of the collected materials. The legislation needs approval of PM Abe’s Cabinet before submittal to the congress (Diet) for political deliberation. http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/nuclear.html
  • Another large antinuclear protest occurred, this time in Kagoshima Prefecture. Organizers say that about 7,500 were gathered to protest the anticipated restart of the two Pressurized Water Reactor plants at Sendai Station. The protest was organized by roughly 90 Kagoshima citizens groups. The main speaker was Naoto Kan, former Prime Minister and current international antinuclear activist. He said, “It is essential to have the city and town governments within a 30-kilometer radius of the plant make clear whether they agree to the restart of the reactors…I will fully support the movement to stop the planned resumption of the reactors.” Former Kawauchi Village (Fukushima Prefecture) official Chikako Nishiyama added, “I want (people) to know about the reality of Fukushima Prefecture. If a precedent is set at the Sendai nuclear power plant, it would encourage a resumption of other nuclear plants. I want to head off the move at any cost.” http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/politics/AJ201409290044
  • A group of Japanese scientists want the restart of nukes delayed. The Science Council of Japan believes that power companies should be required to build temporary storage facilities for nuclear waste before resuming operation. The Council charges it would be irresponsible to resume operations without securing temporary nuclear waste storage facilities. Current regulations make no such stipulation. The Council can issue its recommendation to the government’s Cabinet Office, but its proposition is not legally binding. http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/nuclear.html