Japan starts removing melted nuclear fuel 13 years after Fukushima disaster

After facing significant setbacks, Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) has initiated a crucial operation to remove a small amount of radioactive debris from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant.

This operation marks a significant step toward the long and complex process of decommissioning the plant, which was severely damaged by a tsunami in 2011.

Tepco’s “pilot extraction operation” began after a previous attempt was halted due to technical issues. The operation is expected to last about two weeks.

Overcoming technical hurdles to retrieve hazardous material

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, which suffered one of the worst nuclear disasters in history after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami on March 11, 2011, still contains approximately 880 tons of highly radioactive material.

The removal of this debris is considered one of the most challenging aspects of the decades-long decommissioning project. Tepco had initially planned to start the trial removal on August 22, aiming to extract a tiny sample of around three grams for analysis.

However, the operation was suspended after the discovery of a problem with the installation of the necessary equipment.

The issue involved the incorrect setup of five pipes intended to insert a retrieval device into the No. 2 reactor’s containment vessel. This problem forced Tepco to temporarily halt the operation to make the necessary adjustments. Tepco has since corrected the setup and resumed operation.

Advanced robotic technology to tackle radiation hazards

Given the extremely high radiation levels inside the reactors, Tepco has had to develop specialized robotic technology to perform the extraction. One such device is a robotic arm designed to function like a fishing rod, which will be remotely operated to lower a claw-like metallic grip into the reactor to retrieve small amounts of debris.

The device , capable of extending up to 72 feet (22 meters), will be inserted into the containment vessel to collect less than 0.1 ounces (3 grams) of the hazardous material. The process is expected to take approximately two weeks.

In February, Tepco deployed two mini-drones and a “snake-shaped robot” into one of the reactors in preparation for this task . These advanced technologies are crucial in navigating the challenging environment within the reactors, where human entry is impossible due to the high radiation levels.

Fukushima’s ongoing challenges and efforts

The ongoing efforts to decommission the Fukushima plant are part of a broader strategy to manage the disaster’s long-term consequences. Last year, Japan began releasing treated wastewater from the plant into the Pacific Ocean, a move that sparked diplomatic tensions with China and Russia.

Both countries have banned Japanese seafood imports, despite Tokyo’s insistence, supported by the UN atomic agency, that the discharge is safe.

Tepco has also taken initiatives to market food from the area in an effort to promote the region’s recovery and rebuild trust in Fukushima’s agricultural products.

Notably, London’s prestigious Harrods department store recently began selling Fukushima-grown peaches, renowned for their juicy, sweet taste. However, these peaches come with a hefty price tag, with a box of three reportedly selling for £80 ($105), as reported by The Guardian .