Japan on Tuesday began removing nuclear fuel from the spent fuel pool of the No. 2 reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, according to local media reports. Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) initiated the operation, marking a significant milestone in the long-term decommissioning of the site devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Fuel Removal Operation
The operation involves the removal of fuel assemblies stored in the reactor's spent fuel pool. Currently, 587 highly radioactive spent fuel assemblies and 28 unused assemblies remain in the pool. TEPCO stated that it is removing the unused fuel first because it poses a lower risk in the event of an accident. The utility aims to complete the removal of all fuel assemblies from the No. 2 reactor by fiscal year 2028.
Radiation Challenges
Radiation levels inside the reactor building remain high more than 15 years after the disaster. On the fifth floor, where the fuel pool is located, radiation reaches up to 5 millisieverts per hour, limiting the amount of time workers can spend in the area. To reduce risks, a crane for removing fuel assemblies is remotely controlled, and the assemblies are placed one by one in a transport container called a cask inside the pool.
The cask will be lifted out of the pool and then lowered onto a trailer from a platform installed next to the building. This careful process is designed to minimize exposure to radiation and ensure safety.
Broader Context
In other news, Pakistan and Italy signed a visa exemption deal for diplomats. Separately, war-hit energy prices continue to push up eurozone inflation, impacting global economies.
