Fukushima Unit 2 fuel debris removal experiment concludes

The debris will be brought to laboratories for detailed analyses.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) has completed the experimental removal of fuel debris from unit 2 of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

According to the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum, a telescoping device was inserted into the X-6 penetration, a hole leading to the PCV. Initial attempts to connect pushing pipes on 22 August were halted due to a piping error.

Work resumed on September 10 after the error was corrected. A head jig was then passed through an isolation valve to begin the experimental removal.

Issues with the camera on the telescoping device delayed the process. The camera was replaced on 24 October, and removal resumed on 28 October. The head jig reached the fuel debris on 30 October.

The debris collected will be analysed in various laboratories, such as the Oarai Nuclear Engineering Institute of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency. The results will inform the full-scale removal plan and be used to train future workers.