| DECONTAMINATION & DECOMMISSIONING
Over the past six years, Rosatom research institutes
have been actively involved in R&D and engineering works aimed at remediation of the Fukushima Daiichi site. The government of Japan subsidises most of these projects
Left: The Fukushima site today Photo credit: Tepco
We are also developing anthropomorphic robotic
systems, which will accurately copy the movements of an operator who is at a safe distance from a dangerous object. In our opinion, the future belongs to these
anthropomorphic robots performing all tasks related to the handling of radioactive materials. We are confident that our solutions will significantly reduce the time required to complete these tasks and improve their safety.
Managing tritium-contaminated water is considered as critical to the sustainability of Fukushima decommissioning activities. Rosatom entities were involved in discovering the issue. Could you comment the current status of the problem? The issue of management tritium-contaminated water at the Fukushima site is the subject of extensive discussion by the Japanese expert community and the general public. We have also been researching this issue for many years. Back in 2016, we demonstrated a possible technology for treating tritiated water and offered our services. The final choice of a specific technology is due to its
environmental acceptability and the total final effect of its introduction at the site. Japan is treating the issue responsibly, trying to take
into account the maximum number of factors. We are ready to provide all possible assistance to the Japanese side, regardless of their final decision.
Last year Tenex-Japan Co. entered into a contract with Tepco Holdings Inc. to carry out a conceptual study in the field of handling radioactive zeolites. Could you describe the project? The task was to develop conceptual proposals on possible options for retrieving highly active sorbents from the basements of flooded industrial buildings.
Left: Tenex visit to Fukushima in 2015 Photo credit: Rosatom
Apart from us, several international companies are
solving the same problem. A number of similar projects have recently been carried out in Russia, and certain technologies used then could be applied to the extraction of zeolites at Fukushima.
What else may Rosatom propose to Fukushima? What are the challenges you can meet with your technologies and solutions? The most difficult task in the coming years at Fukushima choosing the best methods for the safe retrieve of damaged nuclear fuel and its subsequent handling. Rosatom has unique experience in handling defective and damaged spent nuclear fuel and nuclear fuel spills. The Japanese side knows about this experience, and we are cooperating in this area. Overall, there are many areas for the application of
Russian solutions at Fukushima. These are all kinds of means of remote inspections, unique detectors, technologies for handling complex radioactive waste, developing theoretical hypotheses and supporting R&D. Our cooperation with the site operator, research institutes and industrial partners includes about two dozen areas. ■
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