On May 15 local time, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) kicked off its second round of trial fuel debris extraction from Reactor Unit 2 at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The operation is expected to take about 12 days as experts work diligently to remove the melted nuclear material.
Once extracted, the fuel debris will be transported to a research facility managed by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency in Oarai, Ibaraki Prefecture. This trial follows a groundbreaking extraction in November 2024—the first time since the 2011 incident that melted fuel was moved outside the reactor containment vessel.
The 2011 earthquake and tsunami caused extensive damage at Fukushima Daiichi, leading to core meltdowns and the formation of roughly 880 metric tons of solidified debris. Today’s operation represents a significant step forward in the challenging decommissioning process. It’s a story of resilience, innovation, and teamwork—proving that even the toughest challenges can be met with determination. 🚀
Reference(s):
TEPCO Launches Second Round of Fukushima Daiichi Unit 2 Fuel Debris Removal
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