January 30, 2013

Monthly Press Conference

Today, President Kawai held a monthly press conference in Aomori City and talked about the "Status of the Reprocessing Plant" and "Company-wide Nuclear Emergency Training".

"Status of the Reprocessing Plant"

  • The vitrification tests for System B of the glass melter ended on January 3. It confirmed that the key parameters for stable plant operation such as the glass temperature, gaseous temperature at the top of the furnace and the temperature at the bottom of the furnace can be maintained within the target range, and that the plant can operate at the maximum processing capacity.
  • The inside of the furnace was inspected with a camera to confirm its integrity, with no damage that could affect future operation on the ceiling bricks, side wall bricks, etc.
  • Residual materials inside the furnace are also in the state within the normal operation status, indicating that they are discharged smoothly.
  • In preparation for plant operation, chipping operation to remove the residual materials in the furnace commenced on January 29.
  • As for the vitrification tests for System A of the glass melter, the heating of the furnace is now planed to start from April, after the completion of all the statutory inspections.
  • As for the vitrification tests on System A, it should run about the same period (approx. 1 month) as that on System B.
  • The completion of the vitrification tests on System A will lead us to apply for the pre-operation inspections by government on the Reprocessing Plant..

"Company-wide Nuclear Emergency Training"

  • JNFL will conduct a Comprehensive Emergency Training on February 4, based on the following scenario: A major earthquake strikes Rokkasho Village, causing station blackout and fires at JNFL's four facilities.
  • The training includes supplying power from power source cars, injecting water drawn from the alternative water source at a marsh nearby, and conducting a joint fire fighting training together with the local Fire Department and In-house Fire Fighting Team, so as to comprehensively confirm that JNFL can take necessary actions to control the situation in the severe winter condition.
  • JNFL will continue to conduct similar trainings based on a variety of scenarios to ensure that it can stay in control, should any emergency arises.
  • This year will be an important year for JNFL's business operations. The completion of the Reprocessing Plant, start of overall construction of the MOX Fuel Fabrication Plant, and achievement of the first milestone with 75t SWU per year of installed production capacity of the new centrifuges at Uranium Enrichment Plant. Company-wide efforts will continue to be made with the top priority given to safety.