February 28, 2013

Monthly Press Conference

Today, President Kawai held a monthly press conference in Aomori City and talked about "Status of the Reprocessing Plant", "Status of construction work at No.2 Disposal Facility of Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Center" and "Introduction of New Centrifuges at the Uranium Enrichment Plant"

"Status of the Reprocessing Plant"

  • The vitrification tests for System B of the glass melter ended on January 3 with good results.
  • 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.
  • It is found that the residual materials inside the furnace were increased a little compare with the result from the preliminary verification tests, but still in the state within the normal operation status.
  • In preparation for plant operation, chipping operation to remove the residual materials in the furnace is underway.
  • The results of the vitrification tests for System B will continue to be assessed in detail considering the inspection result of the inside of the furnace.
  • As for the vitrification tests for System A of the glass melter, the heating of the furnace is now planed to start from April and the tests will start from the beginning of May, after the completion of all the statutory inspections.

"Status of construction work at No.2 Disposal Facility of Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Center"

  • JNFL receives and performs underground disposal of low-level radioactive waste, generated through the operation and inspection works on nuclear power stations across the nation.
  • There are two disposal areas in the site for No. 1 Facility and No. 2 Facility and each capable of accepting 200,000 cylinders of radioactive waste.
  • So far, 147,000 and 104,000 cylinders of radioactive waste have been put to underground disposal at No. 1 Facility and No. 2 Facility respectively.
  • Construction work is scheduled to commence in mid March for four concrete pits for underground disposal in the No. 2 Facility. The end of this construction work marks the completion of the No. 2 Facility.

"Introduction of New Centrifuges at the Uranium Enrichment Plant"

  • Following to the initial phase of installation for new centrifuges with 75t SWU per year of production capacity, currently underway at the Uranium Enrichment Plant, JNFL submitted a plan to Aomori Prefecture and Rokkasho Village on February 8 for implementing the full-scale phase of centrifuge installation that will add the capacity of 375t SWU per year.
  • The new centrifuges, already installed in the first half of the initial phase (37.5t SWU per year), began their commercial operation in March last year, and have maintained steady operation.
  • The pre-conditioning interim operation of the centrifuges installed in the second half of the initial phase was due to start in February this year, but has been delayed to March. However, there is no change to the plan to start their commercial operation in May.
  • JNFL is committed to the principle of Safety First in undertaking each of its business operations.