March 29, 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 the "Development status of the new type of glass melter".

"Status of the Reprocessing Plant"

  • JNFL has made the summary of its final assessment results based on data from vitrification tests, in-furnace observation and chipping work at System B of the glass melter.
  • The tests have confirmed that System B can maintain stable operations, operate at its designed processing capacity and has no defect.
  • The vitrification tests on System A are due to start in early May, with the glass melter to be heated up as early as mid-April.
  • The tests are expected to last for around one month. If everything progresses steadily, all vitrification tests should be completed by late May or early June.

"Development status of the new type of glass melter"

  • JNFL is developing a new type of glass melter to further improve vitrification technology. A test furnace has been installed at the Vitrification Technology Development Facility, currently under construction in our site.
  • The new type of glass melter incorporates the following improvements to enhance the discharge flow of platinum group elements: (1) Cone-shaped furnace base rather than quadrangular pyramid-shape used in the current design, (2) 60-degree tilting angle instead of the current 45 degrees, and (3) addition of electrodes at the furnace base.
  • Other features to be incorporated including a new gauge for liquid glass level measurement to confirm in-furnace glass volume precise, and an improved rod to be placed in the furnace to assist countermeasures in case the discharge flow becomes compromised. Tests will begin this autumn, using test waste liquid.

"Welcome ceremony for new employees"

  • The welcome ceremony for FY2013 is held on April 1 to welcome 68 new employees.
  • The breakdown of the new recruits is 39 high school / vocational high school graduates and 29 university / graduate school graduates. 48 people, approximately 70% of them, are from Aomori Prefecture.
  • As a community-oriented company, JNFL wishes to contribute to improving local employment conditions.