JAPAN NUCLEAR FUEL LIMITED
Press Release
Leakage of rinsing water in the Dissolver Cell (Shearing and Dissolving Building)
(April 12, 2006)

[Note:The event caused no harm to any individuals and did not release any radioactivity to the environment.]

(Note) Recognizing the world-wide public interest for our plant operation status, especially after the start of Final Commissioning Test at Reprocessing Plant on March 31, 2006, we decided to disclose all the facts, even below INES Level 1 events, which may arouse public concern.
      We believe that this kind of positive attitude towards transparancy and effort of JNFL shall gain the trust, reliability and confidence to the local citizens as well as to the international community.

      In early morning of April 11th, during the rinsing operation of Hull rinser,*1 the operator was trying to connect a flexible hose to transfer the rinsing water in the hull rinser to the next process using remote control manipulator.*2 The operator removed a connecting part instead of closing plug. This resulted to the leakage of approx. 40 liters rinsing water to the drip tray in the cell.*3
      The connecting part was put back in place to stop the leakage.
      The rinsing water collected in the drip tray was recovered in a predetermined procedure, and that water will be re-used within the dissolution facility.
      Main Stack Monitor and Monitoring Posts readings did not show any changes. This event had no effect to the environment nor to the operator.

*1 Hull Rinser : A vessel in which hulls (fuel clad which is not dissolved in nitric acid in the dissolver) coming from the dissolver are rinsed by water.
*2 Manipulator : A machine, which is used to operate the equipment inside a cell from outside by remote control.
*3 Cell : A room surrounded by reinforced concrete for confinement of radioactive materials and radioprotection purposes. At the bottom of the cell, stainless drip tray is installed against possible leakage from a container or a pipe.


[Image 1]
Process Outline

[Image 2]
Leakage of Rinsing Water in the Dissolver Cell

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