Robot’s Two-Week Mission Marks Key Step In Fukushima Decommissioning

On Tuesday, Japan took a significant step in the decades-long cleanup of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant as an extendable robot began its mission to retrieve the first sample of melted fuel debris, as reported by the AP.

The AP notes that this marks the start of the most challenging phase of the plant’s decommissioning, which began after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that triggered meltdowns at three reactors.

The robot, nicknamed “Telesco,” is designed to extend up to 22 meters into the reactor vessel to reach the radioactive fuel, using tongs to collect a small fragment weighing less than 3 grams, notes the AP.

The Diplomat reports that this small sample is crucial to assess the fuel’s condition and inform future removal strategies. Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO), the plant operator, has limited daily operations to two hours to minimize radiation exposure.

ABC News says that the mission was originally set to begin on August 22 but was delayed when workers discovered that five 1.5-meter pipes, meant to guide the robot into the reactor, had been assembled incorrectly.

TEPCO stated that the issue was resolved, and the equipment was reassembled correctly for the new attempt on Tuesday. Once inside the reactor, the robot is remotely operated from a remote location, as noted by ABC News.

TEPCO has previously used robots to inspect the damaged reactors, but this is the first time a physical sample of the molten fuel will be retrieved. The mission is expected to take two weeks to complete, states the AP.

The Diplomat states that sampling the melted fuel debris is a crucial first step. Understanding the melted fuel debris is essential to determine how best to remove, store, and dispose of the 880 tons of radioactive material still inside the reactors.

Experts expect the sample will also provide more clues about how the meltdown 13 years ago played out, some of which is still a mystery, as reported by The Diplomat.

The AP notes that the decommissioning process is expected to take 30 to 40 years, though experts have criticized this timeline as overly optimistic.

Despite these advances, significant challenges remain. Only a small fraction of evacuees have returned to their homes, as concerns over radiation and a lack of jobs or community infrastructure persist, reports in another article the AP.

Furthermore, the release of treated radioactive water into the sea has faced backlash, particularly from local fishers and neighboring countries like China. Although TEPCO and the Japanese government claim the water is safely diluted and meets international safety standards, the controversy continues, reports the AP.

Fukushima’s fishing industry has been hit hard, yet domestic support has increased. The government has earmarked 10 billion yen to aid Fukushima’s fisheries. Still, removing the melted fuel is considered the most challenging aspect of the cleanup, reports the AP.

According to The Diplomat, some propose entombing the Fukushima plant, as was done at Chernobyl. However, experts argue that this approach is not viable due to the plant’s exposure to seismic activity and water. Instead, they emphasize that a methodical and controlled removal of the debris will be essential for the safe decommissioning of the site.