A camera inspection of听Fukushima Daiichi 3's used fuel pool has revealed no damage to stored fuel, but a huge amount of concrete sediment on the racks.
Clearing wreckage and emptying the pool is among the top priorities for Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco). Removing the used reactor fuel from all four damaged units to the shared storage pool will considerably reduce the risk presented by the site and mark a major achievement in their decommissioning.
.jpg "Fukushima Daiichi 3 pond inspection February 2013 a (226x170)") | .jpg "Fukushima Daiichi 3 pond inspection February 2013 b (226x170)") |
| Looking down onto a fuel rack topped with debris and sediment | The听top of a fuel rack, showing the depth and nature of the sediment |
.jpg "Fukushima Daiichi 3 pond inspection February 2013 c (226x170)") | .jpg "Fukushima Daiichi 3 pond inspection February 2013 d (226x170)") |
| Some parts of the fuel handling machine lie in a corridor alongside the racks | The fuel听handling machine bridge rests on top of a fuel rack |
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The investigation, carried out from 14-18 February has given the clearest view yet of conditions inside the pool, which was littered with heavy debris by the hydrogen explosion of 13 March 2011. Earlier this month Tepco moved a large truss out of the pool, which had previously lain along almost its entire length, blocking camera access. This operation dislodged听the refuelling machine mast, which slipped into the water听and came to rest without causing further damage.
Researched and written
by 抖阴传媒在线 Nuclear News
