Fukushima Daiichi NPS Prompt Report 2014

Improvements in capacity and capability mark large steps toward cleaning up water

FUKUSHIMA, September 17, 2014- The first  of the three units of a significantly enhanced ALPS water treatment system, which is designed to remove most remaining radioactive contaminants from water at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, has been installed and has begun testing, the Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) announced today.

The other two units are expected to be started soon, the company said, one later this month and the other in October. When all three units are operating, treatment capacity will be doubled from the current 750 tons a day to 1500 tons a day. It is a large step for TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi D & D Engineering company, which sets one of the top priority on treating the stored contaminated water to drastically reduce environmental risks at the site.

The existing ALPS system, which consists of Japanese and international technologies, was first installed at Fukushima Daiichi in October 2012 and has since treated approximately 130,000 tons of water from which most Cesium had been removed via the initial SARRY or Kurion systems. Installation and testing of a unit of the new improved   ALPS system, which has been designed with more rugged, higher adsorption and monitoring capabilities, marks an increase of capacity of the ALPS complex  by 250 tons a day. 

The improvements built into the newer ALPS system reflect the lessons learned from the earlier ALPS design. They include new rubber linings to prevent erosion, improved monitoring of water flow, improved leak detection, enhanced backup equipment and enhanced physical barriers to contain any leaks.

Meanwhile, a separate, even more advanced ALPS system has also been installed and is due to start testing in October. TEPCO is also preparing to treat water via Strontium removal facilities manufactured by such companies as Toshiba, Hitachi and Kurion.

Detailed explanation of the facility may be seen at: http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/nu/fukushima-np/handouts/2014/images/handouts_140911_04-e.pdf

About TEPCO

Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc. (TEPCO) is Japan's largest power company, supplying energy to the greater Kanto area, including Japan's two most populous cities, Tokyo and Yokohama. Its 35,000 employees are committed to providing safe, reliable power to its 28.8 million customers, diversifying energy resources to ensure sustainability, and contributing to economic growth while fully meeting its responsibilities after the Fukushima Daiichi accident.