Fukushima: Kurion’s Cesium Removal System Is Clogged – Areva’s Water Decontamination System Had Not 10 But 48 Leaks!

– #Fukushima I Nuke Plant: Kurion’s Cesium Removal System Is Clogged Somewhere (EX-SKF, June 12, 2011):

Part of the contaminated water treatment system being readied at Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant is the cesium absorption tower using the technology of Kurion, a US start-up with very little information on their corporate website.

TEPCO discovered that not enough water was flowing through one of the 4 subsystems, and suspects it’s clogged up somewhere.

And a bit of new information that the Kurion’s system removes not just cesium but technetium and iodine, according to the press conference handout from TEPCO which is found below.

By the way, the number of pipe leaks in the Areva’s system was not “over 10”. Well, it was “over ten” for sure, but it was actually 48.

From Yomiuri Shinbun (11:45AM JST 6/12/2011; diagram of Kurion’s system added):

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TEPCO announced on June 12 that the test run of the system to treat highly contaminated water at Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant would be delayed after June 13.

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The delay was due to the problem in one of the systems where less amount of water was processed than planned. TEPCO is investigating.

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The system in question is the Cesium Absorption Tower by the US company Kurion. There are 4 subsystems, and the water that flowed through one of them was much less than planned. It is possible that the subsystem is clogged somewhere. TEPCO could run the remaining 3 subsystems, but the water processing speed would decrease to 75% of the full capacity.

[Diagram of Kurion’s system, English labels added; from TEPCO’s press conference handout on June 12]

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TEPCO finished the repair of the 48 leaks in the pipes. The company also finished correcting the mistakes in the software program that controls the pumps, which were discovered on June 11.