Robots Sent Into Fukushima Reactor to Prepare for Debris Removal

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Japanese engineers have deployed remote-controlled robots inside one of the damaged reactor buildings at the Fukushima nuclear plant, as they prepare for one of the toughest phases of its clean-up.

The plant, crippled by a massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011, still holds around 880 tonnes of highly radioactive material. Removing the melted fuel and debris is considered the most difficult task in the decades-long decommissioning effort.

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which operates the plant, said it sent in two robots on Tuesday — “Spot,” a four-legged robot that looks like a dog, and “Packbot.” Both machines are fitted with radiation detectors, and Spot also carries a camera to capture images inside the building.

The survey, which is expected to last about a month, will help TEPCO decide how to safely remove the dangerous fuel debris. Public broadcaster NHK reported that while small test samples have been taken before, a full-scale removal operation has not yet begun.

TEPCO admitted in July that the start of debris removal would be delayed until at least 2037, several years later than initially planned. The company had once aimed to begin in the early 2030s.

This new timeline also raises doubts about Japan’s long-term target of fully shutting down the plant by 2051. Still, TEPCO insists the deadline can be met, though it admits the process will be extremely challenging.