June 18, 2011
Fukushima nuclear plant: Contaminated water treatment system may not restart for another week, as trench water rises
By arevamirpal::laprimavera
17 June 2011 More on the news that TEPCO halted the system due to higher than expected radiation level in the cesium absorption subsystem by Kurion: The radiation limit of 4 millisieverts/hour was reached in 5 hours, instead of one month as anticipated. New information from Jiji News Japanese (12:47PM JST 6/18/2011):
- The radiation level on the cesium absorption towers (cylinders) reached the limit [4 millisievert/hour] in 5 hours.
- The limit was supposed to be reached in a month.
- There is a possibility that the contaminated water contained the sludge with extremely high level of radioactive materials.
- TEPCO hopes to investigate the cause and re-start the operation within a week.
TEPCO had better hurry. The water levels in the trenches leading from the Reactors 2 and 3 are rising again, even as the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has stopped disclosing the information on water levels. […]
