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IRID Symposium 2022, “Unprecedented Challenges to Explore Unknown Fields and Gathering Wisdom from Around the World”

The International Institute for Nuclear Decommissioning (IRID) held the IRID Symposium 2022 to report on the achievements in technological developments related to the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (NPS). The details of the symposium are as follows.

The theme of the IRID Symposium 2022 was “Unprecedented Challenges to Explore Unknown Fields and Gathering Wisdom from Around the World.” The symposium was intended to report on the results of the research and development (R&D) undertaken by IRID and to cultivate young researchers and engineers that had been followed since the previous symposium held in 2021.

Considering the spread of COVID-19, the symposium 2022 was held in a hybrid style that included a mix of both in-person (the number of registrations was restricted) and online attendees.

  • 1. Date and time: Wednesday, December 7, 2022, 10:30–17:00 (open at 10:00)
  • 2. Place: 6th floor of the Exhibition Hall, Iwaki Business Innovation Center (LATOV), Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
  • 3. Program:
10:30-10:35 Opening remarks
by Mr. Toyoaki Yamauchi, President of IRID
10:35-10:40 Guest speech
by Mr. Keiichi Yumoto, Director-General of Nuclear Accident Disaster Response, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
10:40-11:30 Report of R&D results
*The presentation file [PDF] is available only in Japanese.

By Mr. Takashi Ohashi, General Manager of the R&D Management Department, IRID
11:30-12:00 Report of R&D results
*The presentation file [PDF] is available only in Japanese.

By Dr. Satoshi Okada, Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.
12:00-13:00 Lunch break
13:00-13:30 Report of R&D results
*The presentation file [PDF] is available only in Japanese.

By Mr. Fumihiro Hosoe, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Ltd.
13:30-14:00 Report of R&D results
*The presentation file [PDF] is available only in Japanese.

By Mr. Hidehiro Urata, Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba ESS)
14:00-15:20 Presentation of research results by university students (four presentations)
15:20-16:45 Poster exhibitions of the nuclear decommissioning
16:45-16:50 Award ceremony for students
16:50-17:00 Comments on awards
by Mr. Akihisa Heike, Executive Director of IRID

<Video> Video footage of the symposium can be viewed on YouTube. (excluding presentations by students)

*Click the link below to view the YouTube video.

Panel exhibitions on the decommissioning technologies

  • Click the images to open the PDF files.
  • Introduction of IRID

  • Overview of IRID’s R&D

  • History of IRID’s R&D

  • Development of Technology for Gradually Increasing the Retrieval Scale of Fuel Debris

  • Development of Technology for Investigation inside the Primary Containment Vessel (PCV)

  • Development of Analysis and Estimation Technologies for Fuel Debris Characterization

  • Development of Fuel Debris Retrieval Methods

  • Development of Safety Systems (Liquid/Gas Systems)

  • Development of Safety Systems (Criticality Control Technology)

  • Development of Technology for Collecting, Containing, and Storing Fuel Debris

  • Development of Continuous Monitoring System for inside PCV

  • Development of Technology for Investigation inside Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV)

  • Development of Non-destructive Measurement Technology Required for Sorting Fuel Debris

  • R&D for Treatment and Disposal of Solid Waste

  • Development of Technology for Detailed Investigation inside PCV (on-site demonstration of detailed investigation technology using X-6 penetration)

  • Development of Technology for Detailed Investigation inside PCV (sediment management)

 

The IRID Symposium 2022

The symposium included presentations on the R&D status related to fuel debris retrieval for the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi NPS by Mr. Takashi Ohashi of IRID, Dr. Satoshi Okada of Hitachi-GE, Mr. Fumihiro Hosoe of MHI, and Mr. Hidehiro Urata of Toshiba ESS. The symposium was attended by approximately 110 people at the symposium venue (including press members) and 152 people registered for the online.

  • Click the photos to see the enlarged views.

  • Reception of the main hall

  • Main hall

  • Opening remark by Mr. T. Yamauchi, President of IRID

  • Guest speech by Mr. K. Yumoto, Director-General of METI

  • Mr. T. Ohashi, General Manager of IRID

  • Dr. S. Okada, Hitachi-GE

  • Mr. F. Hosoe, MHI

  • Mr. H. Urata, Toshiba ESS

 

The symposium 2022 also featured presentations of research achievements by students, as was done during the previous symposium. IRID awarded two students the best and second-best among the four students. All the students gave high-quality presentations, and their assessment results were very similar.

  • Award ceremony

  • Award ceremony

  • Award ceremony

  • Award ceremony

  • Comments by Mr. A. Heike, Executive Director of IRID

  • Poster exhibition

  • Poster exhibition

  • Poster exhibition

  • Poster exhibition

 

Site tour of Fukushima Daiichi NPS and Naraha Center for Remote Control Technology Development

On Thursday, December 8, 2022, IRID organized a site tour of the Fukushima Daiichi NPS owned by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) Holding Inc. and the Naraha Center for Remote Control Technology Development (NARREC) owned by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) for students who gave presentations or exhibited posters at the IRID Symposium.

The site tour of the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi NPS and the JAEA NARREC aimed to promote a better understanding of R&D for nuclear decommissioning and for further research activities by students who will be engaged in nuclear decommissioning in the future.

  • Click [Photos] to see an enlarged view.

  • Observing the Fukushima Daiichi NPS from a high place

  • JAEA NARREC

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