Okuma Analysis and Research Center
Greetings from the Director
Thank you for visiting the Okuma Analysis and Research Center website.
The Okuma Analysis and Research Center operates and maintains the radioactive material analysis and research facility that conducts analysis and research to understand the properties of radioactive waste and fuel debris generated by the TEPCO Holdings Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (NPS) accident, and also conducts third-party analysis of ALPS treated water.
Data obtained through analysis and research is utilized to establish the technical base for reliable treatment/disposal measures for radioactive waste and its safety for decommissioning.
Fukushima Daiichi NPS is the reactor where the first serious accident occurred in Japan. When considering and formulating technical measures to store, process, and dispose of the waste and fuel debris, it is essential to keep in mind that the fuel debris is different from the fuel debris from Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, and to carefully analyze and understand its properties for safe handling.
This facility is unique in the world and its design, construction, and operation, and analysis/research are extremely challenging endeavors. However, all staff members are determined to contribute to the safe and reliable decommissioning. This experience is extremely valuable as an engineer, so we would like to invite young people from both inside and outside the agency and people with different careers and experience, to actively participate, and we hope it leads to the improvement and development of technology across Japan.
We look forward to your continued guidance and support regarding the activities of the Okuma Analysis and Research Center.
Outline of the Center
The Okuma Analysis and Research Center is a facility where the analysis and research are conducted to clarify the characteristics of radioactive wastes and fuel debris that were produced by the accident of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (1F), Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. The Center consists of Administrative Building, Laboratory-1, and Laboratory-2, and it is located near the 1F.
The data obtained by the analysis and research will be utilized to establish the method for steady disposal of radioactive waste and the basic technology concerning the safety of waste disposal towards the decommissioning of 1F.
In order to avoid the radiation exposure to the workers, the analytical works are carried out using iron cell with the shielding function and remote-control instruments (manipulator etc.). Glove boxes that enclose radioactive materials are also used to avoid the internal exposure.