Small Amount of Ash Leakage from Miscellaneous Solid Waste Incineration Equipment at Japan's Ikata Nuclear Power Plant

Shikoku Electric Power Co. reported on August 13 that at approximately 10:25 a.m. that day, an operator from a partner company discovered ash-like material beneath the ceramic filter of the operating miscellaneous solid waste incineration equipment inside the miscellaneous solid waste incinerator building at Ikata Nuclear Power Plant. The area is a controlled zone.

On-site investigation confirmed that the fallen material was incineration ash, and the leakage was confirmed to have stopped. Workers also found localized cracks in the rubber components of the glove box beneath the ceramic filter. Temporary sealing measures were taken to prevent further leakage.

According to the report, the leaked incineration ash remained within the building and was fully recovered. The leakage amount was 0.3 grams, with a radioactivity of 84 becquerels.

The miscellaneous solid waste incineration equipment is used to incinerate combustible low-level radioactive waste such as paper wipes and cloth scraps generated during work in controlled areas. The ceramic filter is used to remove radioactive dust from the incinerator exhaust gas and consists of a primary filter and a secondary filter. The glove box is used to isolate the internal space, allowing workers to safely clean up incineration ash through gloves.

Shikoku Electric Power Co. stated that it will suspend the operation of the miscellaneous solid waste incineration equipment and conduct a detailed investigation. This incident had no radiological impact on unit operations or the surrounding environment.