Ikata Nuclear Power Station's miscellaneous solid waste incineration facility returns to normal operation

Shikoku Electric Power Co. reported on August 20 that the miscellaneous solid waste incineration facility at Ikata Nuclear Power Station returned to normal operation at 12:15 p.m. that day after inspections and component replacements. Previously, a small amount of ash leakage had occurred beneath the ceramic filter of the facility.

According to the report, at approximately 10:25 a.m. on August 13, operating personnel from a partner company discovered ash-like material beneath the ceramic filter of the operating incineration facility in the miscellaneous solid waste incinerator building of Ikata Nuclear Power Station. On-site investigation confirmed that the fallen material was ash, and the leakage had stopped. The leaked ash remained within the building and was fully recovered, amounting to 0.3 grams with a radioactivity of 84 becquerels.

The investigation also revealed localized cracks in the rubber portion of the glove box beneath the ceramic filter. To prevent recurrence of leakage, temporary sealing measures were implemented on-site as an initial response. Subsequently, Shikoku Electric Power Company halted the miscellaneous solid waste incineration facility and conducted further confirmation, identifying that the cracks were located in the rubber gloves installed on the glove box, and the affected gloves were replaced with new ones.

During the maintenance work, workers also transferred the residual ash inside the ceramic filter to the glove box and confirmed that no further ash leakage occurred. Inspections of the glove boxes beneath the remaining five ceramic filters found no ash leakage, but cracks were detected in one pair of gloves, which were also replaced accordingly.

The company stated that the facility was subsequently re-confirmed to have no ash leakage during operation and returned to normal. This incident did not affect the operation of the plant's equipment, nor did it have any radiological impact on the environment. Further detailed investigations will continue.