Japan's first MOX fuel retrieval begins Ehime Ikata Nuclear Power Station

Japan's first MOX fuel retrieval begins. Ehime Ikata Nuclear Power Station January 14, 15:54

At the Ikata Nuclear Power Station Unit 3 in Ehime Prefecture, the removal of used "MOX" fuel, which is a mixture of plutonium and uranium, has begun for the first time as a domestic commercial nuclear power plant.

Periodic inspections will begin at the Ikata Unit 3 late last month, and 157 nuclear fuel stored in the reactor will be removed.

There are 16 MOX fuels that contain plutonium and uranium, meaning that it is the first time that MOX fuel has been used at a commercial nuclear power plant in Japan.

On April 14, at the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant, MOX fuel removed from the reactor and moved to a large pool called "spent fuel pit" was disclosed to the press.

The removal of used MOX fuel is expected to be completed by the 16th, but it is currently not decided where to bring it after storing it in the pool.

The reactor will also contain five new MOX fuels, which will be implemented in March.

Shikoku Electric Power said, "Work is proceeding smoothly. I want to continue with safety first."

On the other hand, during the regular inspection of the Ikata Nuclear Power Station No. 3, a trouble occurred in which one control rod for suppressing nuclear fission reaction was accidentally pulled out on the 12th, and Shikoku Electric Power is also investigating the cause in parallel.