Fukushima: 11,400,000 Bq/m3 of cesium leaked again, “metal fatigue of a coupler”

0.2 m3 of contaminated water leaked again. It contained 11,400,000 Bq/Kg of cesium.

It leaked from a coupler part made of stainless steel. They found it broken. It is presumed that over-pressure caused metal fatigue. Tepco is going to check similar parts of other places.

Tepco explains like this below:


Time and day:

At around 10:16 AM on August 17, 2012

Location:

In the temporary warehouse of the desalination system (Reverse osmosis membrane)

1. A worker of a cooperative company on patrol found a puddle on the floor as he entered the temporary warehouse (at 10:16).

2. The desalination system (RO3) was stopped manually (at 10:17) and the leakage was stopped (at 10:22).

Estimated leakage amount:

Approx. 0.2 [m3]

Radiation dose measurement result (surface radiation dose):

γ: 0.1[mSv/h], β: 3 [mSv/h]


Original article with images and links to Japanese sources:

http://fukushima-diary.com/2012/08/11...a-coupler/