Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Filtering gaseous emissions from Fukushima

I have been speaking to a UK company producing ion-exchange resins, to see how the filtration process would be assembled.

Once a duct has been fixed to the window(s) of Reactor 2 (the one with intact secondary containment) the gases will first need to be cleansed of H2 because of the explosion risk.

An oxidant solution such as chlorine should meet this need.

Second, a simple particle filter would be needed. The gases should then be passed through water to dissolve the radionuclides. this would also cool them as they need to be close to 40*C for ion exchange filters to work.

Next, chemical preciptiation could bring most radionuclides out of solution.

Finally, ion-exchange resins would be used for entrapment of anything left. The exact form of resin would depend on the mix of ions left in solution.

All filters and precipitates would have to be stored as radioactive waste.

Once experience has been gained with Reactor 2 gases, 1,3 and 4 will need to be clad in fabric and have ducts inserted in order to do the same, but at larger scale, with them.

The ducts can lead to manifolds, so that more filter processes can be added on as necessary.

It is therefore pretty simple technology. At the end of the treatment, the cleaned water can be cooled further, and passed back into the cooling circuit.

The technology is simple. Persuading the decision makers to do it is the difficult aspect.

4 comments:

johnm33 said...

best of luck

DocRichard said...

Thanks John. Like I always say, green campaigning is like a parachute on a hang glider - it may not save your life, but it does give you something to do on the way down...

ECOVAC said...

Dear Sirs,
it is absolutely not understandable, why the japanese authorities as well the international press ignore our help since more than 6 weeks but present one horrible story after the other.
Since radioactive particles from Fukushima are spread even to the US and Canada Westcoast, the catastrophy is no longer local.
Due to the situation in Fukushima we tried to help solving the problem with our modest possibilities and constructed an exhausting and filter machine, which could prevent the radioactive particles from spreading around the country.
The separation rates of the filter elements for particles > 0,5 micro-meters are 99,99 %, so it can be granted, that all particles exhausted, will be stored inside the filter.
According to TEPCO`s "Code of Ethics of the Atomic Energy Society of Japan preamble", we want to inform , that this construction is able to prevent damage from the peoble and urgently is to be installed except there is a better alternative.
As You can see below, we are a small german company constructing and dealing since 15 years with industrial environmental protection products.
We truly believe, that there is a good chance to help the japanese authorities to prevent the area from radioactive contamination.

Unfortunately the japanese authorities, the Japanese Embassy Berlin until now (since six weeks) didnt react but time runs short.
To do nothing would be omission.

By combination of a truck mounted concrete pump from Schwing , an exhaust arrangement and a filtersystem ECOVAC most of the radioactive particles can be exhausted, led to the filter and separated.
Concrete pump with 58 m outrigger which can hold the exhaust arrangement on top of the building.
This system holds the exhaust arrangement on top of the building.
Filtersystem ECOVAC
Due tot he fact, that radiaton comes from particles ascending from the power plant, these particles can be exhausted by special arrangement developed by ECOVAC.
This arrangement can lead particles to the filter, even if they are not directly under the arrangement.
By pipes which are fixed along the arms of the concrete pump the particles are led to the filtersystem where they are separated by nanofibre cartridges from the air. Separation rates for particles 0,5 micro-meters are 99,99 %.
The filtersystem is self cleaning by compressed air cleaning mechanism.
The exhaust arrangement covers an area of 25 m².Air volume ~ 15000 m³''/h
To our opinion, this ist he only possibility to prevent the ascending particles from dispersing over the country.
ECOVAC is a special company for industrial environment protection. Their main competence is efficient exhausting of different emission sources and propriate Filtersystems since more than 15 years.
We could deliver several units shortly. The first unit within 2-3 weeks.
Costs: One unit would be around 1.400.000.- € only, later the machine can be used as concrete pump for construction works.

We also believe, that its better to go unconventional ways than to loose numerous lifes.
We know that this is not the absolute solution, but we believe, that there is a better chance for the people to survive.
If you need more information, please let us know.
This offer of help can lower the radioactive exposure worldwide by tackling the problem at its source.
Yours sincerely
Dipl. Ing. Bernd Müller, http://www.ecovac.de /aktuelles

DocRichard said...

Thanks Berndt.

It is disgraceful that Tepco are not responding to representations and help from outside.

I will be pressing them again to respond.