| June 17 1997 |
| Press Release Concerning the Start
of Test Operations at the RE-2A Production Facility at the Rokkasho Uranium
Enrichment Plant Scheduled for FY1997 |
|
| Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited |
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| JNFL currently operates the RE-1 (600tSWU/a) production
facility which was built during the first phase of construction at the
Rokkasho Uranium Enrichment Plant. Construction work on the first half
of the RE-2 (450tSWU/a) production facility which was begun in September
1993 is now complete, and test operation of RE-2A (150tSWU/a) is scheduled
to begin on 18 June 1997. Full-scale operations are expected to begin in
October 1997. |
|
[Reference]
In test operations, uranium hexafluoride (UF6)
will undergo treatment, homogenization & blending operations, after
which the equipment used will be thoroughly inspected. The UF6
will then be placed into a centrifuge for final processing. After confirming
that enriched uranium can be produced, integrated production capacity (150tSWU/a)
will be checked. |
Testing Procedures
1. A feed cylinder will be inserted in the feed cylinder vessel to
produce UF6.
2. The function of homogenization equipment will be tested by processing
UF6 in a homogenization vessel. Prior to the cascade
process, the condition of all pre-treatment equipment will be examined.
3. Production capacity will be tested by placing UF6
gradually into cascade equipment while checking the state of the centrifuges.
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Chronology of Rokkasho Uranium Enrichment Plant Operations
to Date
| Phase I (RE-1 [600tSWU/a]) |
| 1987 |
May |
Application to operate nuclear fuel manufacturing business filed |
| 1988 |
August |
Permission to operate nuclear fuel manufacturing business granted |
|
October |
Construction of RE-1 uranium enrichment plant begins |
| 1992 |
March |
Operations at RE-1A (150tSWU/a) begin |
|
December |
Operations at RE-1B (150tSWU/a) begin |
| 1993 |
May |
Operations at RE-1D (150tSWU/a) begin |
| 1994 |
September |
Operations at RE-1C (150tSWU/a) begin |
| Phase II (Stage 1 of RE-2 [450tSWU/a]) |
| 1992 |
July |
Application to expand nuclear fuel manufacturing business filed |
| 1993 |
July |
Permission granted |
|
September |
Construction of RE-2 uranium enrichment plant begins |
| 1997 |
October |
Operations at RE-2A (150tSWU/a) scheduled to begin |
|