Activated charcoal filter performance verification test
Purpose of the activated charcoal filter performance verification test
Nuclear power plants have ventilation facilities and various filters to prevent radioactive materials from being released into the surrounding environment. Activated charcoal is used as a filter material to remove radioactive iodine, which is particularly harmful to the human body. It is necessary to check the performance of this activated charcoal filter before the plant startup operation and in each in-service inspection. Our company conducts tests to verify the radioactive iodine removal performance of activated charcoal filters used in all PWR nuclear power plants and some BWR nuclear power plants in Japan.
Examples of radiation measuring apparatus and tests
Radiation measuring apparatus
We are conducting verification tests of activated charcoal filter that can maintain long-term radioactive iodine removal performance. This result has been used in nuclear power plants as current charcoal.
Synthesis of radioactive iodine for activated charcoal filter performance verification test
The radioactive iodine used in the verification test for radioactive iodine removal performance is synthesized from a radioactive reagent in our company. The radioactive reagent is handled safely using a local exhaust system and an airtight glove box.
The vial containing the radioactive reagent is taken out from the can.
Glove box
Appearance of glove box
The radioactive reagent is removed from the vial in an airtight glove box.
The synthesized iodine is enclosed in a dedicated container, mixed with steam and passed through activated charcoal sample for testing.
(2) Collection of the radioactive reagent
The radioactive reagent is collected from the vial.
(3) Synthesis of radioactive iodine
The radioactive reagent (NaI) is reacted with a chemical to synthesize iodine (I2) for testing.