A new facility will be constructed in Japan to develop vitrification technology, which involves solidification of glass mixed with high-level radioactive liquid waste generated by reprocessing of spent fuel from nuclear power stations, President Yoshihiko Kawai of Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited (JNFL) revealed at a February 25 interview.
JNFL is now constructing the first reprocessing plant in Japan, but is considerably behind schedule because of difficulties in developing vitrification technology.
JNFL plans to relocate its existing full-scale mock-up facility for vitrification (KMOC) to the new facility. The total construction cost of the new facility will be about 18 billion yen. The construction started in mid-February, and its completion is planned for March 2013.
The findings obtained at the new facility will be reflected in the existing glass melting furnaces, and new test furnaces will also be introduced to pursue technological development.
