The device consists of a cylindrical guiding pipe with a telescopic guiding pipe (extendable) as its final section. At the end of the telescopic section, two cameras, a dosimeter and a thermometer are installed. One of the cameras\u2014a remotely controlled pan-tilt camera that can swivel 120 degrees vertically and 360 degrees horizontally\u2014can be lowered from the end of the telescopic pipe by cable.<\/p>\n
In comparison with previous efforts, the reach has been extended and the device has been made smaller, providing greater access within the pedestal. In circumstances of steam-filled darkness, visibility is further ensured with the ability to adjust the distance between the camera and accompanying light. Mechanisms are radiation-hardened to approximately 1,000Gy. According to engineers involved with the development, operation up to 10 hours is possible.<\/p>\n
In preparation for removal of fuel debris, a series of investigations of the PCV interior at Unit 2 was conducted using self-propelled devices between January and February 2017, and it was found that part of the grating inside the pedestal (below the reactor pressure vessel) had fallen out.<\/p>\n
The device was shipped to Fukushima on December 22. After preparatory work on site, it will be used to examine the PCV interior at Unit 2 from the latter half of January to February 2018.<\/p>\n