Mission Started--Sany Concrete Pump Used at Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant

March 27th, after 8 days’ preparation, including equipment debugging, transportation, operators training, and water pumping test, Sany 62m concrete pump has now arrived at Fukushima nuclear plant command center and is now ready to spray water into the crippled nuclear reactors.

The machine arrived in Osaka port in the morning of March 24th and was escorted by Japanese Police to the training ground located at Chiba-ken. The operators from TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power) received two days’ emergency training on 25th and 26th. After going through the water pumping test and an overall checkup, the pump truck has now left Chiba-ken and is heading to its last destination----Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.  

According to the latest condition of the damaged reactor, a minor-caliberred water hose has been installed at the end of the concrete boom, increasing the boom length from 62m to 67m. This change will enable higher water pressure and larger spraying range. In addition, the machine will also be equipped with a free angle camera which makes it possible for the pump operators to monitor the status of the reactor while controlling the pump. By using the radiation detector installed on the truck pump, the operator can keep a close eye on the radiation intensity, further improving the safety level for the pump operators.

In order to minimize the radiation received by the pump operators, Sany service engineers have developed a wireless remote control system for the concrete pump. Through this system, the operators can manipulate the concrete pump while keeping a 2 kilometers distance from it. So far, Sany is the only manufacturer that applies remote control technology to truck mounted concrete pump.

According to the previous interview, the three operators attending the mission are all front line workers from Fukushima Nuclear Power Station. The youngest one is 43 years old Mr. Sakai. He is the director of civil construction division of Fukushima nuclear plant and the father of an ordinary Fukushima family. Another operator is 47 years old Oowada Toyohiko who has been working in the nuclear plant since its establishment. He experienced the first two explosions of the nuclear plant since the earthquake. During these two days training, the Chinese concrete pump’s performance has left deep impression on them. During the interview, they said they were all quite confident completing the mission with the help of this powerful pump.

It is reported that the Sany service engineers sent for the emergency training has returned Tokyo safely. Their humanitarian behavior has been highly praised by TEPCO.
 

March-27th, pump heading to the nuclear plant

Concrete pump at training ground of Chiba-ken

water pumping test

TEPCO staff receiving training from Sany engineers

Operators at training

we are brothers!

Newly installed dome camera