Restoration works of the Bituminization Demonstration Facility of JNC Tokai Works

On March 11 1997, at the Bituminization Demonstration Facility (BDF), the fire/explosion incident occurred. We have taken restoration works to recover the confinement of the facility and decontamination works. Besides the restoration works, sampling and investigation works had been carried out to identify the causes of the incident. The restoration works were proceeded by two phases: safety assurance works and safety control works. The first, safety assurance works were conducted to prevent radioactivity from releasing out of the facility. The second, safety control works were done to repair the existing ventilation system and to decontaminate the facility. All these works were completed by the end of September 1998, and the confinement function of the facility was recovered. (author)