Information contained in this news release is current as of the date of the press announcement, but may be subject to change without prior notice.
April 4, 2013
Tokyo, April 4, 2013 - Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501, "Hitachi") and Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd. ("HGNE") today announced the joint development of an adsorbent that can simultaneously adsorb radioactive cesium and radioactive strontium dissolved in water. Developed for application to the treatment of retained water, including water containing radioactive substances generated at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, the adsorbent can simultaneously remove cesium (Cs) and strontium (Sr) at a high adsorption rate of 99% or better.
The highly-contaminated waste water accumulated at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station contains radioactive substances, such as Cs, and sea water minerals such as sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl) and calcium (Ca). The water is currently undergoing purification through adsorption of radioactive Cs and desalination of sea water minerals using reverse osmosis membranes. The desalination process produces fresh water and brine. The brine, which includes a small amount of radioactive Cs and a high-concentration of radioactive Sr, is stored in tanks in liquid form. To prevent the scattering of radioactive substances in the event of water leakage, it is desirable however that the radioactive Cs and Sr be removed from the stored water.
Hitachi and HGNE have applied a special treatment to titanate compounds*1 to develop an adsorbent that can simultaneously remove Cs and Sr at a high adsorption rate. Used in the upstream process of desalination treatment or in the brine treatment process, the adsorbent can remove radioactive Cs and Sr from the waste water with half the quantity of conventional adsorbents.
The newly developed adsorbent has the following characteristics:
The Hitachi Group will take advantage of the characteristics of the newly developed adsorbent and other various adsorbents to provide customers with the ultimate solutions for treating a variety of contaminated water, including contamination by radioactive substances. Through such endeavors, the Hitachi Group remains committed to contributing to the settlement of the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station and the reconstruction of the neighboring areas.
Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 326,000 employees worldwide. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2012 (ended March 31, 2013) totaled 9,041 billion yen ($96.1 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes infrastructure systems, information & telecommunication systems, power systems, construction machinery, high functional material & components, automotive systems and others.
For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.