Operation and maintenance of the IMS radionuclide station in Okinawa of Japan in the subtropical zone

Tomita, Yutaka ; Furuno, Akiko   ; Kurihara, Toshiyuki ; Yamamoto, Yoichi ; Sakurai, Shinichi*

There are the two IMS radionuclide stations, RN37 Okinawa and RN38 Takasaki, in Japan. JAEA (Japan Atomic Energy Agency) has been operating both of the stations. RN37 Okinawa has been observing for more than 15 years without long missing periods since received the certification in February 2007. RN37 Okinawa is located in the subtropical zone and close to the sea. Therefore, the station building and equipment are susceptible to corrosion due to high temperature, high humidity, and salt damage. This makes maintenance more difficult than that of RN38 Takasaki which is located inland in the temperate zone. In this presentation, we will report on O&M specific for the RN37 Okinawa, including measures against salt damage, lightning, and humidity, etc.