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Meltdown Likely Under Way At Japan Nuclear Reactor

george

By george
in World News

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jfchandler Ruby Member

jfchandler

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From NHK:

TEPCO: Spraying water from air "difficult"

Tokyo Electric Power has found it difficult to spray water from a helicopter to cool down a storage pool for spent nuclear fuel inside the No.4 reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The reactor was undergoing an inspection when the quake occurred. The firm says the temperature of the storage pool for spent nuclear fuel was 84 degrees Celsius on Monday morning, more than double the normal level. More recent temperatures are not available due to a technical failure.

On Tuesday morning, an explosion was heard and the roof of the building that houses the No.4 reactor was damaged. Tokyo Electric Power, the operator of the plant, says it appears a lack of coolant caused the fuel rods to be exposed, adding that a hydrogen explosion might have occurred.

If the reactor can't be cooled, the fuel rods may emit hydrogen or melt down. Tokyo Electric Power considering pouring water onto the storage pool in the containment vessel through a hole on the roof created by the blast.

However, the firm concluded that it would be extremely difficult to spray water from a helicopter as the hole is dozens of meters from the storage pool and a helicopter can only carry a limited amount of water on a single flight.

Workers are currently unable to approach the storage pool due to the high radiation levels. Tokyo Electric Company is studying the possibility of using fire engines and other options to inject water into the reactor.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011 03:04 +0900 (JST)

Edited by jfchandler
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jfchandler Ruby Member

jfchandler

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NHK:

Fuel rods further damaged at Fukushima Daiichi

At the quake-stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, it is feared that the fuel rods in two of its reactors are being rapidly damaged as they remain exposed due to the failed injection of coolant.

Tokyo Electric Power has estimated the extent of small holes or cracks in the fuel rods, based on the amount of radioactive material in the coolant.

It says 43 percent of the fuel rods in the No.1 reactor were possibly damaged at 1 PM on Tuesday, but the ratio had increased to 70 percent by 3:25 PM. At the No.2 reactor, the ratio rose to 33 percent from 14.

In both reactors, the coolant levels are low, exposing the fuel rods. Sea water is being pumped into the reactors to cool them down, but the coolant level remains low, creating the risk of a meltdown. Damaged fuel rods would leak radioactive material.

The pressure inside the reactors is sinking and Tokyo Electric Power is monitoring the data carefully while continuing to pump more sea water.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011 08:00 +0900 (JST)

Edited by jfchandler
jfchandler Ruby Member

jfchandler

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This is pretty hard to understand, since yesterday, Cabinet Sec Edano reported that sea water injection was continuing at Reactors 1, 2, and 3, and the process was "stable" at Reactors 1 and 3... If it's so stable, how did Reactor 1 jump to 70 percent damaged fuel rods yesterday...

jfchandler Ruby Member

jfchandler

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NHK is running a scroll right now saying Edano reported that a very high level of radiation was measured at Reactor No. 3 on Tuesday night. That's not No. 4 where the fuel rods pool is a separate issue.

jfchandler Ruby Member

jfchandler

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NHK:

Agency: Water level falls in No.5 reactor

The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency says the coolant level has fallen in the No.5 reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The Agency had earlier said the No.5 reactor stopped safely during a regular inspection when the massive earthquake and tsunami occurred on Friday.

At the time of the quake, nuclear fuel rods were already in the reactor and workers had to circulate water to cool them down.

But the tsunami damaged a diesel generator for circulating the coolant, allowing the pressure in the reactor to rise.

Workers opened a valve to reduce the pressure. But the procedure allowed water to evaporate from the valve.

As of 9 PM on Tuesday, the water level was 2 meters above the fuel rods. That was 40 centimeters lower than 5 hours earlier.

The Agency says it can adjust the water levels by using the No.6 reactor's generator, which wasn't damaged by the tsunami. Workers are currently pumping water into the No.5 and No.6 reactors.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011 07:34 +0900 (JST)

Edited by jfchandler
webfact Grand Master Member

webfact

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Analyst on CNN asked why containment has been left to a private company - the plant operater - & wonders where govt and int'l experts are /via@terryfrd

jfchandler Ruby Member

jfchandler

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Edano planning live news conference on TV shortly...

Kyodo News:

BREAKING NEWS: Support from U.S. forces might be necessary to cool reactors: Edano11:34 16 March

BREAKING NEWS: Water injection into No.4 reactor has yet to begin: Edano11:30 16 March

BREAKING NEWS: Containment vessels of No.1, No.3 reactors may be damaged: Edano

Also reporting Japanese govt. has no plan to expand the current evacuation/stay indoors areas... 20 and 20-30 Km respectively.

Edited by jfchandler
jfchandler Ruby Member

jfchandler

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NHK saying Japanese government has raised the regulatory limit on radiation exposure for reactor workers, to facilitate them being able to work on the reactors...

bkkjames Star Member

bkkjames

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Posted

Contrary to some reports, a core group of workers remain at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. It is not abandoned. /RT @newley: RT @HirokoTabuchi

from the press conference...

1.37pm Workers at Japan's earthquake-damaged Fukushima nuclear plant were evacuated today after radiation levels rose, Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Yukio Edano, said.

"All the workers there have suspended their operations. We have urged them to evacuate, and they have," he said, according to a translation by NHK television.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/world/magnitude-quake-strikes-japan/story-e6frfkyi-1226019903430#ixzz1GjAJbHff

jfchandler Ruby Member

jfchandler

Posted
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Smoke rising near troubled Fukushima nuke plant

TOKYO, March 16, Kyodo

White smoke has been seen rising from around the No. 3 reactor of the quake-hit Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant since around 10 a.m. Wednesday, Tokyo Electric Power Co. said, noting it may be steam.

The development came after TEPCO, the operator of the plant, reported that a fire broke out again earlier in the day at the plant's troubled No. 4 reactor but that flames were no longer visible about 30 minutes later.

Crushdepth Ruby Member

Crushdepth

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Posted
Containment vessels of No.1, No.3 reactors may be damaged: Edano

I think it's about time the authorities stopped making bullshit assurances. Credibility zero.

jfchandler Ruby Member

jfchandler

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Posted

The 1:37 time reference couldn't be from today... It's noon Japan time right now... and 1 pm EST right now.

Im not seeing anything on NHK or Kyodo as yet re a full evacuation... There was an all but essential personnel evac yesterday.

There was a spike in radiation at the plant earlier today, Edano reported... probably from the No. 3 Reactor.

Contrary to some reports, a core group of workers remain at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. It is not abandoned. /RT @newley: RT @HirokoTabuchi

from the press conference...

1.37pm Workers at Japan's earthquake-damaged Fukushima nuclear plant were evacuated today after radiation levels rose, Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Yukio Edano, said.

"All the workers there have suspended their operations. We have urged them to evacuate, and they have," he said, according to a translation by NHK television.

Read more: http://www.news.com....0#ixzz1GjAJbHff

jfchandler Ruby Member

jfchandler

Posted
Posted (edited)

NISA news conference live on NHK now...

This is a developing incident...

Around 8:30 this morning, white smoke was observed... From around 10:30, Tepco says believed smoke coming from Reactor No. 3...

Radiation level around main gate of plant went up... People working in the area were ordered to evacuate...

Believe damage to Reactor 3 containment vessel is damaged, leading to higher radiation levels.

Levels at main gate rose higher, then fell back to 6.4 and then 2.9 millisievert per hour at plant main gate.

Edited by jfchandler
geriatrickid Star Member

geriatrickid

Posted
Posted

Getting the government involved would be the worst possible course of action. CNN are idiots.

No. The two commentators making the statement are knowledgeable. The fact of the matter is that the utility company has not been able to handle the crisis. It is time for the "big boys" step in now before tens of thousands are poisoned. The Japanese PM is reported to have used profanity when talking with the utility management and he had better act now before he has to tell his nation they will be contaminated.

bkkjames Star Member

bkkjames

Posted
Posted

The 1:37 time reference couldn't be from today... It's noon Japan time right now... and 1 pm EST right now.

Im not seeing anything on NHK or Kyodo as yet re a full evacuation... There was an all but essential personnel evac yesterday.

There was a spike in radiation at the plant earlier today, Edano reported... probably from the No. 3 Reactor.

Contrary to some reports, a core group of workers remain at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. It is not abandoned. /RT @newley: RT @HirokoTabuchi

from the press conference...

1.37pm Workers at Japan's earthquake-damaged Fukushima nuclear plant were evacuated today after radiation levels rose, Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Yukio Edano, said.

"All the workers there have suspended their operations. We have urged them to evacuate, and they have," he said, according to a translation by NHK television.

Read more: http://www.news.com....0#ixzz1GjAJbHff

FUKUSHIMA, Japan (AP) — Japan suspended operations to prevent a stricken nuclear plant from melting down Wednesday after a surge in radiation made it too dangerous for workers to remain at the facility.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said work on dousing reactors with water was disrupted by the need to withdraw.

The level of radiation at the plant surged to 1,000 millisieverts early Wednesday before coming down to 800-600 millisieverts. Still, that was far more than the average

"So the workers cannot carry out even minimal work at the plant now," Edano said. "Because of the radiation risk, we are on standby."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-as-japan-earthquake,0,5356019.story

jfchandler Ruby Member

jfchandler

Posted
Posted

Radiation levels at the plant, per hour:

10 am -- .8 millisievert

10:10 am -- .9 mSv

10:20 am -- 2.4 mSv

10:30 am -- 1.36 mSv

10:45 am -- 6.4 mSv

10:55 am -- 2.9 mSv

11 am -- 3.4 mSv

jfchandler Ruby Member

jfchandler

Posted
Posted

NISA making it sound like the evacuation of staff is just for the period of elevated radiation levels... but

"Right now, the operation on site has been suspended."

brahmburgers Platinum Member

brahmburgers

Posted
Posted

The Agency says it can adjust the water levels by using the No.6 reactor's generator, which wasn't damaged by the tsunami. Workers are currently pumping water into the No.5 and No.6 reactors.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011 07:34 +0900 (JST)

conflicting reports, for sure. How can workers pump water in to #5 and #6 if there are no workers on site?

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