Nuclear Reactor heading towards meltdown in Japan after earthquake

[Brian4Liberty]

A meltdown would not be good...


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/11/japan-declares-nuclear-emergency-quake

Tepco confirmed that water levels inside the reactors were falling but it was working to maintain them to avert the exposure of nuclear fuel rods.

The company was trying to restore power to its emergency power system so it could add water to the reactors, a Tepco spokesman said.

"There is a falling trend (in water levels) but we have not confirmed an exposure of nuclear fuel rods," he said.


http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/11/japan.nuclear/

Tokyo (CNN) -- Officials ordered an evacuation Friday of residents living near a Japanese nuclear power plant, saying there has been no sign yet of leaks but indicating a struggle to "cool down" one of the atomic facilities.

A 8.9-magnitude earthquake led to cooling problems and a fire at two of Japan's nuclear plants closest to its epicenter, said government officials.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3ecPdKQcxE

More updates, radiation levels at 1000x normal (not too bad yet):

http://www.businessinsider.com/fukushima-nuclear-plant-2011-3

[Michael Landon]

What happens if they can't get it cooled down?

- ML

[Anti Federalist]

What happens if they can't get it cooled down?

- ML

Water absorbs neutrons in the fission reaction.

Without the cooling water to both "throttle" the fission reaction and keep things cool, a runaway reaction takes place.

The water that remains flashes off into extremely radioactive and high pressure steam.

Which in turn blows up the containment dome.

[Anti Federalist]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loss_of_coolant_accident

[Anti Federalist]

http://www.thinnai.com/photos/2003/05/sc05300318.jpg

[nobody's_hero]

What happens if they can't get it cooled down?

- ML

Ever played a game called Fallout?

[Philhelm]

Ever played a game called Fallout?

I knew that saving my bottle caps would be a wise decision.

[Anti Federalist]

What happens if they can't get it cooled down?

- ML

Worst case scenario is a Chernobyl type loss of coolant core explosion with a massive radioactive debris and steam release.

http://www.rapingmothernature.com/wp-content/gallery/chernobylexplosion/ChernobylExplosion001.jpg

[Anti Federalist]

This image, taken a week after the explosion, killed the photographer and pilot by radiation poisoning, within a month, IIRC.

http://www.mikeshomerepairs.com/images/chernobyl/Chernobyl_burning-aerial_view_of_core.jpg

[Brian4Liberty]

This image, taken a week after the explosion, killed the photographer and pilot by radiation poisoning, within a month, IIRC.


Talk about real heroes. The guys that sealed that pile in concrete knowingly gave their lives to do it.

[Brian4Liberty]

Ever played a game called Fallout?

And it blows right over to the west coast of the US... :eek:

[Matt Collins]

Would a Chernobyl style accident get caught in the jetstream and make it's way over to the US?

Chernobyl ruined crops and livestock in all of Europe for years afterwords. What's the chance that could result in the US? Remember, the Japs tried to bomb us using weather balloons being slipped into the winds and they ended up landing in California.

[Brian4Liberty]

Would a Chernobyl style accident get caught in the jetstream and make it's way over to the US?


Yes.

[Anti Federalist]

Japan to release of radioactive vapor at nuke pant

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_JAPAN_QUAKE_POWER_PLANT?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

TOKYO (AP) -- Japanese authorities will release slightly radioactive vapor to ease pressure at nuclear reactor whose cooling system failed.

The failure occurred after a power outage caused by Friday's massive earthquake off northeastern Japan.

Japan's nuclear safety agency says pressure inside one of six boiling water reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plant had risen to 1.5 times the level considered normal.

The agency said the radioactive element in the vapor that will be released would not affect the environment or human health.

[Brian4Liberty]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3ecPdKQcxE

[Danke]

So instead of "China Syndrome" we will have the United States Syndrome!?!?! :eek:

[Anti Federalist]

Would a Chernobyl style accident get caught in the jetstream and make it's way over to the US?

Chernobyl ruined crops and livestock in all of Europe for years afterwords. What's the chance that could result in the US? Remember, the Japs tried to bomb us using weather balloons being slipped into the winds and they ended up landing in California.

Using the fallout pattern from Chernobyl as an example, it seems unlikely that large scale contamination would happen, due to the large distances involved.

http://users.owt.com/smsrpm/Chernobyl/Chernobyl4a.GIF

[Anti Federalist]

Talk about real heroes. The guys that sealed that pile in concrete knowingly gave their lives to do it.

No shit, that.

IIRC the USSR issued the initial responders "Order of Lenin" or "Hero of the Soviet Union" awards.

[Brian4Liberty]

Using the fallout pattern from Chernobyl as an example, it seems unlikely that large scale contmination would happen, due to the large distances involved.


Yeah, it probably wouldn't be concentrated this far away.

[AGRP]

Would a Chernobyl style accident get caught in the jetstream and make it's way over to the US?

Chernobyl ruined crops and livestock in all of Europe for years afterwords. What's the chance that could result in the US? Remember, the Japs tried to bomb us using weather balloons being slipped into the winds and they ended up landing in California.

Actually, Oregon.

[Matt Collins]

If I lived west of the Rocky Mountains, let's just say I'd be stocking up on some iodine right now.


251





http://www.sanctuarysimon.org/farallones/images/build/oc_2_gyre_NASA.jpg



http://neverbetter2.nomadlife.org/uploaded_images/pacific_gyre-792839.jpg

[HOLLYWOOD]

Would a Chernobyl style accident get caught in the jetstream and make it's way over to the US?

Chernobyl ruined crops and livestock in all of Europe for years afterwords. What's the chance that could result in the US? Remember, the Japs tried to bomb us using weather balloons being slipped into the winds and they ended up landing in California.
Source? I disagree with this... it was the Norwegians that discovered radiation over Chernobyl and east in the atmosphere. Additionally, where the fallout predictions would happen with some help from LANL/LLNL/NOAA/DMSP. Resultant Fallout was more in Central/Eastern Russia, Mongolia, and China, not western Europe or Scandinavia.


In the Homeland: FOX NEWS and the other PROPAGANDA fascist/corporate US media have been spewing how much the US military has helped with delivering supplies to saving the day at the reactor plant.



If those rods are not cooled and it heats up, most likely the core has ruptured, it's Chernobyl Part Deux and it will hit the US, just like China's Thermonuclear tests in the late 60s.

[Brian4Liberty]

More updates. Radiation levels outside the reactor are 1000x times normal. Wonder how much that is measured in chest X-rays or naked scannings?

http://www.businessinsider.com/fukushima-nuclear-plant-2011-3

[HOLLYWOOD]

More updates. Radiation levels outside the reactor are 1000x times normal. Wonder how much that is measured in chest X-rays or naked scannings?

http://www.businessinsider.com/fukushima-nuclear-plant-2011-3


pdate: 4:29 PM ET: Anti-nuclear expert Kevin Kamp explains the nightmare scenario in Fukushma, via Forbes (http://blogs.forbes.com/williampentland/2011/03/11/risk-of-nuclear-catastrophe-escalates-in-japan-worse-than-chernobyl/) and the Institute for Public Accuracy (http://www.accuracy.org/about-us/): “The electrical grid is down. The emergency diesel generators have been damaged. The multi-reactor Fukushima atomic power plant is now relying on battery power, which will only last around eight hours. The danger is, the very thermally hot reactor cores at the plant must be continuously cooled for 24 to 48 hours. Without any electricity, the pumps won’t be able to pump water through the hot reactor cores to cool them. Once electricity is lost, the irradiated nuclear fuel could begin to melt down. If the containment systems fail, a catastrophic radioactivity release to the environment could occur.


This is where the US has stepped in with assistance. Diesel generators from Misawa and Yokota Air Bases flown in... I have heard nothing since, but rest assure, the pumps need power, they get it. With the radioactive pressure leaked intentionally, means they are having problems with the core and or pumps. "China Syndrome"

[Acala]

Just an FYI, when you use the term "China Syndrome" you lose most of your credibility, unless you are joking, since the idea of a core meltdown resulting in any significant penetration of the Earth's crust exists only in the imagination of Hollywood and hysterics.

Fallout, on the other hand, is a risk. Not sure how much of a risk with the particular design involved. But not fictional.

[HOLLYWOOD]

Pressure inside a reactor at Tokyo Electric Power Co's quake-hit Fukushima Daiichi plant may have risen to 2.1 times its designed capacity, Japan (http://www.reuters.com/places/japan)'s trade ministry said on Saturday, exceeding the 1.5-times level announced a few hours earlier. Temperatures and pressure at the No.1 reactor have been rising since its cooling system was knocked out by the earthquake, the largest on record in Japan, raising worries about a possible radiation leak.
The company said it was preparing back-up generators to pump water and cool the reactor.
Yes, theatrics for referencing to those that don't know the concepts of Meltdown... Japan is an island... they're surrounded by "coolant". This plant and the reactor in question is a BWR. The turbine could have a LOT to do with releasing radiation, but volume of torus vs. BTUs from decay heat leads you to... at some point you need a larger heat rejection volume. This is leading me to think there's pump/piping failure because of the venting of radiation so quickly. There's designed Reaction Control Systems and Auxiliary Pumps to counter such failures in nuke plants, so it's still kinda unknown why the backups aren't functioning correctly or aux cooling is not working.(speculation right now)

I worked with the National Labs for a bit... I'll leave it at that.


Up to 100 percent of the volatile radioactive Cesium-137 content of the pools could go up in flames and smoke, to blow downwind over large distances. Given the large quantity of irradiated nuclear fuel in the pool, the radioactivity release could be worse than the Chernobyl nuclear reactor catastrophe of 25 years ago.” Meanwhile, Kyodo (http://twitter.com/REUTERSFLASH/statuses/46322309291712512) is reporting that local radiation levels are 8 times more than normal.
Update 4:43 PM: Now according to Kyodo (http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/03/76948.html), radiation is measured at 1000x normal.

Just an FYI, when you use the term "China Syndrome" you lose most of your credibility, unless you are joking, since the idea of a core meltdown resulting in any significant penetration of the Earth's crust exists only in the imagination of Hollywood and hysterics.

Fallout, on the other hand, is a risk. Not sure how much of a risk with the particular design involved. But not fictional.

[Matt Collins]

Just an FYI, when you use the term "China Syndrome" you lose most of your credibility, The MSM has been using it all day long.

[One Last Battle!]

Just an FYI, when you use the term "China Syndrome" you lose most of your credibility, unless you are joking, since the idea of a core meltdown resulting in any significant penetration of the Earth's crust exists only in the imagination of Hollywood and hysterics.

Fallout, on the other hand, is a risk. Not sure how much of a risk with the particular design involved. But not fictional.

Well, how is the reactor designed? If it is properly sealed, nothing much should happen (like Three Mile Island). Unless, of course, that was damaged by the earthquake, in which case there is a problem.

[Acala]

The MSM has been using it all day long.

Oh no! There goes their credibility! Hahahahahaha!

[Acala]

Well, how is the reactor designed? If it is properly sealed, nothing much should happen (like Three Mile Island). Unless, of course, that was damaged by the earthquake, in which case there is a problem.

Way beyond my expertise, but it is a safe bet that the Japanese reactor is a much safer design than Chernobyl.

[Brian4Liberty]

This is leading me to think there's pump/piping failure because of the venting of radiation so quickly.

They need duct tape. A lot of it.

[Danke]

Just an FYI, when you use the term "China Syndrome" you lose most of your credibility...

Fallout, on the other hand, is a risk. Not sure how much of a risk with the particular design involved. But not fictional.

"China Syndrome" may not happen with this one, but it could create another Godzilla!

[Acala]

"China Syndrome" may not happen with this one, but it could create another Godzilla!

You are forgetting one thing: Gamera!

[HOLLYWOOD]

They need duct tape. A lot of it.
Going from what's been reported by MSM news, it's not making any sense... Japan Ministry moves everyone 6+ miles away from the plant, control room radiated, 1000x blah, blah, but then states everything at reactors #1 & #2 is fine. So who knows what the heck is really going on at this point.
http://community.spiceworks.com/images/users/0001/2778/Ommer.jpg

[Dr.3D]

So why don't they shut down the reactor by inserting the rods? It isn't like a reactor can't be shut down. Once shut down, it doesn't need any cooling water.

[AGRP]

Anyone else in the NW seriously concerned about the potential fallout?

[HOLLYWOOD]

So why don't they shut down the reactor by inserting the rods? It isn't like a reactor can't be shut down. Once shut down, it doesn't need any cooling water.
Can't tell what has been damaged, what's not working correctly/what the operators are facing... it's pure speculation right now.

The WIKI page is pretty good knowledge on a BWR to familiarize one,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiling_water_reactor
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/BoilingWaterReactor.gif

[HOLLYWOOD]

OMG Lulz ===> Clinton: US Has Sent Coolant To Japan Nuclear Plant -Reuters



Japan is "very reliant" on nuclear power and has high engineering standards, said Clinton, "but one of their plants came under a lot of stress with the earthquake and didn't have enough coolant.":rolleyes:

Between Hillary's bad hair days, to the snipe in Africa at the reporter, to the 2 bit propaganda, and garbage announcements covering the unrest in the near east...now this statement of coolant/engineering... Hillary has to be nominated as 'Government Moron of the Year'.

[Dr.3D]

OMG Lulz ===> Clinton: US Has Sent Coolant To Japan Nuclear Plant -Reuters

:rolleyes:

Ehhh.... Japan doesn't have distilled water?

[EndDaFed]

Going from what's been reported by MSM news, it's not making any sense... Japan Ministry moves everyone 6+ miles away from the plant, control room radiated, 1000x blah, blah, but then states everything at reactors #1 & #2 is fine. So who knows what the heck is really going on at this point.
http://community.spiceworks.com/images/users/0001/2778/Ommer.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precautionary_principle

[HOLLYWOOD]

Ehhh.... Japan doesn't have distilled water? Clinton's advisors and the state department don't know what they're talking about...

The message they sent on TV in their propaganda press junket is this:

http://www.spendingless101.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/prestone-50-50-antifreeze.jpg

[Dr.3D]

Clinton's advisors and the state department don't know what they're talking about...

The message they sent on TV in their propaganda press junket is this:

http://www.spendingless101.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/prestone-50-50-antifreeze.jpg

LOL... so Japan doesn't use antifreeze in those automobiles it makes either. I'm surprised there is so much stuff Japan doesn't have and that the U.S. has so much extra, it feels the need to ship some right over there to them.

[HOLLYWOOD]

ALERT!!!... just spotted outside Fukushima Power Plant.

http://www.jonathancrocker.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/godzilla1.jpg

[KramerDSP]

DRUDGE ALERT:

Snap analysis: Japan may have hours to prevent nuclear meltdown

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/12/us-japan-quake-nuclear-us-analysis-idUSTRE72B04C20110312

[Anti Federalist]

So why don't they shut down the reactor by inserting the rods? It isn't like a reactor can't be shut down. Once shut down, it doesn't need any cooling water.

Because the control rods can only absorb a tiny percentage of the neutron flux.

You can cool it down and slow it down to a crawl, but takes weeks to "shut it down".

[Dr.3D]

Because the control rods can only absorb a tiny percentage of the neutron flux.

You can cool it down and slow it down to a crawl, but takes weeks to "shut it down".

Thank you for explaining that to me. I wasn't aware it takes so long to shut one of those down.
I thought once you had it powered down (rods inserted), it would stop making heat and thus the water wouldn't boil away.
I appreciate your answer. :)

[squarepusher]

Way beyond my expertise, but it is a safe bet that the Japanese reactor is a much safer design than Chernobyl.

+1, the world learned a lot for Chernobly

[Baptist]

All I know is that you should never listen to government. Those who did on 9/11 went down with the buildings. If I lived in the same town as this reactor, you can take it to the bank that I'd already be on the other side of the island by now. Stay in my home? ROFL. NO WAY!!! First rule of a panic is be the first one that does it. Have fun staying in your homes suckers. I'm running for the hills!!!


Emergency authorities have ordered the evacuation of all civilians in a two-mile radius around the power plant, a total of about 3,000 people, and are planning to vent slightly radioactive steam from the plant, which is located about 160 miles north of Tokyo. Those within a six-mile radius were warned to stay in their homes.

[Anti Federalist]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ybfsxip8KEM

[AGRP]

+1 Geothermal

We could power a lot of the NW with it, but the environmentalists have sued over it.

[Anti Federalist]

All I know is that you should never listen to government. Those who did on 9/11 went down with the buildings. If I lived in the same town as this reactor, you can take it to the bank that I'd already be on the other side of the island by now. Stay in my home? ROFL. NO WAY!!! First rule of a panic is be the first one that does it. Have fun staying in your homes suckers. I'm running for the hills!!!

While I certainly agree about the government part, in this case I'm not at all sure that would be the best idea.

Consider: everything is at a standstill, roads, bridges, trains, buses, cars, hell, you probably would not be able to walk out, let alone run to the hills.

Assuming your home wasn't destroyed, sheltering in place might be the best option, rather than being exposed, out in the open, milling about with hundreds of thousands of other batshit scared people at the point of some impassable road jam, when the nuke plant does blow up and sends highly radioactive steam and debris downrange.

[Baptist]

While I certainly agree about the government part, in this case I'm not at all sure that would be the best idea.

Consider: everything is at a standstill, roads, bridges, trains, buses, cars, hell, you probably would not be able to walk out, let alone run to the hills.

Assuming your home wasn't destroyed, sheltering in place might be the best option, rather than being exposed, out in the open, milling about with hundreds of thousands of other batshit scared people at the point of some impassable road jam, when the nuke plant does blow up and sends highly radioactive steam and debris downrange.

Oh, I would, trust me. I ain't kidding about being the first one. Before somebody even thought of the idea of a roadblock, I'd be gone.

[TER]

Way beyond my expertise, but it is a safe bet that the Japanese reactor is a much safer design than Chernobyl.

Not so sure. Chernobyl's plant was constructed in the mid to late 1970's. The one in question in Japan is older (and a poorly designed one) from what I heard on the news today.

[HOLLYWOOD]

http://www.goes.noaa.gov/WINDS/MTSAT/MTCDNHloop/mtcdnh8.html

http://www.goes.noaa.gov/WINDS/MTSAT/GIFS/MTCDNH.GIF

[Anti Federalist]

Thank you for explaining that to me. I wasn't aware it takes so long to shut one of those down.
I thought once you had it powered down (rods inserted), it would stop making heat and thus the water wouldn't boil away.
I appreciate your answer. :)

Quite welcome.

That's just an off the cuff, generalized description of the process, based on my working knowledge of steam plants.

Maybe some of the ex Navy folks around here could describe the process in precise detail.

[TheState]

Hey guys, I didn't get a chance to read through all the posts, but if anyone has any nuclear related questions, feel free to shoot them my way.

I'm working on my PhD in nuclear engineering and risk and accident consequence analysis is my focus area.

The American Nuclear Society just put up a new page with some more info, http://ansnuclearcafe.org/.

[Anti Federalist]

Oh, I would, trust me. I ain't kidding about being the first one. Before somebody even thought of the idea of a roadblock, I'd be gone.

LoL I hear ya', but keep in mind, I'm not talking about this kind of roadblock:

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQYPccLIrynAytgj3zJ3Bt1VGhQnthA4 NuLEpKjpVbLpr8tTKQtJQ&t=1

I'm talking about this kind:

http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2007/12/Flood1.JPG

[KramerDSP]

Leak...

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110312x3.html


Radiation leak confirmed at quake-hit Fukushima plant - Kyodo News
Radiation rose to an unusually high level in and near Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant Saturday following the powerful earthquake that hit northern Japan the previous day, the nuclear safety agency said, making it the first case of an external leak of radioactive substances since the disaster.

While the agency denied the radiation amount will pose an immediate threat to the health of nearby residents, the impact of the quake appeared to widen as the agency added the area close to the Fukushima No. 2 nuclear plant as a zone that requires evacuation.

Given the adjacent No. 2 plant also has quake-triggered malfunctions, the operator of the two plants in Fukushima Prefecture is set to release pressure in containers housing their reactors under an unprecedented government order, so as to avoid the plants sustaining damage and losing their critical containment function.

But the action would involve the release of steam that would likely include radioactive materials.

The amount of radiation reached around 1,000 times the normal level in the control room of the No. 1 reactor of the Fukushima No. 1 plant, the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said.

The agency also said radiation has been measured at more than eight times the normal level near the main gate of the plant.

The authorities expanded the evacuation area for residents in the vicinity of the No. 1 plant from a 3-kilometer radius to 10 km on the orders of Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who visited the facility.

The government also declared that the Fukushima No. 2 plant is under a state of atomic-power emergency, in addition to the No. 1 plant, and expanded the evacuation area to include the vicinity of the No. 2 plant.

The instruction covers residents living in a radius of 3 kilometers of the Fukushima No. 2 plant. Those living in a radius of 3-10 kilometers of the plant have also been advised to stay inside.

[ds21089]

Worst case scenario is a Chernobyl type loss of coolant core explosion with a massive radioactive debris and steam release.

http://www.rapingmothernature.com/wp-content/gallery/chernobylexplosion/ChernobylExplosion001.jpg

yes, but look at it now :) http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2011/WORLD/europe/01/14/chernobyl.nature.radiation.debate/story.chernobyl.fullset2.solaz.jpg isn't it amazing what happens when you dont fuck with nature?

[HOLLYWOOD]

Anyone want to know more about BWR and casements ... Here's the pdf link for the NRC: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/basic-ref/teachers/03.pdf

Fukushima is an early BWR-4 English updates from Tokyo Electric Power(TEPCO): http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/index-e.html

TEPCO Press Update:

A big earthquake occurred in the northern part of Japan at 2:46PM of March 11th 2011.Because TEPCO's facilities have been seriously damaged, power shortage may occur.TEPCO appreciates customers' cooperation in reducing electricity usage by avoiding using unnessesary lighting and electrical equipment.
We are taking all measures to restore power, however, we expect extremely challenging situation in power supply for a while. We kindly ask our customers to cooperate with us in reducing usage of power.
Please do NOT touch cut-off electric wires, even if you find them.

[Dr.3D]

yes, but look at it now :) http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2011/WORLD/europe/01/14/chernobyl.nature.radiation.debate/story.chernobyl.fullset2.solaz.jpg isn't it amazing what happens when you dont fuck with nature?

And from what I understand, there are wild animals running all over that place. Must be nice for them huh?

[Anti Federalist]

And from what I understand, there are wild animals running all over that place. Must be nice for them huh?

Oh sure, there are plants and trees and animals all coming back.

So are the tourists...

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/travel/news/tourists-heading-to-chernobyl/story-e6frezi0-1225928471833

Some pictures of the surrounding town, Pripyat.
http://pics.livejournal.com/laurasalas/pic/000h4zhf

http://cdn.wn.com/pd/d9/9c/faab41ae164618bac846d53a5bc7_grande.jpg

http://cache.wists.com/thumbnails/2/18/218f91f0a9c6e2ef081f02c6e3ed4976-orig

I'm curious what the long term effects on the flora and fauna will be...

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SP9WShaWpq4/S6o21Wvr84I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/Qq_EPYERmvg/s400/blinky.gif

[Anti Federalist]

Can't tell what has been damaged, what's not working correctly/what the operators are facing... it's pure speculation right now.

The WIKI page is pretty good knowledge on a BWR to familiarize one,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiling_water_reactor
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/BoilingWaterReactor.gif

Has it been confirmed that this plant is a BWR and not a PWR?

ETA - Yes it is a BWR. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_BWRs and Hollywood's post

This is the difference, I know all US marine reactors are PWR (Pressurized Water reactors) which I think are safer, in that the "hot loop" never flashes to steam and stays in the heat exchanger loop without ever coming into contact with the turbines.

http://www.zdnet.co.uk/i/z5/illo/nw/story_graphics/10oct/nuclear-reactor/nuclear-reactor-8.jpg

[ihsv]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7RnBdwgj_8


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvFm9JAA9-g

[KramerDSP]

This video is amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HPddRn-Sn8

Those pilots got nuked.

I also found a great article from the Guardian about the Chernobyl disaster 20 years later (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/mar/26/nuclear.russia).

[Anti Federalist]

Those pilots got nuked.

Yeah, that was the one.

IIRC those guys were dead within a week.

[mac_hine]

Has it been confirmed that this plant is a BWR and not a PWR?

ETA - Yes it is a BWR. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_BWRs and Hollywood's post

This is the difference, I know all US marine reactors are PWR (Pressurized Water reactors) which I think are safer, in that the "hot loop" never flashes to steam and stays in the heat exchanger loop without ever coming into contact with the turbines.

http://www.zdnet.co.uk/i/z5/illo/nw/story_graphics/10oct/nuclear-reactor/nuclear-reactor-8.jpg

I live in NH. The Seabrook Station picture you posted is about 20 miles from my house.

[Anti Federalist]

I live in NH. The Seabrook Station picture you posted is about 20 miles from my house.

So do I.

It's about 60 miles from mine.

[Matt Collins]

http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/438/fallout.jpg

[Feeding the Abscess]

Can't wait to shoot up Deathclaws, RadRoaches, and barter with bottle caps.

[Anti Federalist]

Can't wait to shoot up Deathclaws, RadRoaches, and barter with bottle caps.

???

[Andrew-Austin]

???

Reference to a RPG video game set in a nuclear fallout area. It is called Fallout. The currency in the game is actually bottle caps, ...you know that makes sense.

[Brian4Liberty]

What's the latest?

[Anti Federalist]

Reference to a RPG video game set in a nuclear fallout area. It is called Fallout. The currency in the game is actually bottle caps, ...you know that makes sense.

OIC thanks.

[Brian4Liberty]

No doubt better to release a little now than to allow a complete meltdown. Pump out the hot water (preferably into a container), and pump in new cold water. This isn't nuclear science!


Quickly running out of options, authorities are now also considering releasing some radiation to relieve pressure in the containment at the Daiichi plant and are also considering releasing pressure at Daini, signs that difficulties are mounting. Such a release has only occurred once in U.S. history, at Three Mile Island, Reuters reported, citing a nuclear expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Mark Hibbs as calling it a sign that the Japanese are pulling out all the stops they can to prevent this accident from developing into a core melt.

Read more: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/121980/20110312/japan-earthquake-nuclear-meltdown-nuke-crisis-plants-reactors-greenpeace-tsunami.htm

[HOLLYWOOD]

here live NEWS UPDATES from JAPAN... the American NEWS sucks: http://wwitv.com/tv_channels/6810.htm

[Brian4Liberty]

Is this a red herring? They insinuate a nuclear explosion might occur. No one is worried about that. A simple pressure explosion and fire are the real concern.


Experts say there is a low risk of a wide-scale nuclear disaster because the reactors are light-water units, meaning an explosion is unlikely.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/world/70429/possible-meltdown-at-japan-nuclear-plant

[Matt Collins]

Is this a red herring? They insinuate a nuclear explosion might occur. No one is worried about that. A simple pressure explosion and fire are the real concern.
You can't have a "nuclear explosion" as in atomic bomb. Different kind reaction and fuel entirely.

You can still have an explosion due to pressure, and it will be very radioactive. Think dirty bomb.

[Brian4Liberty]

You can't have a "nuclear explosion" as in atomic bomb. Different kind reaction and fuel entirely.

You can still have an explosion due to pressure, and it will be very radioactive. Think dirty bomb.

Exactly. Which is why a government official or news outlet saying "don't worry, no nuclear explosion will happen" is ridiculous.

[FrankRep]

What's the latest?

TOKYO POWER says temperatures falling back to normal at Reactor #3
http://live.reuters.com/Event/Japan_earthquake2

...Meltdown watch remains for Reactor #1
http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20110312D12JF421.htm

[Brian4Liberty]

...Meltdown watch remains for Reactor #1
http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20110312D12JF421.htm

Aye carumba, not good...


A portion of the reactor's fuel rods, which create heat through a nuclear reaction, have become exposed due to the cooling-system failure. The spokesman for TEPCO said 1.5 meters of the 4.5 meter long fuel rods were potentially exposed.

Throw as much snow and ice in there as needed. Improvise!

[blocks]

Outer structure of building that houses reactor at Fukushima plant appears to have blown off - NHK


Japan Nuclear Safety Agency: has heard explosion was not at reactor


Tepco says explosion may have been hydrogen used to cool Fukushima plant - Kyodo; Tepco says 4 people taken to hospital after reported explosion, no word on condition - Jiji

http://live.reuters.com/Event/Japan_earthquake2

[Vessol]

There goes the containment..

[blocks]

There goes the containment..

Well from what I read, the outer building is the secondary containment...but no word on whether the explosion affected the primary containment of the fuel rods.

[mac_hine]

So do I.

It's about 60 miles from mine.

I live in Portsmouth. Are you going to UNH on the 24th for Dr. Paul's speech? I'm thinking about going to Manchester next Saturday for the Nullify Now forum. Are you or anyone else in the area attending?

[Brian4Liberty]

Well from what I read, the outer building is the secondary containment...but no word on whether the explosion affected the primary containment of the fuel rods.

Seems like a lot of equipment would be lost in that explosion. This is no longer a case of fixing a few things.