Fukushima spent fuel threat rises/Boric acid shortage - March 16, 2011 - Nature.com

[jpak]

http://blogs.nature.com/news/thegreatbeyond/energy/

For the time being, the spent fuel is overtaking the the reactors themselves as the big radiation threat at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station. This morning Japan time, a second fire broke out at the unit 4 reactor building. Meanwhile, a white plume of smoke or steam has been seen coming from one of the reactors. Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) is reported as saying they believe it may be coming from the Unit 3 storage pool. It is likely to be radioactive. The government has also admitted that the containment vessel for the Unit 3 reactor was likely damaged in a massive explosion on 14 March.

In a dramatic effort to stem further damage, the Japan Defense Force deployed a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to airdrop water onto units 3 and possibly 4, but it was forced to turn back because of radiation risks, according to NHK TV. Airdropping could be an indication of very high radiation at the site, as it would reduce the threat to ground staff. Earlier today TEPCO's staff had to temporarily evacuate the site because of high radiation levels, according to a statement.

This morning, radiation rates at the plant's gate remain 10 millisievert-per-hour range, but have since fallen to around 1.5 mSv/hr according to chief cabinet secretary Yukio Edano. NHK reports that the government has increased the permissible dose for workers at the plant from 100 mSv (presumed per year) to 250 mSv (presumed per year) in order to allow them to continue working on the site. In many countries, the limit for radiation exposure of nuclear workers is 50 mSv per year.

Radiation monitoring beyond the 20km exclusion zone shows "no immediate threat to human health," according to Edano.

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[Fledermaus]

1. They need to adapt the helicopters make remotely piloted helicopters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_668127&v=ypvw59fcbCs

But only much much bigger. Put the camera where the pilot normally sits.

Remote Control hobbits call it First Person View (FPV)
Its very intuitive for a pilot to learn.

[SpoonFed]

2. uh...

do you have any idea how long that idea might take to implement?
if only helicopters were so convenient to fly by wire.

[AtheistCrusader]

3. Helicopters with positive air pressure cockpits would work as well.

However, few are useful for hooking up a heavy load. Mostly NBC ready combat helicopters.