NYT: Mk1 Reactor Design Has Long Been Questioned

[denem]

FLAWED FROM THE START

The warnings were stark and issued repeatedly as far back as 1972: If the cooling systems ever failed at a Mark 1 nuclear reactor, the primary containment vessel surrounding the reactor would probably burst as the fuel rods inside overheated. Dangerous radiation would spew into the environment." ,,,

SKIMPED ON CONTAINMENT

". But the type of containment vessel and pressure suppression system used in the failing reactors at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi plant — and in 23 American reactors at 16 plants — is physically less robust, and it has long been thought to be more susceptible to failure in an emergency than competing designs.

GREED

"G.E. began making the Mark 1 boiling water reactors in the 1960s, marketing them as cheaper and easier to build — in part because they used a comparatively smaller and less expensive containment structure."

LEAK BONANZA

"Questions about the G.E. reactor design escalated in the mid-1980s, when Harold Denton, an official with the N.R.C., asserted that Mark 1 reactors had a 90 percent probability of bursting should the fuel rods overheat and melt in an accident. A follow-up report from a study group convened by the commission concluded that “Mark 1 failure within the first few hours following core melt would appear rather likely.”

TITANIC ARROGANCE

"Michael Tetuan, a spokesman for G.E.’s water and power division, staunchly defended the technology this week, calling it “the industry’s workhorse with a proven track record of safety and reliability for more than 40 years.” Mr. Tetuan said there are currently 32 Mark 1 boiling water reactors operating safely around the globe. “There has never been a breach of a Mark 1 containment system,” he said." (That's used to have a proven track record, dickhead)

TOO BIG TO FAIL

It was always technically advisable to upgrade BWR MK 1 reactors to MK II or MK III, but it's big money to replace a reactor and so it cannot fail. So far none the none of the Mk II reactors at Fukushima have had major problems despite the quake and tsunami.

HARI KARI

TEPCO & GE have very dirty hands. I hope Mr Tetuan goes down with the ship, or perhaps, takes a trip to japan to fall on a ritual sword. The TEPCO bosses can demonstrate the correct procedure.

All quotes
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/world/asia/16contain.html

[Skink]

1. How many years are these things supposed to last?

[denem]

2. 40 years, TEPCO got an extension to 50.

Not doubt theres more than a few beyond their recommended operational life chugging around the States.

[riverwalker]

3. GE CEO compensation: $21.4 Million

(I guess all those short cuts and shoddy designs really pay off)

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2011/03/15/ges-immelt-takes-first-bonus-since-07.html

Jeffrey Immelt, CEO of General Electric Co. and a Cincinnati native, last year received his first cash bonus since 2007 – $4 million, the company reported.

The bonus lifted Immelt's total compensation, including salary, grant options and the bonus, last year to $21.4 million, more than double his 2009 pay. Immelt had declined a bonus in recent years, as GE's profitability

(DAMMIT! how many thousands of children will under go bone marrow transplants and radiation sickness because these fuckers had to make a bigger profit. BP and now this. When does this STOP?!)