NHK: Possible steam being released from containment dome at Reactor #3

[brooklynite]

12 PM (Japan) news now: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nhk-world-tv

[jpak]

1. That's the MOX reactor

n/

[Peace Patriot]

2. #3 has been on fire for some hours. Here's a very recent press conference translation.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x656359

They were unsure whether it was #4 (which had fires earlier) or #3, because they're very close together, and also #3's censors aren't working. #3 is also apparently too hot to get close to. So they went up and took an aerial photo. It's #3. (I think #4's fires got put out but not sure.)

#3 has plutonium in its fuel, and a blown off roof. The "spent fuel" rods (which are probably what is on fire) are open to the sky--no containment structure. But the official speaking said that they are "old" rods, if that's any comfort. (Maybe not as much radioactive material in them?) Also, they've called fire trucks for this one--I'm guessing because they needed a pump with a stronger, higher stream. They can't get close to #3.

If they cannot control this fire, it could spread--and that is the nightmare, worst case scenario--a conflagration that engulfs all the nuclear material at these six plants and sends it up into the atmosphere. #3's core is undamaged, but I don't know how hot a fire it can take. (#2 has a damaged core.)

[BeFree]

3. 3,500 rods in each building

According to this link:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=655722&mesg_id=656901

Evidently water drained from the 'extra' 3,000 stored rods and those rods caused the explosions and fires. Their containers could have been cracked by the earth quakes or the water in them may have just not been replaced due to pump failures.

Then the explosions around the core vessels may have damaged the core vessel structures.