U.S. Sees New Threats at Japan’s Nuclear Plant (NYT on "confidential" NRC assessment)

[enough]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/06/world/asia/06nuclear.html?hp

U.S. Sees New Threats at Japan’s Nuclear Plant
By JAMES GLANZ and WILLIAM J. BROAD
Published: April 5, 2011


United States government engineers sent to help with the crisis in Japan are warning that the troubled nuclear plant there is facing a wide array of fresh threats that could persist indefinitely, and that in some cases are expected to increase as a result of the very measures being taken to keep the plant stable, according to a confidential assessment prepared by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

snip>

The document, which was obtained by The New York Times, provides a more detailed technical assessment of the conundrum facing the Japanese as they struggle to prevent more fuel melting at the Fukushima Daiichi plant than Japanese officials have provided, though it appears to rely largely on data shared with American experts by the Japanese.

Among other problems, the documents raises new questions about whether pouring water on nuclear fuel in the absence of functioning electronic cooling systems can be sustained indefinitely. Experts have said the Japanese need to continue to keep the fuel cool for many months until the plant can be stabilized, but there is growing awareness that the risks of pumping water on the fuel present a whole new category of challenges that the nuclear industry is only beginning to comprehend.

The document also suggests that fragments or particles of nuclear fuel from spent fuel pools above the reactors were blown “up to 1 mile from the units,” and that pieces of highly radioactive material fell between two of the units and had to be “bulldozed over,” presumably to protect workers at the site. The ejection of nuclear material, which may have occurred during one of the earlier hydrogen explosions, may indicate more extensive damage to the extremely radioactive pools than previously disclosed.

much more>

Note, I have edited this post at the request of the moderators (removed a paragraph.) Please read the whole article. There is a LOT of information.

[WheelWalker]

1. Excuse me please. I need to use the Vomitorium now.

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. Hurry up, I am next in line.

Maybe if I do this while I wait........:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[barbtries]

2. this just really gets me:

"there is growing awareness that the risks of pumping water on the fuel present a whole new category of challenges that the nuclear industry is only beginning to comprehend. "

only beginning?! omigawd. this "industry" is unprepared for ITSELF.

[Wilms]

3. ...facing a wide array of fresh threats that could persist indefinitely,...

...and that in some cases are expected to increase as a result of the very measures being taken to keep the plant stable...

[enough]

4. I think it's particularly significant that this is coming from the US NRC. They are not known

for any "exaggerated" concern for reactor safety, and will always put a comforting gloss on any situation with a reactor. The fact that they seem to be taking this situation seriously is interesting, to say the least.

[Old and In the Way]

5. "the mounting stresses placed on the containment structures"

I can't imagine what happens if the containment building fails and there's nothing there to keep the water pooled...

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. Arnie Gunderson said on the 26th they needed to add boron to prevent an explosion.

And I note this report was written on the 26th, so there is about 10 days gone by with no action???

By the way, anyone wanting most excellent information on the problem and possible solutions might
find Gunderson worth a listen:

His short videos start around the 25th, are to the right of the page, newest on top.

http://vimeo.com/21594296

[FogerRox]

8. Boron was used by the second day,.... Puh lease.

Specifically boric acid. Lots of links

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Fukushima+boric+acid&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#q=Fukushima+boric+acid&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=ivnsfd&source=lnms&tbm=nws&ei=GNObTcO4CpGG0QGF_ujlAg&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=4&ved=0CBYQ_AUoAw&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=56edad2301751841

Korea sends Japan 50 tons of boron, March 13th, and tons more links.


http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Fukushima+boric+acid&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#q=Fukushima+seawater+and+boron&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=nws&ei=ldObTbegD-6D0QGf6fylAg&start=10&sa=N&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=56edad2301751841


AP story Boron being used March 12th

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iM7SAc-6HKpSc0cHhRuTdQiwpabw?docId=1bb45fb635744b92b6eae8ff2e446565

No Offense, but Mr. Gunderson seems to be in need of a fact checker.

Boron, in the form of boric acid is a common white powder that can be bought at any Pathmark Shop Rite or other grocery store.

[girl gone mad]

9. k & r

[enough]

10. Morning kick (nt)

[malaise]

11. GOT MILK? n/t

[Junkdrawer]

12. fragments of nuclear fuel from spent fuel pools ... were blown "up to 1 mile from the units"...

Holy Fuck....

:wow:

[Junkdrawer]

13. Kick

:kick: