Originally Posted by GarryP (Post 9235704)

Coming back to the original point of the thread, I've found this:

http://www.beyondnuclear.org/storage...s/bwr-mk1i.jpg

Compare this schematic with the video and you can see that the explosion actually only took out the lightly-built top third weather cover for the refuelling deck, not the main containment building. It didn't even take out the framing.

Looks positive for containment of most of the nasties.

Originally Posted by Swerv-o (Post 9238129)

I'm very skeptical that they are fueling a domestic power generation reactor with weapons grade Pu. For a start, weapons grade Pu needs to be about 92% Pu 239 with a smattering of Pu 240. To manufacture that level of refined Pu is very costly, and not worth the effort for generating electricity with, as much lower levels of refinement will suffice

Plus, weapons grade uranium requires a short burn up time compared to that for domestic power generation. The processes are very different.


S

Originally Posted by Bob (Post 9240150)

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/03...iima_analysis/

Anyone read that?

Originally Posted by DeadVim (Post 9240163)

That is a joke, right?

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So to sum up: all plants are now well on their way to a cold shutdown. At no time have their operators come even close to running out of options. No core has melted down and come up against the final defensive barriers: the safety systems did not come even close to failing, despite being tested far beyond what they had been designed to take. One person has sustained a small dose of radiation which need cause him no concern.
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Originally Posted by asprilla (Post 9240167)

I think we do need to take a "wait and see" approach. Chernobyl was a big disaster... but the nuclear power reactors in Japan are supposedly much safer, because they are enclosed in big strong boxes.

Of course, if the big strong boxes break open, then there might be a problem.

Originally Posted by DeadVim (Post 9240163)

That is a joke, right?

--------------------
So to sum up: all plants are now well on their way to a cold shutdown. At no time have their operators come even close to running out of options. No core has melted down and come up against the final defensive barriers: the safety systems did not come even close to failing, despite being tested far beyond what they had been designed to take. One person has sustained a small dose of radiation which need cause him no concern.
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Originally Posted by Bob (Post 9240176)

well it was written about 12 hours ago, so at the time, it probably was right :D

Originally Posted by DeadVim (Post 9240175)

Indeed, time will tell but I don't like the way Number 2 reactor is heading ... call me suspicious but "Huge Explosion" doesn't sound like a cold shutdown.

The fact the plant was only built to withstand a M7.9 surely means someone should be falling on their sword somewhere down the line.

Originally Posted by Swerv-o (Post 9240181)

But it wasn't the earthquake that has caused the problems - it was the subsequent tsunami that knocked out the cooling systems, and we have seen an almost domino effect that has swept through the rest of the system.


S

Originally Posted by DeadVim (Post 9240194)

Yeh, but the earthquake caused the tsunami ... bigger quake, bigger waves ... surely you don't design a nuclear power plant just to deal with the shaky bit?

Originally Posted by bcworld (Post 9240203)

You would hope not! Nuclear power plants tend to be right on the coast. Earthquake + coast = tsunami. Surely they thought of that!?? :confused:

Originally Posted by asprilla (Post 9240211)

They really should have built a huge moat around the plants. The seawater would have entered the moat instead of damaging the cooling systems. Plus, the seawater contained in the moat, could then be used as a backup for cooling purposes.

I'm in the wrong job !

Originally Posted by iamthecreaturefromuranus (Post 9240218)

A tsunami isn't just a big wave mate.. it would fill any moat and just keep on coming. Don't give up your day job. ;)

Originally Posted by iamthecreaturefromuranus (Post 9240218)

A tsunami isn't just a big wave mate.. it would fill any moat and just keep on coming. Don't give up your day job. ;)

Originally Posted by renth (Post 9240223)

Hey, at least he's trying. My solution would be to surround the power stations with lots of huge sponges to soak up the tsunami.