Japan 8.9 Earthquake & Tsunami
#62
Re: Japan 8.9 Earthquake & Tsunami
I won't be losing any sleep.
Jim.
#63
Re: Japan 8.9 Earthquake & Tsunami
I should have said they weren't the same type of graphite core.
All the cores are the same and if control is lost, the core melts and a run away nuclear reaction occurs which produces heat. After all, the purpose of a nuclear power plant is to produce heat which produces steam which propels the steam turbines that produces electricity.
One of the biggest dangers when trying to get the reaction under control is the build up of a hydrogen bubble which caused the explosion in both Chernobyl and Japan. In Cherbobyl, the explosion damaged the core but according to Japanese officials, the core wasn't damaged in their explosion and only the containment building was damaged. On three mile island, there was also a hydrogen bubble but that was controlled by releasing gases to the environment as well as they had enough power to scrub the bubble reducing the hydrogen bubble.
One of the biggest dangers when trying to get the reaction under control is the build up of a hydrogen bubble which caused the explosion in both Chernobyl and Japan. In Cherbobyl, the explosion damaged the core but according to Japanese officials, the core wasn't damaged in their explosion and only the containment building was damaged. On three mile island, there was also a hydrogen bubble but that was controlled by releasing gases to the environment as well as they had enough power to scrub the bubble reducing the hydrogen bubble.
#65
Re: Japan 8.9 Earthquake & Tsunami
Yes there are different types of designs and metals that are used that can mitigate the effects of a nuclear meltdown. The one that had the explosion was designed by GE in the 1970s called the Mark 1. One of the weaknesses of the Mark 1 design is a 90% chance of a containment failure during a meltdown. However with the sides already blown off, I suspect his one will be 100% unless the inside walls are intact.
#70
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 53
Re: Japan 8.9 Earthquake & Tsunami
Just to change the subject, thanks Bob for the link you gave earlier. I passed it on to a friend who knows someone who had been unable to contact his, who was teaching there. I just checked her name and it says she has been reported alive. That is good news for one family anyway.
#71
Re: Japan 8.9 Earthquake & Tsunami
Interesting Before & After pics imo
#72
Re: Japan 8.9 Earthquake & Tsunami
Most of those photos were taken by google earth. The following link contains an album of before and after photos.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1180792...3600944/Japan#
https://picasaweb.google.com/1180792...3600944/Japan#
#74
Re: Japan 8.9 Earthquake & Tsunami
Just to change the subject, thanks Bob for the link you gave earlier. I passed it on to a friend who knows someone who had been unable to contact his, who was teaching there. I just checked her name and it says she has been reported alive. That is good news for one family anyway.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...569336&t=h&z=5
For google high res pics...very surreal