Edit:22 Update 2: Experts warned Fukushima of tsunami threat 2 years ago.

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HybridSquirrel

Diamond Member
Nov 20, 2005
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pdl91.jpg
 

Jeff7

Lifer
Jan 4, 2001
41,596
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Um, yeah...I'm thinking that nuclear reactors are one of those things that should be made to be passively safe. If anything goes awry, the reaction will be snuffed out without the need for power. I'm guessing that the Gen IV reactors have that in mind as a design goal.
(And of course, thorium reactors would be nice too.)

Hopefully this doesn't get too bad. (Even if it goes out like Three Mile Island, that wouldn't be too bad. From what I understand, TMI's containment vessel did exactly what it was meant to do.)
 
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QuantumPion

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
6,010
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If that is the containment building then... oh crap.

Note that this plant is old and uses the first generation boiler technology. These plants don't have the strong containment building typically seen in PWR's, instead they have a smaller containment vessel around the primary pressure vessel.

What possibly could have happened here, worse case, is what they feared might happen at TMI - when the fuel rods reach a critical temperature, they chemically react with the water, melting the reactor core and liberating large amounts of hydrogen gas. This gas could ignite and rupture the pressure vessel (and possibly the containment as well).

P.S. I am a nuclear engineer, if you have any questions... :\
 
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QuantumPion

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
6,010
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The news reports still don't know what part of the plant is blowing up here. It could be the turbine building. The main generator uses hydrogen gas for cooling, but that explosion is pretty big...

If the reactor itself did explode, this could be as bad as Chernobyl, depending on the condition of the reactor. Chernobyl was particularly catastrophic because it was actually burning, and spewing particulate fuel material out with the smoke over a wide area. If the reactor here simply exploded due to the pressure but otherwise remained more or less in tact, the radiation release would hopefully not be as bad. Furthermore apparently the prevailing winds are going out to sea, so there would be minimal exposure as well. In any event, extremely bad situation here.
 

QuantumPion

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
6,010
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After viewing the video in slow motion, I'm 90% sure it was indeed the reactor building that exploded. :(

I think Monday is going to be an interesting day at work for me... :\
 

HybridSquirrel

Diamond Member
Nov 20, 2005
6,161
2
81
The news reports still don't know what part of the plant is blowing up here. It could be the turbine building. The main generator uses hydrogen gas for cooling, but that explosion is pretty big...

If the reactor itself did explode, this could be as bad as Chernobyl, depending on the condition of the reactor. Chernobyl was particularly catastrophic because it was actually burning, and spewing particulate fuel material out with the smoke over a wide area. If the reactor here simply exploded due to the pressure but otherwise remained more or less in tact, the radiation release would hopefully not be as bad. Furthermore apparently the prevailing winds are going out to sea, so there would be minimal exposure as well. In any event, extremely bad situation here.

I read the explosion was controlled, but 4 people got fucked up. So idk....just from what I read on BBC and CNN
 

QuantumPion

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
6,010
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76
I read the explosion was controlled, but 4 people got fucked up. So idk....just from what I read on BBC and CNN

I find that hard to believe. Maybe there were trying to release steam in a controlled manner but were too late. There is no possible way they could/would intentionally blow up the containment structure.
 

HybridSquirrel

Diamond Member
Nov 20, 2005
6,161
2
81
I find that hard to believe. Maybe there were trying to release steam in a controlled manner but were too late. There is no possible way they could/would intentionally blow up the containment structure.

yeah, i kinda figured it wasn't intentionally when they said 4 people got fucked.
 

dmcowen674

No Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
54,889
47
91
www.alienbabeltech.com
Originally Posted by QuantumPion
The news reports still don't know what part of the plant is blowing up here. It could be the turbine building. The main generator uses hydrogen gas for cooling, but that explosion is pretty big...

If the reactor itself did explode, this could be as bad as Chernobyl, depending on the condition of the reactor. Chernobyl was particularly catastrophic because it was actually burning, and spewing particulate fuel material out with the smoke over a wide area. If the reactor here simply exploded due to the pressure but otherwise remained more or less in tact, the radiation release would hopefully not be as bad. Furthermore apparently the prevailing winds are going out to sea, so there would be minimal exposure as well. In any event, extremely bad situation here

I read the explosion was controlled, but 4 people got fucked up. So idk....just from what I read on BBC and CNN

Radioactive particulates are now being measured in the air, they are saying it is in full meltdown :(

They don't have the handle on another one too.