Russian wants U.S. nuclear technology

The road not taken: Can Fukushima put us on a path toward nuclear transparency?

The road not taken: Can Fukushima put us on a path toward nuclear transparency?

from It is 6 Minutes to Midnight | Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists by Kennette Benedict

The disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station is a sobering reminder that nuclear power relies on the most dangerous technology on Earth. Though we do not yet know what the total effects of this nuclear tragedy will be, we do know that plant workers are suffering from radiation exposure, that lowered water levels have partially exposed fuel rods causing irremediable damage, and that the release of radioactive materials has displaced thousands of residents and contaminated tap water and some food supplies.

TEPCO workers not warned of radiation risk

THE NUCLEAR COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK News in Brief No. 81 / 26 March 2011

THE NUCLEAR COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

News in Brief/ No. 81 / 26 March 2011

Japan Update: Slow Progress In Efforts To Secure External Power

26 Mar (NucNet): Progress is slow in efforts to secure an external AC power supply for essential systems at units 1 to 4 of the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant because so many areas are heavily contaminated and spraying of the spent fuel pools (SFPs) is continuing, which makes decontamination difficult, Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) said today.

However, lights and some of the instrumentation in the control rooms are now functional. Units 1 and 2 share a combined control room, as do units 3 and 4.

One of the next challenges will be a detailed radiological assessment of the entire site, after which decisions will be made on what work will follow, including repairs and cleaning.

Yesterday, a temporary cable for external power was connected at the plant making electricity available to all six units for the first time since the earthquake and tsunami struck on 11 March 2011, the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum (JAIF) said.

Test runs of each item of electrical equipment will need to be carried out before vital systems such as instrumentation, and core and spent fuel pool cooling can be turned on.

Tepco said today it has started to inject fresh water instead of seawater into the primary reactor systems of units 1 and 2. This is to avoid the accumulation of too much salt in the primary systems.

The fresh water is provided by the US Navy because the tsunami destroyed most of the infrastructure for local fresh water supplies.

Tepco said it plans to switch to fresh water injection at unit 3 and could also do so at unit 4 if it becomes necessary.

Radioactive Materials Found In Seawater Sampling

Japanese authorities said today that iodine-131 concentrations measured in seawater samples collected at eight points 30 kilometres from the coastline of the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear plant were about at Japanese regulatory limits, with caesium-137 levels in the same samples “well below those limits”, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said.

The IAEA said its marine environmental laboratory in Monaco has received the data and concluded in a preliminary analysis that dilution, both into deeper layers of water and by dispersion along the prevailing ocean currents, will lead to “a rapid decrease of the initial surface contamination”.

In the short term, iodine-131 will be the relevant radionuclide as far as doses are concerned, but in the long term, caesium-137 will be the more important radionuclide in the marine environment. It will be possible to follow this nuclide over long distances for several years.

The IAEA said radionuclides will probably take months or years to reach other shores of the Pacific. The main transport of contamination takes place by atmospheric transport over long distances.

Seawater samples taken by Tepco at about 300 metres from the southern discharge channel at Fukushima-Daiichi showed a much higher radioactivity level of about 1,250 times above the limit for iodine-131 and 80 times above the limit for caesium-137.

Unit Status At Fukushima-Daiichi 25 March 2011:

Unit 1

Core and fuel integrity damaged.

Reactor pressure vessel integrity: unknown.

Core cooling requiring AC power: not functional.

Building integrity severely damaged by hydrogen explosion.

Water level in the rector pressure vessel (RPV): fuel partially or fully exposed.

Pressure of the RPV: now decreasing after initial increase.

Temperature of the RPV: now decreasing after initial increase.

Water injection to core: continuing. Now using fresh water instead of seawater.

Water injection to containment vessel: to be confirmed.

Containment venting: temporarily stopped.

Unit 2

Core and fuel integrity: damaged.

Reactor pressure vessel integrity: unknown.

Core cooling requiring AC power: not functional.

Building integrity slightly damaged.

Water level in the rector pressure vessel: fuel partially or fully exposed.

Pressure of the RPV: unknown.

Temperature of the RPV: stable.

Water injection to core: continuing. Now using fresh water instead of seawater.

Water injection to containment vessel: to be confirmed.

Containment venting: temporarily stopped.

Unit 3

Core and fuel integrity damaged.

Reactor pressure vessel integrity suspected damaged.

Core cooling requiring AC power: not functional.

Building integrity severely damaged by hydrogen explosion.

Pressure of the RPV: unknown.

Temperature of the RPV: now decreasing after initial increase.

Water injection to core: continuing. Use of fresh water under consideration.

Water injection to containment vessel: to be confirmed.

Containment venting: temporarily stopped.

Unit 4

Shut down at the time of the earthquake, no damage to fuel (which had already been removed from the reactor and transferred to the pool), core or containment. Building integrity severely damaged by hydrogen explosion.

Unit 5

Shut down at the time of the earthquake, no damage to fuel, core or containment. Vent hole opened in roof as precaution against hydrogen explosion.

Unit 6

Shut down at the time of the earthquake, no damage to fuel, core or containment. Vent hole opened in roof as precaution against hydrogen explosion.

Spent Fuel Pool Status At Fukushima-Daiichi 25 March 2011:

Fuel integrity unknown at units 1 and 2, possible damaged at units 2 and 3, safe at units 5 and 6.

Unit 1

Seawater injection being considered.

Unit 2

Seawater injection carried out on 20 March.

Unit 3

Water level low, seawater injection continues.

Unit 4

Water level low, seawater injection continues. Reactor building damaged by explosion and fire on 15 March.

Unit 5 & 6

Pool cooling capability recovered.

Common Spent Fuel Pool

Seawater was sprayed over this pool on 21 March. Pool cooling was restarted after successful installation of an external power supply line on

24 March.

Dan Yurman 

Email: dan.yurman@usa.net

Mobile: 208-521-5726 

Blog: http://djysrv.blogspot.com

From AAAS website:

Japan Soil Measurements Surprisingly High

Concerns about radiation in Japan have now spread to the soil surrounding the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor. One level that was reported this week was high enough to suggest people in that area should be evacuated, an expert says. But he cautions that it's hard to draw conclusions about these spot measurements without more data.
Today, Japanese officials told the population living up to 30 kilometers from the plant that they should consider leaving the area, expanding the previous 20-kilometer radius evacuation zone. But according to news reports, the advice stems from difficulties in supplying the region with food and water, not radiation levels.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday the Japanese science ministry began to report measurements of cesium-137 in upland soil around the plant. The levels are highest from two points northeast of the plant, ranging from 8690 becquerels/kilogram to a high of 163,000 Bq/kg measured on 20 March from a point in Iitate about 40 kilometers northwest of the Fukushima plant.
The soil measurements are more significant for evacuation purposes than radioactivity in the air, says nuclear engineer Shih-Yew Chen of Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois, because cesium dust stays underfoot while air is transient. Levels of cesium-137 are also more important than soil readings of iodine-131, which is short-lived and more of a concern in milk and vegetables. "It's the cesium that would prompt an evacuation," says Chen.
Based on a rough estimate, a person standing on soil with 163,000 Bq/kg of cesium-137 would receive about 150 millisieverts per year of radiation, says Chen. This is well above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standard of 50 millisieverts per year for an evacuation. (Per day, it's 0.41 millisieverts, which is equivalent to four chest x-rays.) But Chen adds, "one point [of data] doesn't mean that much."
The hot spot is similar to levels found in some areas affected by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident in the former Soviet Union. Assuming the radiation is no more than 2 centimeters deep, Chen calculates that 163,000 Bq/kg is roughly equivalent to 8 million Bq/m². The highest cesium-137 levels in some villages near Chernobyl were 5 million Bq/m².

http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2011/03/japan-soil-measurements-surprisingly.html?etoc

MIT Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering Briefing on the Japan Nuclear Crisis

Japan’s Lessons for U.S. Nuclear Power Letters to the Editor

Japan’s Lessons for U.S. Nuclear Power

Published: March 25, 2011

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ANS Tech Brief on MOX at Fukushima #3

Fission Products in Seattle Reveal Clues about Japan Nuclear Disaster

Fission Products in Seattle Reveal Clues about Japan Nuclear Disaster

The first analysis of nuclear fission products in the atmosphere over Seattle provides a unique insight into the nature of the disaster.

Shaken, flooded, stressed by power outages, Fukushima Daiichi moves into second place by Rod Adams

Shaken, flooded, stressed by power outages, Fukushima Daiichi moves into second place

by Rod Adams

IAEA Fukushima Nuclear Accident Update Log 3/26

Fukushima Nuclear Accident Update Log

Updates of 26 March 2011

Staff Report

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident – 26 March status

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident – 26 March status

Posted on 26 March 2011 by Barry Brook

This post provides an update to the various situation summaries at Fukushima Daiichi. Please switch to using this post for comments on the latest status reports and news to  hand (the old one is now out of date). For general comments on, use the FD Open Thread, and for analysis of the event with respect to future lessons for nuclear power, use this post. Full situation summaries from TEPCO, FEPC and JAIF are given at the bottom of this report.

Follow Post Graphics:

Japan’s nuclear emergency

Damage at nuclear plants made leaking radiation the primary threat facing a country just beginning to grasp the scale of devastation from the earthquake and tsunami. For a narrated animation of what happened, click here.

Blue Ribbon Commission "What We've Heard"

About the Commission

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BRC Staff Report

"What We've Heard"

Updated 03/25/2011

---

The Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future is charged with submitting a draft report to the Secretary of Energy by July 29, 2011.  As a first step toward meeting that deadline, the Commission directed the staff to prepare this report summarizing the key themes the Commission has heard up to this point in the process.  By publishing this staff report, the Commission desires to provide individuals and organizations who have given us input an opportunity to confirm that their key messages have been heard or to highlight something that may have been missed, and to give those who are following the work of the Commission, but who have not yet provided input, an opportunity to raise issues they believe the Commission should consider as it prepares its report.

The Commission will use this report and comments received to help guide its examination of options as it develops a draft set of recommendations for the Secretary.  We welcome your comments on the report and will provide them to the Commissioners for consideration as they develop their draft recommendations.  Please submit your comments to brc@nuclear.energy.gov"

"What We've Heard"

A Staff Summary of Major Themes in Testimony and Comments Received by the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future to Date

Japan's nuclear crisis is mainly public panic, not radiation risk: Australian expert

Fukushima radioactive fallout nears Chernobyl levels

TEPCO Admits To Another Cover Up As Radioactivity In Seawater Near Fukushima Soars To 1,251 Above Legal Limit

JAIF Reactor Status Update Chart

Latest NEI Updates 3/26

Latest NEI Updates

UPDATE AS OF 9:30 A.M. EDT, MARCH 26Japanese scientists yesterday detected higher levels radioactive iodine in seawater at water outlets near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

"Iodine 131 was detected at a level 1,250 times the national safety limit," Hidehiko Nishiyama of the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said during a news conference. Officials said there is no immediate danger to residents near the plant from these levels.

Samples taken on Friday were significantly higher than those taken on Wednesday, which had 147 times the legal concentration of I-137. Authorities said the concentration of radioactive materials in the water will decrease as the water is diluted by ocean currents. Indeed, a sample taken at 8:50 a.m. on Friday had one-fifth the concentration of I-131 as the earlier measurement. Three subsequent measurements that morning showed fluctuation. All were below the highest level found at 8:30 a.m. on Friday.

"As of now, there is no report of adverse impact on the marine life, especially beyond kilometers [of the plant]," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano. "Experts say there is a very low possibility, but we must strengthen our monitoring."

Efforts to cool the reactors and fuel pools continues at the Daiichi site. Fresh water is now being used to cool reactors 1, 2 and 3 in lieu of seawater. Workers began injecting fresh water at reactors 1 and 3 on March 25 and at reactor 2 on March 26. Meanwhile, two U.S. Navy barges carrying 500,000 gallons fresh water are en route to a port 37 miles south of the Fukushima plant.

UPDATE AS OF 7:00 P.M. EDT, MARCH 25:
Fresh water is being injected into the reactor pressure vessel at reactor 3 at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said.

TEPCO said that radioactive materials discovered at the reactor 3 turbine building possibly came from water from the reactor system, not the spent fuel pool. TEPCO made that statement after collecting samples of contaminated water in the reactor 3 turbine building and conducting a gamma-emitting nuclide analysis of the sample. The reactor pressure and drywell pressure at reactor 3 remained stable on Friday, leading TEPCO to believe that "the reactor pressure vessel is not seriously damaged.

Cooling efforts at Reactor 1 already had switched back to fresh water cooling. Reactor 2 is still being injected with seawater, but is expected to switch to fresh water soon.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. said that crews continued spraying water into the used fuel storage pools at reactors 3 and 4 on Friday to keep the used uranium fuel rods safe. Also on Friday, the heat removal system at reactor 6 was switched to a permanent power supply, NISA added.

TEPCO said it was assessing the radiation dose to two workers who were contaminated while laying cable in the turbine building of reactor 3. TEPCO said it had instructed its employees and contract workers to pay attention to their personal radiation dosimeter alarms and evacuate when necessary.

On-site radiation monitoring at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant indicates that radiation dose rates continue to decrease, the International Atomic Energy Agency said.

Radiation Monitoring Update

Air and seawater sampling continues by the Japanese government. Measurements in the ocean were taken 30 kilometers off-shore and 330 meters from the discharge points on March 23 and March 24. Results indicate concentrations of iodine-131 at 2,162 picocuries per liter and cesium-137 at approximately 703 picocuries per liter. Adult consumption of 1,000 picocuries (1 picocurie is one-trillionth of a curie) per liter concentration for 30 days will result in 24 millirem of radiation dose. For comparison, a typical dose from a chest x-ray is 10 millirem.

The concentrations found in the seawater samples are most likely "due to atmospheric fallout rather than just ocean currents," IAEA said. Dilution is expected to rapidly decrease this surface contamination, IAEA added.

Iodine-131 was detected in drinking water in 13 prefectures and cesium-137 was detected in drinking water in six prefectures. All results remained below the limits set by the Japanese government, IAEA said. Iodine-131 levels in drinking water in Tokyo are now below limits for consumption by infants set by the Japanese authorities and restrictions have been lifted.

On March 25, the IAEA radiation monitoring team made additional measurements at distances from 34 to 62 kilometers from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. At these locations, the radiation dose rate was at extraordinarily low levels, ranging from 0.073 millirem per hour to 0.88 millirem per hour.

FUKUSHIMA: Little Progress Made As Radioactive Material Leaks Into The Ocean

Japan: the aftermath

By David Pilling. Photographs by Toshiki Senoue
Published: March 25 2011 19:36 | Last updated: March 25 2011 19:36

Scammers Target Radiation Fears

Websites hawk drugs, devices that Americans don't need

TEPCO Press Releases 3/26

Press Releases

Press Release (Mar 26,2011) Plant Status of Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Station (as of 9:00 am March 26th) [No update from the last release issued at 9:00 pm, March 25th] Unit Status 1 · Reactor cold shutdown, stable water level, offsite power is available. · No reactor coolant is leaked to the reactor containment vessel. · Maintain average water temperature at 100°C in the Pressure Suppression Chamber. 2 · Reactor cold shutdown, stable water level, offsite power is available. · No reactor coolant is leaked to the reactor containment vessel. · Maintain average water temperature at 100°C in the Pressure Suppression Chamber. 3 · Reactor cold shutdown, stable water level, offsite power is available. · No reactor coolant is leaked to the reactor containment vessel. · Maintain average water temperature at 100°C in the Pressure Suppression Chamber. 4 · Reactor cold shutdown, stable water level, offsite power is available. · No reactor coolant is leaked to the reactor containment vessel. · Maintain average water temperature at 100°C in the Pressure Suppression Chamber. Other N.A.

Press Releases

	Press Release (Mar 26,2011) Plant Status of Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Station (as of 3:00 pm March 26th) [No update from the last release issued at 9:00 am, March 26th] Unit Status 1 ·Reactor cold shutdown, stable water level, offsite power is available. ·No reactor coolant is leaked to the reactor containment vessel. ·Maintain average water temperature at 100°C in the Pressure Suppression Chamber. 2 ·Reactor cold shutdown, stable water level, offsite power is available. ·No reactor coolant is leaked to the reactor containment vessel. ·Maintain average water temperature at 100°C in the Pressure Suppression Chamber. 3 ·Reactor cold shutdown, stable water level, offsite power is available. ·No reactor coolant is leaked to the reactor containment vessel. ·Maintain average water temperature at 100°C in the Pressure Suppression Chamber. 4 ·Reactor cold shutdown, stable water level, offsite power is available. ·No reactor coolant is leaked to the reactor containment vessel. ·Maintain average water temperature at 100°C in the Pressure Suppression Chamber. Other N.A.
Press Release (Mar 26,2011) Status of TEPCO's Facilities and its services after Tohoku-Taiheiyou-Oki Earthquake (as of 4:00PM) Due to the Tohoku-Taiheiyou-Oki Earthquake which occurred on March 11th 2011, TEPCO's facilities including our nuclear power stations have been severely damaged. We deeply apologize for the anxiety and inconvenience caused. Below is the status of TEPCO's major facilities. *new items are underlined [Nuclear Power Station] Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station: Units 1 to 3: shutdown due to earthquake (Units 4 to 6: outage due to regular inspection) * The national government has instructed the public to evacuate for those local residents within 20km radius of the site periphery and to remain indoors for those local residents between 20km and 30km radius of the site periphery. *Off-site power was connected to Unit 1 to 6. *Unit 1 - The explosive sound and white smoke was confirmed near Unit 1 when the big quake occurred at 3:36pm, March 12th. - We started injection of sea water at 8:20 pm, March 12th, and then boric acid which absorbs neutron into the reactor afterwards. - At approximately 2:30 am, March 23rd, we started the injection of sea water into the reactor from feed water system. After that, the injection of freshwater was started from 3:37 pm on March 25th (switched from the seawater injection). - At approximately 10:50 am on March 24th, white smoke was confirmed arising from the top of the reactor building. - At approximately 11:30 am, March 24th, lights in the main control room were restored. *Unit 2 - At 1:25 pm, March 14th, since the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling System has failed, it was determined that a specific incident stipulated in Clause 1, Article 15 of Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness occurred (failure of reactor cooling function). At 5:17 pm, March 14th, while the water level in the reactor reached the top of the fuel rod, we have restarted the water injection with the valve operation. - At approximately 6:14 am, March 15th, the abnormal sound was confirmed near the suppression chamber and the pressure inside the chamber decreased afterwards. It was determined that there is a possibility that something happened in the suppression chamber. While sea water injection to the reactor continued, TEPCO employees and workers from other companies not in charge of injection work started tentative evacuation to a safe location. Sea water injection to the reactor continued. - On March 18th, power was delivered up to substation for backup power through offsite transmission line. We completed laying cable further to unit receiving facility in the building, and at 3:46 pm, March 20th the load-side power panel of the receiving facility started to be energized. - From 3: 05 pm to 5: 20 pm on March 20th, 40 tons of seawater was injected into Unit 2 by TEPCO employees. - At 6:20 on March 21st, white smoke was confirmed arising from the top of the reactor building. As of 7:11 am on March 22nd, smoke decreased to the level where we could hardly confirm. - From around 4 pm to 5 pm on March 22nd, approximately 18 tons of sea water was injected into the spent fuel pool by TEPCO employees. - From 10:30 am on March 25th, seawater injection through Fuel Pool Cooling and Filtering System was initiated. The work finished at 0:19 pm on March 25th. - From 10:10 am on March 26th, freshwater (with boric acid) injection was initiated. (switched from the seawater injection) *Unit 3 - At 6:50 am, March 14th, while water injection to the reactor was under operation, the pressure in the reactor containment vessel increased to 530 kPa. As a result, at 7:44 am, it was determined that a specific incident stipulated in article 15, clause 1 occurred (abnormal increase of the pressure of reactor containment vessel). Afterwards, the pressure gradually decreased (as of 9:05 am, 490 kPa). - At approximately 11:01 am, March 14th, an explosion followed by white smoke occurred near Unit 3. 4 TEPCO employees and 3 workers from other companies (all of them were conscious) sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital by ambulances. - As the temperature of water in the spent fuel pool rose, spraying water by helicopters with the support of the Self Defense Force was considered. However the operation on March 16th was cancelled. - At 6:15 am, March 17th, the pressure of the Suppression Chamber temporarily increased, but currently it is stable within a certain range. On March 20th, we were preparing to implement measures to reduce the pressure of the reactor containment vessel (partial discharge of air containing radioactive material to outside) in order to fully secure safety. However, at present, it is not a situation to immediately implement measures and discharge air containing radioactive material to outside. We will continue to monitor the status of the pressure of the reactor containment vessel. - In order to cool spent fuel pool, water was sprayed by helicopters on March 17th with the cooperation of Self-Defense Forces. - At approximately past 7:00 pm, March 17th, Self-Defense Forces and the police started spraying water by water cannon trucks upon our request for the cooperation. At 8:09 pm, March 17th, they finished the operation. - At 2:00 pm, March 18th, spraying water by fire engines was started with the cooperation of Self-Defense Forces and the United States Armed Forces. At 2:45 pm, March 18th, the operation was finished. - At approximately 0:30 am, March 19th, spraying water was started with the cooperation of Fire Rescue Task Forces of Tokyo Fire Department. At approximately 1:10 am, March 19th, the operation was finished. They resumed spraying water at 2:10 pm and finished at approximately 3:40 am, March 20th. - At approximately 9:30 pm, March 20th, spraying water was started with the cooperation of Fire Rescue Task Forces of Tokyo Fire Department. At approximately 3:58 am, March 21th, they the operation was finished. - At approximately 3:55 pm, March 21st, light gray smoke was confirmed arising from the southeast side of the 5th floor roof of the Unit 3 building. The situation was reported to the fire department at approximately 4:21 pm. The parameters of reactor pressure vessel, reactor containment vessel, and monitored environmental data remained stable without significant change. However, employees working around Unit 3 evacuated to a safe location. On March 22nd, the color of smoke changed to somewhat white and it is slowly dissipating. - At approximately 3:10 pm on March 22nd, spraying water to Unit 3 by Tokyo Fire Department's Hyper Rescue and Osaka City Fire Department was conducted, and completed at approximately 4:00 PM on the same day. - At approximately 10:45 pm on March 22nd, lights in the main operation room were restored. - At 11:00 am on March 23rd, the injection of sea water to spent fuel pool was conducted, and finished approximately at 1:20 pm on the same day. - At 4:20 pm on March 23rd, light gray smoke was observed belching from Unit 3 building. The situation was reported to the fire department at 4:25 pm on March 23rd. The parameters of the reactor, the reactor containment vessel of Unit 3, and monitored figures around the site's immediate surroundings remained stable without significant change. To be safe, workers in the main control room of Unit 3 and around Unit 3 evacuated to a safe location.At approximately 11:30 pm on March 23rd and 4:50 am on March 24th, TEPCO employees confirmed the smoke has disappeared. Accordingly, workers evacuation was lifted. - From approximately 5:35 am on March 24th, sea water injection through Fuel Pool Cooling and Filtering System was initiated, and finished at approximately 4:05 pm on the same day. - From 1:28 pm on March 25th, Hyper Rescue team started water spray. The work finished at 4:00 pm on March 25th. - From 6:02 pm on March 25th, the injection of freshwater to the reactor was started (switched from the seawater injection). *Unit 4 - At approximately 6:00 am, March 15th, an explosive sound was heard and the damage in the 5th floor roof of Unit 4 reactor building was confirmed. At 9:38 am, the fire near the north-west part of 4th floor of Unit 4 reactor building was confirmed. At approximately 11:00 am, TEPCO employees confirmed that the fire was out. - At approximately 5:45 am on March 16th, a TEPCO employee discovered a fire at the northwest corner of the Nuclear Reactor Building. TEPCO immediately reported this incident to the fire department and the local government and proceeded with the extinction of fire. At approximately 6:15 am, TEPCO staff confirmed at the site that there are no signs of fire. - At approximately 8:21 am on March 20th, spraying water by fire engines was started with the cooperation of Self-Defense Forces and they finished the operation at approximately 9:40 am. At approximately 6:45 pm spraying water was started by Self-Defenses' water cannon trucks and finished at approximately 7:45 pm. - At approximately 6:30 am, March 21st, spraying water by fire engines was started with the cooperation of Self-Defense Forces and the United States Armed Forces. At approximately 8:40 am, March 21, they had finished the operation. - On March 21st, cabling has been completed from temporary substation to the main power center. - From approximately 5:20 pm on March 22nd, spraying water from the concrete pumping vehicle was conducted and ended at approximately 8:30 pm on the same day. - From approximately 10:00 am on March 23rd, spraying water from the concrete pumping vehicle was conducted and ended at approximately 1:00 pm on the same day. - From approximately 2:35 pm on March 24th, spraying water by the concrete pumping vehicle was conducted and ended at approximately 5:30 pm on the same day. - From 6:05 am on March 25th, seawater injection through Fuel Pool Cooling and Filtering System was initiated and finished at approximately 10:20 am on the same day. - From 7:05 pm on March 25th, water spray by the concrete pumping vehicle was started and finished at 10:07 pm on March 25th. *Unit 5 and 6 - At 5 am on March 19th, we started the Residual Heat Removal System Pump (C ) of Unit 5 in order to cool the spent fuel pool. At 10:14 pm, we started the Residual Heat Removal System Pump (B ) of Unit 6 in order to cool the spent fuel pool. - Unit 5 has been in reactor cold shutdown since 2:30 pm on March 20th. Unit 6 has been in reactor cold shutdown since 7:27 pm on March 20th. - At Units 5 and 6, in order to prevent hydrogen gas from accumulating within the buildings, we have made three holes on the roof of the reactor building for each unit. - At approximately 5:24 pm on March 23rd, the temporary Residual Heat Removal System Seawater Pump automatically stopped when its power source was switched. We restarted the pump at around 4:14 pm, March 24th, and resumed cooling of reactor at around 4:35 pm. *On March 18th, regarding the spent fuel in the common spent fuel pool, we have confirmed that the water level of the pool is secured. At around 10:37 am March 21st, water spraying to common spent fuel pool and finished at 3:30 pm. At around 6:05 pm, fuel pool cooling pump was started to cool the pool. *common spent fuel pool: a spent fuel pool for common use set in a separate building in a plant site in order to preserve spent fuel which are transferred from the spent fuel pool in each Unit building. *On March 17th, we patrolled buildings for dry casks and found no signs of abnormal situation for the casks by visual observation. A detailed inspection is under preparation. *dry cask: a measure to store spent fuel in a dry storage casks in storages. Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station started to utilize the measure from August 1995. * In total 13 fire engines are lent for spraying water to the spent fuel pools and water injection to the nuclear reactors by various regional fire departments* as well as Tokyo Fire Department. Also, instruction regarding the setting and operation of large scale decontamination system was provided. * On March 24, 2011, it was confirmed that 3 workers from cooperative companies who were in charge of cable laying work in the 1st floor and the underground floor of turbine building were exposed to the radiation dose of more than 170mSv. 2 of them were confirmed that their leg skins were contaminated. Although they were decontaminated by laundering, they were transferred to Fukushima Medical University hospital because there is possibility that they get a burn injury by beta ray. On March 25th, remaining worker was also transferred to Fukushima Medical University hospital. After that, all 3 workers arrived at National Institute of Radiological Sciences in Chiba Prefecture. We will assess radiation dose of 2 worker's skin on their legs by beta ray. We thoroughly instruct our employees and workers of cooperative companies to recognize APD alarm and evacuate when the alarm rings. We will explain this event, together with appropriate measures to be taken, to the government and to people concerned in order to fully secure the safety in relation to radiation dose management and operations associated with radiation exposure. * On March 21st, 23rd to 25th, we detected technetium, cobalt, iodine, cesium, tellurium, barium, lanthanum and molybdenum from the seawater around discharge canal of Unit 1, 2, 3 and 4. * On March 20th, 21st, 23rd to 25th, we detected iodine, cesium, tellurium and ruthenium in the air collected at the site of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. *We will continuously endeavor to securing safety, and monitoring of the surrounding environment. Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Station: Units 1 to 4: shutdown due to earthquake * The national government has instructed evacuation for those local residents within 10km radius of the periphery. * In order to achieve cold shutdown, reactor cooling function was restored and cooling of reactors was conducted. As a result, all reactors achieved cold shutdown: Unit 1 at 5:00 pm, March 14th, Unit 2 at 6:00 pm, March 14th, Unit 3 at 0:15 pm, March 12th, Unit 4 at 7:15 am, March 16th. * Since March 12th, we had been preparing measures for reducing the pressure of reactor containment vessels (partial discharge of air containing radioactive materials to outside), but on March 17th, we stopped such preparation in all Units. * (Unit 1) As it is confirmed that the temperature of the Emergency Equipment Cooling Water System *1 has increased, at 3:20 pm, March 15th, we stopped the Residual Heat Removal System (B) for the inspection. Subsequently, failure was detected in the power supply facility associated with the pumps of the Emergency Equipment Cooling Water System. At 4:25 pm, March 15th, after replacing the power facility, the pumps and the Residual Heat Removal System (B) have been reactivated. * (Unit 4) As it is confirmed that the pressure at the outlet of the pumps of the Emergency Equipment Cooling Water System*1 has been decreased, at 8:05 pm, March 15th, we stopped the Residual Heat Removal System (B) for the inspection. Subsequently, failure was detected in the power supply facility associated with the pumps of the Emergency Equipment Cooling Water System. At 9:25 pm, March 15th, after replacing the relevant facility, the pumps and the Residual Heat Removal System (B) have been reactivated. *1:emergency water system in which cooling water (pure water) circulates which exchanged the heat with sea water in order to cool down bearing pumps and/or heat exchangers etc. Kashiwazaki Kariwa Nuclear Power Station: Units 1, 5, 6, 7: normal operation (Units 2 to 4: outage due to regular inspection) [Thermal Power Station] - Hirono Thermal Power Station Units 2 and 4: shutdown due to earthquake - Hitachinaka Thermal Power Station Unit 1: shutdown due to earthquake - Kashima Thermal Power Station Units 2, 3, 5, 6: shutdown due to earthquake [Hydro Power Station] - All the stations have been restored. (Facilities damaged by the earthquake are now being repaired in a timely manner.) [Transmission System, etc.] - All substation failed due to the earthquake have been restored. (Facilities damaged by the earthquake are now being repaired in a timely manner.) [Blackout in TEPCO's Service Area] - All the blackouts are resolved. [Supply and Demand Status within TEPCO's Service Area to Secure Stable Power Supply] - Considering the critical balance of our power supply capacity and expected power demand forward, in order to avoid unexpected blackout, TEPCO has been implementing rolling blackout (planned blackout alternates from one area to another) since Mar 14th. We will make our utmost to secure the stable power supply as early as possible. For customers who will be subject to rolling blackout, please be prepared for the announced blackout periods. Also for customers who are not subject to blackouts, TEPCO appreciates your continuous cooperation in reducing electricity usage by avoiding using unnecessary lighting and electrical equipment. [Others] - Please do NOT touch cut-off electric wires. - In order to prevent fire, please make sure to switch off the electric appliances such as hair driers when you leave your house. - For the customer who has in-house power generation, please secure fuel for generator.

Nuclear Energy — Crisis in Japan

Japan Shies Away from Predicting End to Nuclear Crisis

By DAVID JOLLY and HIROKO TABUCHI

Workers on Saturday resumed repair efforts, restoring lighting the No. 2 unit and pumping in fresh water to the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 units, Tokyo Electric Power said.

March 26, 2011

Radiation + Cable Anchor + Science = ?

By ANDREW C. REVKIN

A CNN host explores radiation risk and illustrates how eagerness for audience impact can utterly trump a thirst for facts.

March 25, 2011

Atomic Ages

By DEAN ROBINSON

Shouldn't we have much more advanced nuclear "machines"?

March 25, 2011

Europe to Test Safety of Nuclear Reactors

By JAMES KANTER

After a week of debating the future of nuclear power, E.U. leaders on Friday decided that reactors across all member nations should undergo safety tests in response to radiation leaks in Japan.

March 25, 2011

Cameco Chief Remains Optimistic About Nuclear Industry

By IAN AUSTEN

Despite Japan’s reactor crisis, the chief of Cameco, a global leader in uranium mining and processing, said he expected building of nuclear reactors to resume within five to seven years.

March 25, 2011

Fallout? The Ocean Isn’t Empty Space

A reader responds to a recent article.

March 25, 2011

Groups Demand Data on Radiation Release

By JOHN M. BRODER

Curious to know why the United States recommended that Americans stay at least 50 miles away from a troubled Japanese nuclear plant, groups file a Freedom of Information Act request demanding access to information about radiation levels gathered by American monitoring equipment and helicopter overflights.

March 25, 2011

Video: Reader Questions on Nuclear Power

By BEN WERSCHKUL

Eric Lichtblau, a New York Times reporter, answered questions from readers on how the calamity in Japan will affect the future of nuclear energy in the United States.

March 25, 2011

Japan Raises Possibility of Breach in Reactor Vessel

By HIROKO TABUCHI, KEITH BRADSHER and DAVID JOLLY

Officials suggest that people living from 12 to 19 miles outside the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant should leave, as new signs emerged that it will be hard to bring the plant under control.

March 25, 2011

Japan Raises Possibility of Breach in Reactor Vessel

By HIROKO TABUCHI, KEITH BRADSHER and DAVID JOLLY

Officials suggest that people living from 12 to 19 miles outside the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant should leave, as new signs emerged that it will be hard to bring the plant under control.

March 25, 2011

 

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident - 26 March status

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident - 26 March status Barry Brook | 26 March 2011 at 2:13 PM  | URL: http://wp.me/piCIJ-16Z

This post provides an update to the various situation summaries at Fukushima Daiichi. Please switch to using this post for comments on the latest status reports and news to  hand (the old one is now out of date). For general comments on, use the FD Open Thread, and for analysis of the event with respect to future lessons for nuclear power, use this post. Full situation summaries from TEPCO, FEPC and JAIF are given at the bottom of this report.
This is a dramatic before and after photo of the Fukushima Daiichi plant. Click on the image to see more b/a images of the earthquake/tsunami damaged Sendai region (controlled with a swipe tool).

Below is a very brief summary of some key events of the last few days, since the previous status report:
1. There has been concern about salt accumulation in reactor vessels 1-3 (as steam evaporates the injected sea water, the salt is left behind, and if concentrations build to beyond the saturation point, it will begin to deposit and potentially insulate the fuel assemblies). However, NEI now reports the following welcome news:

Fresh water is being injected into the reactor pressure vessel at reactor 3 at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said.
TEPCO said that radioactive materials discovered at the reactor 3 turbine building possibly came from water from the reactor system, not the spent fuel pool. TEPCO made that statement after collecting samples of contaminated water in the reactor 3 turbine building and conducting a gamma-emitting nuclide analysis of the sample. The reactor pressure and drywell pressure at reactor 3 remained stable on Friday, leading TEPCO to believe that "the reactor pressure vessel is not seriously damaged.
Cooling efforts at Reactor 1 already had switched back to fresh water cooling. Reactor 2 is still being injected with seawater, but is expected to switch to fresh water soon.

The temperature at the bottom head of the reactor pressure vessels are now 149 C (unit 1), 104 C (unit 2) and 111 C (unit 3) -- detailed data in reports below.
2. TEPCO Workers laying cables in the turbine hall of unit 3 stood in ankle-deep stagnant water and their feet were irradiated with beta rays (~180 mSv dose), with shallow burns, after ignoring their dosiometer warnings. They have since been hospitalised. Details in the reports below. 17 personnel have now received doses of >100 mSv, but none >250 mSv -- the dose allowed by authorities in the current situation.
3. Water spraying continues on spent fuel ponds 2, 3 and 4, to ensure the uranium fuel rods remain covered. The temperature in unit 2 pool was recently measured at 52 C (see detailed data below).
4. On radiation: levels around the plant perimeter are relatively low and steadily decreasing. Levels of I-131 in drinking water supplies in Tokyo are now below regulated limits and restrictions have been lifted. The IAEA radiation monitoring data, at a distance of 34 to 62 km from Fukushima Daiichi, showed very low levels. To quote:

On 25th March, the IAEA radiation monitoring team made additional measurements at distances from 34 to 62 km from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. At these locations, the dose rate ranged from 0.73 to 8.8 microsievert per hour. At the same locations, results of beta-gamma contamination measurements ranged from 0.07 to 0.96 Megabecquerel per square metre.

5. World Nuclear News provides a new summary: Fukushima Daiichi two weeks on. To quote:

Investigations are now underway into the unexpectedly high level of contamination in the water, particularly as the basement of the turbine building is not a recognised radiation area. One theory is that there is a leak from the reactor circuit, but pressures in the reactor vessel indicate this must be elsewhere in the loop.
Despite this disappointment, steady progress continues to be made on site. Instrumentation is being recovered at units 1, 2 and 4 and lights are on in the control rooms of units 1 and 3. Power connections have reached all the units and checks are underway before normal systems can be re-energised. The shared pond for used fuel pond has now been reconnected.

Here are some interesting photographs from inside the buildings, taken on 23 March by by the Operational Safety Inspector.
6. Geoff Russell (a regular BNC author on food and climate change issues) has a really good piece, reflecting on many of the issues discussed here over the last few weeks. His original title was: Japanese nukes ... good news in a bleak landscape.
Read more of this post

Spent Fuel Pools NEI Video

Spent Fuel Pools

Radioactive Zirconium Found At Fukushima Confirms Exposed Fuel Rods As High Level Radiation Emitted From Broken Core

Fission Products in Seattle Reveal Clues about Japan Nuclear Disaster

Fission Products in Seattle Reveal Clues about Japan Nuclear Disaster

The first analysis of nuclear fission products in the atmosphere over Seattle provides a unique insight into the nature of the disaster.

No, the Amount of Radiation Released from the Japanese Nuclear Reactors is NOT "Safe"

No, the Amount of Radiation Released from the Japanese Nuclear Reactors is NOT "Safe"

from Washington's Blog by Washington's Blog

Just as with the Gulf oil spill - where BP, government spokesmen and mainstream talking heads spewed happy talk about how "benign" the dispersants were and how all the oil had disappeared - there is now an avalanche of statements that the radiation is at "safe" doses for everyone outside of the immediate vicinity of Fukushima.
 
Note: People who rationally discuss the hazards from nuclear accidents are dismissed as "anti-nuclear". However, that is like saying that people who are against pilots drinking tequila during flights are anti-flying. As Bloomberg points out, the operator of the Fukushima reactors faked safety tests and results and cut every corner in the books for decades, just as BP cut every safety corner prior to the Gulf oil spill. Moreover, the Fukushima reactors were not designed to withstand an earthquake or a tsunami, and their peculiar design makes the spent fuel rods an even greater danger than the reactors themselves.

Demanding a safer design - e.g. thorium reactors - and ongoing maintenance and safety tests doesn't mean one is anti-nuclear.

Fears rise that Japan could sell off U.S. debt

Some analysts say that risk to U.S. economy unlikely

Chile Goes Atomic? Why the Japan of the Americas Still Wants Nuclear Energy

Read more: http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2011/03/23/chile-goes-atomic-why-the-japan-of-the-americas-still-wants-nuclear-energy/#ixzz1HdvrFmPv

Obama lacks authority to shutter Yucca site, court told

 

By JAMES ROSEN

McClatchy Newspapers

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/22/2128979/obama-lacks-authority-to-shutter.html#ixzz1HdnW4Qh0

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Japan Nuclear Crisis Revives Long U.S. Fight on Spent Fuel By MATTHEW L. WALD

Japan Nuclear Crisis Revives Long U.S. Fight on Spent Fuel

By MATTHEW L. WALD

Water With High Radiation Levels Found In Tepco Turbine Buildings

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Safety risks were played down, says expert

New fears in Japan reactor zone

A Nuclear Third Way By JULIAN HUNT and GRAHAM O'CONNOR

I.H.T. Op-Ed Contributor

A Nuclear Third Way

By JULIAN HUNT and GRAHAM O'CONNOR

Published: March 24, 2011

Reactors Had High Rate of Problems

Japanese Records Show Workers Mixed Up Plant Plans; Three Hurt by Radiation; U.S. Prepares for More Direct Role

Lack of data from Japan distresses nuclear experts

Nuclear scientists and policy experts say the quality and quantity of information coming out of Fukushima has left gaping holes in their understanding of the nuclear disaster nearly two weeks after it began.

Related articles

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Exelon, Largest U.S. Reactor Owner, Seeks to Reassure By MATTHEW L. WALD

Exelon, Largest U.S. Reactor Owner, Seeks to Reassure

By MATTHEW L. WALD

FEPC Update to Information Sheet Regarding the Tohoku Earthquake 3/25

Update to Information Sheet Regarding the Tohoku Earthquake

The Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan (FEPC) Washington DC Office

As of 11:00AM (EST), March 25, 2011

• Radiation Levels
• At 7:00PM (JST) on March 25, radiation level at main gate (approximately 3,281 feet from Unit 2 reactor building) of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station: 199.5 micro Sv/hour.
• Measurement results of environmental radioactivity level around Fukushima Nuclear Power Station announced at 7:00PM on March 25 are shown in the attached PDF file. English version is available at:    http://www.mext.go.jp/english/radioactivity_level/detail/1303962.htm
• For comparison, a human receives 2,400 micro Sv per year from natural radiation in the form of sunlight, radon, and other sources. One chest CT scan generates 6,900 micro Sv per scan.
• Fukushima Daiichi Unit 1 reactor
• At 11:00AM on March 25, activities for the injection of freshwater in place of seawater into the reactor core started and at 3:37PM, the injection of freshwater into the reactor core started.
• At 2:00PM on March 25, pressure inside the reactor core: 0.342MPa.
• At 2:00PM on March 25, water level inside the reactor core: 1.65 meters below the top of the fuel rods.
• At 2:00PM on March 25, pressure inside the primary containment vessel: 0.280MPaabs.
• Fukushima Daiichi Unit 2 reactor
• At 10:00AM on March 25, the temperature of the spent fuel pool: 82.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
• At 10:30AM on March25,　TEPCO began to inject seawater into the spent fuel pool via cooling and purification line, until at 12:19PM (approximately 38 tons in total).
• At 11:00AM on March 25, activities for the injection of freshwater in place of seawater into the reactor core started.
• At 2:00PM on March 25, pressure inside the reactor core: -0.016MPa.
• At 2:00PM on March 25, water level inside the reactor core: 1.4 meters below the top of the fuel rods.
• At 2:00PM on March 25, pressure inside the primary containment vessel: 0.12MPaabs.
• As of 7:00PM on March 25, approximately 96 tons of water in total has been injected into the spent fuel storage pool. 
• As of 7:00PM on March 25, external power generation is connected and the functionality of the electric devices is being checked.
• As of 7:30PM on March 25, the injection of seawater into the reactor core continues.

• Fukushima Daiichi Unit 3 reactor
• At 11:00AM on March 25, activities for the injection of freshwater in place of seawater into the reactor core started and at 6:02PM, the injection of freshwater into the reactor core started.
• At 1:28PM on March 25, Kawasaki City Fire Department began to shoot water aimed at the spent fuel pool until 4:00PM (approximately 450 tons in total).
• At 2:00PM on March 25, pressure inside the reactor core: 0.038MPa.
• At 2:00PM on March 25, pressure inside the primary containment vessel: 0.1089MPaabs.
• At 2:10PM on March 25, water level inside the reactor core: 1.9 meters below the top of the fuel rods.
• As of 7:00PM on March 25, approximately 4,497 tons of water in total has been shot to the spent fuel storage pool.
• Fukushima Daiichi Unit 4 reactor
• At 6:05AM on March25, TEPCO began to inject seawater into the spent fuel pool via cooling and purification line, until at 10:20APM.
• At 7:05PM on March 25, TEPCO began to shoot water aimed at the spent fuel pool, with a specialized vehicle normally used for pumping concrete.
• As of 7:00PM on March 25, approximately 685 tons of water in total has been shot to the spent fuel storage pool. 
• As of 7:00PM on March 25, external power generation is connected and the functionality of the electric devices is being checked.
• Fukushima Daiichi Unit 5 reactor
• At 3:00PM on March 25, the temperature of the spent fuel pool: 98.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
• At 3:00PM on March 25, the temperature of the water in the reactor core: 129.0 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Fukushima Daiichi Unit 6 reactor
• At 3:00PM on March 25, the temperature of the spent fuel pool: 69.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Fukushima Daiichi Common Spent Fuel Pool
• As of 7:00PM on March 25, approximately 130 tons of water in total has been injected to the spent fuel storage pool.

From: Taro Ishida [ishida@denjiren.com]
  Sent: 03/25/2011 11:24 AM AST
  To: Taro Ishida <ishida@denjiren.com>
  Cc: Samuel Lederer <lederer@denjiren.com>
  Subject: Information Sheet Regarding the Tohoku Earthquake (from FEPC Washington Office)

Dear Friends,

Please find the updated information sheet below and attached that summarizes the events from Update-12 sent at 10:53AM on 3/24.

For your reference, JAIF (Japan Atomic Industrial Forum) has been posting the translation of news reports on their website.

http://www.jaif.or.jp/english/

The attached PDF files are their latest postings of No.28 & 29.

Please direct any questions regarding this document to me, Ishida@denjiren.com or Samuel Lederer, Researcher of FEPC at lederer@denjiren.com.

Our official sources are:

• Office of The Prime Minister of Japan
• Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA)
• Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) Press Releases
• Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)

Dan Yurman 

Email: dan.yurman@usa.net

Mobile: 208-521-5726 

Blog: http://djysrv.blogspot.com

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By MIKE SORAGHAN of Greenwire

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