Fukushima Update

Here are the topic summaries of today's Fukushima updates and commentary. Click the link for the full reports.

 

Commentary - No “Melt-throughs” at Fukushima Daiichi? - Today, Tepco has posted the results of the first water sample taken inside the unit #1 Primary Containment Vessel (PCV). We find results that come as more than a bit of a surprise. Given the differences with respect to the chemical make-up of the interior and exterior waters relative to the unit #1 PCV, and the fact that the highest radiation level inside the PCV is essentially parallel to the bottom head of the RPV (in today’s first update), I now believe it is possible that none of the reactors at Fukushima Daiichi experienced catastrophic RPV “melt-through”.

Now, here are some other updates… Using endoscopic technology, Tepco has measured the water depth in the bottom of the annulus between the RPV pedestal and outer PCV wall, as well as radiation levels above and below the water... Tepco has intentionally stopped the de-chlorination system on F. Daiichi unit #4 spent fuel pool (SFP) because it is no longer needed... Tepco has finally admitted they had insufficient tsunami protective measures prior to 3/11/11... Prime Minister Noda’s inspection of the F. Daiichi unit #4 Spent Fuel Pool has inadvertantly reignited fears of pool failure and potentially huge radiation releases... The lack of temporary storage sites for decontamination residues continues to plague Fukushima Prefecture... Shizuoka Prefecture’s assembly has rejected a petitioned request for a local nuclear referendum.

 

http://www.hiroshimasyndrome.com/fukushima-accident-updates.html