Quote:
Originally Posted by SolidSnake84
I would have to think the biggest issue there is keeping the nuclear fuel from exploding due to heat/pressure increases. The update at about 12 noon said that the temperature of the fuel was 50% higher than normal.
The US Air Force was also taking additional coolant supplies to them, to try and combat the fire/ reactor.
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nuclear fuel doesn't explode, the heat gets so hot everything melts down, including the containment shells, thus radiating everything around it. The containment structure on this reactor has an emergency cooling system that kicks in in a worst case scenario. That hasn't kicked in yet because they are using other available means to keep it in control.
While scary, it's unlikely that this will get out of control.
meanwhile, it's one heck of a power outage- from Tokyo Electric Power Co(4hrs ago):
Quote:
[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
*Evacuation has been instructed by the national government to the local
residents within 3 km radius of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station
Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Station:
Units 1 to 4: shutdown due to earthquake
Kashiwazaki Kariwa Nuclear Power Station:
Units 1, 5, 6, 7: normal operation
Units 2 to 4: outage due to regular inspection
* Survey data on radiation by exhaust stack monitors and montoring cars have
indicated no departure from normal level for all nuclear power stations.
[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
Chiba Thermal Power Station Unit 2 Axis 1: shutdown due to earthquake
Ohi Thermal Power Station Units 2, 3: shutdown due to earthquake
Goi Thermal Power Station Unit 4: had been shutdown due to earthquake but
has restarted
Higashi-Ohgishima Thermal Power Station Unit 1: shutdown due to earthquake
[Hydro Power Station]
14 stations in Fukushima Prefecture, 4 stations in Tochigi Prefecture,
4 stations in Yamanashi Prefecture were shutdown due to earthquake.
[Transmission System, etc.]
Eight substations shown below have been shutdown:
- Naka Substation
- Shin Motegi Substation
- Joban Substation
- Ibaraki Substation
- Ishioka Substation
- Nishi Mito Substation
- Kawachi Substation
- Haga Substation
- Mito Hokubu Substation
[Blackout in TEPCO's Service Area]
Total of about 2.07 million households are out of power.
Tokyo: 3,106
Kanagawa Pref.: 101,928
Tochigi Pref.: 500,842
Chiba Pref.: 307,887
Saitama Pref: 98,425
Gunma Pref.: 155,101
Ibaraki Pref: 725,717
Yamanashi Pref: 106,044
Shizuoka Pref: 113,051 (east of Fuji River)
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