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[jaydub]

The media appears to be continually muffing this issue, so here's a competent report
.  I hope this snafu doesn't derail the momentum that we had been building towards re-invigorating nuclear power in the US.  Fortunately, an objective view of the Japanese situation is that they're effectively handling an emergency well outside the parameters the plant was built to withstand.

[wombat]

This situation still seems to be going from bad to worse, the latest explosion is not like the last two that are reassuringly explained away in that link, so perhaps we shouldn't speak too soon.

I started off feeling that if anyone could handle this technology, the Japanese could. I just watched a press conference with the power company officials that pretty severely damaged my confidence.

[Doc]

I got into a big argument with a friend of mine the other night about nuclear power and how there was nothing to worry about and it's still better than pumping your damn by products into the atmos and now this morning I hear they've had another explosion and the pressure has dropped in the containment thingy and radioactivity in the surrounding area has gone up. So I'm worried Japan is going to embarrass me.

DON'T YOU DARE EMBARRASS ME AGAIN JAPAN!

Interesting site though, since the first few articles in his 'renewables' section are all about how nuclear power is better than wind and other options I'm wondering if he's beating a particular drum though. Still, good read.

[wombat]

From the most recent press conference:

'As of 10.22am, we are talking about radiation levels that can damage human health. Please embrace this information calmly.'

People are supposed to be evacuated within 20 km; people within 20-30 km are being told to stay indoors. NHK is now explaining that this means you should close windows and doors, wipe off your clothing and shoes, don't use ventilation that will bring in outside air, and if you have laundry hanging outside don't take it inside.

[AugustWest]

Has Godzilla been notified?

Mothra?  Gamera?

[Carlos del Vaca]

I hope this snafu doesn't derail the momentum that we had been building towards re-invigorating nuclear power in the US. 

Unfortunately, it probably will.  I'm no nuclear scientist, but from what I've read, the nuke plants in Japan that are having issues are of a design from the 1970's.  Newer designs and technologies are much safer.  But I suspect too may people will go for the knee-jerk "nuclear SCARY!" rather than understanding what happened and what is possible for new plants.

[AugustWest]

Excellent (and quite readable) analysis of the reactors at the SA Forums, by way of Fark.

[wombat]

understanding what happened and what is possible for new plants.

Can you direct me to reliable information that explains how new plants could withstand both an earthquake and tsunami of that magnitude? If that is true, I'd love to be convinced of it.  I'm sure newer designs are safer under normal circumstances but my understanding is that the problem here has to do with assuming that multiple failures won't happen at the same time.  And I am afraid that this is the sort of overconfidence that is not confined to designers in the 1970s.

[Carlos del Vaca]

Here's a good one:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.09/china.html

[greenkoolayd]

TANGENT:

Gamera?

gamera is really neat

[wombat]

That Wired article is fascinating. A reactor you can walk away from to get pizza is just the thing. I'd feel better if it wasn't all about China and was more about how everyone in the world is only planning to build that kind from now on.

[pmcd9]

That article was written 7 years ago.  So are they producing hydrogen in China yet?

[wombat]

And our government is just repeating "our nuclear reactors are designed to withstand natural disasters."

This article from today's Washington Post makes a brief reference to Chinese reactors being water-cooled by gravity instead of pumped water. Doesn't sound like the kind of major leap forward described in the Wired article.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/japan-crisis-revives-global-nuclear-debate/2011/03/15/ABdu2PY_story.html?hpid=z3

[Doc]

From an article I read a few days ago I'm pretty sure that three out of the four Japanese reactors were gravity fed as well, it was the pump one that was causing problems. Not sure if there's been a knock on effect now or something because I thought I saw that two cores were exposed this morning.

[wombat]

Either you were misinformed or your recollection is incorrect. The cooling systems are not gravity fed, the lack of electricity knocked out cooling to all of them.

Here is an explanation of the design of these reactors.
http://bravenewclimate.com/2011/03/13/fukushima-simple-explanation/