UPDATE AS OF 1:30 P.M. EDT, THURSDAY, MARCH 24:
In a sign of progress, Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) is working to switch from sea water to borated fresh water to cool uranium fuel at three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
All reactors now have access to offsite power, and work is under way to inspect, repair and connect equipment needed to cool the reactors. Testing by TEPCO indicates that many pumps are inoperable because of flood damage.
Restoring regular cooling to the used fuel pools at Fukushima Daiichi remains a high priority. The used fuel pools at reactors 5 and 6 are being cooled using heat removal systems with electric power. Workers continue to spray seawater on the reactor buildings and spent fuel pools at reactors 1, 3 and 4. Additional cooling water to the spent fuel pool is being supplied by a fire hose connection.
Radiation dose rates at the site boundary range from 1 to 3 millirem per hour.
Thanks, this is on a lot of minds. I am sure they are frantically looking for pumps or for repairs to the originals. I just wonder is the water they are pumping 'hot'?
ReplyDeleteDo the pumps themselves become radioactive?
ReplyDeletePart of the narrative being developed is that, all TEPCO needs to do is restore power to the site and the situation will be manageable. Indeed, the efforts of Japanese firefighters from Tokyo and members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces to bring in a mile-long, high-voltage transmission line have been heroic. Sadly, dozens of these workers, even by TEPCO’s admission, have been exposed to un-safe levels of radiation. They are likely to pay for their actions with serious, potentially life-threatening health consequences in the short and long-term.
ReplyDeleteThese nuclear power plants are very deleterious so we have to buildup solar power plants and search for other alternatives.
ReplyDeleteI know they're doing everything they can ... though the news coming from Japanese officials sometimes seems vague/questionable.
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping us informed.
ReplyDeleteThose working through the problems at that Power Plant in Japan are true heroes in my book.
ReplyDeleteWonderful news Ken...
ReplyDeleteyes I had heard this....
natalie
Lurkynat