Earthquake in Japan....9.0...ouch!

physichull said:
I don't think it has one. I think the term "core catcher" was coined for the new EPR station designs of which a plug in the RPV will melt and allow melting core internals to flow into a safe geometry.
Click to expand...

Its on Naval PWRs although there is more of an issue when you have a melted core drop through a SSBN! I guess it makes sense it wouldnt feature in an land based plant.
 
Last edited:
drunkenmaster said:
Its hard to know, protection is just that, it isn't forever, theres only so much a moveable flexible radiation suit can do before you frankly get a lethal dose.
Click to expand...

The air-fed radiation suits are only useful in protecting against alpha radiation. They won't do a thing to protect against gamma or neutron radiation.
 
AmTechFox said:
Am I right in thinking that the containment shield is basically a massive thick concrete bunker?
Click to expand...

One of the shields is, the last one, which seemingly from the pictures is gone, theres stronger(?) metal ones around the reactor itself, but at some stage it can't just take continually rising heat, no cooling and rising pressure, at this stage I don't know where they plan to push the excess pressure.
 
Jonnycoupe said:
Its on Naval PWRs although there is more of an issue when you have a melted core drop through a SSBN! I guess it makes sense it wouldnt feature in an land based plant.
Click to expand...

I think it's just the fact that this is an old plant, and at the time of building, the concept of a core catcher didn't exist and you certainly can't back-fit one into the design. I would seriously doubt it had one.
 
I am genuinely saddened by the unbelieveable ignorance on that site where americans gloat over what is happening in Japan.

Japan's pacifist constitution since the end of WWII is something the US might want to strive towards and take an example from.
 
AmTechFox said:
Am I right in thinking that the containment shield is basically a massive thick concrete bunker?
Click to expand...

Yes, essentially.

On modern PWR plants the containment building (the dome at Sizewell) is double hulled, with the inner layer maintained at a slightly negative pressure so that it will resist any change of pressure (i.e. an explosion or something to that effect) inside the Containment building.

They are incredibly strong structures and seismically safe and aircraft crash resistent. In fact, the Three Mile Island incident was a safety success in some ways in that it highlighted that the safety systems stood up to the job and resulted in a safe conclusion.

PWR reactor pressure vessels are contained within a the the reactor "pit" which is basically a concrete hole in the ground. This area is flooded during operation.
 
Concrete container theory wins

mattyprice4004 said:
#Meltdown at the #Fukushima #nuclear #reactor confirmed.
Click to expand...

I am listening to a live press broadcast from the PM and secretary general, are you?

Honestly, who are worse. The american nationalists or the internet hounds who believe anything and everything they read from any sauce regardless.
 
Last edited:
Strife212 said:
Because it made the cooling systems lose power? And the backups were not working. Or am I misinformed?

Also, I find it suprising that Japan still has power considering all their nuclear reactors are down!
Click to expand...

The seismic event would have led to some structural damage somewhere to cause a leak so it wouldnt have been sensible to event try running a plant at operating power with that. I think we have to assume a leak to get to the stage its at now.

The steam generators and turbines would also keep running at the steam generator is a massive heat sink to take event decay heat away and still make power. The quake totally changes everything in terms of cooling options and if the meltdown is confirmed they ran out of options.

The load is low with a lot of industry off and controlling the supply. Honda have confirmed 1 person was killed at there R&D plant when a wall fell down during the quake.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom