Accurate data destroys optimistic TEPCO assessment, hampers cooling plan (Fukushima)

Asahi.com ^ | 5/14/2011 | no byline

[ransomnote]

Accurate data shattered the overly optimistic assessment of Tokyo Electric Power Co. concerning the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant and raised doubts about the company's game plan for ending the crisis.

Measurements from a recently installed water gauge provided conclusive evidence that the condition of the No. 1 reactor at the plant was much more serious than TEPCO officials have acknowledged until now.

TEPCO officials admitted on May 12 that a "meltdown" had occurred in the No. 1 reactor. Fuel rods had melted, and the molten fuel accumulated and caused small cracks at the bottom of the reactor pressure container, they said.

Until now, TEPCO officials only said that fuel rods were partially damaged and compiled a work schedule in April for restoring a stable cooling system based on that assumption.

Despite being unable to obtain accurate measurements from gauges in the reactors damaged in the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake, TEPCO officials still made those optimistic assumptions.

From immediately after the quake, the measurements from the water gauge at the No. 1 reactor showed very little change, casting doubt on the reliability of the instruments.

After workers entered the No. 1 reactor building and adjusted the water gauge, the data obtained showed water levels so low that the gauge was unable to measure it.

[justa-hairyape]

Tepco admits that the same water gauge that failed in #1 cannot be trusted in #2 and #3. And the Japanese nuclear scientist who has been very accurately predicting the Fukushima situation, way before Tepco even realizes or admits it, has stated that the same water gauges are failing in Units 2 and Units 3. So there probably is very little water in #2 or #3.

From TEPCO Presser on May 12 Part 3: "Probably the Same Situation in Reactors 2 and 3"