Nuclear fuel rods fully exposed at Japan reactor - Jiji

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSTKB00733720110314?ca=rdt ^

[Lil Flower]

TOKYO, March 14 (Reuters) - Nuclear fuel rods at a quake-stricken Japanese nuclear reactor are now fully exposed, Jiji news agency said, quoting the plant's operator, Tokyo Eletcric Power Co .

[mad_as_he$$]

I suspect that is part of the issue. Can’t just turn the fill pipe on and blast it with a few thousand gallons of cold seawater. Probably have to sneak up on it. Yes, impressive amount of heat left in the core.

[Hacklehead]

“What about using liquid nitrogren to cool them? Would that evaporate even quicker though?”

You would not want to do that for alot of reasons, the main one being that LN2 would instantly turn to its gas form and spread radioactivity into the air. In addition, putting something that cold onto something that hot might cause the fuel rod cases to crack.

[FreedomPoster]

It is not only residual heat. There is some natural radioactive decay of the materials going on. I am told this is on the order of 5-8% of the plant output, at least immediately after a shut-down. It probably reduces a little once you get past a few half-lives of the shorter-lived isotopes.

[GonzoGOP]

What about using liquid nitrogren to cool them?

That would be bad. The nitrogen would flag vaporize creating unimaginable pressure. BOOM. Besides the extreme cold would make all the pipes brittle. Also not a good thing in an area experiencing lots of aftershocks.

What they need is lots of water. When dealing with nukes water has so many desirable properties (it is particularly good at stopping radiation without becoming radioactive itself) that there really is no reason to use anything else. They just need more pumping capacity than what they have.

[COBOL2Java]

Hell, they think we the people are dumber than a box of rocks.

That's the basic definition of a Liberal - we, the great unwashed, clinging to our guns and Bibles, are too stupid to know what's best for us. Only the anointed elite living in Washington DC and the New York Times know what's best!

[BuckeyeTexan]

I’d wager it’s 90% more accurate than anything reported by the media. Either way, it’s enough educational material to help one understand the basics. A pregnant mom doesn’t need the stress caused by a fear-mongering media.

[Oshkalaboomboom]

If there is a radioactivity release bad enough to affect you on the West Coast, you will know about it days in advance and have time to take action

Go to the library and check out On The Beach by Nevil Shute

[Mariner]

"I heard this am that they could not pump in the seawater fast enough to cover the core. It was evaporating."

It's then likely the rod shielding has been compromised.

Very bad news.

[cookcounty]

"I’m guessing that this is a bad thing, "

Yes, yes, very bad, there is much more radioactivity in the rods in these storage ponds than in the reactor itself. If you can keep them cool and shielded (water is an excellent shield), fine, otherwise don't buy fish from Japan for 300 years.

[Truth29]

Read the below for a good basic description of the multiple safeguards of the reactor. Also, just for emphasis, exposure of the fuel rods is a bad thing and can lead to melting within the containment vessel, but as long as the containment is not breached, it does not mean a radioactive release. Also, even if there is a release of radioactive steam, the type of radiation has a short half life and limited local impact. The effect in the US will be nil. Additionally, the explosions you have seen in the news are hydrogen gas and not nuclear.

http://morgsatlarge.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/why-i-am-not-worried-about-japans-nuclear-reactors/

[FreedomPoster]

On the Beach was about a full-on nuclear war between the U.S. and the USSR, all "throw weight" used.

It has absolutely no bearing on what is happening in Japan right now.

[ex-Texan]

Please Check My Recent Posts Here !

A Massive Cover up is underway in Japan and the U.S.

[Mr. Silverback]

Go to the library and check out On The Beach by Nevil Shute

It is hard to imagine a sillier comparison.

As has been pointed out elsewhere, this plant could go into full blown meltdown and we'll still be just fine, and so will the folks in Japan. But even if it was possible for the thing to be Chernobyl II, comparing it to a novel involving a full release nuclear war is a silly thing to do, like comparing a firecracker to an H-bomb.

[Yaelle]

Thank you guys. Reading.

[Errant]

I’d wager it’s 90% more accurate than anything reported by the media.

Just saying its not 100% either ...

A pregnant mom doesn’t need the stress caused by a fear-mongering media.

Maybe, but if things continue to deteriorate, it might not hurt to reconnect with family on the east coast if she resides on the west coast.

[Mr. Silverback]

Drama llama indeed.

[dynoman]

Go straight to the source reuters used;

http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/press/corp-com/release/

That site is pretty slow right now.

If they would be fully exposed you’d think it would be on —>> http://www.nisa.meti.go.jp/english/ but I don’t read anything about it there.

[lacrew]

I'm not trying to diminish the seriousness of the situation...but didn't the U.S. detonate dozens of nukes on Pacific islands in the 50’s? Surely there was radiation and fallout...and it spread out in the ocean....but had a fairly limited effect on the environment. Why would releases from the power plants be any worse?

I understand that any extra radiation is bad...but its not the end of the world. The areas by the plants have been evacuated, and the radiation seems to be poised to blow out to sea.

I'm sure this event will be used to shut down nuclear power in this country (but somehow it will still be ok for Iran to ‘pursue nuclear energy’ in a seismically active region). The media will hype this up, etc...but in reality, we just saw the plants survive being very close to the epicenter of a monster quake, and so far they have survived the 30 ft tsunami without a major release. It could be viewed as a success story and/or learning experience to build upon.

[listenhillary]

Lots and lots of tarps and duct tape.

[Rebelbase]

“Go to the library and check out On The Beach by Nevil Shute”

Does that mean Australia will be the last place to succumb?