News Japan Earthquake, Tsunami, & Nuclear Disaster

[Belisarius]

Latest from NHK:

Nuclear accident rated at level 4
The Japanese government rates the accident at the Fukushima Number One nuclear power plant at level 4 on an international scale of 0 to 7.

Two radioactive substances, cesium and radioactive iodine, were detected near the Number One reactor at the plant on Saturday. Their presence indicates nuclear fission of uranium.

The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said that fuel in the reactor partially melted. It's the first such accident in Japan.

A level 4 on the International Nuclear and Radiologocal Event Scale includes damage to fuel and release of significant quantities of radioactive material within an installation.
It's the same level as a criticality accident at a nuclear fuel processing plant in Tokai Village in Ibaraki Prefecture, south of Fukushima, in 1999.

The agency called the accident very regrettable even though it was triggered by an earthquake.
Sunday, March 13, 2011 07:08 +0900 (JST)

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/13_06.html

If this is the same as what Urwumpe earlier called a level 4 emergency, then his analysis so far has been right on the money. Since he explained it as going to level 6, I dread to think what level 7 means.

Oh, and "very regrettable" might yet be the understatement of the century.

 

[N_Molson]

but without their civil preparedness this could have been much

For sure, the videos of antisismic building dancing on their fundations show how efficient this kind of architecture can be.

I dread to think what level 7 means.

Chernobyl.

 

[Thunder Chicken]

Can't find any research about the topic yet, but one source claimed that nuclear submarines account for the expansion of the reactor during start up by adding seawater to the system, but there is no information if desalinated or not.

Hi Urwumpe - I am pretty sure that it is desalinated. In any vessel with a steam turbine (nuclear or otherwise) water chemistry is very carefully controlled to maintain the heat exchanger surfaces. Steam ships have dedicated evaporators to provide very good quality water to the turbine steam loop. There would be plenty of make-up water available for the reactor loop, and they would very likely want tightly controlled chemistry and pure water for the reactor loop.

 

[Belisarius]

Quite detailed New York Times report

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/13/world/asia/13nuclear.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=global-home

Highlights:

The plant’s operator issued an emergency notice early Sunday morning that a second reactor [Number 3 - B] at the same aging plant was also experiencing critical failures of its cooling system and that rising pressure there risked a new explosion.

The government said radiation emanating from the first reactor appeared to be decreasing after the blast Saturday afternoon destroyed part of the facility, and they said that they had filled it with sea water to prevent full meltdown of the nuclear fuel. That step would only be taken in extreme circumstances because ocean water is likely to permanently disable the reactor. [Note - As pointed out by Urwumpe, it was going to be taken offline this month anyway, see above]

The Japanese Nuclear and Industrial safety agency said as many as 160 people may have been exposed to radiation around the plant, and Japanese news media said three workers at the facility were suffering from full-on radiation sickness.

If no. 3 is going to go through the same process as no. 1, it looks rough. If indeed they brought no. 1 under control, it's only by the skin of their teeth.

What must it be like for the workers there?

Any other good news sources? BBC has gone to bed, and NHK is being very reticent.

 

[Dambuster]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-12724473

Just...wow.

 

[tl8]

It is now a 9.0 Magnitude quake.

 

[Zeehond]

"AP: Japanese government spokesman says partial meltdown is likely under way at second reactor"

 

[SiberianTiger]

This is said to be a picture of reactor building 1 after yesterday's explosion:

 

[Eli13]

whats the death toll up to? (how many they *do* know are dead)

---------- Post added at 04:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:37 AM ----------

You would think japan had enough nuclear fallout after WWII. This bites.

 

[RGClark]

Hi Urwumpe - I am pretty sure that it is desalinated. In any vessel with a steam turbine (nuclear or otherwise) water chemistry is very carefully controlled to maintain the heat exchanger surfaces. Steam ships have dedicated evaporators to provide very good quality water to the turbine steam loop. There would be plenty of make-up water available for the reactor loop, and they would very likely want tightly controlled chemistry and pure water for the reactor loop.

Nuclear powered submarines would provide another means of providing portable power for the reactor cooling systems. The American Seawolf submarine uses 40 megawatt reactors and the Russian Akula class submarines operate at 190 megawatts.
There would be less concern for tsunamis for submarines if operated off shore. You would still need likely to be hundreds of yards off shore for their required depth to operate. Then you would also need sufficient cabling to cover that distance.


Bob Clark

 

[Suzy]

whats the death toll up to? (how many they *do* know are dead)

"About two days after the catastrophe, Japan's National Police Agency says 688 people are confirmed dead with 642 missing and 1,570 injured in the disaster.
On Friday, police in Sendai, Miyagi prefecture, said at least 200 and up to 300 bodies had been found on the shore." (Source)

 

[Wishbone]

Fukushima Daiichi 2, 3 and Fukushima Daini 2, 4 have no cooling.

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Check out these stunning pictures of the destruction by the tsunami across many parts of Japan: Link
I used Google Street View to check out one of the community completely destroyed by the wave (Natori, near Sendai, co-ordinates 38.173409 N ,140.954068 E), and it is clear that the only buildings that survived the tsunami are those build in concrete. ALL houses and structures built with wooden and metal-plate structures (yes, very close to 100%) are gone. Given that the community was hit by the waves merely 15-20 minutes after the earthquake (and possibly only 5-10 minutes after the tsunami warning has been issued), this could mean > 750 people washed away in this area. (Keep in mind that while the earthquake happened on a Friday afternoon, many people would still stay at their homes, and there are also shops and factories and elderly homes along the coast) Since the tsunami caused desturction along a 200 mile stretch of the coast, this could mean that tens of thousands of people killed.
I wonder whether the Japanese government (or even for California/Oregon etc.) would now take the bold step of banning wooden and prefabricated metal structures inside houses built within a mile of the coast. This earthquake shows that wooden houses may be able to withstand a shallow M9.0 earthquake 200 miles away, but there's absolutely no chance of them withstanding 10 meter high waves sweeping inland and fires caused by gas pipes rupturing (> 4000 were killed by raging fires burning wooden houses in the 1995 Kobe earthquake) Had the cities consist mostly of concrete buildings, perhaps the number of lives lost and broken families could have been lowered.

 

[Linguofreak]

Latest from NHK:



http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/13_06.html

If this is the same as what Urwumpe earlier called a level 4 emergency, then his analysis so far has been right on the money. Since he explained it as going to level 6, I dread to think what level 7 means.

I believe he was talking about *stage* six in the meltdown process, not *level* six on that "how bad is it" scale. *Stage* six is how far along he estimates the process will go. *Level* four (or six, if that happens) indicates (roughly) how much damage the accident has done. An accident can go through all six stages without causing grievous outside damage (such as at Three mile island, Windscale, or Saint Laurent), or if something really bad happens, can hit level 7 before it even reaches stage six (things start happening around stage four that could lead to an explosion), as likely happened at Chernobyl.

 

[halcyon]

You would think japan had enough nuclear fallout after WWII. This bites.

A bit of an understatement I think.

 

[Belisarius]

@ Linguofreak: Thanks, I thought they were not exactly the same scale.

NHK reporting Sunday
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/

That the no 3 reactor is going through exactly the same process as number 1.
That the maximum radiation level was 21 microsieverts/hour on Sunday am but has diminished.
That the original quake was upgraded to 9.0 richter

Now interviewing Kazaiki Matsui of Japanese Inst of Applied Energy, he confirms it is a level 4 emergency and concedes it's serious but not like Chernobyl, level 7.
When asked if the reactor could be usable he says "Technically speaking, yes." His hesitation at this point indicates that he knows that the plant was going to be decommissioned this month but doesn't want to say so.

 

[Wishbone]

Is there any corroboration to the news (http://lenta.ru/news/2011/03/13/sievert/) that units 2 and 3 at F.Daiichi and 1, 2 and 4 at F.Daini have no cooling?

EDIT: IAEA Alert Log (http://www.iaea.org/press/?p=1164)

Japan Earthquake Update (13 March 2011, 0235 CET) — Corrected

13 March 2011

Announcements, Featured

An earlier version of this release incorrectly described pressure venting actions at Units 1, 2, and 4 at the Fukushima Daini nuclear power plant. Venting did not occur at these units.

Japanese authorities have informed the IAEA that Units 1, 2, and 4 at the Fukushima Daini retain off-site power. Daini Unit 3 is in a safe, cold shutdown, according to Japanese officials.

Japanese authorities have reported some casualties to nuclear plant workers. At Fukushima Daichi, four workers were injured by the explosion at the Unit 1 reactor, and there are three other reported injuries in other incidents. In addition, one worker was exposed to higher-than-normal radiation levels that fall below the IAEA guidance for emergency situations. At Fukushima Daini, one worker has died in a crane operation accident and four others have been injured.

In partnership with the World Meteorological Organization, the IAEA is providing its member states with weather forecasts for the affected areas in Japan. The latest predictions have indicated winds moving to the Northeast, away from Japanese coast over the next three days.

The IAEA continues to liaise with the Japanese authorities and is monitoring the situation as it evolves.

EDIT #2: NISA reports (http://www.nisa.meti.go.jp/english/files/en20110313-3.pdf) that electricity outages affect:
TEPCO - 340K houses
Tohoky EPCO - 2150K houses.

b. Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station, Tokyo Electric Power Co.,Inc.(TEPCO)
(Okuma-machi and Futaba-machi, Futaba-gun, Fukushima Prefecture )
(1) The status of operation
Unit 1 (460MWe): automatic shutdown
Unit 2 (784MWe): automatic shutdown
Unit 3 (784MWe): automatic shutdown
Unit 4(784MW): in periodic inspection outage
Unit 5(784MW): in periodic inspection outage
Unit 6(1,100MW): in periodic inspection outage
(2) Readings at monitoring post
The measurement of radioactive materials in the environmental monitoring area near the site boundary by a monitoring car confirmed the increase in the radioactivity compared to the radioactivity at 04:00, March 12 now.
MP4(Moitoring car data at the site boundary, North-west of Unit1):
40microSv/h(03:08, March13)
MP6 (at the main gate) 0.07microSv/h(04:00, March 12) ->
3.1microSv/h(04:50, March13)
3.2microSv/h(05:50, March13)
MP8 (at the observation platform) 0.07microSv/h(04:00, March12)
-> 5microSv/h(04:30, March13)
5.2microSv/h(05:50, March13)
(3) Wind direction/wind speed(as of 20:38, March 12)
Wind direction: West
Wind Speed: 0.5m/s
(4)Report concerning other malfunction
Article 10* of Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness (Fukushima Dai-ichi)
(*A heightened alert condition)
Article 15** of Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness (Fukushima Dai-ichi, Units 1 and 2)
(** Nuclear emergency situation)
Situation of power source to recover water injection function at the Station. -Cable from electric power generating cars are under connecting work(as of
15:04, March 12)
-Pressure in the containment vessel has arisen. Steam release is undertaking in order to relieve pressure.(as of 14:40, March 12)
-A radiation level exceeding 500 microSv/h was monitored at the site boundary(15:29, March 12). A large motion occurred due to an earthquake with close epicentre and an large sound was issued near Unit1 and smoke was observed.
-Unit 3: As the automatic trip of the HPCI, coolant injection using other systems tried but failed. The reactor injection function was lost. (05:10, March 13)
c. Fukushima-Daini Nuclear Power Station(TEPCO)
(Naraha-machi/Tomioka-machi, Futaba-gun, Fukushima pref.)
(1) The status of operation
Unit1(1,100MW): automatic shutdown
Unit2(1,100MW): automatic shutdown
Unit3(1,100MW): automatic shutdown, cold shut down at 12:15, March 12
Unit4(1,100MW): automatic shutdown
(2) Readings at monitoring post etc.
Variation in the monitoring post readings: No
Variation in the main stack monitoring readings: No
(3) Direction and velocity of wind (As of 01:59, 13 March)
Direction: South-west
Velocity: 4.7m/s
(4) Report concerning other malfunction
No Report of fire, etc.
Article 10* of Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness (Fukushima Dai-ni, Unit 1)
(*A heightened alert condition)
Article 15** of Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness (Fukushima Dai-ni, Units 1,2 and 4)
(**Nuclear emergency situation)

Emergency measures:

4. Action taken by NISA
14:46 Set up of the NISA Emergency Preparedness Headquarters (Tokyo) immediately after the earthquake
15:42: TEPCO reported to NISA in accordance with Article 10 of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness regarding Fukushima Dai-ichi, Units 1,2 and 3.
16:36: TEPCO judged the event in accordance with Article 15 of the Act for Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness regarding Fukushima Dai-ichi, Units 1 and 2.(notified to NISA at 16:45)
18:08: Unit 1 of Fukushima Dai-ni notified NISA of the situation of the Article 10 of Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency
18:33: Units 1,2 and 4 of Fukushima Dai-ni notified NISA of the situation of the Article 10 of Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency
19:03 : Government declared the state of nuclear emergency
20:50:Fukushima prefecture ’s emergency preparedness headquarters - issued a directive regarding the accident occurred at Fukushima-Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station, TEPCO that the residents living in the area of 2km
radius from Unit 1 of the Nuclear Power Station must evacuate.(The population of this area is 1,864)
21:23: Directives from Prime Minister to Governor of Fukushima, Mayor of Ookuma and Mayor of Futaba were issued regarding the accident occurred at Fukushima-Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station, TEPCO, pursuant to Paragraph 3, Article 15 of the Act for Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness as follows:
-Residents living in the area of 3km radius from Unit 1 of the Nuclear Power Station must evacuate.
-Residents living in the area of 10km radius from the Unit 1 must take sheltering.
(March12)
5:22 Unit 1 of Fukushima Dai-ni notified NISA of the situation of the Article 15 of Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness.
5:32 Unit 2 of Fukushima Dai-ni notified NISA of the situation of the Article 15 of Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness.
05:44 Residents living in the area of 10km radius from unit 1 of the Nuclear Power Station must evacuate by the Prime Minister Direction.
06:07 Regarding Units 1,2 and 4 of Fukushima Dai-ni NPS, TEPCO reported NISA in accordance with Article 15 of Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness.
6:50 According to the article 64, 3 of nuclear regulation act, government order to control the internal pressure in Fukushima-daiichi unit No. 1 and 2
7:45 Directives from Prime Minister to Governor of Fukushima, Mayors of Hirono, Naraha, Tomioka, Ookuma and Futaba were issued regarding the accident occurred at Fukushima-Dai-ni Nuclear Power Station, TEPCO, pursuant to Paragraph 3, Article 15 of the Act for Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency
Preparedness as follows:
-Residents living in the area of 3km radius from Fukushima-Dai-ni Nuclear Power Station must evacuate.
-Residents living in the area of 10km radius from Fukushima-Daini NPS must take sheltering
17:00 Notification pursuant to Article 15 of the Act for Special Measure Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness since the radiation level exceeded the acceptable level of Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station.(NPS).
17:39 Prime Minister directed evacuation of the residents living within the 10 km radius from the Fukushima-Dai-ni NPS
18:25 Prime Minister directed evacuation of the residents living within the 20km radius from the Fukushima Dai-ichi NPS
19:55 Directives from Prime Minister was issued regarding sea water injection to Unit No.1 of Fukushima Dai-ichi NPS.
20:05 According to the article 64, 3 of nuclear regulation act and concerning to directives from Prime Minister, government ordered to inject sea water Unit No.1 of Fukushima Dai-ichi NPS.
(March 13)
5:38 Unit 3 of Fukushima-Dai-ichi notified to NISA the situation of the Article 15 of Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness at the specific emergency stage under the loss of all of the coolant injection function.
TEPCO is on the progress of the recovering of both of the power source and coolant injection function, and on vent for reducing of the pressure of RPV.

Exposure:

<Possible Exposure to Residents>
(1) Case for Travel from Futaba Public Welfare Hospital to Nihonmatsu Man
and Woman Symbiosis Center, Fukushima Prefecture
i) No. of persons to be measured: About 60 persons
ii) Measured Result: Not yet
iii) Passage: Exposure could have happened while waiting to be picked up by helicopter at the Futaba high school ground
iv) Other
Prefectural Response Headquarters judged that there were no exposure to 35 persons who traveled from Futaba Public Welfare Hospital to Kawamata Saiseikai Hospital, Kawamata-machi by the private bus provided by Fukushima Prefecture.
(2) Case for Futaba-machi Residents Evacuated by Buses
i) No. of Persons: About 100 persons
ii) Measured Result: 9 persons out of 100 persons
No. of Counts No. of Persons
18,000cpm 1
30,000-36000cpm 1
40,000cpm 1
little less than 40,000cpm* 1
very small counts 5
*(This results was measured without shoes, though the first measurement
exceeded 100,000cpm)
iii) Passage: Under investigation
iV) Other
Though persons evacuated in different location outside of the Prefecture (Miyagi Prefecture), all destinations are under confirmation.

---------- Post added at 08:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:01 AM ----------

On a lighter note: Nihonmatsu Man and Woman Symbiosis Center...

---------- Post added at 09:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:50 AM ----------

Read at BBC site (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12724953) that unit 3 at Fukushima I uses MOX fuel (plutonium and uranium). This is not good.

 

[Belisarius]

[/COLOR]Read at BBC site (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12724953) that unit 3 at Fukushima I uses MOX fuel (plutonium and uranium). This is not good.

Could you explain why this is more dangerous?

 

[Wishbone]

Plutonium (regardless of the phase) is one of the most toxic substances ever.

 

[SiberianTiger]

A bit of good news here:

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8223356

A Japanese man who was swept 15km out to sea by Japan's deadly tsunami was plucked to safety on Sunday after being spotted clinging to a piece of wreckage, officials said.

A Maritime Self-Defence Force destroyer rescued 60-year-old Hiromitsu Shinkawa after discovering him floating on a piece of roof in waters off Fukushima Prefecture, two days after the disaster struck.

The man, from the city of Minamisoma which has been virtually obliterated, was swept out along with his house after the massive tsunami tore into Japan's northeast following a 9-magnitude earthquake on Friday.

He is conscious and in "good condition" after his rescue which took place around 12.40pm local time, ministry officials said, adding that he was taken to hospital by helicopter.

"I ran away after learning that the tsunami was coming," Shinkawa told rescuers, according to Jiji Press.

"But I turned back to pick up something at home, when I was washed away. I was rescued while I was hanging to the roof from my house."

Other reports say that the destroyer that saved him was the Chokai: