Sea water was a last ditch effort to cool down the reactor core. Its pretty much "screw saving the core. Prevent it from overheating".

 

It's only a bad idea if it was just seawater as this would help keep the reaction going. However they are adding large amounts of boron which will absorb neutrons, increase coolable geometry (due to a partial meltdown, which deforms the fuel rods and limits the coolable surface) and prohibit the reaction. It is a last resort, all nuclear plants near the ocean will have this as a backup. other plants near lakes and rivers will use that water. All nuclear ships have sea water as a fail safe as well.

plants take a few days to completely shutdown (usually for maintenance). the plants have cooled off enough at this point where pressure, temperature and radiation levels are dropping inside the reactor.

a partial meltdown is just when the fuel rods become uncovered for a short period of time.

better to do this than to have a full scale meltdown.

I actually found a pretty good article on cnbc surprisingly, only facts and seem to be pretty accurate.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/42071355

I also heard from NEI.org there could have been a breach of containment and some leakage into the ground might be occurring.

 

It is suspected to be the torus, which holds millions of gallons of water to condense the steam in emergencies like this. The water or air inside would be radioactive and would leak out if this is true. The reactor vessel is leak tight, but the surrounding buildings and enclosures are not. However, there is still no confirmation at this point. We won't know until this is all over with and someone can go inside and take a look. They suspect it was the torus due to a spike in radiation levels at the unit, but they cannot say for sure still. All they know is there was an explosive sound.

 

I know a lot of people who went to these exact units in Japan and other plants around Japan. They do not tell the govt. about safety issues because they don't want the embarrassment (Unless it is a high safety issue). Here in the USA that is illegal and you and anyone associated will face jail time and large fines to the utilities. Even the smallest issues (safety and non-safety related) get reported to the NRC.

 

Im REALLY glad youre here to give us the inside scoop on this whole mess, Ive seriously gotten better information from you than any news outlet!

 

Yea, I agree. Thanks!

 

after reading another link i posted, i felt the news have been telling parts of the truth and leaving out the parts that makes us feel safe.

 

agree! +1

 

I am glad I am helping, I really just wanted to help clarify what is going on. A lot of people hear nuclear and just think bad things. It is the fault of the industry, after TMI and Chernobyl, the industry was just ignored and now there is a large knowledge gap. The NRC and other nuclear related organizations are scrambling to hire new people before all the experienced people retire.

I am still relatively new to the industry and am learning from this event as well. If I stay in this industry for the rest of my career I doubt I will catch up, so organizations need to replace by hiring in volume.

Just an FYI, energy would be many times more expensive without nuclear power, it is the money maker for utilities. Utilities are hesitant on nuclear power right now because the govt. won't define an energy policy towards nuclear or anything else for that matter. Obama says he's for it, but doesn't necessarily back it with an energy policy even though he's pledged billions to start building more. In other countries you can't find enough people or supplies to keep up with how fast they are building them.

 

Blazn - How safe is it to be in Tokyo itself right now, knowing that it's about 250 miles away from the troubled reactors?

We are supposed to be leaving for Tokyo in 2 weeks, and I am still on the fence about canceling the trip or not. My friends in Tokyo say things are somewhat back to normal, and in 2 weeks should be back to normal for the most part. Part of me wants to cancel it just to avoid troubles, but the other part of me wants to go to support them, and see my friends who are all there.

 

Why just Americans? Why not everyone near the reactor?

 

I so agree with this!! I actually look forward to the info he is sharing, thanks so much blaznasn for all your help to have us understand what is going on. I was hella worried as I also have friends and family over there.

 

At any rate, an informative, if not kinda depressing, site with live updates from Japan.
http://www.news.com.au/world/magnitu...-1226019903430

 

Japanese are immune to radiation sickness. Apparently.

 

Edit: In 2 weeks everything would be sorted out, I wouldn't worry. I thought I read you are in Japan now for the next 2 weeks.