Question for you nuc types ..

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03-17-2011, 02:38 AM

#61

HMX-1

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Because the tsunami screwed up the backup generators and they don't have power to run the cooling systems.

Yahoo had a blurb about it today, saying they were finishing up running new power lines so they could run the system and cool it down.

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03-17-2011, 05:54 AM

#62

Timberwolf2

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Quote:

Originally Posted by bkrukow

This stuff is WAY over my head but how do you shut something like this down?? And if the shut down process has been started how long does it take. If it cant be shut down what is the ultimate end game?? I would asume that a Chernoble type scenario is a worst case scenario??

There are 2 nuclear events happening while the reactor is at power.
First, fission...splitting of the uranium atoms to produce power.
Second, decay...after fission occurs, new elements are the result of the atom being split. Theses are unstable and will decay, hence, decay heat.
This is why the fuel stays hot. The decay process will slow on it's own but some elements decay fast, some take weeks, months.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkrukow

So if there is a leak and the water is dropping then why isent pumping new water in keeping this mess under controle? In my mind I am thinking that the way they are talking abought the water isues that they need a constant circulation of water to cool them and that because that isent happening stuff is overheating. If Boron is a obsorbing agent why are tehy not pumping truck loads of it in to slow/stop the nucliar process or did they already and this mess is just a result of the left over heat that needs to cool and the radiation leaking is stricly from the exposed rods?.

Boron and/or shut off rods DID shut down the main power process (fission). The reactors are shut down, as close to zero as possible. More Boron will not help because now it's just the decay process.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMX-1

Because the tsunami screwed up the backup generators and they don't have power to run the cooling systems.
Yahoo had a blurb about it today, saying they were finishing up running new power lines so they could run the system and cool it down.
.

All Nuc plants have back up power to deal with the worse case senerio. The plants in Japan have diesel powered back up generators. These were running immediately after the quake. The tsunami flooded the fuel tanks. You know what happens when diesels get water in fuel! Portable back up gens have been brought in, power will/has been restored. Cooling will/be restored, even if it has to be sea water.