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Thread ID: 116606 2011-03-11 23:25:00 Nuclear Power stations in NZ - Yes or No? zqwerty (97) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1185354 2011-03-14 07:57:00 There are more nuclear experts on PressF1 than the Manhattan project.

There is talk of the japs linking into hear to solve there problem.
Cicero (40)
1185355 2011-03-14 09:53:00 wratterus, that Atlantic link is a great source of info, thanks. zqwerty (97)
1185356 2011-03-14 10:40:00 Yes, we should have one.
Please locate it in the basement of the Beehive
KenESmith (6287)
1185357 2011-03-14 10:46:00 Guy Fawkes already tried something similar so I heard. :)

If you are in Brisbane as you say what do you mean by we?
Snorkbox (15764)
1185358 2011-03-14 11:13:00 wratterus, that Atlantic link is a great source of info, thanks.

Another link which you may care to read.

www.radionz.co.nz

The sky is possibly not falling yet.

But there again maybe it is and I have not yet noticed.
Snorkbox (15764)
1185359 2011-03-14 17:45:00 There are more nuclear experts on PressF1 than the Manhattan project.

It's an academic interest for me - I want to know when they invent the nuclear powered twelve volt blender. ;)
Twelvevolts (5457)
1185360 2011-03-14 21:25:00 www.theatlantic.com

This provides some scary reading.

An interesting read and it points up the problems of radioactive waste plus the essentiality of strong regulatory controls.

Just for a splash of cold water - the Three Mile Island reactor accident was a melt-down. How many people do you think died?
Winston001 (3612)
1185361 2011-03-14 23:09:00 I'd love to know 3 things.

How big are these containment vessels, they say they are 20 centimetres thick stainless steel.

Secondly how many guys are working at the plant. Are they going home for lunch and dinner and coming back ? Are they locked in ? Have they been awake for the last 3 days. Have they got steel cohonies ?

Thirdly why has no guy been shown on tv from the power plant or even their head office.

Its always some lying politician.
Digby (677)
1185362 2011-03-14 23:23:00 I saw an illustration that gave the impression that the stainless steel containment vessel was cylindrical, with hemispherical top and bottom.

Here's another possible concern - if it's got a hemispheric bottom, any melted fuel will pool all together at the bottom of the vessel, which is a point where the control rods will not be preventing further chain reaction and possible run-away heating (and eventual breach).

It's been reported that all three reactors may have experienced a degree of melting of the fuel rods.

If there is a critical mass of fuel gathering at the base of the containment, then only the turbulence in the cooling water provides a means of seperating that mass.

I do have to wonder if any 'water' ever actually touches the fuel. Chances are, even when immersed in water, the water is vapourised before getting close enough to touch the fuel - so the fuel might actually only ever be surrounded by steam (even when completely submerged in the water) ... unless they maintain one hell of a high pressure within the containment... which in turn makes it a lot more challenging to pump in further coolant.

You can't just trot off to Hirepool to get a pump to do that sort of work.
Do have to wonder if they're sharing one pump between all 3 troubled reactors.
Paul.Cov (425)
1185363 2011-03-14 23:31:00 #2 reactor has now had an explosion and they're talking about a loss of pressure within it's containment, accompanied by a rise in radiation about it.

Gotta wonder what the status of the #4 and #5 reactors is.
Paul.Cov (425)
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