ScribbleLive

towards the corium question: we must not forget that tepco's official line is still "corium is in the rpv". consequently, they see no need to make efforts in locating corium. every effort would look like a confession.

@Ian : i would think about the pressure:
-#1 falling to atmosphere, drops on quakes
-#2 dito
-#3 torus atmospheric pressure, rest is constant/rising
www.houseoffoust.com

@lillymunster they only admitted holes in the rpv, but still say that corium is contained in rpv.

@Edano someone said they were all melted through. I can't remember if it was a university, other govt. agency? I thought it was pretty well accepted info. But TEPCO does live in their own world...

@lillymunster : tepco said recently, that if the corium would not be in the rpv anymore, why can they manipulate the temperatures so well by the amount of water being poured into the rpv. that is their argument.

they cannot deny holes in the rpv because they have no pressure anymore.

at least in #3, i don't believe there is much left of the pressure vessel. maybe the upper part.

"nuclear generation" is getting a new meaning:

Science teachers to cover radiation in class

Science teachers of Japanese junior high schools have discussed how to teach about radiation before the subject becomes compulsory from the next school year.

Japan's education ministry requires in its new curriculum guidelines that radiation be covered in junior high science classes starting in April. This is the first time in 30 years for the ministry to set such a requirement.

About 150 science teachers from schools in Tokyo attended a seminar on Monday.

An expert at the meeting explained features of radiation, how it is put to practical use, and its impact on the human body. The lecturer said it's important to have accurate knowledge about radiation rather than unduly fear it.

The participants then conducted an experiment in which traces of radiation were visualized by using a radioactive mineral ore and dry ice. In another experiment, the participants measured radiation levels in paints and rocks.

The teachers concluded the seminar by discussing how to teach about radiation in class. One participant said he should tell students about the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant, but added that there's a lot he still doesn't know about the issue.

A 28-year-old teacher said she didn't study radiation in school and that she wants to learn about it before teaching the subject.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011 22:51 +0900 (JST)
www3.nhk.or.jp

35 killed, 7,000 treated for heatstroke in a week

Last week was the most fatal week this year for heatstroke in Japan, with the deaths of 35 people.

The Fire and Disaster management Agency says the number of people hospitalized for heatstroke during the week through Sunday was 7,071 -- the largest number by the week for this year.

More than 1,000 people per day were treated at hospitals over 3 consecutive days through Thursday, as the mercury shot up to more than 35 degrees Celsius in many parts of the country. Wednesday was particularly severe, with the number reaching 1,428.

An NHK survey shows that at least 35 people died of heatstroke in 12 prefectures during the week through Sunday, marking the largest weekly death toll this year.

People aged 65 and older accounted for 77 percent of the deaths. More than 30 percent died between 5 PM and 5 AM.

Emergency officials say the number of heatstroke cases increased because temperatures remained over 25 degrees at night last week, in addition to the intense heat during the day.

They are calling for caution against heatstroke at all times, day or night, as the hot weather is expected to continue this week.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011 22:51 +0900 (JST)
www3.nhk.or.jp

@Edano are there really two guys outside smoking or is the picture just too tiny?

again ;)

this i meant:

Excessive levels of radioactive cesium found 100 km from plant

FUKUSHIMA, Japan, Aug. 16, Kyodo

Excessive levels of radioactive cesium were found in sludge in a ditch at a district court branch in Fukushima Prefecture, about 100 kilometers west of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, the court said Tuesday.

The isotope in the sludge, sampled from a ditch at the Fukushima District Court's Aizuwakamatsu branch, measured about 186,000 becquerels per kilogram, the court said, adding it plans to remove the sludge after consulting with local governments.

Under government standards, sludge can be used in a landfill as long as the radioactive cesium contained in it measures 8,000 becquerels per kilogram or lower. english.kyodonews.jp

Hokkaido governor seeks commercial operation of Tomari reactor

SAPPORO, Aug. 16, Kyodo

Hokkaido Gov. Harumi Takahashi on Tuesday sought approval from the prefectural assembly for resuming commercial operation of the No. 3 reactor at the Tomari nuclear power plant in Hokkaido.

Reaching a consensus on the issue among the assembly and other local governments concerned would clear the way for the industry ministry to issue a certificate for the completion of the reactor's regular inspection, which has continued for an unusually long period of five months amid the nuclear crisis in Fukushima Prefecture. The reactor would then move to commercial operation.

The reactor is already generating electricity at full capacity under what is known as an ''adjustment operation'' in the final phase of the checkup, so there will be effectively no difference in terms of electricity output when it shifts to commercial operation. english.kyodonews.jp

@LM People were wondering when they started injecting seawater what it was going to do to the systems. They did it for so long.

@lillymunster still working on the data, lily.

@LM many things have been late in coming. The corrosion is going to cause more problems as time goes on. The reactors already had lots of old pipe problems so the salt on top of everything else isn't helping.