GE maker of the nuke plant in Japan damaged by the earthquake, and about 1/2 of the nuke plants in the US appears to be taking a very casual approach to this event. They speak of it very relaxed. Not too much to worry anyone. First if something goes wrong the system shuts off and the pumps cool the reaction unit. If the power fails back up generators run, they failed so the next level is battery back up to run the pumps. They lasted less than 8 hours, the next level is the building blows up, that worked perfectly. Now, nothing much to be excited about, the main vessel is in tact. I really wonder why the first two backups are needed. Save money, just go immediately to the exploding building next time.
My Dear Y.F.,
ReplyDeleteI think you'll find that a reactor roof is actually a pressure valve writ large. As I am wont to say to my nephew, Tristram,
"Let's calm down here, and trust that the authorities will continue to lie to us."
~ Munro Tweeder-Harris, Esq. R.S.A.R ~
Well obviously you know nothing about nuclear power plants. The backup generators are for a little noise and excitement, and a good place for the plant workers to steal batteries from for their boats. The backup battery system is a couple of Duracells and the Energizer bunny. The hope is that these will prolong things long enough for the public to arrive with their tailgate parties and get a good place to party while they watch the building blow up.
ReplyDeleteI'm beginning to think that Mother Earth is expressing her dissatisfaction at the way we're treating her. Which makes me wonder about the nuclear powerplants we have here in the good ole US of A.
ReplyDeleteIt always surprised me that the Public has never stopped to think whether or not we actually know how to dispose of radioactive waste. It's not like the Earth never has a quake or anything.
Thanks all for the comments, Skinny and Sherry I know, greetings to Munro Tweeder-Harris, Esq. R.S.A.R.
ReplyDeleteNuke plants, are nothing if not a collection of pressure vessels. Hugh bottles made of exotic steel often over a foot thick. I think all of us know nothing can be made that cannot be broken. Last night I heard in the US these plants are designed to withstand about a 7.2 shake. The logic, well we don't often get bigger, the reasoning, it costs too much to build them stronger. Really you must consider this fact, it is not possible to build a bottle that cannot be broken or melted or damaged by explosions.
I also heard the Japanese have the best battery back ups, good for 4 to 8 hours, the US plants have shorter back ups.
The US should immediately send our plant operators on a shopping spree, back up pumps - back up generators - batteries at least as good as the Japanese have. Should we shut down nuke plants too?
The Yellow Fringe
Say "NO!" to nuclear power. When we are doing everything we can to harness the solar, wind and wave power that is all around us THEN, and only then, should we look at other, less natural sources.
ReplyDeleteBut guess what? We won't need to!