Archive for tsunami

remember Fukushima [福島を偲んで]

Posted in Statistics with tags , , , , , , , on March 11, 2021 by xi'an

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Nuclear newspeak

Posted in Statistics with tags , , , on March 13, 2011 by xi'an

Here is the most recent press release from TEPCO, the Tokyo Electricity Power Company that manages the Fukushima Daïchi nuclear plant, where experts believe several reactors may have already melted:

Press Release (Mar 13,2011)
Plant Status of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (as of 9am March 13th)

 
All 6 units of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station have been shut down.

Unit 1(Shut down)
- Reactor has been shut down. However, the unit is under inspection due
   to the explosive sound and white smoke that was confirmed after the big
   quake occurred at 3:36PM.
- We have been injecting sea water and boric acid which absorbs neutron
  into the reactor core. 

Unit 2(Shut down)
- Reactor has been shut down and Reactor Core Isolation Cooling System has
  been injecting water to the reactor. Current reactor water level is lower
  than normal level, but the water level is steady. After fully securing
  safety, we are preparing to implement a measure to reduce the pressure of
  the reactor containment vessels under the instruction of the national
  government. 

Unit 3(Shut down)
- Reactor has been shut down. However, High Pressure Core Injection System
  has been automatically shut down and water injection to the reactor is
  currently interrupted. We are examining alternative way to inject water.
  Also, following the instruction by the government and with fully securing
  safety, steps to lowering the pressure of reactor containment vessel has
  been taken. Spraying in order to lower pressure level within the reactor
  containment vessel has been cancelled.
- Currently, we do not believe there is any reactor coolant leakage inside
  the reactor containment vessel.

Unit 4 (shut down due to regular inspection)
- Reactor has been shut down and sufficient level of reactor coolant to
  ensure safety is maintained.
- Currently, we do not believe there is any reactor coolant leakage inside
  the reactor containment vessel.

Unit 5 (outage due to regular inspection)
- Reactor has been shut down and sufficient level of reactor coolant to
  ensure safety is maintained.
- Currently, we do not believe there is any reactor coolant leakage inside
  the reactor containment vessel.

Unit 6 (outage due to regular inspection)
- Reactor has been shut down and sufficient level of reactor coolant to
  ensure safety is maintained.
- Currently, we do not believe there is any reactor coolant leakage inside
  the reactor containment vessel.

I find it amazing it is written in such a surrealistic remote tone, given what is currently happening in this plant!

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Tsunami

Posted in pictures, Running with tags , , , , , , on March 12, 2011 by xi'an

Here are some images of “before” and “after” posted on the NASA website and reproduced by The Guardian. The magnitude of the thing is simply in-human… As in Christchurch three weeks ago and Haiti last year, my thoughts go to the survivors who have to comprehend the disaster before starting their long recovery work. I am sure many supportive initiatives like this one from a runner will show up in the coming days. In the meanwhile, only hope and thoughts…

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