Massive Quake Hits NE Japan

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Ogie, is it true that nuclear reactors have immense security precautions in everything from computer networks to going to the bathroom? Can you tell us what it is like working at one? (I gather you work at a nuclear plant)

After 911 new security requirements have been much more stringent. Security forces drill and are required to display they are capable of repulsing a force on force attack. Cyber security and access are extremely hot button issues to the point where software and PLC code and the like must be certified to have no unknown back doors likewise dial in access forbidden for offside vendor support. Every utility is expected to maintain the requisite expertise and training to support the systems without vendor support. As for oversight yes if you are a visitor you are escorted everywhere by a badged inidividual. You are not to leave his line of sight. You do you get tossed offside and your escort gets in hot water big time. A badged individual is someone who has been security cleared and rad worker trained minimally.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Ohh and lots of guards armed with automatic weapons minimally.

[Hauldren Collider]

Wow. That's impressive and scary at the same time. Doesn't it get bothersome when working there?

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

I work out of an engineering firm that visits sites on a regular basis. Thankfully not at the site every day. Although have been there for extended stays during outages. You get used to the expected routine.

[Docfeelgood]

Doc is like halflotus, only about one tenth as intelligent. Seriously doc, how did you even learn to read?

I'm not worthy to be in your presence of your intellectual mastery of nuclear power plants. forgive my dumb ass for bothering you with my trivial questions, oh mighty master of intelligence.
Wait.....are you the one that said

worst case scenario seems to be that one of a dozen nuclear reactors has a minor leak in radiation.

Oh my, my mistake.

[Docfeelgood]

Scary

Just a minor problem : Japan’s Nuclear Safety Board DID NOT Confirm Meltdown

We’re not nuclear scientists here at Bellum

http://bellum.stanfordreview.org/ A blog site?


It is so hard to tell who is telling the truth. Are the news media making up stories for ratings? hope not.

A meltdown may have occurred at at least one nuclear power reactor in Japan, the country's chief cabinet secretary, Yukio Edano, said Sunday.He also said that authorities are concerned over the possibility of another meltdown at a second reactor. Edano's comments confirm an earlier report from an official with Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, who said, "we see the possibility of a meltdown.".

This from CNN

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

One thing is for sure any reactor getting seawater as coolant is beyond hope. The chlorides in seawater will tear the stainless vessel up to the point of no return. Once they go that route the reactor is toast.

[BlackCat]

One thing is for sure any reactor getting seawater as coolant is beyond hope. The chlorides in seawater will tear the stainless vessel up to the point of no return. Once they go that route the reactor is toast.

Toast as in closed down and being decomissioned - not blowing off.

[Docfeelgood]

One thing is for sure any reactor getting seawater as coolant is beyond hope. The chlorides in seawater will tear the stainless vessel up to the point of no return. Once they go that route the reactor is toast.

Well they say that they are 40 years old, good reason to upgrade.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

ANS said diesels survived the tsunami started but failed after one hour. Reason fuel was contaminated with sea water. they have rushed emergency diesels to the site hence the resumption of cooling at the other units.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

At blackcat

Closed down forever with no possibility of reuse.

[Docfeelgood]

Wonder if the filters were clogged with all that muck from the tsunami?

[Dinner]

I work out of an engineering firm that visits sites on a regular basis. Thankfully not at the site every day. Although have been there for extended stays during outages. You get used to the expected routine.

A friend of mine works for General Atomics he tells me most of their local work is on the nuclear reactors of the US Navy's Pacific fleet though he does spend a fair amount of his time at the San Onofre Nuclear Power Station. Apparently he wants to get into their unmanned aerial vehicle program though because he says that's where all the future growth is going to be (they have won several large UAV contracts with the US military). That said, he has no idea how a guy with a background in nuclear reactor maintance could move over to UAV manufacturing. Personally, I think he's stuck but, on the upside, simple maintenance of US Navy reactors should keep him busy for the rest of his working life.

[Docfeelgood]

Problems for second Japan reactor

A second nuclear reactor is experiencing serious problems at Japan's earthquake-damaged Fukushima power station in northern Japan, which was hit by a big explosion on Saturday.

The plant's operator says pressure is rising inside reactor No. 3 after it lost its emergency cooling system.

A similar problem led to a blast at the plant's No. 1 reactor on Saturday.

An estimated 170,000 people have been evacuated from the area around the plant, the UN nuclear watchdog says.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12724953


Double trouble

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

As your friend can probably attest nukes in the navy are a different beast than commercial power. Like a race horse and elephant. Both have 4 legs, one needs to be able to accelerate and go fast the other is all about the power but slow and cumbersome.

In any event here's hoping your friend transitions as he wishes.