The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Status

Unit 1

Approximately half of the fuel rods in the reactor are covered with coolant, leading to fuel damage.  Operators were forced to vent gas from the reactor's containment, due to high pressure.  An explosion on March 12, 2011 destroyed the outer shell of the building above.  On March 18, Japan assigned an INES rating of 5 to this unit.

Unit 2

Approximately half of the fuel rods in the reactor are covered with coolant, leading to fuel damage.   A March 15 explosion led Japanese officials to express concern the reactor's containment may not be fully intact.  As recently as March 18, 2011 it was reported that white smoke continues to arise from the building.  Seawater is continuing to be pumped into the reactor core.   On March 18, Japan assigned an INES rating of 5 to this unit.

Unit 3

Approximately half of the fuel rods in the reactor are covered with coolant, leading to fuel damage.  Operators were forced to vent gas from the reactor's containment, due to high pressure. An explosion on March 14, 2011 destroyed the outer shell of the building above the containment giving rise to concerns the reactor's containment may not be fully intact.  In addition indications are the cooling water level in the pool is not sufficient.  Helicopters have been dropping water on this unit and on March 18, seven fire trucks were used by Japanese Self Defence Forces to spray water into the building.  No data is available regarding the temperature of the water in the pool.   On March 18, Japan assigned an INES rating of 5 to this unit.

Unit 4

Prior to the earthquake fuel had been removed from the reactor core for maintenance and placed in the spent fuel pool.  The outer shell of the building was damaged by an explosion at Unit 3 on March 14 and two reported fires.  Smoke remains visible on March 18 and there are concerns of the condition of the spent fuel pool.  .   On March 18, Japan assigned an INES rating of 4 to this unit.

Unit 5 and 6

Both units were shut down before the earthquake for maintenance; therefore there are no immediate concerns regarding reactors' cores or containment.  Data from spent fuel pools has shown increasing temperatures and officials have two diesel generators running to power water circulation in the spent fuel pools and cores.  Since an accumulation of hydrogen has been suspected as the cause of explosions in the other buildings workers have opened holes in the roofs of both buildings.
 

» left by Dianne Lehmann

1 year 49 days ago.
136 fans.

Hi Patricia.

Thanks for putting it all in a nutshell. I certainly hope they get it all squared away soon. They've enough to worry about without worrying about a nuclear disaster as well.

Hugs,

Dianne

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» left by Patricia Johnson 1 year 48 days ago.
12 fans.

It's almost impossible to comprehend what this country is going through - most countries have a problem dealing with one catastrophe and yet the people of Japan are attempting to cope with three at one time. Things are steadily improving on the interior of the power plant, but according to the latest IAEA report (3-22-11), "high levels of contamination have been measured in the locality of the plant" which certainly isn't good news. Let us all pray that things improve soon.

Thank you for your comment.

P.

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