International Nuclear Watch & Discussion

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 24 Jul 2011 01:32

This is from man-stream media fox news.. Sightly different opinion than most we see. Opinion page by Alex Epstein:
Nuclear Power Is Extremely Safe -- That's the Truth About What We Learned From Japan
Worth reading in full, few excerpts..

In the midst of a still struggling and fragile global economy, Germany has announced that it will shut down seven nuclear plants by the end of the year--which means that Germans will be left to run their factories, heat their homes, and power their economy with 10% less electrical generating capacity. Nine more plants will be shut down over the next decade and tens of billions of dollars in investment will be lost.
The grounds for this move, and similar proposals in Switzerland, Italy, and other countries, is safety. As the Swiss energy minister put it, “Fukushima showed that the risk of nuclear power is too high.”

In fact, Fukushima showed just the opposite. How’s that? Well for starters, ask yourself what the death toll was at Fukushima. 100? 200? 10? Not true. Try zero.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 24 Jul 2011 21:59

Sometimes living as a nuclear refugee in one's own country is worse fate than being dead:

Nuke crisis refugee fought losing 18-year legal battle against Fukushima plant

I suppose that's kosher

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 24 Jul 2011 22:06

I think this might have some lesson for India as well. With a treaty born of note for vote, it is worth knowing the pitfalls.

linky

Japan is the only non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council permitted under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty to have a nuclear fuel recycling program.

When Yasuhiro Nakasone was prime minister, he obtained the backing of the United States to become a nation capable of possessing large amounts of plutonium that can be used in nuclear weapons, notwithstanding the fact that Japan is the only nation on which atomic bombs have been dropped.

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 25 Jul 2011 01:27

Alex Epistein. wrote: In fact, Fukushima showed just the opposite. How’s that? Well for starters, ask yourself what the death toll was at Fukushima. 100? 200? 10? Not true. Try zero.

That's fairly moronic, no wonder it needed Fox news to host it. No one died because a 10 sq km + area is wasteland. Hundreds of thousands of heads of cattle have been culled. Fisheries destroyed. 130 billion + repair budget. A scenario where 1/2 to 2/3 nuclear plants are currently offline even after 3 months+.

Yada yada, all magically shoveled under the carpet.

But I guess in reality, "the whole thing is that ke bhaiyaa sabse bada ruppaiya" (money talks)

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/money/util ... 38962.html

Utility executives big political donors in Japan

TOKYO — Japanese utility company executives were by far the biggest individual donors to Japan's former ruling party during its last year in power, accounting for a whopping 72 percent of personal contributions, a news report said.

It is primarily this attitude of the pressing need to white wash reality, is what makes the Nuclear energy based out of US/Japan consortium so dangerous. Not the physics of the matter, but the greed of the corporations.

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 25 Jul 2011 10:44

Similar efforts underway in India, declassified papers 30 years hence should have very interesting information about Manmahon's role and all that.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ ... 724x3.html

Declassified papers show U.S. promoted atomic power in Japan

In a memorandum to U.S. Secretary of State John Dulles, dated May 26, 1954, Eisenhower said he was "concerned about the Japanese situation," and asked Dulles to help "have a better idea of what it is now possible for us to do to further our interests in Japan."

Readers of the thread will note the stark familiarity with words used below with the attacks on posters here on BRF and people outside who have opposed US intrests.

Noting that several exchange projects were under way, the memo concluded that "In the long run, scientific interchange is the best remedy for Japanese emotion and ignorance and we intend to push such projects."

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 25 Jul 2011 20:56

Sanku wrote:
Alex Epistein. wrote: In fact, Fukushima showed just the opposite. How’s that? Well for starters, ask yourself what the death toll was at Fukushima. 100? 200? 10? Not true. Try zero.
That's fairly moronic, no wonder it needed Fox news to host it. No one died because a 10 sq km + area is wasteland. Hundreds of thousands of heads of cattle have been culled. Fisheries destroyed. 130 billion + repair budget. A scenario where 1/2 to 2/3 nuclear plants are currently offline even after 3 months+.

Yada yada, all magically shoveled under the carpet.

But I guess in reality, "the whole thing is that ke bhaiyaa sabse bada ruppaiya" (money talks)

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/money/util ... 38962.html

Utility executives big political donors in Japan

TOKYO — Japanese utility company executives were by far the biggest individual donors to Japan's former ruling party during its last year in power, accounting for a whopping 72 percent of personal contributions, a news report said.
It is primarily this attitude of the pressing need to white wash reality, is what makes the Nuclear energy based out of US/Japan consortium so dangerous. Not the physics of the matter, but the greed of the corporations.

His bio bears your description of him out. He is a moron in a class of his own.Why do you reply to such banana article?Gerard might object.

Alex was installed as Apollo's Project Manager by his teammates and initially dismissed Chris's 'Germ-o-nator' idea before resurrecting it. He soon split into a sub team with Laura, meeting the designers to conjure up the product's packaging. Alex allowed Chris to have the directorial reins for the television commercial, but was on hand to operate the smoke machine for the dramatic entrance of the 'Germ-o-nator'.

Following the pitch to the advertising agency, which Alex delegated to Sandeesh, there was silence in the boardroom when Lord Sugar asked whether he was a good Project Manager. After, it was announced that Apollo had lost the task, he chose to bring back Chris and Sandeesh to the boardroom. Alex cited the television commercial and the colouring of the product as the reason for its failure to impress the advertising agency and Lord Sugar.

A passionate argument with Chris ensued, in which Alex shouted at him. Lord Sugar disagreed with the reasoning behind the selection of Sandeesh, ultimately choosing to fire Alex – but with regret.

Alex was Project Manager on the losing team Apollo. Lord Sugar deemed their campaign to be inferior to Synergy's.

I truly believe in the importance of uncovering what makes you ‘you’. The things that make your business special and set you apart.

SO he can be called a truly moronic.

btw this is OT here.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 25 Jul 2011 21:15

Another Hi Tech Cleaning operation to remove radiation from FUK-D

Fukushima mobilizes 3,900 to help decontaminate 'hot spots'

National Jul. 25, 2011 - 04:46PM JST ( 17 )

FUKUSHIMA —

Decontamination efforts began at several “hot spots” – areas where especially high radiation levels were detected - in and around Fukushima City on Sunday and continued Monday. Some 400 experts and 3,500 residents are participating in the effort. Residents worked to haul mud and debris from gutters and deweed the area.

Additionally, a specialized cleaning vehicle decontaminated certain roads, especially those used by children to commute to school. After the initial cleanup, residents reported Monday morning that the radiation level had dropped by about half, from 10 to around 5 microsieverts an hour.

The cleanup area is about 90 kilometers away from the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, outside of the mandatory evacuation zone. But concerns began to rise when a high reading of 3.83 microsieverts/hr was measured in June. The cleanup was initiated in the hopes of avoiding the need for an evacuation of the area, local officials said.

India can also use MNREGA fund to mobilise people in case of such situation.

gakakkad · Post by **gakakkad** » 26 Jul 2011 19:35

An interesting perspective into the cold fusion design.

http://www.journal-of-nuclear-physics.c ... 7#more-497

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 28 Jul 2011 04:40

Why South Korea is Eyeing Nukes

Concern about US security guarantees has prompted debate in South Korea over the possibility of redeploying US tactical nuclear weapons – or building some themselves.

Rishirishi · Post by **Rishirishi** » 28 Jul 2011 04:59

Sanku wrote:Similar efforts underway in India, declassified papers 30 years hence should have very interesting information about Manmahon's role and all that.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ ... 724x3.html

Declassified papers show U.S. promoted atomic power in Japan

In a memorandum to U.S. Secretary of State John Dulles, dated May 26, 1954, Eisenhower said he was "concerned about the Japanese situation," and asked Dulles to help "have a better idea of what it is now possible for us to do to further our interests in Japan."
Readers of the thread will note the stark familiarity with words used below with the attacks on posters here on BRF and people outside who have opposed US intrests.

Noting that several exchange projects were under way, the memo concluded that "In the long run, scientific interchange is the best remedy for Japanese emotion and ignorance and we intend to push such projects."

And where is Japan compared to India.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 03 Aug 2011 02:46

Rumors Circulate About Radiation Leak by Chinese Sub

Rumors are spreading quickly that radioactive materials were accidentally leaked from a state-of-the-art Chinese nuclear submarine moored in Dalian Port in Liaoning Province in the northeastern part of China.

GuruPrabhu · Post by **GuruPrabhu** » 03 Aug 2011 07:49

gakakkad wrote:An interesting perspective into the cold fusion design.

http://www.journal-of-nuclear-physics.c ... 7#more-497

It is most likely bogus. They do not reveal some magic catalyst.

gakakkad · Post by **gakakkad** » 03 Aug 2011 08:32

^^^ . Great to see you back sir. It is indeed bogus. Even the comments are mocking the guy. The greek guy made a fool of himself even previously. Thats why I said "interesting" .

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 04 Aug 2011 01:41

Swedish man caught trying to split atoms at home

Richard Handl told The Associated Press that he had the radioactive elements radium, americium and uranium in his apartment in southern Sweden when police showed up and arrested him on charges of unauthorized possession of nuclear material.

The 31-year-old Handl said he had tried for months to set up a nuclear reactor at home and kept a blog about his experiments, describing how he created a small meltdown on his stove.

Only later did he realize it might not be legal and sent a question to Sweden's Radiation Authority, which answered by sending the police.

"I have always been interested in physics and chemistry," Handl said, adding he just wanted to "see if it's possible to split atoms at home."

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 04 Aug 2011 03:24

Sellafield Mox nuclear fuel plant to close

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 21 Aug 2011 21:27

Nuclear plans persist despite Fukushima

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 21 Aug 2011 21:29

Laser advance may increase spread of nuclear bomb

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 23 Aug 2011 03:10

Haggan deposit in Sweden mentioned in Gerard's post (few posts above) is in the news as large quantity of U deposit - with 100K to as much as 250K tons of U - (comparable to one of the largest in the world and similar to the recent Tummalapalle find)

Source, for example: http://www.ifandp.com/article/0013165.html

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 27 Aug 2011 04:40

China expanding its nuclear stockpile

ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS: Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2011

http://www.defense.gov/pubs/pdfs/2011_CMPR_Final.pdf

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 29 Aug 2011 11:22

Had a discussion with German Energy officials and Representatives of Industries in DIHK about Nuclear question.
Ministry has interesting outlook. By 2050 they want to go completely non nuclear and mostly renewables (>50%). EU directives lists 20/20/20 by 2020 i.e. 20% renewables/20%efficiency/20%conservation. If I remember correctly. Will consult my notes and confirm later if different.
They said they had no shortage of energy though some power they import from other countries which would also stop after new measures are in place i.e. by 2015. EU grid is tightly integrted and has no issues dealing with wheeling of energy.

Germany has more ambitious targets than EU.

Industry feels that investment is underestimated and nuclear investment is too high to be written off. Though it is only <25% of total energy requirement. Heat is one of the primary requirement in buildings upto 40% and that is not supplied ny Nuke plants for obvious reasons. As of now nuke plants are shut down and they intend to keep it same way.
Fukushima has greater impact here because anti nulear lobby is strong.

More later if required.

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 03 Sep 2011 03:00

Wrt to Germany this graph is interesting:
(From: Bundesnetzagentur; Data: ENTSO-E)

==> The shutdown of eight reactors made Germany a net power importer <===

...A nuclear reactor will not be kept on standby for Germany's winter months, the network agency has decided. Threats to grid stability are real, it said, but more fossil fuel and grid improvements should ensure power supplies...

Source: No nuclear back-up for Germany

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 03 Sep 2011 03:03

Meanwhile: IEEJ Study says:

the past five years the cost of nuclear generation remained stable at around ¥7.00 ($0.09) per kilowatt-hour (kWh). However, even if compensation of up to ¥10 trillion ($130 billion) for loss or damage from a nuclear accident is taken into account, the cost of electricity generation with nuclear reactors increases to some ¥8.50 ($0.11) per kWh.

According to the IEEJ, the cost of generating electricity from fossil fuels over the past five years averaged ¥10.20 ($0.13) per kWh, while the costs from renewable energy sources (mostly geothermal) averaged ¥8.90 ($0.12). However, the study says that the cost of fossil fuel generation, unlike that for nuclear generation, varied widely over the period -from ¥9 to ¥12 ($0.12 to $0.16) - due to fluctuations in the costs of importing the fuel.

From:Nuclear still cost competitive in Japan, study says

gakakkad · Post by **gakakkad** » 03 Sep 2011 09:11

Even if fukushima had more problems than they officially revealed , no one died in it. And the fact remains that the reactors were designed in 1980's . The kind of tech we have now , we can design far better reactors.

People say that that radioactivity increases the risk of cancer. But even a Chernobyl like disaster increased only a few hundred cases of papillary cancer thyroid. And that was only when the fission went uncontrollable.

No increased risk of cancer has been found near safely operated power plants.

But the emission from a petrol refinery or a thermal power plant can increase all types of cancer cases. Benzopyrenes etc emitted from these are as carcinogenic as radiation leak.

http://foodforbreastcancer.com/news/liv ... ast-cancer

http://www.scientificamerican.com/artic ... lear-waste

etc, etc ,etc

gakakkad · Post by **gakakkad** » 03 Sep 2011 09:19

Mortality risk from hematological malignancies near power plant is not significantly greater than those away from it.

http://scienzattiva2009.agorascienza.it ... 5.full.pdf

None of the
nuclear power plants registered an excess risk of
leukemia-induced mortality in any of the surrounding
areas.

Mortality has only been increased near uranium enrichment facilities .

Excess risk of leukemia mortality was, however,
observed in the vicinity of the uranium-processing
facilities in Andu´ jar [RR, 1.30; 95% confidence interval,
1.03–1.64] and Ciudad Rodrigo

It is not difficult to keep ENRT facilities isolated from population. Having nuke power plants is not a risk.
In this study risk of multiple myeloma was more near the plant. But the number of cases were low . So it could be a coincident . No cause-effect has been proven to be statistically significant..

In contrast oil refinery workers had sinificantly increased risk of lung cancer..

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2722249

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 03 Sep 2011 13:14

Germany has about 70% anti nuke sentiments. Seems , Greens are quite strong there. With Merkel taking U-turn, they have got boost.

Winter would be testing times for them. Ministry officials are optimistic of managing the power situation and heat demands.

During the tour visited one CHP plant which supplies 90 % of power and heat to Berlin. Claimed efficiency was 78% though plant was somewhat old.

Various legislations are being put in place to ensure efficiency and conservation methods for reducing demand on heat and power. They hope not to use nuke power any more though Industry feels otherwise.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 03 Sep 2011 14:07

fwiw/ By coming winter Japan would have 90% reactors offline as pernews report. That would test their power policy to the extreme.Meanwhile , their institutes are working hard on renewables. There was this report which says wind lens effect would triple output and reduce cost of power to less than those from nuke power. Though , it must be in nascent stage yet.

Germany and Japan are two nations which seem to have charted different course than others.Met a scientist in Germany , who claims that CO2 talk in the context of climate change is hogwash and he believes in water+energy cycle "Watergy" . He is doing research on the cycle to reduce consumption of energy in buildings with specific reference to Building of "institute of Physics". Though most of his concepts are known in India.

Interestingly, German Authorities are aiming for Energy Surplus Buildings and made a provision for that in their building codes. As of now their efficiency is quite high , at least for new buildings and renovated buildings which have to follow the norms. But there are lots of old buildings which are exempt from the law until they apply for renovation. The Govt gives a lot of financial support for improving energy efficiency and some of them could be useful for India.

They often repeated that one can save as much energy through efficiency and conservation ( including T&D) as would be generated through all Nuke power plants. This may not be true in context of other European nations esp France which is stated to have 90% power from Nuke.

As for Carbon trading (CDM) there is lot of uncertainty after 2012 when Kyoto protocol ends. If it is extended they would have target set at 30% (in EU diretive of 20/20/20) else they would continue with EU target and trading would be as per German/EU guidelines and some of the project types and areas would be excluded except for LDCs.India would be in disadvantageous position for CDM projects.

Western countries , including Germany, are now talking of economy and says they would also take into account environment and sustainable development as much as possible but first priority remains their own economy so fund for new tech aiming to reduce carbon emissions would be limited for countries like India. However , lot of non trade barriers would be placed to ensure that products imported conforms to Carbon emission norms etc. That is a worrying trend for India unless we talk of per capita as against per GDP. Carbon tax on airlines is one such initiative to test the water. When asked about reciprocity they were quite uneasy as it could hurt them more. As of now there is no internationally accepted definitions on Carbon emissions post kyoto protocol on the basis of which such legislations could be put in place.

Interestingly German authorities are not much worried about emissions as far as their power management is concerned however they would adhere to internal target without commitment to international community unless some accord is reached before expiry of Kyoto Protocol.

Nuke power is obviously not very high on their agenda while aiming to reduce emissions.

jmt

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 03 Sep 2011 23:48

Some time ago, here (and also in other nuke dhaga / physics ) we discussed about U/Th in the core of the earth, and GuruPrabhu post about neutrino's etc...

I gave the link to the article in Nature but it is not accessible to general public).

Here is quite a nice popular article from recent Physics Today..

gakakkad et al - enjoy..

>>>Neutrinos from Earth’s interior measure the planet’s radiogenic heating
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/PT.3.1240

gakakkad · Post by **gakakkad** » 04 Sep 2011 01:08

^

The reference model belongs to the widely accepted class of so-called bulk-silicate-Earth models. BSE scenarios for Earth’s formation assume that primordial Earth was a rather homogeneous rocky accumulation of silicates, with the relative abundances of metallic and rare-earth elements close to those of the most primitive meteorites.
About 50 million years later, the scenarios posit, radioactive heating accumulating on top of the planet’s residual heat of formation initiated the “iron catastrophe” that created the core when temperatures became hot enough to melt iron. Percolating down through the silicate rock, the liquid iron carried with it most of the siderophilic (iron-loving) elements like nickel and gold, leaving behind lithophilic (rock-loving) elements like U and Th. Thus BSE models assume that very little radioactivity now emanates from Earth’s core.
KamLAND’s reference model is based on a particularly comprehensive and widely cited 1995 BSE model,3 augmented by detailed upper-crustal data, especially from the Kamioka region. The model also takes account of the significant fraction of geophysical and reactor neutrinos rendered invisible to KamLAND by flavor oscillation en route.
To find the best geoneutrino fit, shown in figure 2a, the team treated the overall terrestrial abundances of 238U and 232Th as independent, free parameters. But the best-fit parameters turned out to be in good agreement with those of the reference model. The expected geoneutrino spectrum, shown in figure 2b, is calculated directly from the reference model without free geological parameters

Interesting..

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 06 Sep 2011 07:49

Iran’s First Nuclear Power Plant Goes Into Operation

Also
Easing Stance, Iran Offers Inspectors ‘Supervision’ of Nuclear Program

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 10 Sep 2011 01:13

xpost:
Interesting news items and developments in Switzerland, quite relevant in Indian context and for us to watch and learn...

For those, who don't know, Swiss, in a knee jerk reaction to Fukushima, announced that, they seek to stop all new nuclear reactor construction and ban all nuclear energy generation by 2034 ..

The House of Representatives had agreed, but on Tuesday the Senate Energy Committee modified the proposal, agreeing instead simply to ban the construction of nuclear plants “of the current generation”. (Senate votes at the end of this month )

Meanwhile, buzz is they see future in new generation of nuclear reactors powered by Thorium...

For details see news items such as:
Swiss nuclear future could hinge on thorium

We are leaving the door open in case new technologies become available in the foreseeable future,

or:
Back and forth in the Swiss nuclear debate

A Senate committee in Switzerland has drafted three new texts on nuclear power policy, all of them explicitly keeping the technology available and banning only 'current generation' designs.

Will be interesting to watch...as general election, takes place on 23 October! With all the campaigning as it will eventually require public referendum.

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 10 Sep 2011 01:23

Prince of Asturias Awards have been awarded annually since 1981. According to the statutes of the foundation, the awards aim to "reward the scientific, technical, cultural, social and humanistic work performed at an international level by individual, institutions or groups of individuals or institutions...

This years award goes to:
Spain honours Heroes of Fukushima
Well deserved award!

gakakkad · Post by **gakakkad** » 10 Sep 2011 16:58

^^^THE world with 8 billion people is unsustainable without nuclear energy ...however I am happy that there is no anti-nuclear sentiment on a large scale in India ...

wig · Post by **wig** » 12 Sep 2011 18:12

Risk of radioactive leak after deadly explosion at French nuclear plant
One person has been killed and several injured in an explosion at a nuclear plant in southern France, leading to the potential risk of a radioactive leak

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... plant.html

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 12 Sep 2011 18:58

France nuclear: Marcoule site blast kills one

One person has been killed and four injured, one seriously, by a blast at the Marcoule nuclear site in France.

There was no risk of a radioactive leak after the blast, caused by a fire near a furnace in the Centraco radioactive waste storage site, said officials.

The plant's owner, national electricity provider EDF, said it had been "an industrial accident, not a nuclear accident".

There are no nuclear reactors at the southern French site.

The explosion hit the area at 11:45 local time (09:45 GMT).

"For the time being nothing has made it outside," said a spokesman for France's Atomic Energy Commission (CEA).

The Centraco treatment centre belongs to a subsidiary of EDF. It produces MOX fuel, which recycles plutonium from nuclear weapons.

The French nuclear programme does not have a stellar record of transparency. In environmental circles, particular opprobrium is reserved for officials who in 1986 claimed the Chernobyl accident would have no impact on France - a statement lampooned as indicating officials believed radioactive fallout observed national boundaries.

What this incident implies for the future of the French nuclear programme is not entirely clear. If it remains a relatively minor matter, it will probably be passed off as the type of thing that regrettably happens in all types of industrial facility.

However, Marcoule is on the list of candidate sites to host one of the European Pressurised Water Reactors (EPRs) that according to government policy are to provide the next generation of French citizens with nuclear electricity.

Marcoule's long nuclear history

The EDF spokesman said the furnace affected had been burning contaminated waste, including fuels, tools and clothing which had been used in nuclear energy production.

"The fire caused by the explosion was under control," he said.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it was in touch with the French authorities to learn more about the nature of the explosion.

Director General Yukiya Amano said the organisation's incident centre had been "immediately activated", Reuters reports.

Nuclear power meets 75% of France's energy needs.

Marcoule was opened in 1955 and is one of France's oldest nuclear sites, though it has been extensively modernised.

It is located in the Gard department in Languedoc-Roussillon region, near France's Mediterranean coast.

All the country's 58 nuclear reactors have been put through stress tests in recent months, following the disaster at Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant which was hit by an earthquake and tsunami.

EDF's share prices fell by more than 6% as news of the blast emerged.

Well this is a waste disposal site and not exactly a nuclear reactor. cause of explosion is still unknown. But it puts AREVA on notice. Just to remind, Areva is the French Nuclear giant which would be supplying its latest EPR type Nuclear Reactors to India .

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 12 Sep 2011 19:31

^^^ More details are available from other news sites, and ASN (French nuclear safety regulator). (This post was updated around 17:00 UTC)

From these (preliminary repors):

At their Centraco facility one worker was killed, and four were injured (one seriously) by an explosion in a furnace used to prepare low-level contaminated metal for disposal. (For those who don't know about 'low level', see my note below).

Per, preliminary reports: The furnace was used to to melt scrap metal structural components, pumps, valves and tools made of stainless steel or carbon steel that are lightly contaminated with short-lived and very-low-level radioactivity.

The EDF-operated facility is located at Codolet, adjacent to CEA's Marcoule nuclear research site. The packages it produces go for permanent disposal in at Andra's near-surface facility at Aube.

Edited: Later update:

The explosion of a furnace used to melt scrap metal triggered a fire, which was extinguished by 1.00pm.

One injured, suffered deep burns and was taken to hospital by helicopter.

There was no chemical or radioactive release and none of the injured were contaminated. Local authorities and emergency centres were contacted but no action was required.

Wrt "low-level waste" from:http://www.nrc.gov/waste/low-level-waste.html

Low-level waste includes items that have become contaminated with radioactive material or have become radioactive through exposure to neutron radiation. This waste typically consists of contaminated protective shoe covers and clothing, wiping rags, mops, filters, reactor water treatment residues, equipments and tools, luminous dials, medical tubes, swabs, injection needles, syringes, and laboratory animal carcasses and tissues. ...

(The waste can come from power plants, hospitals, university labs etc)

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 13 Sep 2011 09:23

... But it puts AREVA on notice. Just to remind, Areva is the French Nuclear giant which would be supplying its latest EPR type Nuclear Reactors to India ....

With that logic, not only AREVA but Rolls Royce, and according to recent news Rosatom
( Russian nuclear sector) too.
In the news:
Nuclear link-up for Rolls-Royce and Rosatom

A corporate collaboration agreement signed in Moscow today should take UK-Russian collaboration on nuclear energy projects to a new level.

The deal was signed during an official visit by UK prime minister David Cameron in which he hoped to "forge a stronger relationship with Russia." Cameron said "We have agreed to work together on a range of issues, including the development of nuclear energy, and I'm delighted that this means Rolls-Royce will be working with Rosatom."

Cameron and his counterpart Dmitry Medvedev agreed to support international negotiations on climate change and encourage energy efficiency and low-carbon technology. The declaration by the two countries said they "strongly support the possibility of increasing commercial cooperation in civil nuclear energy and welcome the memorandum of understanding between Rolls-Royce and Rosatom." Increases in nuclear safety and supply of natural gas were also welcomed.
<snip>

Rosatom is the state company containing the entire Russian nuclear sector, which is says employs some 250,000 people.
<snip>
.....Rolls-Royce group provides instrumentation and control for systems for France's 58 power reactors as well as 50 others around the world. It has business agreements in place with Areva, Larsen & Toubro and Nuclear Power Delivery UK, the consortium hoping to build Westinghouse reactors in that country.

<snip>

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 13 Sep 2011 09:40

Well, as far as I know, whole Nuclear Industry is on Notice post Fukushima , If I am not mistaken Reactors involved in the accident were Westinghouse Designs provided by GE. The present incident is just a reminder , lest we forget.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 28 Sep 2011 22:50

update on FUK-D
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ ... 928a1.html

Tepco redress estimated to top ¥4 trillion
Kyodo

The government panel tasked with overseeing Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s financial standing has estimated the utility could face more than ¥4 trillion in compensation costs related to the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 power plant.

i.e. not counting decommissioning costs.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 28 Sep 2011 22:54

and some good news

from http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/28_31.html

3 Fukushima reactors cooled below 100 degrees

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 28 Sep 2011 22:57

and the bad news
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/28_04.html

Village warns residents over TEPCO redress claims