International Nuclear Watch & Discussion

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 28 Sep 2011 23:06

and the Ugly news
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110926005539.htm

And Theo you wanted Emergency Response system developed in India and I thought Japanese were so meticulous, heroic no doubt they are.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 28 Sep 2011 23:07

Where are you Gerard, please delete the Good Bad and Ugly news posted above. ..

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 02 Oct 2011 11:46

Decontamination efforts accelerate in Fukushima

Municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture affected by the nuclear accident in March are stepping up efforts to decontaminate public buildings and restore key infrastructures.

The move comes after the Japanese government lifted an evacuation advisory on Friday for 5 municipalities located between 20 and 30 kilometers from the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

After the March 11th disaster, residents in these municipalities were advised to prepare to evacuate in case of an emergency at the nuclear plant.

The city of Minamisoma has placed priority on removing radioactive substances from public facilities such as parks, schools and roads.

Contractors are replacing surface soil with uncontaminated soil. But they say it's becoming difficult to procure the necessary amount of soil due to increasing demand.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 02 Oct 2011 12:10

Fukushima plant crisis could erupt if water injection stops for 38 hrs

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo Electric Power Co. has released an estimate that says if water injection at its stricken Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant stops, its fuel rods could start melting in 38 hours, causing radioactive substances to spew out.

The utility said, however, it can resume watering at the Nos. 1 to 3 reactors in three hours at the most in case the plant is hit by another earthquake and tsunami matching the scale of the March 11 disaster that caused their core meltdowns.

The estimate said the temperature of the fuel, now believed to have solidified at the bottom of the reactors' pressure vessels, would rise about 50 C each hour and reach its melting point of 2,200 C in about 38 hours.

The reactors would then start emitting massive amounts of radioactive substances, raising the radiation level around the plant's premises above 10 millisieverts, the benchmark for prompting an order to evacuate.

In the estimate, TEPCO did not assess the likelihood of any melted fuel dropping through the pressure vessels into the containment vessels shrouding each reactor.

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 05 Oct 2011 00:06

Americans' Support for Nuclear Energy Holds at Majority Level (6 Months After Japan Accident)

.... 62 percent of respondents said they favor the use of nuclear energy as one of the ways to provide electricity in the United States, with 35 percent opposed. Those strongly favoring nuclear energy outnumber those strongly opposed by a two-to-one ratio, 28 percent vs. 13 percent, according to the survey conducted Sept. 22-24 by Bisconti Research Inc. with GfK Roper.

Details in:
Latest Trends in U.S. Public Opinion About Nuclear Energy, Sept. 2011

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 07 Oct 2011 00:50

Meanwhile:
Vietnam prepares for nuclear power
and

Site selected for new Finnish plant

and
(NRC extended the construction permit for Bellefonte unit 1 in Alabama.

and
Separate spillages of nuclear materials at facilities in Belgium and the USA appear to have been without radiological impact

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 07 Oct 2011 00:58

Also, when all is said and done..
MIT, Faculty's (updated) report on Fukushima remains a good resource:
http://mitnse.com/2011/08/07/updated-mi ... -025_rev1/

Some recent update on Health effects:
>>>>
..... noted that the screening of 220,000 people has shown "no case of adverse health effects." ... some ¥78.2 billion ($1.01 billion) has been allocated for a health fund related to the nuclear accident. This will provide for "detailed health checks for evacuees and ultrasound thyroid examinations for children in the "mid- to long-term."

(Number of deaths, or radiation caused injury remains zero)

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 07 Oct 2011 04:11

A new way to detect secret nuclear tests: GPS

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 07 Oct 2011 04:12

British nuclear forces, 2011

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 07 Oct 2011 09:15

Gerard wrote:A new way to detect secret nuclear tests: GPS

Thanks for the interesting article. The techniques to do atmospheric measurements via GPS, though relatively new, have become quite popular.

See for example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS_Radio_occultation

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 08 Oct 2011 20:43

Fukushima nuclear plant worker dies

Tanaji · Post by **Tanaji** » 08 Oct 2011 21:35

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-h ... s-15222259

Oh the noes! Radiation leak.. disaster...

Quick, quick, quarantine everything scottish...

Ban all scotch whiskies...!!! They are radioactive!!

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 08 Oct 2011 22:01

S Africa to invest $126 bn on six new nuclear plants by 2030.

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 09 Oct 2011 21:31

Fukushima nuclear plant worker dies

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Of course, small detail, not mentioned above but is in the story itself (even more details at
link) you see:

[death] had nothing to do with exposure to radiation in the plant. It also said the death didn't result from overwork.

( For those who are interested: Story (see link above) also gives details that total exposure to this particular worker (doses are closely monitored for all workers) was, in all of the 46 days he spent on the plant, was 2mSV. (for perspective AVERAGE background radiation is about 3mSV/year)

But, for some, why let facts, come in the way of narrative. /sigh/

Wrt to the map, nice map, but as our shastras say, key point will be:
यस्य नास्ति स्वयं प्रज्ञा, शास्त्रं तस्य करोति किम?

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 09 Oct 2011 21:42

WP article about IAEA teams visit of cleanup efforts etc:
IAEA team observes cleanup efforts etc...

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 09 Oct 2011 23:21

Meanwhile ...
Czechs bet heavily on nuclear power

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 09 Oct 2011 23:27

Tanaji wrote:Ban all scotch whiskies...!!! They are radioactive!!

As I said before, all whiskies (or any other kind of alcoholic drink for human consumption) sold in USA, by LAW , requires to be radioactive....

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 10 Oct 2011 16:21

Amber G. wrote:
Fukushima nuclear plant worker dies

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Of course, small detail, not mentioned above but is in the story itself (even more details at
link) you see:
[death] had nothing to do with exposure to radiation in the plant. It also said the death didn't result from overwork.
( For those who are interested: Story (see link above) also gives details that total exposure to this particular worker (doses are closely monitored for all workers) was, in all of the 46 days he spent on the plant, was 2mSV. (for perspective AVERAGE background radiation is about 3mSV/year)

But, for some, why let facts, come in the way of narrative. /sigh/

Wrt to the map, nice map, but as our shastras say, key point will be:
यस्य नास्ति स्वयं प्रज्ञा, शास्त्रं तस्य करोति किम?

Since you quoted my post, yes, it is there in the story, obviously.

I find it telling that feel a overwhelming urge to dig out that piece and harp on it to a substantial degree -- a pressing need to defend even when no charges have been levied?

sumishi · Post by **sumishi** » 11 Oct 2011 14:10

Post-Fukushima, France breaks silence on nuclear safety: The Hindu, October 11, 2011

Doubts have been raised about the benefits of the EPR reactor, of which India plans to buy six.
.......

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 11 Oct 2011 22:35

In the main news outlets is story about the report from the UK's chief inspector of nuclear installations and executive head of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) (This expands on an interim report published in May - It is about 300 pages long, worth reading and reference for any one interested)

Here is Wall Street Journal story (Some excerpts copied here, as the journal may requires subscription)

Inspector Endorses U.K. Nuclear-Industry Practices

LONDON—The U.K.'s chief nuclear inspector said Tuesday he saw no reason to curtail operations at existing nuclear power plants or change siting strategies for new reactors following the Fukushima disaster, effectively giving the green light for investments in new nuclear reactors.

The widely expected conclusions of Mike Weightman's final report on the lessons to be learned from the crisis at Japan's Fukushima atomic complex come as Germany and Italy have rejected nuclear power and countries across Europe conduct stress tests at all such facilities under a European Union agreement.

"I remain confident that our U.K. nuclear facilities have no fundamental safety weaknesses. The Office for Nuclear Regulation already requires protection of nuclear sites against the worst-case scenarios that are predictable for the U.K. But we are not complacent," Mr. Weightman said.

The U.K. has one of the most advanced programs in Europe to build a fleet of new nuclear power plants as part of efforts to shore up energy supplies as old plants close, while also meeting climate-change targets. Major European utilities are planning billions of pounds investment to build in total 16 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity by 2025.

But although the report is good news for utilities planning to build new nuclear power plants, it has already delayed some elements of their plans.

In July, Électricité de France SA, which operates eight of the U.K.'s existing nuclear power stations, said it will be giving a revised timetable for its new nuclear program in the U.K. after the report is published.

....<snip>

The U.K.'s joint nuclear regulators have also delayed giving interim approval for two reactor designs being assessed for operation in the U.K. to the end of the year so as to take Mr. Weightman's final report into account.

....<snip>
Reports on progress in those areas are due by June 2012 for a report next year on progress implementing the areas under review.

European nuclear stress tests have been conducted in parallel to this process and there are overlaps between the initial findings and the recommendations in Mr. Weightman's report, Mr. Huhne said. Stress tests will continue into next year, he said.

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 11 Oct 2011 22:36

^^^Also from WSJ:
EDF Energy: To Implement UK Recommendations On Nuclear Energy

Amber G. · Post by **Amber G.** » 11 Oct 2011 22:50

The story, as I suspected is in the main-stream media...

BBC story: Go-ahead for UK nuclear programme

Fox:UK Nuclear Inspector Sees No Need To Close Reactors

Business Week: U.K. Atomic Review Sees No Reason to Cut Back Post-Fukushima

Etc..

Here is full report:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/fukushima ... report.pdf

And the press release
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/n ... 11_79.aspx

PRESS RELEASE: 11/079
11 OCTOBER 2011

Energy Secretary Chris Huhne today presented to Parliament the final report by the Chief Nuclear Inspector, Dr Mike Weightman, into events at the Fukushima power station in March this year. This follows an interim report, published in May.

Additional information received since the interim report (including Dr Weightman’s visit to Fukushima) has reinforced and further validated the findings of the interim report. Dr Weightman’s final report found that:

>>> there is no reason to curtail the operation of UK operating sites, although operators should continue to follow the founding principle of continuous improvement
>>>there are no fundamental weaknesses in the UK nuclear licensing regime or the safety assessment principles that underpin it, and intention to create the Office for >>>Nuclear Regulation (ONR) in statute will further enhance confidence in the UK’s regulatory regime

the final report also confirms Dr Weightman's advice at the time of the interim report that he saw no reason to revise the strategic advice given by the regulators on which the Nuclear National Policy Statement was based, or any need to change present siting strategies for new nuclear power stations in the UK
the UK practice of periodic safety reviews of licensed sites provides a robust means of ensuring continuous improvement in line with advances in technology and standards
the events at Fukushima reinforce the need to continue to pursue decommissioning of former nuclear sites with utmost vigour and determination
the regulator is satisfied with the responses and plans initiated by the Government and nuclear industry in response to the interim report
In response, Chris Huhne said:
“I would like to give my utmost thanks to Dr Weightman for a thorough, detailed and authoritative report.
“The report makes clear that the UK has one of the best nuclear safety regimes in the world and that nuclear power can go on powering homes and businesses across the UK, as well as supporting jobs.
“We must, however, continue to improve where we can, not just with operating power stations and new sites but by dealing with our nuclear legacy in a robust and effective manner too."

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 21 Oct 2011 10:19

Wider areas to brace for N-accidents / Proposal adds zones 30 km from N-plants

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 26 Oct 2011 03:43

Y-12 completes dismantlement of W70 nuclear weapons system components

The National Nuclear Security Administration on Friday announced that Y-12 National Security Complex has completed the dismantlement of all components associated with the W70 nuclear weapons system, thus eliminating these materials from the U.S. nuclear stockpile.

The W70 was a tactical nuclear weapons system deployed on the Lance missile as a mobile artillery tactical missile system, according to an NNSA news release. This weapon was retired in the early 1990s as the last nuclear missile deployed by the U.S. Army.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 26 Oct 2011 03:44

US's biggest nuclear bomb dismantled in Texas

The last of the nation's most powerful nuclear bombs has been taken apart in Texas.

Technicians at the Pantex Plant near Amarillo removed the uranium Tuesday from the last of the nation's largest nuclear bombs, a Cold War relic known as the B53.
...
The nation's largest nuclear bomb now is the 1.2-megaton B83. The B53 was 9 megatons.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 26 Oct 2011 03:48

Fukushima Nuclear Plant Released Far More Radiation than Government Said

The study also suggests that, contrary to government claims, pools used to store spent nuclear fuel played a significant part in the release of the long-lived environmental contaminant caesium-137, which could have been prevented by prompt action. The analysis has been posted online for open peer review by the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 26 Oct 2011 10:45

Tepco manuals point to critical safety lapses

Instructions fail to address total loss of power to plant's reactors

Newly disclosed manuals for workers at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant highlight the utility's lack of preparedness for an emergency, a major factor leading to the meltdowns after the March 11 quake-tsunami, a review by The Japan Times showed Tuesday.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 26 Oct 2011 10:50

Nuclear fuel recycling costs

Japan's Atomic Energy Commission says it may cost twice as much to recycle nuclear fuel for power generation as it would to discard the spent fuel as waste.

At a meeting on Tuesday, the commission calculated the cost of recycling spent nuclear fuel and extracting plutonium. The cost was estimated at 1.98 to 2.14 yen per kilowatt-hour of electricity generated.

The cost of discarding the spent fuel as waste was about 1 to 1.35 yen per kilowatt-hour.

Nuclear power is apparently cheaper, but only apparently.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 26 Oct 2011 10:55

Low-level radiation detected in Fukushima students

Traces of radioactive cesium have been discovered in schoolchildren in Fukushima Prefecture, according to the Minami-Soma municipal general hospital.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 26 Oct 2011 21:54

Dismantling The Biggest Nuclear Bomb

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 26 Oct 2011 22:01

Ditching EU Atomic Project After Japan May Strand $2 Billion

China environment minister says nuclear safety risks climbing

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 27 Oct 2011 10:28

Just to set the record straight about iodine tablet distribution

Tokyo ignored calls to issue iodine during crisis

As the quake-stricken Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant was spewing radiation, the Nuclear Safety Commission of Japan urged the central government to issue iodine tablets to residents in affected areas. But Tokyo apparently ignored the advice.

So there is a question mark on this aspect. And it is not effective against Cs137 which gets into Muscles and bone

Cosmo_R · Post by **Cosmo_R** » 28 Oct 2011 22:14

TOKYO—Many of Japan's political and intellectual leaders remain committed to nuclear power even as Japanese public opinion has turned sharply against it. One argument in favor rarely gets a public airing: Japan needs to maintain its technical ability to make nuclear bombs.

"I don't think Japan needs to possess nuclear weapons, but it's important to maintain our commercial reactors because it would allow us to produce a nuclear warhead in a short amount of time," Shigeru Ishiba, a former defense minister, said in an interview in a recent edition of Sapio, a right-leaning twice-monthly magazine.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 30156.html

Has implications for India-Japan cooperation on defense

"It's a tacit nuclear deterrent," added Mr. Ishiba, an influential parliament member who made similar remarks on a prime time television news show in August while serving as policy chief of Japan's main opposition party.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 29 Oct 2011 10:27

Reactors 1-4 to take 30 years to scrap: panel

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 31 Oct 2011 02:21

Japan Closer to Exporting Nuclear Technology to India, Vietnam

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 31 Oct 2011 02:25

Free the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty: Functionality over forum

atma · Post by **atma** » 01 Nov 2011 19:00

AP Exclusive: New signs of Syria-Pakistan nuke tie:
U.N. investigators have identified a previously unknown complex in Syria that bolsters suspicions that the Syrian government worked with A.Q. Khan, the father of Pakistan's atomic bomb, to acquire technology that could make nuclear arms.

The buildings in northwest Syria closely match the design of a uranium enrichment plant provided to Libya when Moammar Gadhafi was trying to build nuclear weapons under Khan's guidance, officials told The Associated Press.

The U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency also has obtained correspondence between Khan and a Syrian government official, Muhidin Issa, who proposed scientific cooperation and a visit to Khan's laboratories following Pakistan's successful nuclear test in 1998.

http://news.yahoo.com/ap-exclusive-sign ... 13337.html

Sanatanan · Post by **Sanatanan** » 01 Nov 2011 20:38

Helth effects of radiation:

(1) Japan MP Yasuhiro Sonoda drinks Fukushima water, from BBC, 01 Nov 2011.

(2) Q&A: Health effects of radiation exposure, from BBC, 21 Jul 2011.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 01 Nov 2011 22:43

Wasnt a Syrian facility bobmbed by unknown states some time ago?

Paging ShyamD.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 06 Nov 2011 09:48

^^ that was on 6 Sept 2007 when Israel Bombed a Syrian facility suspected to be used for Nook making.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/12/world ... s%2fIsrael

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 — After days of silence from the Israeli government, American officials confirmed Tuesday that Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes inside Syria last week, the first such attack since 2003.

A Defense Department official said Israeli jets had struck at least one target in northeastern Syria last Thursday, but the official said it was still unclear exactly what the jets hit and the extent of the bombing damage.

Syria has lodged a protest at the United Nations in response to the airstrike, accusing Israel of “flagrant violation” of its airspace. But Israel’s government has repeatedly declined to comment on the matter.

Officials in Washington said that the most likely targets of the raid were weapons caches that Israel’s government believes Iran has been sending the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah through Syria. Iran and Syria are Hezbollah’s primary benefactors, and American intelligence officials say a steady flow of munitions from Iran runs through Syria and into Lebanon.