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Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

Coordinates: 37°25′17″N 141°01′57″E / 37.4214°N 141.0325°E / 37.4214; 141.0325
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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Qqchose2sucre (talk | contribs) at 14:39, 12 March 2011 (→‎Explosion and Collapse of the outer structure: H2 explosion). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant
The Fukushima 1 NPP
Map
CountryJapan
Coordinates37°25′17″N 141°01′57″E / 37.4214°N 141.0325°E / 37.4214; 141.0325
StatusDecommissioned
Construction began1966
Commission dateMarch 26, 1971 (1971-03-26)
Decommission date
  • 11 March 2011
Owner(s)
Operator(s)Tokyo Electric Power Company
Power generation
Nameplate capacity
  • 0 MW
External links
Websitewww.tepco.co.jp/en/nu/press/f1-np/index-e.html
CommonsRelated media on Commons
[edit on Wikidata]

The Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant (福島第一原子力発電所, Fukushima dai-ichi genshiryoku hatsudensho, Fukushima I NPP, 1F), often referred to as Fukushima Dai-ichi, is a nuclear power plant located in the town of Okuma in the Futaba District of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. With six separate units located on site with a combined power of 4.7 GW, Fukushima I is one of the 25 largest nuclear power stations in the world. Fukushima I is the first nuclear plant to be constructed and run entirely by the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO).

In March 2011, in the immediate wake of the Sendai earthquake and tsunami, the Japanese government declared an “atomic power emergency” and evacuated thousands of residents living close to Fukushima I. Ryohei Shiomi of Japan's nuclear safety commission said that officials are concerned about the possibility of a meltdown.[1]

Fukushima II Nuclear Power Plant, 11.5 kilometres (7.1 mi) to the south, is also run by TEPCO.

Reactors on site

Aerial view of the plant
Unit Type First criticality Electric power
Fukushima I – 1 BWR October 1970[2] 460 MW
Fukushima I – 2 BWR July 18, 1974 784 MW
Fukushima I – 3 BWR March 27, 1976 784 MW
Fukushima I – 4 BWR October 12, 1978 784 MW
Fukushima I – 5 BWR April 18, 1978 784 MW
Fukushima I – 6 BWR October 24, 1979 1,100 MW
Fukushima I – 7 (planned) ABWR October 2013 1,380 MW
Fukushima I – 8 (planned) ABWR October 2014 1,380 MW

Reactors of units 1, 2, and 6 are supplied by General Electric, for units 3 and 5 are supplied by Toshiba, and for the unit 4 by Hitachi. Architecture for the General Electric's units were done by Ebasco. All construction is done by Kajima.[3]

Unit 1 was damaged during the 2011 Sendai earthquake and tsunami. It was 439 MW boiling water reactor (BWR3). Construction of unit 1 commenced in July 1967, commercial electrical production began March 26, 1971, and it was scheduled for shutdown on March 26, 2011.[2]

2011 earthquake events

After the March 11, 2011 earthquake, Nuclear Engineering International reported that units 1, 2 and 3 were automatically shut down, and units 4, 5 and 6 were already in maintenance outages.[4] Diesel generators installed to provide backup power for the cooling systems for units 1–3 were damaged by the tsunami;[5] they started up correctly and then stopped abruptly about 1 hour later.[6] In Japan a nuclear emergency is declared upon cooling problems. Because cooling is needed to remove residual reactor heat, a nuclear emergency was declared—for the first time—when the diesel engines failed. Batteries, which last about eight hours, were being used to power the reactor controls and valves during the electrical outage.[7][8][9] Japanese ground forces were said to be trucking generators and batteries to the site.[10]

An evacuation order was issued to people living within 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) of the plant, affecting approximately 5,800 residents. People living less than 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from the power plant were advised to stay indoors.[11] Later the evacuation was expanded to a 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) radius, and then to a 20 kilometres (12 mi) radius.[12][13][14]

On March 12, 2011, after midnight local time, it was reported that the Tokyo Electric Power Company was considering venting hot gas from the reactor vessel number 1 into the atmosphere, which could result in the release of radiation.[15] The Tokyo Electric Company reported that radiation levels were rising in the turbine building for reactor 1.[16] At 2:00 JST, the pressure inside the reactor containment was reported to be 600kPa (6 bar or 87 psi), 200 kPa (2 bar or 29 psi) higher than under normal conditions.[6] At 5:30 JST the pressure inside Reactor 1 was reported to be 2.1 times the "design capacity",[17] 820 kPa (8.2 bar or 120 psi).[18] At 6:10 JST, the IAEA reported that unit 2 was also experiencing cooling problems.[19]

Wikinews has related news:

To reduce mounting pressure potentially radioactive steam has been released from the primary circuit, into the secondary containment.[20] On March 12, 2011 at 6:40 JST, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano stated that the amount of potential radiation would be small and that the prevailing winds are blowing out to sea.[21] Radiation levels recorded by the plant control room were reported to be approximately 70 microsieverts (i.e., 7 millirem) per hour.[22] Radiation levels measured at a monitoring post near the plant's main gate were reported to be more than eight times above normal.[23][24] In a press release at 7 am (local) March 12, TEPCO stated "Measurement of radioactive material (Iodine, etc.) by monitoring car indicates increasing value compared to normal level. One of the monitoring posts is also indicating higher than normal level."[14] At 13:30 local time, radioactive caesium was detected near reactor 1.[25][26] TEPCO reported that at 15:29 JST (06:43 GMT) radiation levels at the site boundary exceeded the regulatory limits.[27] Fuel rods may have been exposed to the air.[28]

The Prime Minister of Japan, Naoto Kan, visited the plant for a briefing on March 12, 2011.[29] The Tokyo fire department sent a special nuclear rescue team to Fukushima.[30]

Over 50,000 have been evacuated during March 12.[31]

Explosion and Collapse of the outer structure

At 16:30 JST (7:30 GMT) on March 12, there was an explosion at the plant.Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page). At 17:00 JST (0800 GMT), Fox News Channel reported the explosion and a plume of "white smoke" rising above the plant.[32] At 17:03 JST (08:03 GMT) BBC News reported that Japan's NHK TV reported the explosion as "near" the plant, and that four workers were injured.[33] At 18:43 JST (9:43 GMT) officials had confirmed that an explosion has occurred at the nuclear plant.[34] Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano indicated -according to a Reuters report of 21:36 JST (7:36 ET), that the concrete outer structure had collapsed as a result of a hydrogen explosion triggered by falling water levels. Edano indicated that the container of the reactor had remained intact and there had been no large leaks of radioactive material.[35] An increase in radiation levels has been confirmed following the explosion.[36][37] ABC (Australia) reported "According to the Fukushima prefectural government, the hourly radiation from the plant reached 1,015 microsievert [0.1015 rem] - an amount equivalent to that allowable for ordinary people in one year."[38][39]

The Guardian reported at 17:35 JST (8:35 GMT) that NHK advising residents of the Fukushima area "to stay inside, close doors and windows and turn off air conditioning. They were also advised to cover their mouths with masks, towels or handkerchiefs" as well as not to drink tap water.[40] At 19:07 JST (10:07 GMT) Reuters reported that the exclusion zone has been extended to 20 kilometres (12 mi) around the plant.[41] BBC correspondent Nick Ravenscroft was stopped 60 kilometres (37 mi) from the plant by police.[42] Air traffic has been restricted in a 20 kilometer radius around the plant, according to a NOTAM[43]. The BBC has reported as of 22:49 JST (13:49 GMT) "A team from the National Institute of Radiological Sciences has been despatched to Fukushima as a precaution, reports NHK. It was reportedly made up of doctors, nurses and other individuals with expertise in dealing with radiation exposure, and had been taken by helicopter to a base 5 km from the nuclear plant." [44]

Yaroslov Shtrombakh, a Russian nuclear expert, said he did not believe that a Chernobyl-style disaster will occur, citing the differences between the designs of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant. He speculated that any nuclear material released during the incident would likely be confined to the grounds in and around the power plant.[45]

At 03:07 JST (12:37 GMT) Reuters reported that TEPCO planned to cool the leaking reactor with sea water, using Boric acid to prevent a criticality accident. The sea water would take five to ten hours to fill the reactor core, after which it would require seawater cooling for around ten days.[35]

At 01:07 JST (10:37 GMT) Reuters reported that Mr Ian Hore-Lacy, communications director at the World Nuclear Association, considers the explosion is due to hydrogen igniting.[46]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Explosion at Japanese nuclear plant raises fears". Usatoday.Com. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  2. ^ a b "NUKE DATABASE SYSTEM: FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI-1". ICJT Nuclear Training Centre. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  3. ^ "Nuclear Reactor Maps: Fukushima-Daiichi". Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  4. ^ "Japan initiates emergency protocol after earthquake". Nuclear Engineering International. March 11, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  5. ^ "Japan Earthquake Update (2030 CET)". IAEA Alert Log. International Atomic Energy Agency. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  6. ^ a b Massive earthquake hits Japan World Nuclear News, March 11, 2011 2148h GMT (update 8)
  7. ^ Scott DiSavino (March 11, 2011). "Snap analysis: Japan may have hours to prevent nuclear meltdown". Reuters. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  8. ^ Tsuyoshi Inajima and Yuji Okada (March 11, 2011). "Japan Orders Evacuation From Near Nuclear Plant After Quake". Bloomberg. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  9. ^ Wald, Matthew L., (March 11, 2011). "Emergency Declared at Japanese Nuclear Plant". The New York Times. Retrieved March 11, 2011.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Los Angeles Times. Japan trying to prevent meltdown at nuclear plant in Fukushima. March 11, 2011.
  11. ^ Bloomberg. Tsuyoshi Inajima and Yuji Okada. Japan Orders Evacuation From Near Nuclear Plant After Quake. March, 11, 2011, 14:11:59 GMT.
  12. ^ All Things Nuclear • Containment at Fukushima. Allthingsnuclear.org. Retrieved on March 12, 2011.
  13. ^ Nikkei, Radiation Could Already Have Leaked At Nuke Plant. March, 12, 2011, 7:20 JST.
  14. ^ a b "Impact to TEPCO's Facilities due to Miyagiken-Oki Earthquake (as of 7 am)". TEPCO News website. March 12, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  15. ^ "asahi.com（朝日新聞社）：福島原発炉内蒸気、外に逃す作業検討　放射能漏れの恐れ – 社会".
  16. ^ "Radiation level rising in Fukushima Nuclear Plant turbine building." Nikkei.com. March 12, 2011(Japan time). Retrieved18:30 GMT March 11, 2011.
  17. ^ Fukushima reactor pressure may have hit 2.1 times capacity -METI Maeda, Rita, Reuters wire service, quoting Japan Trade Ministry (20:30 GMT) March 12, 2011 (Tokyo time)
  18. ^ "Battle to stabilise earthquake reactors , update 4". World Nuclear News. March 12, 2010 152 AM GMT. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ Japan Earthquake Update (2210 CET) : IAEA Alert Log. Iaea.org. Retrieved on March 12, 2011.
  20. ^ Radiation 1K times normal at one Japan nuke plant. Content.usatoday.com (January 3, 2011). Retrieved on March 12, 2011.
  21. ^ International Business Times. Japan warns of small radiation leak from quake-hit plant Retrieved March 11, 2011, 9:48 pm (GMT)
  22. ^ MSNBC. Meltdown possible at Japan nuclear plant, official says, March 12, 2011, 1:54 am (EST)
  23. ^ Report: 2 Japanese plants struggling to cool radioactive material. CNN.com. Retrieved on March 12, 2011.
  24. ^ "News blog on earth quake events, CNN, March 12, 2011 entry of 0:45 E.T". News.blogs.cnn.com. May 22, 1960. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  25. ^ "【地震】炉心溶融している可能性 福島第一原発". News.tv-asahi.co.jp. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  26. ^ "URGENT: Concerns of core partially melting at Fukushima nuke plant | Kyodo News". English.kyodonews.jp. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  27. ^ "Occurrence of a Specific Incident Stipulated in Article 15, Clause 1 of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness (Extraordinary increase of radiation dose at site boundary)". TEPCO News website. March 12, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  28. ^ "2011/03/12 14:20 - Possible Meltdown At Tepco Reactor". E.nikkei.com. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  29. ^ "Kan inspects quake-hit nuclear plant in Fukushima". Kyodo News. March 12, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  30. ^ "Blast In Fukushima Nuclear Plant, Massive Radiation Leak Feared". Indiatvnews.com. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  31. ^ Joe Weisenthal (March 4, 2011). "Fukushima Nuclear Plant". Businessinsider.com. Retrieved March 12, 2011. {{cite web}}: Text "194,758" ignored (help); Text "259" ignored (help); Text "Mar. 12, 2011, 4:08 AM" ignored (help)
  32. ^ Fox News Channel Breaking News Alert (live TV coverage), 3:00 am EST, March 12
  33. ^ Live blog, BBC News, March 12, 2011
  34. ^ "BBC News - LIVE: Japan earthquake". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  35. ^ a b "Japan to fill leaking nuke reactor with sea water". Reuters. March 12, 2011.
  36. ^ "The FINANCIAL - Radiation levels increase at Fukushima No.1 after blast reports". Finchannel.com. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  37. ^ Meyers, Chris (February 9, 2009). "Radiation leaking from Japan's quake-hit nuclear". Reuters. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  38. ^ "Explosion at quake-hit nuclear plant". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). March 12, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  39. ^ See also: "Radiation dose limits". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  40. ^ Glendinning, Lee. "Japan tsunami and earthquake - live coverage | World news | guardian.co.uk". Guardian. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  41. ^ "Japan earthquake | Page 18 | Liveblog live blogging | Reuters.com". Live.reuters.com. February 9, 2009. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  42. ^ Richard Black. "BBC News - Japan earthquake: Explosion at Fukushima nuclear plant". BBC News. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  43. ^ "Pilot information for Sendai Airport". March 12, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  44. ^ NHK (March 12, 2011). "Huge blast at Japan nuclear power plant". BBC News.
  45. ^ "Blast destroys part of Japan nuclear plant". CBC.ca. March 12, 2011.
  46. ^ Fredrik Dahl, Louise Ireland (March 12, 2011). "Hydrogen may have caused Japan atom blast-industry". Reuters. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
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