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Tepco releases document “in response to the concern that Unit 4 spent fuel pool may collapse” — “1st Inspection” begins tomorrow

Published: May 17th, 2012 at 9:15 am ET
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Tepco Press Handout: http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/nu/fukushima-np/images/handouts_120516_05-e.pdf
May 16, 2012

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Published: May 17th, 2012 at 9:15 am ET
By
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72 comments

Related Posts

  1. Report: Tepco will start covering No. 4 Spent Fuel Pool tomorrow April 16, 2012
  2. 5 Weeks Later: Tepco begins checking fuel assemblies it removed from Unit 4 pool — Says no ‘major’ deformations so far August 27, 2012
  3. Tepco: “Foundation improvement work” begins tomorrow at Reactor No. 4 (PHOTOS) April 16, 2012
  4. AP: Integrity of Reactor No. 4 building a major concern among experts — Collapse of spent fuel pool could be even worse than 3 reactor meltdowns February 3, 2012
  5. IAEA Meeting: Concern of Fukushima spent fuel pool collapse as aftershock “should be caused in near future” September 24, 2012
May 17th, 2012 | Category: Spent Fuel Pool No. 4
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72 comments to Tepco releases document “in response to the concern that Unit 4 spent fuel pool may collapse” — “1st Inspection” begins tomorrow

  • markww markww
    May 17, 2012 at 9:33 am

    takes a year to do a inspection,that should have been done next day. They just play mind games


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  • Bubbha
    May 17, 2012 at 9:34 am

    1st inspection? What happened to the tech savvy checking the water to see if it's level. They claimed that an inspection.


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  • BreadAndButter BreadAndButter
    May 17, 2012 at 9:34 am

    HA! "…to prove its soundness."
    What's the inspection for then? But maybe it's a translation thingie. Maybe not.
    4 times a year seems not really adequate, does it?
    And I love the arrow indicating the date for the "report (planned)".
    Might be delayed, if making up "sound" results takes a little longer, eh?

    Good post, Admin. Looking forward to the show.


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  • Bubbha
    May 17, 2012 at 9:35 am

    Btw does anyone get the impression they are going in to prove stability no matter what? Kinda got an attitutude.


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  • AFTERSHOCK AFTERSHOCK
    May 17, 2012 at 9:37 am

    notice this drawing does not indicate (circular symbol) if any strength tests have been done on the far – outer wall (right side of illustrated sections).

    Perhaps this release on TEPGOVs part, lends a whole-new meaning to…damage control?


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  • aigeezer aigeezer
    May 17, 2012 at 9:44 am

    "Inspection is done within the range in which safety is ensured, considering the factors such as debris and radiation dose."

    This strikes me as a euphemism for "if it is radioactively hot we will not inspect it" or "we will look only at the easily accessed places".


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  • aigeezer aigeezer
    May 17, 2012 at 9:48 am

    There seems to be a significant flaw in their tilt measurement approach. "North/East surfaces cannot be measured they’re blocked by existing buildings." (from the pdf)


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  • wmilberry
    May 17, 2012 at 9:49 am

    Typical response for the Japanese – they think that by extra explanation the problem goes away.


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  • jackassrig
    May 17, 2012 at 9:50 am

    In one of their documents, TEPCO said they would use non-destructive testing of the concrete. I don't have a clue what that would be. What ASTM specification? I said it then I'll say again. This more TEPCO crap. Any home builder knows how to test concrete.


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  • bleep_hits_blades
    May 17, 2012 at 9:51 am

    The chief perp, agent, and cause of all of these huge problems/crimes against humanity and the entire biosphere will now swing into action, self-inspect, and get back to us with the results.

    Whew, what a relief! Now I don't feel so bad anymore…


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  • Sickputer
    May 17, 2012 at 9:52 am

    They assessed the 9.0 (Richter) Tohoku earthquake as a level 6 on the Japanese shindo scale? I would have thought it rated the top 7 on their seismic tool.

    There are other issues that can make the rods go AWOL besides just an earthquake. The seawater corrosion and radiation effects on concrete should be as important as a natural disaster. If the pool suddenly leaks and can't hold water then the danger from the rods in situ is just as bad as if fell.


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  • Tumrgrwer Tumrgrwer
    May 17, 2012 at 9:56 am

    So the top of the fuel pool is on floor 5, the bottom of the Spent Fuel Pool is at the second floor. The only thing holding that SFP together is a steel liner sandwiched between the concrete. As we know steel and nuclear fission have a hard time dealing with one another. The melt point of Zirconium 3369° while the melt point of carbon steel is around 2700°. My point, fires burning in the spent fuel could reach in excess of 3000° while the steel lined concrete SFP can only withstand temperatures below 2700°. Any fires at all can burn -tru the SFP creating soft spots or warpage in this concrete/steel lined SFP. The leaning is botherson to look at but in reality, worry more about another criticality burning through this pool.


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  • Flapdoodle Flapdoodle
    May 17, 2012 at 9:59 am

    It's a pile of scrap… What's to inspect?


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  • BreadAndButter BreadAndButter
    May 17, 2012 at 10:04 am

    Interestingly, Ex-SKF posted that the next press visit to Fuku might include unit 4, under careful guidance of G. Hosono himself.
    I mean, last time they got mad readings only from passing on the bus!


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  • farawayfan farawayfan
    May 17, 2012 at 10:08 am

    This is going perfectly for tepgov. Look look, this SFP is stable, these non-independent unverifiable giagrans we made up prove it. See, the site is safe. Pay no attention to the meltouts and exploded core in three we're trying to put behind a curtain…..

    I have to admire the stunning sp


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  • farawayfan farawayfan
    May 17, 2012 at 10:09 am

    This is going perfectly for tepgov. Look look, this SFP is stable, these non-independent unverifiable giagrans we made up prove it. See, the site is safe. Pay no attention to the meltouts and exploded core in three we're trying to put behind a curtain…..

    I have to admire the stunning spin job with SFP4. Cretins.


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  • Fred
    May 17, 2012 at 10:19 am

    The inspection report is already filled in and is sitting on some desk, where it has been since last November…..


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  • Spectrometising
    May 17, 2012 at 10:19 am

    farawayfan
    I am beginning to think your formulation 'tepgov' could be edited to include MercenariesTepGov in approximately that order.

    Here is why i think so from a recent vid by Warren Pollock.

    "Published on May 14, 2012 by wepollock

    The Everhard forecast of 1908 speaks to the development of an all powerful oligarchy that squeeze out the middle class by bankrupting everyone in their path. People would become slaves easily distracted by words and propaganda. This would prevent all those who had solutions to offer from gaining traction. Everhard predicted the medical industrial complex, copyright laws, and restrictions in the flow of information. He also suggested that powerful interests would be combined into one mass and held together by cohesive power and through the action of central banks. The elite will divide and conquer until wealth gets allocated in a few hands. Schools will no longer teach they will crush free thinking in order to support the oligarchy. All the industries would be subject to the wrath of the central bankers. Organized mercenaries, agents, and jackals would control the will of nations seeking to rebel. It was suggested this secret force would rebel against the oligarchs."
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUfRaHW7Xzk


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  • ChasAha ChasAha
    May 17, 2012 at 10:20 am

    It takes a week to inspect? …and several more days to (review/manipulate) the results and issue a document that states, "There is no immediate concern."

    But… What IF… They came back and said something like, "A structure collapse is imminent. There is nothing we can do. …and that's just one of our problems."

    What would you do then?


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    • Anthony Anthony
      May 17, 2012 at 10:56 am

      Its like they are stalling and deflecting… like they are trying to hide something. They don't want the help because maybe the pool is beyond help and the real crime is a lack of full and honest disclosure, perhaps? Otherwise what idiots would refuse assistance to help with the impossible task at hand? These people are serious asses.


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  • Heart of the Rose Heart of the Rose
    May 17, 2012 at 10:51 am

    The techs that draw up this material must think they are mighty slick.
    Mock ups..charts..BS.
    Where are the accompanying photos.?


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  • norbu norbu
    May 17, 2012 at 11:11 am

    Are they back from vacation?


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  • gottagetoffthegrid
    May 17, 2012 at 11:35 am

    Those floor plans don't match well with this previously released floor plan showing mapped debris locations in the SFP.

    http://ex-skf.blogspot.ca/2012/04/debris-map-inside-reactor-4-spent-fuel.html


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  • Satori
    May 17, 2012 at 11:43 am

    From the Release
    4. Areas Subject To Inspection
    Inspection is done within the range in which safety is ensured, considering the factors such as debris and radiation dose.

    Which means:
    1) Reactor 4 continues to have areas with radioactivity to high for humans or robots to inspect.
    2) Only areas with low levels will be inspected.
    3) Only areas free of debris will be inspected.

    Conclusion: Reactor 4 continues to be too dangerous to complete a full inspection. Thus, no accurate data will result. Or, TEPCO knows how bad it is and chooses to only inspect the "safe areas".

    Either way, we lose.


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  • StPaulScout StPaulScout
    May 17, 2012 at 11:59 am

    Just look at a photo of the building. It is not 'sound'. Period. It is a tangled mass of broken concrete, exposed re-rod, and rusting girders. It's the old 'who ya gonna believe, me? or your lyin eyes….' routine. The Japanese public must be even dumber than most Americans. And that IS hard to believe….


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  • TheBigPicture TheBigPicture
    May 17, 2012 at 12:08 pm

    Thorough inspection – by an unbiased team of experts – is whats needed.


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  • jahdesm jahdesm
    May 17, 2012 at 12:13 pm

    there is chousttowns
    about millions of people in china wonder why


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  • 3C
    May 17, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    Two critical elements are missing from TEPCO flow charts:

    1) Inspection Sign-off: Head inspector, Plant manager, CEO
    (name rank and employee number)
    2) Publication of results. Results will include
    photos of visual deviations from specifications.

    Insist that published results be on my desk not later than close of day following inspection completion.


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    • Satori
      May 17, 2012 at 9:38 pm

      The Inspections look like a PR and disinformation campaign. TEPCO has no intention of going public with science. The wrong people are running the Fukushima "show". It is a global problem and requires a global response in resources and cooperation. And of course, such an ability does not even exist in the Nuclear Industry because something like Fukushima was never supposed to be able to happen.

      Splitting the Atom was not such a great idea after all. Humans are in over their heads. Cosmic forces will prevail. Atoms are not subject to political or psychological systems.


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  • glowfus
    May 17, 2012 at 1:56 pm

    the vollume of radiation around the plant would allow the use of continuous internal structural montinoring similar to backscat types of machines. then, in a monumental effort the reactor complex is cleaned up w/o the added headache of "look out, #4's going!"


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  • huskydawg44
    May 17, 2012 at 2:03 pm

    So pissed right now…

    From the documents posed by openeye… and I'm only on page 36 (out of 186) of the 1st document… (2nd being 395).

    "
    David: … the site boundary in the vicinty of Unit 2 and 3 was 3 rem per hour, and around unit 4, was 10 rem per hour.
    Male Particiapant: And at one point, there was a 40 rem.
    David: Yeah. There was a media report of a 40-rem dose measured somewhere near the plant.
    Brian McDermott: Okay. Wow. And they still have people there?
    "
    …
    "
    Male Particiapant: and the only real data they have right now is at this point here was about a mile west of the (audio interference), and the max they had was 10 R per hour…
    Male Particiapant: That was how far away?
    Male Particiapant: that was like a mile.
    "
    …
    "
    Male Particiapant: Yeah, we don't put any numbers. We'll just Say—
    Male Particiapant: I don't know if you would want to say, you know–
    Male Particiapant: If you think that's good to edit, you know (inaudible). you know, you've got 10 mrem.
    Male Particiapant: Yeah, but it's in this direction.
    Male Particiapant: Yeah.
    Male Particiapant: What we could say is radiation level was unconfirmed at the time and we don't know. We really don't. That way, people would know that we're not hiding something or we didn't admit it. We just don't have confirmation.
    Male Particiapant: Okay. Good.
    "

    F them all!


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    • huskydawg44
      May 17, 2012 at 2:05 pm

      From "Offical Transcript of Proceedings

      NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISION"

      Title: Japan's Fukushima Daiichi ET Audio File

      Location: (telephone conversations)

      Date: Tuesday March 15, 2011


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      • huskydawg44
        May 17, 2012 at 4:35 pm

        I keep reading and besides the blackout areas, it sure seems like a lot of the good information is (inaudible) or (audio interference)… How bad would this look if we had all of the info?


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    • huskydawg44
      May 17, 2012 at 5:38 pm

      From later on… about 3 hours later in real time, so still on Mar 15.

      As I understand it, Jack Rowe was in the US and Jim Trapp was in Japan.

      "Jack Rowe: Okay. What do, what do we do with this information? It's we have a – - oh, we <Blacked out> — we have, we have some indication that there's been substantial damage to the unit 4 reactor.
      Male Participant: Do you know what you guys could do?
      Jack Rowe: Yeah, I'm sorry (inaudible). The containment building. The secondary containment has been substantially damaged. Have you heard anything like that?
      Jim Trapp: Yes, we have.
      Jack Rowe: Okay. And, and have you heard any radiation level measurements?
      Jim Trapp: Yeah, we have.
      Jack Rowe: And what were those? What's the high, what's the latest you got.
      Jim Trapp: All I can tell you is a very high.
      Jack Rowe: Okay. Have you had any contact from the team?
      <Blacked out paragraph>
      Jack Rowe: Okay. That's going to take us a little while to generate that.
      <Blacked out paragraph>
      Jack Rowe: Okay. You're not in a position where you can speak with us?
      Jim Trapp: Not, no I can't. I mean, I'm in a position where I can I speat to you physically, but I can't really speak to you.


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  • PhilipUpNorth philipupnorth
    May 17, 2012 at 2:08 pm

    huskydawg44: Smoking gun! :)


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  • Bubbha
    May 17, 2012 at 2:30 pm

    My girlfriends cancer was in remission, now she has passed. The number of deaths is already up. This is all subdefuge to keep us busy until the end.


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  • Bubbha
    May 17, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    Shakespeare "death, where is thy sting?" Fukushima.


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  • Nigwil
    May 17, 2012 at 3:30 pm

    Yet some things look to be done rather well
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u5167Vl5pU&feature=related
    Its a shame they don't give more information about their day to day efforts, but I guess they are focussed on the job.


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    • aigeezer aigeezer
      May 17, 2012 at 4:13 pm

      Interesting clip, Nigwil. It's useful for getting glimpses into what has changed and what still looks the same.

      At around 1:25 you can see several remote operators for the heavy equipment. That is perhaps a useful reminder that there are not necessarily groups of laborers wandering around the site, despite the occasional photo-op that suggests otherwise.

      At first I thought the clip was just looping a half-minute or so of footage, but new stuff appears if you are patient.

      Thanks for the link.


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  • razzz razzz
    May 17, 2012 at 8:51 pm

    You have to give the engineers and original construction people (for following plans) credit for building a floating pond about 30 feet in the air, that when carrying about double the amount of weight it was designed for, didn't completely fail during an earthquake shock that it wasn't designed to withstand.

    Unit 4 SFP has double the weight because besides the typical spent fuel assemblies being stored, it had the entire working load of the reactor being temporarily stored in the pool as a stainless steel shroud replacement was in progress. A replacement to extend the life of the unit, never envisioned by GE when the unit(s) were originally designed. (Should been decommissioned like all other end of useful life reactors everywhere in the world should be retired.)

    I wish TEPCO would tell us something we don't
    know. Checking to see if water is still wet isn't saying much.


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  • hbjon hbjon
    May 17, 2012 at 9:41 pm

    Heavy water is great for shielding nuclear fuel. It doesn't corrode the pipes, emit toxic gases, catch fire, or get very radiated with constant exposure to the fuel rods. The problem is it will evaporate if boiled or leak out a drain hole. However, it is heavy. It weighs the same wether it's on the fifth floor or the first floor of the building. Perhaps they can use light water for the fifth floor pools? sarc/on


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  • richard richard
    May 17, 2012 at 10:46 pm

    the Cynicism through this thread particular and enenews.com in general is great. each comment above, i was about to reply to, there's just too much.

    it's all great thinking… i'd hope we are also all considering how to get it out to the streets, i know i am.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynicism

    "They believed that the world belonged equally to everyone, and that suffering was caused by false judgments of what was valuable and by the worthless customs and conventions which surrounded society"


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  • apostrophes
    May 17, 2012 at 10:23 am

    But how can this be? They are moving people back into the evac-zones, and having marathons, children's sports days and ice-cream made with fukushima milk. This does not square with mass evacuations!


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  • StPaulScout StPaulScout
    May 17, 2012 at 12:03 pm

    Anyone else notice that the Japanese are talking about moving WEST, to China and or Russia and NOT east to the U.S.? I guess they don't want to move down wind.


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  • apostrophes
    May 17, 2012 at 10:56 pm

    I was answering a post about "40 million to be evacuated". It seems that my reply has somehow got separated from it. In future I will put the posters handle in my post to make it clear. Sorry for any confusion.


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