Institute of Applied Energy: Corium Could Be 2 Meters Deep into Concrete (Fukushima)

ex-skf.blogspot.com ^ | November 30, 2011 | Ex-SKF

[ransomnote]

TEPCO's worst-case scenario (here and here) pales in comparison with the analysis by the Institute of Applied Energy, also presented on November 30 at the workshop held by the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency.

From what Yomiuri Shinbun reported (01:01AM JST 12/1/2011):

The analysis done by the Institute of Applied Energy commissioned by the national government, 85% of fuel dropped to the Containment Vessel in Reactor 1, and 70% of fuel dropped to the Containment Vessels in Reactors 2 and 3. The researchers at the Institute pointed out the possibility of the damage to the stainless-steel shroud that surrounds the fuel core, and of the corium having eaten away the concrete floor of the Containment Vessel up to 2 meters deep. Because of that, they also said it was possible that the RPV got tilted.

SNIP

Some nuclear experts have suggested that if the corium had escaped from the RPV it would spread out flat and evenly on the pedestal and be easily cooled by water. Well, even TEPCO admits that may not the case as far as the shape and the location of the corium is concerned (they do say the corium is cooled), and the Institute of Applied Energy says the corium could be 2 meters deep into the concrete.

My totally amateur 2 cents are that the concrete foundation may have cracked in the earthquake, and that it is possible that the crack or cracks are there in the pedestal. So, even if the corium wanted to spread out thin and flat, it would find those cracks and go there. SNIP

[STD]

Can somebody please translate this story for me? Thanks

[Grut]

Real-life China syndrome, although in this case it’s more of an Argentina syndrome. Two hundred tons of molten radioactive (and actively fissioning) material burning through the bottom of the reactor containment vessel.

[STD]

and a third of the waters died.

the water became bitter ( WORMWOOD )