Twitter Stream with updates from Japan

[RAIST]

5 & 6 most likely as they were offline when everything hit, possibly 2 if things were contained in time perhaps... but they will all likely need a lot of work first. Who knows when they'll be able to get in there and conduct the assessments to determine just where to go after they achieve containment.

[RAIST]

Tepco was just talking about a concrete sprayer... whatever they use that on, you can pretty much write that off I guess.

[annewandering]

I don't see any of the ones they had to use Seawater to cool being usable again. Seawater will have caused way to much corrision, they may beable to salvage some stuff but I imagine most of it is scrap now

It is boron added to sea water not the sea water that is the problem. At least that is my understanding.

"Tepco was just talking about a concrete sprayer... whatever they use that on, you can pretty much write that off I guess." ....Raist

if they spray with concrete that has to be because the radiation makes working on that area unsafe.

[Tsukino_Kaji]

The reactors themselves are are housed in 6 inch stainless steel. Sea water doesn't corrode that very easily.

[RAIST]

some issues with #2 systems... some shorted circuits, looking for parts. Gauges and what-not need need replacing in various locations.

They are close to getting power supply to 3 and 4 control centers, expect to have the lines ready by @4PM JP time so they can evaluate situation there provided guages are in tact, etc.

Also focussing on the Central Control Center as well.. but no expected timeline for restoration there yet.

[annewandering]

Wouldnt it be a miracle if some of them could be saved? I suspect if they can be its going to take a huge amount of repair even on the ones that were shut down before the tsunami hit.

[Arconis]

The one thing with nuclear plants is have to treat them like laboratory clean rooms can't have any contamination at all if areas are cracked or any possibly of contaminants they won't risk starting up

[Xeth]

Looking somewhat good.

TEPCO restarts LNG thermal plant near Tokyo

TOKYO, March 21 (Reuters) - Tokyo Electric Power Co on Monday restarted the 300 megawatt capacity No.2 liquefied natural gas unit at its Goi thermal plant east of Tokyo, a company spokesman said.

The restart, together with extra supply from other power companies, helped TEPCO to secure 35,500 MW electricity supply for Monday, up by 4,000 MW from Sunday and compared with an estimated peak demand on the day of 34,000 MW.

As a result, TEPCO has decided to cancel a rolling blackount in some parts of its service areas this afternoon, the official said. It was originally set to start at 3 p.m. (0600 GMT) on Monday.

[RAIST]

wow.. that is very disheartening after all the efferts they will go through to contain the threat, that they may wind up just burying it in the end. Good thing they still use coal over there too I guess.

NHK looping recorded sessions again...pushing midnight here, and I have to get to bed. Got the Taru this week so have to keepa "normal" schedule.

Hang in there Japan, our thoughts are with you.

[annewandering]

http://bravenewclimate.com/2011/03/1...e-explanation/

This has an extremely interesting discussion of the reactors. The first part discusses how the reactors work. The second part talks about what happened to the reactors and what was done.
It is without all the media hype so you all might find it very interesting and useful.

http://bravenewclimate.com/ The home page has some interesting bits as well. Truthfully more than bits. Very interesting site.