2/20/14.......
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014
#Fukushima I NPP: 23,000,000,000,000 Bq (or 23 Terabecquerels) of All-Beta in 100 Tonnes of Waste Water that Leaked from Top of Storage Tank
According to TEPCO's alert for the press (2/20/2014), there has been a fresh leak of highly contaminated RO (reverse osmosis) waste water at Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant, the same kind of water that was found leaking in August 2013.
The densities of radionuclides in the highly contaminated water that was found leaking on February 19, 2014 from the top of a tank that stores waste water after reverse osmosis treatment are:
Cesium-134: 3,800 Bq/L
Cesium-137: 9,300 Bq/L
Cobalt-60: 1,800 Bq/L
Manganese-54: 1,300 Bq/L
Antimony-125: 41,000 Bq/L
All-beta: 230,000,000 Bq/L
There are 1,000 liters per tonne, and TEPCO says about 100 tonnes of this water leaked.
So, in the 100 tonnes of water, there are:
So, in the 100 tonnes of water, there are:
23,000,000,000,000 Bq, or 23 terabecquerels of all-beta (including strontium-90)
How did this happen? It was not through some cracks or loose rivets with deteriorating packing this time.
The short answer is: TEPCO let it overflow by negligence.
The longer answer, as I extract from TEPCO's photos and videos library (2/20/2014) document:
1. The tank is a tall, riveted tank to store RO waste water in H6 area. The tank was almost full.
2. For some unknown reason, the valves of the pipe that feeds RO waste water to the tank were open, which should have been closed. The waste water kept coming and filling the tank.
3. At 2:01PM on February 19, 2014, an alarm went off, indicating the water level is dangerously high.
4. But there was no transfer of the water scheduled at that time. So TEPCO and the workers thought either the alarm was malfunctioning or the water gauge was malfunctioning. They did nothing.
5. The waste water started to overflow from the flange at the top of the tank.
6. The waste water flowed into the rain gutter installed on the perimeter of the tank top to collect rainwater.
7. The gutter is connected to a drainpipe to guide rainwater OUTSIDE the dam that surrounds the concrete pad on which the tanks stand.
8. The extremely contaminated waste water flowed through the drainpipe onto the ground.
9. Finally a worker from a TEPCO affiliate company found the leak during a patrol at 11:25PM on February 19, 2014.
10. The water stopped at 5:40AM on February 20, 2014 after the valves were closed.
The short answer is: TEPCO let it overflow by negligence.
The longer answer, as I extract from TEPCO's photos and videos library (2/20/2014) document:
1. The tank is a tall, riveted tank to store RO waste water in H6 area. The tank was almost full.
2. For some unknown reason, the valves of the pipe that feeds RO waste water to the tank were open, which should have been closed. The waste water kept coming and filling the tank.
3. At 2:01PM on February 19, 2014, an alarm went off, indicating the water level is dangerously high.
4. But there was no transfer of the water scheduled at that time. So TEPCO and the workers thought either the alarm was malfunctioning or the water gauge was malfunctioning. They did nothing.
5. The waste water started to overflow from the flange at the top of the tank.
6. The waste water flowed into the rain gutter installed on the perimeter of the tank top to collect rainwater.
7. The gutter is connected to a drainpipe to guide rainwater OUTSIDE the dam that surrounds the concrete pad on which the tanks stand.
8. The extremely contaminated waste water flowed through the drainpipe onto the ground.
9. Finally a worker from a TEPCO affiliate company found the leak during a patrol at 11:25PM on February 19, 2014.
10. The water stopped at 5:40AM on February 20, 2014 after the valves were closed.
The ground outside the dam looks well-saturated:
Fukushima Diary ......
2/19/14.....
Tepco possibly mis-monitored workers’
exposure dose too
Posted by Mochizuki on February 19th, 2014 · No Comments
Following up this article.. Leaked all β of “300m3 leakage accident” was also underestimated / INES level might be increased [URL]
In the press conference of 2/19/2014, Tepco’s spokesman commented that there is a possibility that they also mis-analyzed the human workers’ exposure dose.
It is now confirmed Tepco was mis-analyzing high level of all β nuclides from 311 to October 2013. For the same reason, they might have underestimated the human exposure dose.
Tepco didn’t announce the details but only stated they will continue to investigate.
One of the last 2 thermometers in reactor2 RPV
was broken / Tepco possibly destroyed it
during the test
Posted by Mochizuki on February 19th, 2014 · No Comments
One of the last 2 thermometers in reactor2 RPV was broken, according to Tepco. Now there is only 1 thermometers left near the bottom part of the RPV.
Tepco stated it is possibly because they put an false level of voltage during the insulation resistance.
They found this out in the afternoon of 2/18/2014, but didn’t announce it, which is because “they were taking time to evaluate the effect”.
Tepco states they can still measure the temperature with the other thermometer, and will install a new meter.
However they haven’t announced when they plan to have it installed. Last time when they installed the new thermometers, they took nearly half a year.
In case the molten fuel is scattered around in RPV and PCV as Fukushima Diary assumes, they cannot detect the potential recriticality only with 1 thermometer.
(cf, [Short Column] Where is the molten fuel ? [URL])
Why doesn’t Tepco analyze fishery products
for Strontium-90 ? → Tepco “Because it’s how
it’s supposed to be”
Posted by Mochizuki on February 19th, 2014 · 5 Comments
The reason why Tepco doesn’t analyze fishery products for Strontium-90 is only because it’s the rule. Tepco stated in the press conference of 2/19/2014.
Having highly contaminated water leaking to the sea, the biological concentration of marine products is one of the most important issues.
However, they don’t analyze the samples for Strontium-90, which is accumulated in bone to cause human consumers leukemia. Like ordinary food test of the government, they only analyze them for Cesium-134/137.
Among tens of the test results, they release Strontium-90 data only about a couple of the samples, once in a few months.
Tepco doesn’t have the plan to analyze the samples for Strontium-90 and other nuclides more frequently, and the reason to refuse the proposal wasn’t announced either.
2/17/14.......
Leaked all β of “300m3 leakage accident” was also underestimated / INES level might be increased
Posted by Mochizuki on February 17th, 2014 · 2 Comments
Following up this article.. INES classification of Fukushima accident may increase from Level 7 + 3 due to the revelation of wrong analysis [URL]
The samples about 300m3 leakage accident was also mis-analyzed, according to Tepco. The spokesman stated in the press conference of 2/12/2014.
They found the major leakage of highly contaminated water in August of 2013. 300m3 of contaminated water was assumed to have leaked, and it possibly contained 24,000,000,000,000 Bq of β nuclide to include Strontium-90. (cf, [Tank leakage] 300m3, 24,000,000,000,000 Bq of all β nuclide released / still keeps leaking [URL 2])
Based on Tepco’s explanation, the wrongly analyzed data can be less than 1/10 of the actual readings. Thus the total volume of leaked all β nuclide can be over 240,000,000,000,000 Bq/m3.
In the end of August, NRA (Nuclear Regulation Authority) classified the accident as INES Level. 3 in addition to Level. 7 of Fukushima accident itself.
Having the fact that they underestimated the leaked volume of all β nuclide clear, it is becoming likely that Fukushima accident may be classified as Level.7 + more than 3.
Tepco “5,000,000,000 Bq/m3 of Sr-90 detection was OUT OF CONCERN, so we didn’t announce it”
Following up this article.. Tepco’s spokesman “I have distrust in Tepco itself for not announcing the wrong analysis for this long” [URL]
The reason why Tepco didn’t announce that they measured 5,000,000,000 Bq/m3 of strontium-90 from groundwater was because it was out of concern.
Tepco’s spokesman stated that in the press conference of 2/17/2014.
Following up this article.. Tepco’s spokesman “I have distrust in Tepco itself for not announcing the wrong analysis for this long” [URL]
The reason why Tepco didn’t announce that they measured 5,000,000,000 Bq/m3 of strontium-90 from groundwater was because it was out of concern.
Tepco’s spokesman stated that in the press conference of 2/17/2014.
Next month, in October, NRA (Nuclear Regulation Authority) came to Fukushima laboratories to inspect their analysis. However Tepco still didn’t report about the extremely high level of Strontium-90. NRA was requesting Tepco to disclose even though they didn’t verify the possible mis-analysis.
It can be observed that Tepco conceals every important fact whoever pressures them. They might be concealing other significant facts even right now.
2/16/14 -- Can anyone believe information from Tepco is accurate at this point in time ? Heck , even Tepco's spokesman voiced his doubts .......
Fukushima Diary ......
Tepco’s spokesman “I have distrust in Tepco itself for not announcing the wrong analysis for this long”
Posted by Mochizuki on February 15th, 2014 · 2 Comments
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Following up this article..Fukushima worker “5,000,000,000 Bq/m3 of Strontium-90 water got on the boots” / Tepco “I’m sorry.” [URL]
The spokesman of Tepco commented he also has the distrust in Tepco itself for the reluctant publicity about historical wrong analysis.
Tepco was analyzing groundwater samples in the wrong manner from just since the accident. They were aware of that by 7/24/2013, but didn’t announce that for over half a year. (Cf, Tepco aware of wrong analysis by 7/24/2013 / 2 days after they officially admitted contamination leaking to the sea [URL 2])
7/24/2013 was just after they were criticized for concealing the fact that contaminated water is leaking to the sea.
In the press conference of 2/14/2014, the reporter of TV Asashi told the spokesman of Tepco that he has the distrust in Tepco for their attitude not to announce the wrong analysis for over a year.
The spokesman irregularly stated, “I share the same opinion”.
The spokesman irregularly stated, “I share the same opinion”.
[Video] Tepco investigated operation floor of reactor3 / Shield plug subsided by 30cm
Posted by Mochizuki on February 15th, 2014 · No Comments
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Monthly recurring donation is also appreciated.
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Tepco released the video of the operation floor of reactor3 on 2/14/2014.
The video was taken on 1/31/2014.
In this investigation, they found out the shield plug subsided by 30cm. Shield plug is the cover on the operation floor. There is the primary containment vessel below the cover.
Tepco is optimistically stating they can’t think it was damaged due to the “hydrogen” explosion because the slab part remains sound. They assume it was hit by the crane, but the crane was found fallen not on the plug shield. They also comment the damage of shield plug doesn’t affect the vessel because there is 1.2 m of the room.
Tepco aware of wrong analysis by 7/24/2013 / 2 days after they officially admitted contamination leaking to the sea
Posted by Mochizuki on February 15th, 2014 · No Comments
Note : Thank you for reading Fukushima Diary. Fukushima Diary is genuinely supported by your donation.
Monthly recurring donation is also appreciated.
Monthly recurring donation is also appreciated.
Following up this article.. Tepco mis-analyzed 167 samples since 311/ Correct readings can be over 10 times much as wrong ones [URL]
Tepco was aware of their mis-analysis by 7/24/2013, according to the spokesman.
Having the samples to analyze increasing, Tepco started doubting about their own past analysis data since 311.
Tepco admitted their past analysis was implemented in the wrong manner this February, but it was actually 7/24/2013 when Tepco fully recognized their analysis problem and started investigating the cause.
It was 2 days after they officially admitted that the contaminated water was leaking to the sea. Tepco was harshly criticized about their reluctancy of publicity, but it turned out that they were still concealing the significant fact under the table.
However, they hadn’t been investing anything actually from July to November of 2013.
It can be suspected that Tepco tried to swerve the public pressure by not announcing it right after the scandal of sea contamination.
Tepco mis-analyzed 167 samples since 311/ Correct readings can be over 10 times much as wrong ones
Posted by Mochizuki on February 15th, 2014 · 2 Comments
Note : Thank you for reading Fukushima Diary. Fukushima Diary is genuinely supported by your donation.
Monthly recurring donation is also appreciated.
Monthly recurring donation is also appreciated.
Following up this article.. [Wrong analysis for 2.5 years] Tepco “All the radiation analysts were outsourced staff. No Tepco employee in Lab.” [URL]
The wrongly analyzed samples are up to 167, Tepco announced in their press conference of 2/14/2014.
They were stating all the nuclides might have been underestimated including Strontium-90, but they re-stated actually it was only all β nuclide to have been underestimated.
Among 20,866 samples to detect all β nuclide from 311 to October of 2013, 0.8% of the samples were analyzed in the wrong manner.
However, they commented the correct reading may be over 10 times much as originally announced data.
For example, last July they measured 5,000,000,000 Bq/m3 of Strontium-90 from the groundwater taken in the seaside of reactor2. (cf, 5,000,000,000 Bq/m3 of Strontium-90 measured from groundwater last July / Tepco not announced for half a year [URL 2]
From this sample, they also measured 900,000,000 Bq/m3 of all β nuclide. The correct reading can be over 9,000,000,000 Bq/m3 with 166 other samples.
We have been shown the underestimated scale of the accident. The newly revealed fact is requiring us to update our recognitions over the on-going accident.
Energy News......
Japan....
US / Canada .....
Simply Info.....
Damage Inside Fukushima Unit 4 Containment
Yomiuri has released a more detailed article after yanking an earlier version. Two Yomiuri reporters were allowed into unit 4′s containment vessel and torus room. They mentioned what sounds like extensive damage inside the containment vessel. “We also entered a reactor containment vessel for the first time. Pipes and walls there were heavily damaged.” In the damage inspections released by TEPCO and … Read entire article »
Fukushima Nuclear Migrants; In Their Own Words
A high school student from Ibaraki explains her family’s journey to evacuated from the regions around the Fukushima disaster. This is the reality people deal with every day. Something as simple as changing schools can take a year. Her experiences have been translated into English here. The author that published the high school girl’s story has published in Japanese a series … Read entire article »
Fukushima Unit 3 Concrete Reactor Cover Damaged
TEPCO has admitted that the concrete reactor well cover on unit 3 has been damaged. They floated two possible causes. One being the explosion itself, the other being the overhead crane falling on the covers as part of the blast. The crane portion that holds the hook is what is assumed to have done the damage. The center panel of the … Read entire article »
More Record High Radiation Readings At Fukushima Daiichi
After the recent admission of record high strontium 90 readings being found at the sea front at Fukushima Daiichi, more record high readings have been admitted this week. At the same time the record high strontium 90 readings were admitted, data for record high cesium readings were quietly included for a nearby well. Now last night even higher cesium readings were … Read entire article »
Fukushima; Efforts To Erase Human Rights
In June of 2013 UNSCEAR released a report declaring the human health impacts from Fukushima to be almost non-existent. The media dutifully repeated UNSCEAR’s claims without analysis. The UNSCEAR report was riddled with carefully worded phrases to water down or ignore the actual risks to individuals exposed after the disaster. The report also took all of Japan into their estimates … Read entire article »
Fukushima’s Health Impacts On Children Grow
As the third anniversary of the 3-11 disaster draws near, parents in Japan are still dealing with the impacts from the initial and ongoing exposures to their children. Cesium 137 is still being found in children in Japan as far away as Tokyo. The levels detected are in the same range as many of the levels found in 2012 and 2011. … Read entire article »
75 Suspected Thyroid Cancers In Fukushima Children, Not Normal
The number of children found with confirmed or suspected thyroid cancers continues to grow. The newest numbers out of the Fukushima Health Survey indicate 75 children with confirmed or suspected thyroid cancers. 33 of those are confirmed with 8 new confirmations. Earlier the health survey had insisted these cancers and abnormalities were within normal ranges and were being found due to … Read entire article »
Fukushima Fish Tales; US Fish Marketing Deceptive To Consumers
This article is a good example of the motivations and biases in play related to Fukushima food contamination in North America. The article from an Alaska fishing promotion group proclaims “Alaska Fish Factor: Seafood Free of Radiation Following Fukushima“. Since that is simply not true it caught people’s attention. First, fish in the Pacific has been showing up with low levels of … Read entire article »
Good morning.
ReplyDeleteThat was a lot of good updates since yesterday. Gold silver updates were interesting and thank you for reminding me to read "The Credit Bubble Bulletin" , Mr Noland's tone was decidedly negative. Yes Mt GOX still appears to be on the hot seat this morning.
In my other reading I found the CA drought article on ZH to be thought provoking and this about Jim Willie saying those bankers had help with their suicides http://www.silverdoctors.com/jim-willie-on-bankster-suicides-bankers-were-taken-out-to-prevent-forex-fraud-whistle-blowing/
Have a great day.
Morning Kev !
DeleteDoug Noland has been negative for awhile , especially regarding his concerns regarding QE induced bubbles , the government credit bubbles ..... reminds me of his tone just before things went tits up in 2007 / 2008 timeframe ......
Mt Gox still not credible , at least that's what the discrepancies between Mt Gox and BTC-e / Bitstamp seem to shouting out !
I have seen Jim Willie's missive on banker suicides - my timeline post was an attempt to put the series of deaths in context ( showing when they started as well as various commodity and forex investigations getting more intense. ) Bill Kaye ( KWN - Are Bankers Being Killed Because They Know Too Much ?) covers some of the same ground in his 2/14/14 interview and critics can't blow him off as a conspiracy wack job ....
CA drought is made much more profound by CA water politics..... see one article on point below....
http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/021414-690216-failure-to-use-water-infrastructure-is-destroying-farms.htm
***
The one thing that will mitigate droughts in California — a permanent feature of the state — is to restore the water flow from California's water-heavy north to farmers in the central and south. That's just what House Bill 3964, which passed by a 229-191 vote last week, does.
But Obama's plan is not to get that worthy bill through the Senate (where Democrats are holding it up) but to shovel pork to environmental activists and their victims, insultingly offering out-of-work farmers a "summer meal plan" in his package.
"We are not interested in welfare; we want water," Nunes told IBD this week. He and his fellow legislator Valadao are both farmers who represent the worst-hit regions of the Central Valley in Congress and can only look at the president's approach with disbelief.
"He's not addressing the situation," Valadao told us.
"They want to blame the drought for the lack of water, but they wasted water for the past five years," said Nunes.
The two explain that California's system of aqueducts and storage tanks was designed long ago to take advantage of rain and mountain runoff from wet years and store it for use in dry years. But it's now inactive — by design. "California's forefathers built a system (of aqueducts and storage facilities) designed to withstand five years of drought," said Nunes.
"We have infrastructure dating from the 1960s for transporting water, but by the 1990s the policies had changed," said Valadao.
Environmental special interests managed to dismantle the system by diverting water meant for farms to pet projects, such as saving delta smelt, a baitfish. That move forced the flushing of 3 million acre-feet of water originally slated for the Central Valley into the ocean over the past five years.