WNN has reported that efforts continue to pump seawater into the reactor vessels of Units 1,2,3 which contain partially exposed fuel rods. Because the fuel continues to generate heat, the water boils producing steam pressure, which must later be vented. Fuel assemblies are exposed by between one and two meters at the top. The high thermal conductivity of the zirconium alloy that encases the fuel rods means that the exposed part of the rods are partially cooled, even with just the lower portion of the rods submerged. This process is set to continue until the heat produced by the core is reduced so that the entire core can be covered.
Radiation levels on the site are fluctuating, Some of it comes from venting steam from units 1, 2 and 3. But some emission may be the result of damage to Unit 2’s and Unit 3’s toruses. Levels of 400 millisieverts per hour have been recorded near Unit 3. This means that in an hour you would get a dosage between the international maximum (500 millisieverts) and the Japanese maximum dosage (250 millisieverts). Dosages of 1 sievert (1000 millisieverts) and above can result in radiation sickness.
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