Fukushima Daiichi: Off-site power restored, but reactors and spent fuel pools still not stable

22 March 2011 Geoff Zeiss

The Wall Street Journal is publishing online graphics showing the current status of all six reactors at Fukushima Daiichi.

Units 1-4 are now connected to off-site power. TEPCO is checking whether pumps, temperature and water level monitoring systems and other equipment at each reactor, are operable. Lights are on in the control room of Unit 3 and lights in the control room of Unit 4 are expected to be on soon.

Unit 2

Steam was observed issuing from Unit 2, but by evening it was barely visible.

Unit 3

Gray smoke continued to rise from Unit 3, but a concommittant increase in radioactivity was not observed. TEPCO reported that the smoke seemed to be lessening as of Tuesday evening.

The Tokyo Fire Dept poured about 180 tons of water on Unit 3, attempting to cool the spent fuel pool.

Unit 4

150 tons of water was poured from a truck on the Unit 4 spent fuel pool.

Radiation reading at main gate

  472.2 μSv/h 7:30 pm Mar 22

  235.9 μSv/h shortly thereafter

It is surmised that the spike at 7:30 pm may have been the result of a sudden change in wind direction.

Previous readings at the plant perimeter

Radiation levels measured at the West Gate ( 1.1 kilometers west of Unit 3 )

  269.5 μSv/h at 05:40, Mar. 20 (04:40 p.m. Saturday March 19 ET)

  364.5 μSv/hr at 9:00 AM Mar 19 (20:00:00 Friday March 18 ET)

  830.8 μSv/hr at 8:10 AM Mar 19 (19:10:00 Friday March 18 ET)

  271 μSv/hr at 7:30 AM Mar 18 (06:30 p.m. Thursday March 17 ET)

  289 μSv/hr at 11pm Mar 17 (10:00:00 a.m. Thursday March 17 ET)

  292 μSv/hr at 8:40pm Mar 17 (07:40:00 a.m. Thursday March 17 ET)

  646.2μSv/h at 11:10am Mar. 17 (10:10 p.m. Wednesday March 16 ET)

 1472μSv/h at 16:20, Mar 16 (03:20 am Wednesday March 16 ET)

Radiation reading at the plant east gate

  304 μSv/h at 03:30, Mar. 19 (02:30:00 p.m. Friday March 18 ET)

  287 μSv/h at 12:00, Mar. 18 (23:00:00 Thursday March 17 ET)

Situation remains unstable

The early-evening spike in radiation levels, as well as the smoke and steam of uncertain origin, indicate that the situation at the plant is not yet stable.

Geoff Zeiss

Geoff Zeiss

Geoff Zeiss has more than 20 years experience in the geospatial software industry and 15 years experience developing enterprise geospatial solutions for the utilities, communications, and public works industries. His particular interests include the convergence of BIM, CAD, geospatial, and 3D. In recognition of his efforts to evangelize geospatial in vertical industries such as utilities and construction, Geoff received the Geospatial Ambassador Award at Geospatial World Forum 2014. Currently Geoff is Principal at Between the Poles, a thought leadership consulting firm. From 2001 to 2012 Geoff was Director of Utility Industry Program at Autodesk Inc, where he was responsible for thought leadership for the utility industry program. From 1999 to 2001 he was Director of Enterprise Software Development at Autodesk. He received one of ten annual global technology awards in 2004 from Oracle Corporation for technical innovation and leadership in the use of Oracle. Prior to Autodesk Geoff was Director of Product Development at VISION* Solutions. VISION* Solutions is credited with pioneering relational spatial data management, CAD/GIS integration, and long transactions (data versioning) in the utility, communications, and public works industries. Geoff is a frequent speaker at geospatial and utility events around the world including Geospatial World Forum, Where 2.0, MundoGeo Connect (Brazil), Middle East Spatial Geospatial Forum, India Geospatial Forum, Location Intelligence, Asia Geospatial Forum, and GITA events in US, Japan and Australia. Geoff received Speaker Excellence Awards at GITA 2007-2009.

View article by Geoff Zeiss

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