Fukushima Daini Reactors Status: Three Reactors Have Achieved Cold Shutdown

According to WNN, Unit 3 cold shutdown appears to have gone exactly as expected, with no systems damaged. The reactor went from power production to cold shutdown – where coolant water is at less than 100ºC – in about 34 hours.

Damage to the emergency core cooling systems (ECCS) of units 1, 2 and 4 led to TEPCO declaring  emergency status. The reactors used the make up water condensate system to maintain coolant levels above the reactor core.

An additional emergency notice was declared for Unit 1 because the temperature of a suppression chamber reached 100ºC.

The Fukushima Daini plant then continued in a relatively steady state throughout 12 March, with coolant levels and pressures contantly monitored by engineers.  Units 1, 2 and 4 were prepared for potential venting, but this was not required.

In the last 48 hours, TEPCO has carried out repairs to the emergency core coolant systems (ECCS) of Units 1, 2 and 4. Unit 1 announced cold shutdown at 1.24 am today and Unit 2 followed at 3.52 am.

TEPCO has completed repairs to the ECCS of Unit 4 and gradual temperature reduction started at 3.42pm.

In contract to Fukushima Daiichi, Fukushima Daini apparently has had off-site power at least since March 12.

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.

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