[ RadSafe ] Abandoned

Wed Mar 16 10:01:16 CDT 2011

I went with the standard asteroid impact and an emerging disease that only killed plant operators. 

Jeff

On Mar 16, 2011, at 9:57 AM, Tena Galyon wrote:

> Maybe a "non-normal" natural disaster would be similar to Hitchcock's "The
> Birds" or one of the many Godzilla movies? :-)
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu
> [mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of Jeff Terry
> Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 10:52 AM
> To: The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Abandoned
> 
> I strongly agree with Dewey. 
> 
> I have found over the past few days that my university prefers that I speak
> publicly about the incident. The public wants more information. Some of the
> interview that I have done have been silly. NPR asked me to describe a
> non-normal natural disaster that could damage the reactors in Illinois after
> I said that the GE designs (4 in Illinois) now have been shown to survive a
> magnitude 9 earthquake which is greater that what we have observed in the
> New Madrid fault historically. What is a non-normal natural disaster?
> Something other than earthquake, fire, flood, tornado, hurricane. 
> 
> Describe exactly what happened.
> 
> The tsunamis played a major role in the event. Took out diesels at Dewey
> stated. 
> 
> Backup generators were flown in but they had some issues (everyone reports
> that the plugs did not fit). It could not have been due to the plugs not
> fitting as someone would have cut the wires and wired together plugs, etc.
> The likely issue is that some of Japan runs at 50 Hz and some of Japan at 60
> Hz. I can't believe that it would be just the plug. This would not happen in
> the US.
> 
> Chernobyl, explain delayed vs prompt critical. Explain the Carbon moderators
> in the core. Explain the difference in amount of carbon vs the amount of Zr
> cladding (approximately 1 mm OD tube). This is what oxidizes (burns) in the
> reactor or spent fuel pool for that matter. It does contain the fission
> products. The UO2 does not burn. 
> 
> If you are clear, the majority of people will understand what you are
> describing. 
> 
> Give your contact information. 
> 
> I have been answering hundreds of emails from the public after these
> appearances. Many of the questions are similar and you can cut and paste.
> Respond to questions from everyone. It makes everyone feel that you care
> about them. When they respond to your question with a thank you, respond
> with a you're welcome. Offer to answer any questions that they have in the
> future. 
> 
> I have yet to receive an email from a rapid antinuclear person. They have
> been from the general public who want to understand what is happening. 
> 
> This is just on top of Dewey's excellent advice that I have left in below. 
> 
> If you are going to comment publicly, make sure that you have the most
> up-to-date information and that you understand what has been released. There
> have been multiple reactors that have been described as having problems. 
> 
> Explain how much energy that we generate from nuclear, here in Illinois it
> is 50 percent. Explain that it would be nearly impossible to replace it
> immediately and we really would not want to as it provides extremely stable
> (no standard brownout times in Illinois) supplies in times of high demand. 
> 
> I have been using it to explain the spent fuel problem as well. Describing
> reprocessing, long term storage and explaining why I think that storage in
> populated areas is not as good of an option as putting it in imperfect
> repositories such as WIPP or Yucca Mtn and that they should contact their
> representatives that they want safe nuclear power with the waste taken care
> of by the DOE as required by law. 
> 
> Jeff
> 
> 
> On Mar 16, 2011, at 9:01 AM, Thompson, Dewey L wrote:
> 
>> This is NOT intended to be critical of anyone's decision demur speaking to
> a class.  
>> 
>> I would like to weigh in here and lobby that we be disposed to support
> such interaction - were we can.  Those of us that work for a corporate
> entity obviously can not be seen as a "public spokesman".  Many of us do
> have the ability to be a voice here and there.  
>> 
>> What I would tell a ME class:
>> 
>> 1. The basic facts, as we understand them.  Not sugar coated, but not
>>  dramatized, "Just the facts ma'am".  There are several sources of
>>  pretty good status.  
>> 
>>  The plant apparently survived the earthquake (shake part) pretty well.
>>  (compare that to the surrounding buildings).
>> 
>>  The tsunami took out emergency diesel generators fuel and cooling 
>>  systems.  This challenged cooling the reactor cores that were operating,
>>  and lead to the early over heat problems.  The opinion part is that the 
>>  situation is extremely serious, is stabilizing, but slowly.  Obviously 
>>  they have, and have had unimaginable logistics issues with the regional 
>>  devastation.  The immediate problem now is keeping the reactor cores 
>>  flooded, and a looming problem is dealing with the spent fuel pools.  
>> 
>> 2. The differences between this event and Chernobyl.  These cores have
> been 
>>  decaying for several days now.  Chernobyl's releases were from a core  
>>  during a power excursion with burning graphite. With no containment. 
>> 
>> 3. Will there be lessons learned?  Absolutely.  Will there be a movement
>>  away from nuclear energy? That remains to be seen.  We must know the
>>  facts in order to make intelligent decisions.  My desperate hope is that
> 
>>  we DO make intelligent decisions.
>> 
>> 4. (The opinion part).  I still support the technology.  Yes, this is an 
>>  ongoing catastrophic event of "biblical proportions", much of the use of
> 
>>  technology involves risk of such.  Nuclear plants can (and must) be 
>>  constructed to generate power while protecting the public.  My point for
> 
>>  mechanical engineers would be to always remember that during their 
>>  careers.  Whether it is designing a nuclear power plant or a catwalk for
> 
>>  a ritzy hotel, it is an awesome and solemn responsibility. 
>> 
>> Dewey 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu
> [mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of Larry Addis
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2011 10:25 PM
>> To: 'The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List'
>> Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Abandoned
>> <snip>
>> 
>> This is truly a nightmare of historical/biblical proportions.  
>> 
>> I was asked to give a talk/answer session to an mech. engineering class
>> today and said I'd wait - I just don't know what I'd say. Dumbstruck at
> this
>> point.
>> 
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