Explaining the current crisis at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan
Posted by
JAC on 3/11/2011, 8:51 am
The crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant is expected to be brought under control in the next hour or so, despite a state of nuclear emergency having been declared. It's understood that evacuations of local residents have mainly been an act of extreme caution and that there is no indication of any current or imminent radiation leaks.
Nuclear cores are cooled using a liquid (usually water) that is circulated past the core so that the liquid absorbs as much of the heat as possible. Without this system, the core would rapidly overheat and explode. Steam from the heated liquid is then used to power turbines. It is a fire in one of these turbine halls that has caused concern the Onagawa nuclear plant, although this now seems to be under control,
Japan's nuclear power plants have been the focus of much attention since the earthquake and tsunami struck earlier today. Japan relies heavily on domestic nuclear power and has 53 nuclear reactors nationwide, providing more than a third of the country's electricity. Ending this reliance is not really an option for Japan, so efforts will instead be made to ensure that the current facilities and any future ones are as quake-proof as they can be.
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