#Fukushima I Nuke Plant: Just How High Was Reactor 1's Pressure?

The Containment Vessel of the Reactor No.1 at Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant had an abnormal rise in pressure which continued in the morning of March 24 in Japan. Then in the latest press conference (11:00AM), they said the pressure "stopped rising" at 7:00AM on March 24.

So how "dangerously" high was it, and how is it now?

According to Sankei Shinbun's coverage of the press conference, the pressure of the Reactor No.1's Containment Vessel [Sankei calls it "Pressure Vessel" but that is wrong, as the Pressure Vessel is designed to withstand 80 atmospheric pressure] was:

5.1 atmospheric pressure as of 5:00AM, March 24

4 atmospheric pressure as of 7:00AM, March 24

Inquiring minds want to know what the normal operating pressure is... And it is:

1 atmospheric pressure or less

Then what is the pressure that the Vessel is designed to withstand, in an emergency?

3.84 atmospheric pressure (if it is the same as the Reactor No.3)

So, 5.1 atmospheric pressure was a big deal. Even 4 is a big deal.

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