#Fukushima I Nuke Plant: Reactor No.2 Cooling System Just Failed (Updated)

(UPDATE on my later post)

Only the headline on Nikkei Shinbun and other papers. No info on TEPCO's site. More when I find details.

From Kyodo News (Japanese; 4:12PM Japan Time, 3/14/2011):

The reactor No.2 at Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant lost its cooling system, TEPCO reported to the Japanese government.

The water level of the containment vessel has lowered, but the fuel rods are not yet exposed.

More from Asahi Shinbun (Japanese; 3:57PM Japan Time, 3/14/2011):

The reactor No.2 at Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant lost its cooling system at 1:25PM.

The water level in the containment vessel decreased from 300 centimeters to 240 centimeters above the fuel rods between 12PM and 1:30PM. Observing this, TEPCO determined that the cooling system had been lost, and reported the situation to Fukushima Prefecture at 1:38PM.

TEPCO says it will try its best not to repeat the explosive events of the reactors No.1 and 3, and will start planning for releasing the steam, pouring in sea water, and other measures to prevent hydrogen explosion.

The cooling system of the reactor No.2 had been working. The cause for the stoppage is not yet known.

More from Mainichi Shinbun (Japanese; 4:24PM Japan Time, 3/14/2011):

The RCIC (Reactor Core Isolation Cooling) system failed in the reactor No.2 at Fukushima I Nuke Plant. [For more on this RCIC system in a BWR (Boiling Water Reactor), read this quick summary.]

In order to avoid hydrogen explosion, TEPCO is planning to open a hole on top of the building that houses the reactor No.2 today. TEPCO is also preparing to pour sea water.

At 3PM, the water level is down to 120 centimeters above the fuel rods.

If too much hydrogen accumulates within the building, opening a hole on top of the building could trigger explosion.

Black swans in a phalanx is what I'm seeing.

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