#Fukushima I Nuke Plant: Used Fuel Rods Also in Reactor 5 and 6

Now they're telling us...

In my last post, I told you that over 1,000 used fuel rods are stored in the storage pools in the Reactors No.1, 2, 3 and 4. The Reactor No.4 alone has 783 of those.

According to Nikkan Kogyo Shinbun article (in Japanese; 5:30PM Japan Time 3/15/2011), it turns out these rods are also stored in the pool in the Reactors No.5 and 6, which, just like the Reactor No.4, had been stopped for maintenance when the earthquake struck. Ominously, the temperature of the storage pools in the Reactor No.5 and 6 are RISING.

How are these used fuel rods are "stored"? They are placed in the storage pool that is constantly filled with water. But when the power went out after the quake, the water to the storage pool stopped. Even if the rods are "used", they are still capable of generating heat. They slowly heat the water, which then evaporates, and the rods gets exposed. The metal coating of the rods then reacts with the steam, and we have a hydrogen explosion.

So, now the chief cabinet secretary is telling us there are used fuel rods in the pools in the Reactors No.5 and 6; no information on how many but enough to start raising the temperature of the water in the storage pools. THEY ARE OUTSIDE THE CONTAINMENT VESSEL. What is preventing from possible radiation from escaping outside is the building shell.

Now are you scared enough? The Reactors No.5 and 6, which were supposed be under total control, could go "hot", just like the Reactor No. 4 apparently has done.

Speaking of the Reactor No.4, which caught an explosive fire earlier, there are now two large holes on the north-west wall of the building that houses the Reactor.

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