#Fukushima I Nuke Plant Reactor 3: It's Steaming Again from the Same Place, TEPCO Again Says Rainwater Warmed on CV Head

(UPDATE 7/23/2013) TEPCO measured the radiation levels around the area. See my latest post.

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It rained in the morning at the plant. So, just like the previous incident on July 18, this one is explained as rainwater hitting the warm (about 40 degrees Celsius) Containment Vessel Head.

From NHK (7/23/2013; part):

原発３号機から再び“湯気”

"Steam" rising again from Reactor 3

福島第一原子力発電所では３号機の原子炉建屋の上部で、今月１８日に続いて２３日も湯気のようなものが上がっているのが確認され、東京電力は、建屋上部の放射線量などに変化がないことから、朝、降った雨が建屋内部に入り込んで温められたのが原因とみて監視を続けています。

At Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant, what looks like steam is seen rising from the top floor of Reactor 3 building on July 23, following the same incident on July 18. As there is no change in radiation level above the building, TEPCO thinks it is the rain in the morning that seeped inside the building and warmed up. The company continues to monitor the situation.

東京電力によりますと、２３日午前９時すぎ、福島第一原発３号機の原子炉建屋上部の床で湯気のようなものが上がっているのが、現場に設置したカメラの映像で確認されました。

According to TEPCO, the image captured by a video camera installed [on the top floor of Reactor 3] showed what looked like steam rising from the floor of the Reactor 3 building on 9AM on July 23.

建屋上部の放射線量に変化はなく、原子炉や使用済み燃料プールの冷却も安定しており、異常を示すデータは確認されていないということです。

There is no change in radiation level above the building, and the cooling of the reactor and the Spent Fuel Pool is stable. There is no data that indicate abnormality, according to TEPCO.

Since the steam was first observed on July 18, TEPCO has stopped the work to clear the debris on the operating floor of Reactor 3.

Nuclear Regulatory Authority told TEPCO to take infrared thermography of the location under the condition similar to the fist incident (raining), but TEPCO only heard the first half of the order - take infrared thermography. And take they did, on a sunny day on July 20.

I wonder if they had wits about them to take thermograph today (July 23), when it was raining. It looks like TEPCO will have another chance on July 24 and 25 (weather forecast in Fukushima is rain).

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