How seawater could corrode nuclear fuel

Japan used seawater to cool nuclear fuel at the stricken Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear plant after the tsunami in March 2011 — and that was probably the best action to take at the time, says Professor Alexandra Navrotsky of the University of California, Davis. But Navrotsky and others have since discovered a new way in which seawater [...]

Radiation, rust seen in tsunami-hit Japan reactor

The first look inside one of Japan’s tsunami-hit nuclear reactors showed radiation, steam and rusty metal surfaces scarred by 10 months’ exposure to high temperatures and humidity. The steam-blurred photos taken by remote control Thursday found none of the reactor’s melted fuel but confirmed stable reactor temperature and showed no major damage or ruptures caused [...]

Corrosion throughout the WW2 wrecks threaten Micronesian environment

TONY EASTLEY: In the heat of battle for the Pacific three Japanese oil tankers were sunk by American forces in Chuuk Lagoon in Micronesia, and largely forgotten about. That was seventy years ago, but over the intervening period the wrecks have rusted away and there are now fears the tankers are about to spill their [...]

Sea salt may be hampering Japan nuclear recovery

Corrosive salt from seawater may be adding to problems at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, damaged two weeks ago by the mega-quake and tsunami in Japan.   The flood swept away backup power units meant to keep cooling water flowing through the reactors in an emergency, forcing the plant’s operators to use seawater to cool [...]

Japan disaster spurs court to revisit safety of Exelon-owned nuclear plant

Another government voice has raised questions about the safety of America’s nuclear power plants. A federal appeals court in Philadelphia put Chicago-based Exelon Corp. on notice Monday that it will have to answer to more than the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the wake of the nuclear disaster in Japan. The court’s unusual inquiry relates [...]

Corrosion a worry for Japanese refineries

The earthquake and ensuing tsunami that struck Japan on March 11 took untold thousands of lives and caused billions of dollars of damage – and for certain businesses, like oil refiners, the worst may be yet to come. That’s because the vast amounts of seawater that crashed ashore on the eastern edge of the island [...]