...On Sunday, engineers attempted to plug the leak with a mixture of sawdust, shredded paper and a polymer or plastic that expanded to 500 times its normal size when exposed to water. They had then hoped to pour concrete on top of the polymer to form a permanent seal, but the polymer did not form a plug either, and as of Sunday night, water was continuing to flow into the ocean.
Radiation levels in the water are an estimated 1,000 millisieverts per hour, a high but not immediately lethal dose.
On Monday, engineers plan to begin injecting nitrogen gas into reactors Nos. 1, 2 and 3 in an attempt to prevent possible explosions from the buildup of hydrogen gas. The nonflammable nitrogen would dilute both oxygen levels and any hydrogen that accumulated from deterioration of the uranium fuel cladding. The zirconium cladding on the fuel rods becomes oxidized when it is exposed to hot water, releasing hydrogen gas....
The statement about the per hour rate may be the truth, but, it neglects to state, the ACCUMULATED amounts in the waters is far, far higher and accumulating in a fluid media that travels.
The nitrogen in a 'gaseous' state won't do much except create a mixture of gases. Nitrogen is heavier than hydrogen, but, lighter than oxygen. Even if the hydrogen is syphoned off through a displacement of the gas, the oxygen will remain explosive. The gas LAWS state the gases will mix but not separate.
In order for 'fine' particles to 'plug' the holes leaking water, it first needs to be mixed with a heavy viscous substance similar to the 'heavy mud' used by the petroleum industry. I don't care if it synthetic, but, a 'fine particle mixture' will not 'begin' a plug.
The heavy particle mixture has to 'bind' AS IT SEEPS through the leaks. The viscosity will slow the flow and allow 'binding' to occur. I would expect 'viscosity' to be effected by 'local temperatures' and ultimately by 'hottest' temperatures should the core begin to melt down. All that HAS TO play a role in the viscosity and the ELEMENTS of the mixture.
Sand, itself, will not be the answer, but, a mixture of 'binding' material and particles of many sizes, including fine, to small and medium has to be introduced to stop the leaks. The plug will look like a cross section of swiss cheese as 'air' can also become trapped in the viscous material and has its own tensil strength. It might be that air in expansion, sensitive to temperature, if the mixture is exposed to high heat will contribute to expansion of the viscous material as more and more solids find their way to 'formation' of the plub. Fine particles 'of the same' binding surface will not succeed.
Sawdust and paper is about as pathetic as it comes. There is no way a plug made of that will even stand up to seawater, yet alone, any heat from the reactor.
THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY doesn't need to get carried away in thinking it can answer all questions. Their efforts in the Gulf of Mexico FAILED, especially at one mile down. This happens to be 'at the surface.'
Radiation levels in the water are an estimated 1,000 millisieverts per hour, a high but not immediately lethal dose.
On Monday, engineers plan to begin injecting nitrogen gas into reactors Nos. 1, 2 and 3 in an attempt to prevent possible explosions from the buildup of hydrogen gas. The nonflammable nitrogen would dilute both oxygen levels and any hydrogen that accumulated from deterioration of the uranium fuel cladding. The zirconium cladding on the fuel rods becomes oxidized when it is exposed to hot water, releasing hydrogen gas....
The statement about the per hour rate may be the truth, but, it neglects to state, the ACCUMULATED amounts in the waters is far, far higher and accumulating in a fluid media that travels.
The nitrogen in a 'gaseous' state won't do much except create a mixture of gases. Nitrogen is heavier than hydrogen, but, lighter than oxygen. Even if the hydrogen is syphoned off through a displacement of the gas, the oxygen will remain explosive. The gas LAWS state the gases will mix but not separate.
In order for 'fine' particles to 'plug' the holes leaking water, it first needs to be mixed with a heavy viscous substance similar to the 'heavy mud' used by the petroleum industry. I don't care if it synthetic, but, a 'fine particle mixture' will not 'begin' a plug.
The heavy particle mixture has to 'bind' AS IT SEEPS through the leaks. The viscosity will slow the flow and allow 'binding' to occur. I would expect 'viscosity' to be effected by 'local temperatures' and ultimately by 'hottest' temperatures should the core begin to melt down. All that HAS TO play a role in the viscosity and the ELEMENTS of the mixture.
Sand, itself, will not be the answer, but, a mixture of 'binding' material and particles of many sizes, including fine, to small and medium has to be introduced to stop the leaks. The plug will look like a cross section of swiss cheese as 'air' can also become trapped in the viscous material and has its own tensil strength. It might be that air in expansion, sensitive to temperature, if the mixture is exposed to high heat will contribute to expansion of the viscous material as more and more solids find their way to 'formation' of the plub. Fine particles 'of the same' binding surface will not succeed.
Sawdust and paper is about as pathetic as it comes. There is no way a plug made of that will even stand up to seawater, yet alone, any heat from the reactor.
THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY doesn't need to get carried away in thinking it can answer all questions. Their efforts in the Gulf of Mexico FAILED, especially at one mile down. This happens to be 'at the surface.'
