Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Plant (Japan)–Damage due to earthquake on 16th July, 2007

Earthquake damage to the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power station (largest in the world, run by the Tokyo Electric Power Company , Japan) on 16th July 2007 appears to be limited and less than expected, according to an IAEA expert report on the incident. The design of the plant was not qualified to withstand earthquake of 6.8 magnitude that occurred.

In particular, the reactors, Units 3, 4 and 7, which were at full power, were shut down automatically probably due to the conservatisms introduced at different stages of the design process (design safety margins). Safety related structures, systems and components of the plant seem to be in a general apparently good condition, much better than might be expected for such a strong earthquake, and there is no visible significant damage, the report stated.

While the plant's nuclear components appear to be in a satisfactory state, non-safety related structures, systems and components were affected by significant damage such as soil and anchorage failures and oil leakages. There were two minor releases of radioactive material occurred after the quake. The first one was a release of radioactive material from the main turbine condenser through the main stack and the other was some leakage of contaminated water from the spent fuel pool to a non-controlled area, which was later pumped to sea. It was noted that there was some delay in reporting the releases to the authorities.

Some of the suggestions made in the report are: i) a re-evaluation of the seismic safety the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa NPP using updated criteria and methods and addressing the issue of the potential existence of active faults underneath the site, ii) the potential interaction between large seismic events and accelerated ageing to be considered in future inspection programmes and iii) communication of the investigation findings and lessons learned to other nuclear operators, regulators and technical support organizations.

IN A NUTSHELL, THE INDO-US NUCLEAR DEAL MEANS:

• The 123 agreement (as per the Section 123 of Atomic Energy Act of 1954) allows US to sell nuclear fuel and nuclear technology to India for civilian purposes. The agreement, approved now by the Indian Cabinet, is reported to be in consonant with the Hyde Act passed in 2006.
• India will get nuclear fuel from America to run the nuclear power reactors (PHWRs), at full capacity. This is in spite of the fact that India is not a signatory to Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
• India is required to separate nuclear facilities for civilian and military use.
• India can continue to reprocess spent nuclear fuel from its civilian reactors. However, the spent fuel from the safeguarded reactors will be reprocessed in a separate reprocessing facility under international safeguards.
• In the event of India testing any nuclear weapons, the supply of nuclear fuel / technology will be terminated by the US. The supplied fuel may have to be returned. Not sure of the political consequences of the test. US may assist to procure fuel from some other countries of the 35 member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) for continued operation of the civilian reactors producing commercial power.
• Finally, the deal could open-up the presently dormant nuclear power related American business to the tune of US$100billion.
• India gets much needed nuclear power, which is environmental friendly.

BLOGGER’S OPINION POLL: DO YOU AGREE FOR USE OF RADIATION FOR BENEFICIAL APPLICATIONS?

Before giving your valued opinion you are requested to go through the facts given below. The poll results will be published appropriately after one month and you will also be notified through Email. This poll is unbiased and independent.

FACTS ABOUT RADIATION

1. All of us are exposed to natural background radiation, which is quite
significant in some areas and countries, China and India included.
2. Health effects of radiation exposure at the above background levels are not
known.
3. Radiation is used for the treatment of cancer.
4. Nuclear power plants do not emit greenhouse gases responsible for global
warming.
5. There is a small probability that radiation can cause cancer.
6. X-rays are used by doctors to diagnose diseases such as Tuberculosis.
7. Public is unaware of the beneficial effects of radiation.
8. Radiation is used in food processing to prevent the food items from spoiling.
9. Radiation exposures at higher levels (orders of magnitude higher than the
background radiation levels) can be biologically harmful.
10. Almost all the applications involving radiation and radioactivity are
generally regulated by independent government agencies (Regulatory Body)
worldwide.

OPINION POLL

Do you agree for the use of radiation in:

A) Medical applications Yes/ No/May be
B) Defense applications Yes/ No/May be
C) For Nuclear Power Yes/ No/May be
D) For all possible applications Yes/ No/May be
E) Not to be used for any applications Yes/ No/May be
F) Comments, if any

INDO-US NUCLEAR TALKS

The eagerness with which US pursuing the INDO-US Civilian Nuclear Agreement signed on July 18, 2005 to take for culmination into reality shows the US and its allies are going to be benefited more by implementation of the agreement rather than India. India may have to procure the nuclear fuel and other reactor components from the very countries to build the reactors with minimum gestation period to meet the immediate power requirement in the country. Western countries are going to gain more by India’s ambitious nuclear power programs.

Fortunately, Indian side is standing its ground with respect to its requirement of continuing with the nuclear tests as and when necessary, and also reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel for separation of useful fuel plutonium (Pu) and cesium (Cs) which can be used as gamma radiation source for industrial and medical applications. In view of the developments taking place in the India’s neighborhood and for its own defense requirement of introducing nuclear-capable Agni ballistic missile systems, nuclear tests are un-avoidable. Let India not bow down to pressures from the vested interests and compromise on the stand rightly taken by the nuclear establishment in the issue.

POWER SECTOR – GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

Power Sector is the single biggest contributor to greenhouse gas inventory (GHGI), which is primarily responsible for Global Warming. Total contribution to GHGI from each of the electricity generating technology - emissions from the production of raw materials (like steel, aluminum, etc) to the various process stages of generation of electricity, including management of waste and transmission of the power, need to be taken into account to get the Full Energy Chain Greenhouse Gas Emission Factor (FENCH-GHG) in the units of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt hour electric, for the purpose of comparison. The results of one such Japanese study is given below:


More effective (than CO2) GHG methane emitted from the decaying water-submerged vegetation is not taken into account in the above calculations for hydropower sector. Hence, probably the factor is low. As could be seen nuclear power is the environmentally cleaner power option. Then what is stopping?

GREENHOUSE EMISSION FACTORS FOR SOME MATERIALS

For Full-Energy-Chain (FENCH) analysis is required for comparison of different energy options in power sector with respect to greenhouse gas emissions to facilitate energy planning and taking policy decisions. The greenhouse gas emission factors (GHEFs) of the raw materials flowing into the different energy sources at different stages such as construction (steel &cement) and selection of materials for the equipments (steel, aluminum, copper), are also important to calculate the overall greenhouse gas emissions, including non-CO2 emissions such as CF4, N2O, etc). The GHEFs (IAEA data) in the units of gm CO2 equivalent per gm of some of the greenhouse gas intensive materials are given here:

Cement : 0.76
Concrete : 1.95
Steel : 2.2
Aluminum : 34.2
Copper : 3.5
Silicon : 181
Glass : 1.2
Nitric acid : 1.4
Plastics : 7.9

As could be seen, silicon and glass (used in solar energy system) are highly GHG intensive material. Similarly, aluminum is extensively used in nuclear energy. GHG emissions control should start right from Cradle to Grave, i.e., Full Energy Chain.

INDIA - US BILATERAL NUCLEAR AGREEMENT

The so called 123 Deal is yet to be closed to the satisfaction of India. As one can see, there will not be any deal without India retaining the reprocessing rights of the spent fuel. Definitely, the nuclear fuel supplies from US and other Nuclear Fuel Supplier’ Group countries will help India in running the half-starved nuclear power reactors in full steam. But this is only a short-term benefit. And, too many unreasonable conditions put forth by the Nuclear Fuel Suppliers Group such as signing of NPT, end to nuclear tests, acceptance of technical “benchmarks”, etc will break the very backbone of the country’s ambitious nuclear power program, and compromise its security requirements.

It is high time that India should pursue its thorium fuel cycle programs with zeal and be the lead country in the world, and ensure availability of the nuclear power for decades without any unpleasant deals. Nature has bestowed plenty of thorium which can sustain the program, and elevate Indian technological superiority in the nuclear field.