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Gov't suggests TEPCO freeze soil around Fukushima plant

26 Comments

A government panel of experts on Thursday recommended that Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) consider freezing the soil around the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to reduce the amount of radioactive groundwater being generated by water flowing into the plant.

According to the panel's plan, pipes would be placed in the ground and filled with coolant at a temperature of minus 40 degrees Celsius. This would then freeze the surrounding soil, effectively acting as an underground wall around the plant.

TEPCO officials promised to study the plan but said the cost of installing such a system would be high. It also said it would take several years to implement.

Currently, about 400 tons of water are seeping into the reactor buildings each day.

Meanwhile, Fuji TV reported that TEPCO officials also met Thursday with local fishermen's co-operatives to explain their plan to divert water into the sea.

TEPCO's plan calls for digging wells in 12 locations and pumping the underground water to the surface before it can seep into the plant. The water would then be dumped in the sea with no environmental impact, TEPCO claimed.

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26 Comments
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The water would then be dumped in the sea with no environmental impact, TEPCO claimed.

Wow. You'd think that TEPCO would eventually figure out how stupid they look by continuing to make absolute claims such as this. They are such idiots. They should say "minimal environmental impact". There is no such thing as "no environmental impact" when you are in fact doing something to the environment.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Freeze the land, build a massive wall.....very Game of thrones.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

There is no such thing as "radioactive water".

Actually there is. If any of the atom of oxygen or hydrogen making up the water molecules are themselves radioactive, such as tritium (H-3), then the water itself is radioactive.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Make ice blocks and burry them for future use.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

So even if they manage to successfully seal the ground up with ice to prevent the water from "seeping" into it, where exactly do they expect this water to go? Is it going to start flooding the land? Will they have to then start building walls to prevent it from spreading outwards instead of downwards? It's no wonder they want to take the easy route out and just dump it all in the ocean instead of having to think of a more practical solution to it, but that is the most irresponsible thing possible that I can imagine.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Does anyone here believe there will be no environmental impact?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Cripes, you folks sound like a bunch of babies that didn't get enough milk from Momma. It IS radioactive water, no it's not, yes it is. No, no,no,no,no....only the water has impurities in it.

Damn people, what are you going to biatch about next, it's art, no, it's graffiti, no it's vandalism...

Loosen your drawers people, it's cutting the blood off to your brains!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

When the final total cost of this fukushima plant alone is known (may be in 2050), people will realise how expensive it can be to run an nuke plant and may be change the energy strategy...I pity countries building new ones..

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Very good try ,,But where is the money going to come from and then what will they do to remove and place in a secure holding place in granite underground in a stable place where no earthquakes can happen from the earth plates moving.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"The water would then be dumped in the sea with no environmental impact, TEPCO claimed. "

THESE PEOPLE ARE INSANE!!!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

WilliB: The water is radioactive because there is contaminates in it, therefore it is radioactive water.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

There is no such thing as "radioactive water". Contaminations in the water can be radioactive. but not water.

By that definition, there's no such thing as "dirty water". The water is clean, it just has dirt in it.

If this has a chance of working, I'm for it. The only worry is have is that frozen soil will need constant freezing. Someday it will thaw for whatever reason.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

gogogo:

There is no such thing as "radioactive water". Contaminations in the water can be radioactive. but not water.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

The water would then be dumped in the sea with no environmental impact, TEPCO claimed.

The radioactive water you mean? How does putting it into a well make it less radioactive?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

TEPCO officials promised to study the plan but said the cost of installing such a system would be high.

Translation: We'd really just rather dump it all out to the sea, okay? I mean, we're talking MONEY here.

It also said it would take several years to implement.

Yeah, well, we'll wait. A few years is a small fraction of what this multi-generational project is.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

But I bet they mean just dump nitrogen on the ground...

Did you actually read the article? Doubtful maybe? 2nd paragraph.

According to the panel’s plan, pipes would be placed in the ground and filled with coolant at a temperature of minus 40 degrees Celsius. This would then freeze the surrounding soil, effectively acting as an underground wall around the plant.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Why are TEPCO bosses still earning a salary?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

RAdioactive emissions continue to increase so how about a plan to remove the fuel and cover the contaminated land?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Was all these potential problems not foreseen when the nuclear power plant was designed & built? Japan is very advance in technology so on hindsight why were these issues not considered at planning stage to take into account contingencies? Don't start with the 'unexpected 9.0 earthquake & subsequent tsunami' excuse. It does not hold water, no pun intended.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This might actually work if they did it correctly. There's a type of ice that acts like concrete and doesn't melt. Build tanks from that and maybe.... But I bet they mean just dump nitrogen on the ground...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Just another nail in the HUMAN COFFIN, it is just a matter of time before the Human Clowns destroy the World.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Sounds like a pipe dream.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Your tax dollar at work.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Currently, about 400 tons of water are seeping into the reactor buildings each day.

I have a hard time imagining 400 tons of water a day as "seeping"!

TEPCO’s plan calls for digging wells in 12 locations and pumping the underground water to the surface before it can seep into the plant. The water would then be dumped in the sea with no environmental impact, TEPCO claimed.

I have, and I hope everyone that matters as well, a hard time, if not impossible time believing anything TEPCO claims.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

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