Hidden damage may affect Japan plant operation-IAEA (Reuters)

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Hidden damage may affect Japan plant operation-IAEA
17 Aug 2007 16:36:36 GMT
Source: Reuters

VIENNA, Aug 17 (Reuters) - A Japanese reactor hit by an
earthquake last month performed safely during and after the
quake, but some of its components could be affected by hidden
damage, the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Friday.

The Kashiwazaki Kariwa nuclear power plant, the world's largest,
suffered low-level leaks of radioactive material when a 6.8
magnitude quake struck on July 16 -- a quake that significantly
exceeded the seismic input taken into account when the plant
was designed, according to the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA).

"The installation behaved in a safe manner," the IAEA said in a
report published on Friday.

Yet while the structures, systems and components of the plant,
run by Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) <9501.T>, seemed to
be in a much better general condition than might be expected,
the examination was not yet finished, the IAEA said.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L17150389.htm

[bananas]

1. They can't check the reactors - too much damage

From an article last week:

"But the thoroughness of the report will likely be hampered due to damage to cranes within the structures that house the nuclear reactors.

"Due to the damage, it will be impossible to raise the heavy concrete lids that cover the reactor pressure and primary containment vessels."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2945158

[kestrel91316]

2. ".....performed safely during and after the quake..." = didn't immediately blow up