3 ms·

> Fires happen all the time in industrial facilities. You detect them and put them out. When we're talking about sodium fires in a nuclear facility, though, th

> Fires happen all the time in industrial facilities. You detect them and put them out. When we're talking about sodium fires in a nuclear facility, though, this comment reads to me like possibly a wry joke? I'm not even 100% sure it wasn't one, so apologies if I am responding inappropriately. It rather reminds me of an emergency physician I know who likes to comment that gunshot wounds are easy to treat; it's mostly a matter of plugging the hole. He enjoys seeing how saying it makes people squirm.

PaulHoule 5y ago
It's meant to be serious and funny at the same time. Sodium fires are a real problem but they are manageable. If you detect the fires and put them out they are a minor problem. If you let the fires get out of control, let them wreck the equipment room next to the reactor, then try to cover up how bad the damage was to the media that is the Japanese experience with Monju. People don't realize that Japan led the world in nuclear accidents from 1990 until Fukushima. There is something badly wrong with their safety culture that led to problems at Tokaimura and Monju and their choice to not install a proper backup electrical system at Fukushima. Choosing not to spend $1M to fortify their diesel generators that would have saved billions and billions. Remember it is a choice. USA and Russia have dealt with the problem realistically and run beautiful and clean machines with sodium coolant. This is one of the nicest industrial facilities I have ever seen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0Cx2nZTgQg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0Cx2nZTgQg
- jason0597 5y ago
  > There is something badly wrong with their safety culture I would not be surprised at all if their hierarchical culture and fear of speaking up to superiors played into a lot of these accidents.

3 ms·

> Fires happen all the time in industrial facilities. You detect them and put them out. When we're talking about sodium fires in a nuclear facility, though, th

by mumblemumble 5y ago

PaulHoule 5y ago
It's meant to be serious and funny at the same time. Sodium fires are a real problem but they are manageable. If you detect the fires and put them out they are a minor problem. If you let the fires get out of control, let them wreck the equipment room next to the reactor, then try to cover up how bad the damage was to the media that is the Japanese experience with Monju. People don't realize that Japan led the world in nuclear accidents from 1990 until Fukushima. There is something badly wrong with their safety culture that led to problems at Tokaimura and Monju and their choice to not install a proper backup electrical system at Fukushima. Choosing not to spend $1M to fortify their diesel generators that would have saved billions and billions. Remember it is a choice. USA and Russia have dealt with the problem realistically and run beautiful and clean machines with sodium coolant. This is one of the nicest industrial facilities I have ever seen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0Cx2nZTgQg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0Cx2nZTgQg
- jason0597 5y ago
  > There is something badly wrong with their safety culture I would not be surprised at all if their hierarchical culture and fear of speaking up to superiors played into a lot of these accidents.