This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-22037345

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Cooling system failure at Fukushima nuclear plant Fukushima nuclear plant: Cooling system power restored
(about 2 hours later)
Part of the cooling system at Japan's tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant has stopped for the second time in a month, the plant operator says. Power has been restored to part of the cooling system at Japan's tsunami-hit Fukushima nuclear plant, after it failed for the second time in a month.
After an alarm sounded at reactor number three, checks showed the system had stopped at one of the pools containing spent but highly radioactive fuel rods, Tokyo Electric Power said. The breakdown was not thought to pose any immediate danger, operator Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) said.
The breakdown is not thought to pose any immediate danger. An alarm at reactor number three earlier revealed the system had stopped at one of the pools containing spent, but highly radioactive, fuel rods.
Last month a power cut shut cooling systems for four spent fuel ponds.Last month a power cut shut cooling systems for four spent fuel ponds.
The ponds cool the fuel - which generates intense heat - and provide shielding from radiation. The spent fuel remains in the ponds for a year or more.
Friday's breakdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant lasted around three hours, Tepco said.
Officials discovered the system failure after an alarm sounded at reactor number three.
As of 14:00 local time (05:00 GMT) on Friday, the temperature of water inside the cooling pool at reactor 3 was 15.1C, well below the safety limit of 65C, Tepco said.As of 14:00 local time (05:00 GMT) on Friday, the temperature of water inside the cooling pool at reactor 3 was 15.1C, well below the safety limit of 65C, Tepco said.
This indicated that the spent fuel remained stable and did not pose an immediate danger to the environment, news agency AFP quoted Tepco as saying.This indicated that the spent fuel remained stable and did not pose an immediate danger to the environment, news agency AFP quoted Tepco as saying.
Tepco expects to have the system restored later on Friday. The power cut last month shut down cooling systems for four spent fuel ponds at reactors 1, 3 and 4, although cooling for the reactors themselves was not affected.
The ponds store spent fuel from the nuclear reactors. They cool the fuel - which generates intense heat - and provide shielding from radiation. The spent fuel remains in the ponds for a year or more. The company said a rat had damaged the electrics, causing a short circuit in a switchboard and triggering the power cut.
The power cut last month shut down cooling systems for four spent fuel ponds at reactors 1, 3 and 4, although cooling to the reactors themselves was not affected. On 11 March 2011, an earthquake and tsunami crippled the plant. Waves knocked out cooling systems for the reactors, leading to meltdowns at three of them.
The company said a rat had damaged the electrics, causing a short-circuit in a switchboard and triggering the power cut.
On 11 March 2011, an earthquake and tsunami crippled the plant. Waves knocked out cooling systems to the reactors, leading to meltdowns at three of them.
Engineers have since stabilised the plant but years of work lie ahead to fully contain the disaster and tackle its effects.Engineers have since stabilised the plant but years of work lie ahead to fully contain the disaster and tackle its effects.
Tens of thousands of evacuees remain unable to return home.Tens of thousands of evacuees remain unable to return home.