It's official. Reactor 2 is still undergoing fission
Release from Tepco indicates ongoing fission in reactor 2, likely from compromised fuel geometry. Peak values for I-131 occurred on April 13th with I-131 levels 20 times Cesium levels.
It is likely that the fuel configuration is not influenced by borated water.
http://www.glgroup.com/News/TEPCO-Data-Shows-Ongoing-Criticalities-Insid...
I don't know about "official"...
...But this analysis is certainly troubling.
I am reminded, however, that monitored temperatures have been steadily decreasing at Reactor 2 over the last several weeks. With a substantial, consistent enough infusion of fresh water, can this re-criticality (if accurate) be turned back?
...Naturally, it's still an open question as to whether Reactor 2 is even containable. I have long suspected that Reactor 2 and the Reactor 4 Spent Fuel Pool will be THE biggest challenges going forward.
It will be interesting to see what information (if any) trickles out from TEPCO, NISA, JAIF, the IAEA, and the NRC about Reactor 2 over the next, say, three to ten days.
Rick.
If the fuel geometry is such
If the fuel geometry is such that the borated water doesn't have any effect, then no, fresh water will not stop the reaction as it is geometry dependent and not heat dependent.
The actual Tepco release,
The actual Tepco release, with attached analysis:
http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/press/corp-com/release/11042811-e.html?opattr=...
No doubt the salt water
No doubt the salt water being poured on these reactors compromised their structural integrity, quickening containment breaches.
Why the nuclear industry at large did intervene IMMEDIATELY to the fullest extent possible boggles the mind.
TEPCO is at best undermanned and hilariously incompetent.
Correction: did NOT
Correction: did NOT intervene...