Conversation:

With reference to the recent events in Japan, it's unbeleivable that an error the size of Tokaimura could happen. Any nuclear scientist will most countries have switched to a dry process to reprocess nuclear fuel. A liquid mass is far harder to control when it starts to get hot, because it sloshes about. The shape is one important factor for acheiving criticality. Water also reflects neutrons far better than air, making it a good medium to stage nuclear reactions.

Japan is also still following a fast-breeder nuclear programme, when everybody else it seems has given up (mainly because the price and availability of uranium has remained low enough to make fast breeder technologies economically unviable).

It's also mindboggling that they built the plant right next door to a residential area. I know space is tight over there, but come on..?

Sorry for being so serious; I just felt the need to shout about something.

You think thats silly,

Hersham Nuclear Power station (near Lancaster) official evacuation plan is to evacuate the houses that fall within the 1 mile evacuation zone accross the two bridges over the river Loom to Lancaster. However, as morning rush hour shows every day that is not practical, because as soon as people realise something is up, Everyone from Morcambe will also be trying to use the same two bridges to escape too!

Mic

Where's the river 'Loom'? Is it near the Lune?