Chemical engineers speak out on Japan

IChemE experts have been talking to the media following the Japanese nuclear plant explosions.

IChemE fellow Paul Haigh told readers of the UK Guardian:"All Japanese reactors are designed to withstand substantial earthquakes. Instrumentation is provided for the early detection of tremors which would lead to a controlled shutdown of the reactor. These systems appear to have successfully shut down the affected reactors. Modern western reactors, including those planned for the UK, are already designed to withstand significant seismic events."

Bob Skelton, an IChemE Fellow based at the University of Cambridge was interviewed for programmes on local BBC stations in Cambridge, Somerset, Guernsey, Jersey and Ulster.

And George Elder, a member of the IChemE Nuclear Technology Subject Group has today warned against a nuclear energy backlash: "Despite the appalling conditions, the multiple safety layers designed for emergency shutdown have allowed operations staff to recover the situation by other means. If in these severe circumstances the reactors remain in a safe configuration with no significant release of radioactivity, then the ‘defence in depth’ safety strategy remains viable - this is a demonstration of how safe nuclear power is and can be.

"Given that these reactor types became operational in the 1970s they have performed without the additional benefits of later modification and safety specifications."

Meanwhile on Twitter, hundreds of users have been praising the work of engineers tweeting ‘The headline you won't be reading: "Millions saved in Japan by good engineering and government building codes.’

IChemE ceo David Brown supported the claim: "The events in Japan, as in New Zealand on a smaller scale, are desperately tragic. But in both cases they would have been worse – a lot worse – were it not for the work of engineers who researched and designed buildings to withstand earthquakes more effectively than in previous generations."