The Magnitude 9.1 Meltdown at Fukushima

Explore the harrowing events of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in this 34-minute conference talk from RubyConf 2022. Delve into the sequence of events that unfolded on March 11, 2011, when a magnitude 9.1 earthquake struck Tōhoku, Japan, followed by a devastating tsunami. Learn about the automatic safety measures that initially engaged, the subsequent loss of power, and the unprecedented challenges faced by the plant operators. Examine the contrasting responses to the crisis, including the efforts to re-establish cooling, restore instrumentation, and execute emergency venting procedures. Gain insights into the extreme conditions faced by the "Fukushima 50" and the broader implications of the disaster. Analyze the event through process mapping and discover valuable lessons about workplace satisfaction and resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Intro
Example Nuclear Power Plant
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
Boiling Water Reactor
Backup Diesel Generator
Passive Cooling: Unit 1
Passive Cooling: Units 2 and 3
Unit 1 and 2 Control Room
Power Supply Room
Unit 1 Recovery: Re-Establish Cooling
Unit 1 Recovery: Instrumentation
Unit 1 Recovery: Planning the Vent
Yoshida briefs Kan
Personal Dosimeter
Making Another Plan
Venting
BWR Fuel Bundle
Hydrogen Explosion
State of the Plant
The Fukushima 50
The Last Straw
Putting Fukushima Daiichi in Context
Process Mapping