Editor;
Last week Greg asked why liquid nitrogen is not used to cool down Japanese reactors? My reply is that these ideas are gladly received and always form the thought process. Nitrogen gas is used in many cooling situations although would not be a practical solution in this case. If liquid nitrogen, or any liquid with a boiling point below 200C, was introduced inside the vessel then the vessel would rapidly pressurize and would have to be vented. Also the amounts required then become a supply problem. Also liquid nitrogen converts to gas quickly in warm air and it really needs to be forced through a hot body.
I have run many brainstorming sessions when problems have arisen. Maybe we should do this when we have the next disaster. You would be surprised how many ideas that initially do not look practical as being engineered as solutions. Thanks for your interest Greg.
Dr Carle
