TMI vs. Fukushima Daiichi
The nuclear accident in Three Mile Island is similar to the recent nuclear meltdown in Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. First off, the structure of both nuclear reactors are almost identical. The Three Mile Island nuclear plant was a Pressurize Water Reactor, while the Fukushima one was a Boiling Water Reactor. Their functions, behaviors, and the way they generate nuclear power are very similar to each other. Additionally, both nuclear plants released same the fissile product (Cesium-137 and Iodine-131 ) after the nuclear accidence. Last but not least, there are no immediate deaths or injuries reported on both incidents.
There are two main differences that separated Fukushima nuclear crisis apart from Three Mile Island accidence: 1) the severity level and 2) the accident causes. Fukushima's nuclear meltdown was much more serious than in comparison to Three Mile Island. According to the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES), the severity level of Fukushima was rated as 7 (the highest level, which is the same level as Chernobyl disaster), while Three Mile Island was a level 5 ,a less serious nuclear accident compared to Fukushima. The Three Mile Island accident was caused by a system malfunction, the cooling system in the reactor shut down during the operation. Unlike Three Mile Island, the Fukushima nuclear meltdown was caused by power outrage after the earthquake and tsunami. The tsunami damaged the back up generator and batteries. The cooling system was destroyed which caused the internal temperature of the reactors started to rise uncontrollably.
There are two main differences that separated Fukushima nuclear crisis apart from Three Mile Island accidence: 1) the severity level and 2) the accident causes. Fukushima's nuclear meltdown was much more serious than in comparison to Three Mile Island. According to the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES), the severity level of Fukushima was rated as 7 (the highest level, which is the same level as Chernobyl disaster), while Three Mile Island was a level 5 ,a less serious nuclear accident compared to Fukushima. The Three Mile Island accident was caused by a system malfunction, the cooling system in the reactor shut down during the operation. Unlike Three Mile Island, the Fukushima nuclear meltdown was caused by power outrage after the earthquake and tsunami. The tsunami damaged the back up generator and batteries. The cooling system was destroyed which caused the internal temperature of the reactors started to rise uncontrollably.