www.nrc.gov GE's BWR explanation

Can someone explain or link me to any aid that is being sent to Japan?

if you look at GE's site on the BWR reactors, there's once system that pumps water through the reactor, one system that removes decay heat from that system via heat exchange, and core isolation cooling system, another emergency cooling system. the problem with 3 out of 4 of the systems are they're driven by electrical pumps, which failed during the initial power outage and failure of the emergency backups caused by the tsunami. The last system is driven by a difference in pressure, which won't work because of the immense pressure being produced from hot water being generated from the hot reactor core even days after shutdown.

with seawater, you're basically condensing the steam that is forming in the reactor core and also removing any residual heat that exists. Most power plants operate at near capacity levels so the amount of heat still being generated is significant, even days to weeks later.

Here's a list of organizations you can make donations to: www.huffingtonpost.com

Seven people are missing and three people have been injured by the explosion at the Fukushima 1 nuclear plant, the AFP news agency reports, quoting an official from Tepco, the company which operates the plant. -AFP via BBC

Can Dean and Mike comment on the different fuels used in #1 plant vs. #3 which is reported as a combo of Uranium/Plutonium

I can offer you an expert. He works in a BWR US nuclear plant. Check @arclight on Twitter

PHILIPPINES: You can course donations to the Natl Red Cross through text: Globe subs: mobile donations @philredcross Send RED <amount> to 2899. You can donate 5 25 100 300 500 OR 1000

@lisa131 Lisa, I'd say it's because nº3 building has been accumulating hydrogen for two more days than nº1 did.

@Dean @mike03, can the color of the clouds of the explosions identify what kind of material is being released ?

PHILIPPINES: You can course donations to the Natl Red Cross through text: Smart subs: mobile donations @philredcross Send RED <amount> to 4143. You can donate 5 25 100 300 500 OR 1000

I'm currently working at school in a town in Fukushima, 100km from the nuclear plant. Everyone here is going about their business as usual. I've taught two lessons this morning and we're about to have lunch. The radio is on but nobody seems to be concerned in the slightest.

I'm under the impression that both Fukushima plants are identical with possible minor design changes. That could attribute to the difference in time between the hydrogen explosion at #1 and #3. However, it's a very dynamic situation and you can't predict the rate that the radiation breaks apart water molecules and produces hydrogen.

Does anyone know how many people are confirmed dead? My hearts breaking for Japan..

@Richard Baum am a nuclear operation experience engineer , why do people assume that the complete melt down wont be harm at all ? so far all what learned about nuclear safety has faild to explain the explosion of the containment building which is the last defense barrier

@Beth because there was no radiological release in 3mil island

@dean and mike. does the sea salt encrust the surfaces making heat exchange less efficient?