Analysis of the Three Mile Island (TMI-2) hydrogen burn
A study of recorded temperatures and pressures was made. Hydrogen concentrations were calculated. Postburn average ambient temperatures versus time were calculated. Average temperatures were calculated for the region above elevation 347, below elevation 347, and within the D-shield compartments. Results were: Prior to the burn, the hydrogen was well mixed with the containment air. Average hydrogen concentration was 7.9%, wet basis. The hydrogen burn occurred at all three levels in the containment. The burn was initiated somewhere in the lowest level, probably on the west side. The burn time was about 12 s. About 3570 m/sup 3/ or 126,000 ft/sup 3/, 160 kg moles or 319 kg of hydrogen burned. Containment gas temperatures in the flame front were 760/sup 0/C (1400/sup 0/F). Average containment gas temperature at end was 660/sup 0/C (1220/sup 0/F). The gas temperatures decreased much faster below elevation 347 than above elevation 347. The average temperature rise was only about 1.2/sup 0/C (2.2/sup 0/F) as a result of the hydrogen burn. Considerably more energy came from the hot water and steam vented. The burn damage observed was predominantly at the upper elevations and on the north, east, and south quadrants. 1.1% hydrogen remained in the containment after the burn. Venting of the reactor cooling system during the hour following the burn added an additional 0.6%. Hydrogen concentrations increased from this 1.7% to about 2.2% between March 30 and April 2. One of two Rockwell hydrogen recombiners removed 112 kg of hydrogen. A total of 459 kg of hydrogen gas were accounted for. Assuming that 432 kg were generated by the zirconium-steam reaction, 9850 kg Zr would have been oxidized.
- Research Organization:
- Rockwell International Corp., Richland, WA (USA). Energy Systems Group
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-77RL01030
- OSTI ID:
- 6652043
- Report Number(s):
- RHO-RE-SA-8-Rev.1; CONF-830103-21-Rev.1; ON: DE82020725
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2. international topical meeting on nuclear thermalhydraulics, Santa Barbara, CA, USA, 11 Jan 1982; Other Information: Portions of document are illegible
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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