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Title: Lessons learned from hydrogen generation and burning during the TMI-2 event

Abstract

This document summarizes what has been learned from generation of hydrogen in the reactor core and the hydrogen burn that occurred in the containment building of the Three Mile Island Unit No. 2 (TMI-2) nuclear power plant on March 28, 1979. During the TMI-2 loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA), a large quantity of hydrogen was generated by a zirconium-water reaction. The hydrogen burn that occurred 9 h and 50 min after the initiation of the TMI-2 accident went essentially unnoticed for the first few days. Even through the burn increased the containment gas temperature and pressure to 1200/sup 0/F (650/sup 0/C) and 29 lb/in/sup 2/ (200 kPa) gage, there was no serious threat to the containment building. The processes, rates, and quantities of hydrogen gas generated and removed during and following the LOCA are described in this report. In addition, the methods which were used to define the conditions that existed in the containment building before, during, and after the hydrogen burn are described. The results of data evaluations and engineering calculations are presented to show the pressure and temperature histories of the atmosphere in various containment segments during and after the burn. Material and equipment in reactor containment buildings can bemore » protected from burn damage by the use of relatively simple enclosures or insulation.« less

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Atomics International Div., Richland, WA (USA). Rockwell Hanford Operations
OSTI Identifier:
6237032
Report Number(s):
GEND-061
ON: DE87010696
DOE Contract Number:  
AC06-77RL01030
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS; 21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS; THREE MILE ISLAND-2 REACTOR; MELTDOWN; MOLTEN METAL-WATER REACTIONS; CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS; CONTAINMENT; ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT; HYDROGEN; REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS; TEMPERATURE EFFECTS; ACCIDENTS; COOLING SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS; ENERGY SYSTEMS; ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS; EQUIPMENT; KINETICS; NONMETALS; POWER REACTORS; PWR TYPE REACTORS; REACTION KINETICS; REACTOR ACCIDENTS; REACTOR COMPONENTS; REACTORS; THERMAL REACTORS; WATER COOLED REACTORS; WATER MODERATED REACTORS; 220900* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Reactor Safety; 210200 - Power Reactors, Nonbreeding, Light-Water Moderated, Nonboiling Water Cooled

Citation Formats

Henrie, J O, and Postma, A K. Lessons learned from hydrogen generation and burning during the TMI-2 event. United States: N. p., 1987. Web. doi:10.2172/6237032.
Henrie, J O, & Postma, A K. Lessons learned from hydrogen generation and burning during the TMI-2 event. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/6237032
Henrie, J O, and Postma, A K. 1987. "Lessons learned from hydrogen generation and burning during the TMI-2 event". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/6237032. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6237032.
@article{osti_6237032,
title = {Lessons learned from hydrogen generation and burning during the TMI-2 event},
author = {Henrie, J O and Postma, A K},
abstractNote = {This document summarizes what has been learned from generation of hydrogen in the reactor core and the hydrogen burn that occurred in the containment building of the Three Mile Island Unit No. 2 (TMI-2) nuclear power plant on March 28, 1979. During the TMI-2 loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA), a large quantity of hydrogen was generated by a zirconium-water reaction. The hydrogen burn that occurred 9 h and 50 min after the initiation of the TMI-2 accident went essentially unnoticed for the first few days. Even through the burn increased the containment gas temperature and pressure to 1200/sup 0/F (650/sup 0/C) and 29 lb/in/sup 2/ (200 kPa) gage, there was no serious threat to the containment building. The processes, rates, and quantities of hydrogen gas generated and removed during and following the LOCA are described in this report. In addition, the methods which were used to define the conditions that existed in the containment building before, during, and after the hydrogen burn are described. The results of data evaluations and engineering calculations are presented to show the pressure and temperature histories of the atmosphere in various containment segments during and after the burn. Material and equipment in reactor containment buildings can be protected from burn damage by the use of relatively simple enclosures or insulation.},
doi = {10.2172/6237032},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6237032}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987},
month = {Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987}
}