Effect of Moderator–Coolant Chemical Interaction on Accident Development in the No. 4 Unit of the Chernobyl NPP

Journal Article · Sun Apr 15 00:00:00 EDT 2018 · Atomic Energy (New York)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/S10512-018-0357-X· OSTI ID:22810053

Pashkevich, D. S.; Fedorovich, E. D. ^[1]; Kapustin, V. V. ^[2]

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1. St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (Russian Federation)
2. New Chemical Products Company (Russian Federation)

The accident in the No. 4 unit of the Chernobyl NPP destroyed the reactor and enclosures and resulted in atmospheric emissions of fission products, irradiated fuel, moderator, and other radioactive materials. The large-scale destruction could have been due to the chemical interaction of the coolant (water) and moderator (graphite) with carbon monoxide and hydrogen forming at temperatures above 1000 K. The results of calculations of the composition of a thermodynamically equilibrium mixture in the system of elements C–H–O and measurements of the characteristic graphite-water interaction time at ~1500 K are presented and this time is compared with the characteristic development time of the accident at the Chernobyl NPP.

• OSTI ID: 22810053
• Journal Information: Atomic Energy (New York), Journal Name: Atomic Energy (New York) Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 123; ISSN 1063-4258
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
CARBON MONOXIDE
FISSION PRODUCTS
GRAPHITE
MIXTURES
MODERATORS
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
SPENT FUELS
WATER