Deliberate ignition of hydrogen-air-steam mixtures under conditions of rapidly condensing steam
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
A hydrogen-air-steam mixture that is initially nonflammable due to steam dilution may be rendered flammable by rapid condensation of steam due to water sprays. If the condensation process is sufficiently rapid, then a question arises as to whether a detonation could occur in such mixtures if thermal glowplugs were active during the action of the water sprays. Depending on the location and conditions under which hydrogen is released into the containment, the hydrogen may be either stratified or well mixed. For the CE System 80+ containment, the well mixed concentration of hydrogen is approximately 13.5% on a dry basis assuming 100% metal-water reaction of the active cladding. If the hydrogen accumulates above the operating deck, the average concentration of hydrogen in that region would be approximately 19.3%. The objectives of this program were developed to cover the conditions of well-mixed or stratified hydrogen-air-steam mixtures prior to the operation of the water sprays. The program objectives were to determine: (1) if detonations or other forms of energetic combustion are possible when originally non-flammable mixtures are rendered flammable by water sprays, (2) the effectiveness of water sprays in mixing hydrogen-stratified mixtures, and (3) the effect of hydrogen stratification on the maximum combustion pressure.
- Research Organization:
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States). Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
- OSTI ID:
- 54565
- Report Number(s):
- NUREG/CP--0139; CONF-9410216--; ON: TI95001469
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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