Operational testing of hydrogen ignitors under simulated severe accident conditions

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA)

OSTI ID:6835749

Doyle, T E; Johnson, W R; Kelly, J L

Following a major reactor accident, hydrogen gas may be produced by the reaction of fuel cladding and structural metals with high-temperature steam and by the radiolytic decomposition of water. Uncontrolled ignition of this gas can have serious results if the hydrogen concentration in the containment is high enough to allow rapid deflagration or detonation. One method of maintaining a noncombustible atmosphere within containment involves the use of hydrogen ignitors to initiate the controlled burning of hydrogen at concentrations near the flammability limit, 4 vol%. Ignitors are simply diesel engine glow plugs, which when operated, or fired, at 14 V ac cause the hydrogen in their vicinity to burn. The objective of these experiments has been to determine what detrimental effects, if any, large doses of gamma radiation and simulated-accident atmospheric conditions would have on the ignitors. Of primary concern was the operating temperature of the glowing ignitor tip, which is required to be at least 927{degree}C (1700 F) during firing. The effect of radiation exposure on the ac voltage transformers used in containment to power the ignitors has also been investigated, where the degradation of electrical insulation and the voltage and current delivery capability of the transformers were of greatest interest.

• OSTI ID: 6835749
• Report Number(s): CONF-890604--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA) Journal Volume: 59
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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