Survey of supression of sodium fires in liquid metal fast breeder reactors

Technical Report · Wed Jun 02 00:00:00 EDT 1976

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7348288· OSTI ID:7348288

Hemstreet, R A

A survey was made of protection and suppression technologies relative to liquid sodium fires at selected sites. These technologies will find application in the Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor (LMFBR) program. Based on this survey, a series of conclusions and recommendations are given. Dry type powder agents will only be of use of relatively small sodium fires. Large fires will be extinguished by inerting the chamber or collecting pans where the sodium leak occurs. Liquid sodium fire suppression methods must be incorporated into the initial design of an LMFBR. There exists a need for close coordination of liquid sodium fire technology and guidelines for fire fighting personnel. Suggestions are made for a number of technical development programs. An extensive search for new suppression agents is not recommended although carbon microspheres should be submitted for approval.

• Research Organization: Factory Mutual Research Corp., Norwood, Mass. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: E(49-1)-3737
• OSTI ID: 7348288
• Report Number(s): ERDA-76-70
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
LMFBR TYPE REACTORS
REACTOR SAFETY
SODIUM
COMBUSTION
FIRES
ALKALI METALS
BREEDER REACTORS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELEMENTS
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
FAST REACTORS
FBR TYPE REACTORS
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
METALS
OXIDATION
REACTORS
SAFETY
TESTING
220900* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Reactor Safety
210500 - Power Reactors
Breeding