Fires, Explosions, and Venting in Nuclear Reactors (original) (raw)

Abstract

A brief historical review covers salient reactor fires and explosions, principally centred around the use of graphite as a neutron moderator, and the high temperature generation of hydrogen in reactions of steam and zirconium. An alternative to uncontrolled, excessive, build-up of pressure, followed by uncontrolled explosion, is the provision of a buffer vessel, in which there is separation of hydrogen from radioactive products in permeable membrane separators. The hydrogen is then flared. Possible rates of production of hydrogen are compared, along with the rates at which it can be separated and flared in lifted jet flames, which give the highest burn rates. Cross winds can result in a transition to rim attached, downwash and wake-attached flames, all with a signicantly reduced burn rate, or complete flame extinction. The performance of lifted jet flames of C3H8, CH4 and C2H4, when exposed to increasing air cross winds velocities, are presented. These provide a basis for synthesisi...

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