Development of a mitigation system against hydrogen-air deflagrations in nuclear power plants

A novel mitigation system against hydrogen-air deflagrations in nuclear power plant buildings is proposed and developed through a series of field experiments using explosion vessels of different volume sizes. The mitigation system is installed on the outer surface of the vessels, and it comprises fl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of loss prevention in the process industries Vol. 60; pp. 9 - 16
Main Authors:	Saitoh, Hiroyasu, Otsuka, Teruhito, Yoshikawa, Norihiko, Kanno, Nozomu, Takanashi, Seiji, Oozawa, Yousuke, Hirata, Masahiro, Takeshita, Masayuki, Sakuragi, Kenji, Kurihara, Sayuri, Tsunashima, Yuichiro, Aoki, Naohito, Tanaka, Kento
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Elsevier Ltd 01-07-2019
Subjects:	Deflagration Flame arrester Hydrogen explosion Mitigation Nuclear power plant Severe accident Mitigation Severe accident Hydrogen explosion Nuclear power plant Deflagration Flame arrester
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Summary:	A novel mitigation system against hydrogen-air deflagrations in nuclear power plant buildings is proposed and developed through a series of field experiments using explosion vessels of different volume sizes. The mitigation system is installed on the outer surface of the vessels, and it comprises flame arrester and explosion air bag. The flame arrester is made by stacking 10–20 sheets of fine-mesh wire screens, and the air bag is connected for holding explosion gas. The successful mitigation mechanism is the sequence of pressure-rise reduction by the air bag expansion, flame quenching by the flame arrester, and the slow burning of the gas mixture sucked from the air bag back into the vessel due to the negative pressure caused by the rapid condensation of water vapor inside the vessel. Necessary conditions for the successful mitigation system are discussed, and the practical unit size of flame arrester sheet is recommended. •A mitigation system against hydrogen-air deflagrations in nuclear power plant buildings was proposed and developed.•The system comprises flame arrester which is made by stacking fine mesh wire screens and air bag for holding explosion gas.•The effective mechanism of the system is demonstrated through a series of field experiments.•Necessary conditions for the successful mitigation system are discussed.
ISSN:	0950-4230
DOI:	10.1016/j.jlp.2019.03.011