Nuclear Engineering and Technology

Korean Nuclear Society (한국원자력학회)
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Improved prediction model for H2/CO combustion risk using a calculated non-adiabatic flame temperature model

  • Kim, Yeon Soo (Department of Nuclear Engineering, Hanyang University) ;
  • Jeon, Joongoo (Department of Nuclear Engineering, Hanyang University) ;
  • Song, Chang Hyun (Department of Nuclear Engineering, Hanyang University) ;
  • Kim, Sung Joong (Department of Nuclear Engineering, Hanyang University)
  • Received : 2020.02.03
  • Accepted : 2020.07.27
  • Published : 2020.12.25
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Abstract

During severe nuclear power plant (NPP) accidents, a H2/CO mixture can be generated in the reactor pressure vessel by core degradation and in the containment as well by molten corium-concrete interaction. In spite of its importance, a state-of-the-art methodology predicting H2/CO combustion risk relies predominantly on empirical correlations. It is therefore necessary to develop a proper methodology for flammability evaluation of H2/CO mixtures at ex-vessel phases characterized by three factors: CO concentration, high temperature, and diluents. The developed methodology adopted Le Chatelier's law and a calculated non-adiabatic flame temperature model. The methodology allows the consideration of the individual effect of the heat transfer characteristics of hydrogen and carbon monoxide on low flammability limit prediction. The accuracy of the developed model was verified using experimental data relevant to ex-vessel phase conditions. With the developed model, the prediction accuracy was improved substantially such that the maximum relative prediction error was approximately 25% while the existing methodology showed a 76% error. The developed methodology is expected to be applicable for flammability evaluation in chemical as well as NPP industries.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the Basic Science Research Program funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) (No. 2020M2A8A5025124) and the Nuclear Safety Research Program through the Korea Foundation of Nuclear Safety (KoFONS) using the financial resource granted by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) of the Republic of Korea (No. 1805001).

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