• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.12
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• pp.2836-2846
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• 2020

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.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.305-316
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• 2022

Hydrogen energy is emerging as an alternative to the depletion of fossil fuels and environmental problems, and the use of hydrogen vehicles is increasing in the automobile industry as well. However, since hydrogen has a wide flammability limit of 4 to 75%, there is a high concern about safety in case of a hydrogen car accident. In particular, in semi-enclosed spaces such as tunnels and underground parking lots, a fire or explosion accompanied by hydrogen leakage is highly likely to cause a major accident. Therefore, it is necessary to review hydrogen safety through analysis of flammability areas caused by hydrogen leakage. Therefore, in this study, the effect of the air velocity in the tunnel on the flammability area was investigated by analyzing the hydrogen concentration according to the hydrogen leakage conditions of hydrogen vehicles and the air velocity in the tunnel in a road tunnel with standard section. Hydrogen leakage conditions were set as one tank leaking and three tanks leaking through the TPRD at the same time and a condition in which a large crack occurred and leaked. And the air velocity in the tunnel were considered 0, 1, 2.5, and 4.0 m/s. As a result of the analysis of the flammability area, it is shown that when the air velocity of 1 m/s or more exists, it is reduced by up to 25% compared to the case of air velocity of 0 m/s. But there is little effect of reducing the flammability area according to the increase of the wind speed. In particular, when a large crack occurs and completely leaks in about 2.5 seconds, the flammability area slightly increases as the air velocity increases. It was found that in the case of downward ejection, hydrogen gas remains under the vehicle for a considerably long time.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.51 no.7
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• pp.1749-1757
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• 2019

Predicting lower flammability limits (LFL) of hydrogen has become an ever-important task for safety of nuclear industry. While numerous experimental studies have been conducted, LFL results applicable for the harsh environment are still lack of information. Our aim is to develop a calculated non-adiabatic flame temperature (CNAFT) model to better predict LFL of hydrogen mixtures in nuclear power plant. The developed model is unique for incorporating radiative heat loss during flame propagation using the CNAFT coefficient derived through previous studies of flame propagation. Our new model is more consistent with the experimental results for various mixtures compared to the previous model, which relied on calculated adiabatic flame temperature (CAFT) to predict the LFL without any consideration of heat loss. Limitation of the previous model could be explained clearly based on the CNAFT coefficient magnitude. The prediction accuracy for hydrogen mixtures at elevated initial temperatures and high helium content was improved substantially. The model reliability was confirmed for $H_2-air$ mixtures up to $300^{\circ}C$ and $H_2-air-He$ mixtures up to 50 vol % helium concentration. Therefore, the CNAFT model developed based on radiation heat loss is expected as the practical method for predicting LFL in hydrogen risk analysis.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.48-53
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• 2014

In this study, we would evaluate fire risk by domestic standard for artificial turf installed on field and roofs. Today domestic regulation for artificial turf only applies to outdoor uses and especially KS M 3888-1 has compulsion but limited to school athletic facilities. Indoor regulation complying with National Emergency Management Agency (No. 2012-35) was enacted as recommendations. Thus this study did combustion test of artificial turf installed on field. Analyzed result by 45 degree flammability test, standard was inadequate to judge the fire risk so we compared and analysed its characteristic through combustion test of flame retardant finishing carpet used as flooring. Test and assessment result of its ignitionability by 45 degree flammability test showed that carpet was satisfied with flame retardant finishing performance standard contrary to artificial turf. For this reason, by conducting cone calorimeter test, the combustion property after ignition would be analyzed and evaluated and then this study will suggest a countermeasure for strengthening standard.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.701-711
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• 2020

Purpose: In this study, the risk of flammability of a liquid mixture was experimentally confirmed because the purpose of this study was to confirm the increase or decrease of the flammability risk in a mixture of two substances (combustible+combustible) and to present the risk of the mixture. Method: Flash point test method and result processing were tested based on KS M 2010-2008, a tag sealing test method used as a flash point test method for crude oil and petroleum products. The manufacturer of the equipment used in this experiment was Japan's TANAKA. The flash point was measured with a test equipment that satisfies the test standards of KS M 2010 with equipment produced by the company, and LP gas was used as the ignition source and water as the cooling water. In addition, when measuring the flash point, the temperature of the cooling water was tested using cooling water of about 2℃. Results: First of all, in the case of flammable + combustible mixtures, there was little change in flash point if the flash point difference between the two substances was not large, and if the flash point difference between the two substances was low, the flash point tended to increase as the number of substances with high flash point increased. However, in the case of toluene and methanol, the flash point of the mixture was lower than that of the material with a lower flash point. Also, in the case of a paint thinner, it was not easy to predict the flash point of the material because it was composed of a mixture, but as a result of experimental measurement, it was measured between -24℃ and 7℃. Conclusion: The results of this study are to determine the risk of mixtures through experimental studies on flammable mixtures for the purpose of securing the effectiveness of the details of the criteria for determining dangerous goods in the existing dangerous goods safety management method and securing the reliability and reproducibility of the determination of dangerous goods Criteria have been presented, and reference data on experimental criteria for flammable liquids that are regulated in firefighting sites can be provided. In addition, if this study accumulates know-how on differences in test methods, it is expected that it can be used as a basis for research on risk assessment of dangerous goods and as a basis for research on dangerous goods determination.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.17-29
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• 1993

The method has been proposed for the risk assessment of petro-chemical plant, specially which can evaluate relative risk levels on the materials and process-es. The each potential risk of materials and processes are derived numerically and combined these values, finally Fire and Explosion Index was found. Material factor was evaluated with the flammability and the reactivity and process factor with emprical factor called penalty. This F&EI can be performed for relative risk assesment at the whole plant and directely applicable at the line.

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.182-193
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• 2022

Purpose: By measuring and evaluating the risk of biodiesel through non-volatile residue (NVR) and flash point and explosion limit measurement at a specific temperature according to ASTM test standards, the risk of chemical fire causative substances is identified and a universal evaluation method By derivation and securing the risk-related data of the material, it can be used for the identification and analysis of the cause of the fire, and it can be applied to the risk assessment of other chemical substances Method: In order to measure the risk of biodiesel, it was measured using the non-volatile residue(NVR) measurement method, which measures how much flammable liquid is generated at a specific temperature. Heating was tested by applying KS M 5000: 2009 Test Method 4111. In addition, the flash point was measured using the method specified in ASTM E659-782005, and the energy supply method was measured using the constant temperature method. In addition, the explosion limit measurement was conducted in accordance with ASTM E 681-04 「Standard test method for concentration limits of flammability of chemicals(Vapors and gases)」 test standard. Result: As a result of checking the amount of combustible liquid by the non-volatile residue (NVR)measurement method, the non-volatile residue(NVR) of general diesel when left at 105±2℃ for 3 hours was about 30% (70% of volatile matter) and about 4% of biodiesel. In addition, similar results were obtained for the non-volatile residue(NVR)heating temperature of 150±2℃, 3 hours and 200±2℃ for 1 hour, and white smoke was generated at 200℃ or higher. In addition, similar values were obtained as a result of experimentally checking the explosion (combustion) limits of general diesel, general diesel containing 20% biodiesel, and 100% biodiesel. Therefore, it was confirmed that the flammability risk did not significantly affect the explosion risk. Conclusion: The results of this study suggested the risk judgment criteria for mixtures through experimental research on flammable mixtures for the purpose of securing the effectiveness, reliability, and reproducibility of the details of the criteria for determining dangerous substances in the existing Dangerous Materials Safety Management Act. It will be possible to provide reference data for the judgment criteria for flammable liquids that are regulated in the field. In addition, if the know-how for each test method is accumulated through this study, it is expected that it will be used as basic data in the research on risk assessment of dangerous substances and as a basis for research on the determination of dangerous substances.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.19 no.1 s.57
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• pp.51-58
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• 2005

In this paper, The experimental materials of painted fire resistant paint on substrate, FRP, PVC, AL and stainless steel that fire resistant paint developed newly were evaluated as the hazard elements : the fire resistibility of the materials, fire spread test of flame, the oxygen index, flammability, the smoke density. the toxicity index from it when it burned. As a result of the experiments, the AL and the stainless steel were passed of fire resistant class 1, the FRP, the AL, and the stainless steel were ignited of fire spread test of flame, all the experimental materials showed about $50\%$ of oxygen index, V-0 of flammability, and 43-338 of maximum smoke density at flaming mode used smoke density chamber. Also, they showed that the toxicity index of combustion products were 0.57-1.12.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.51 no.8
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• pp.1939-1950
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• 2019

The MELCOR code useful for a plant-specific hydrogen risk analysis has inevitable limitations in prediction of a turbulent flow of a hydrogen mixture. To investigate the accuracy of the hydrogen risk analysis by the MELCOR code, results for the turbulent gas behavior at pipe rupture accident were compared with CFX results which were verified by the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) model. The postulated accident scenario was selected to be surge line failure induced by station blackout of an Optimized Power Reactor 1000 MWe (OPR1000). When the surge line failure occurred, the flow out of the surgeline was strongly turbulent, from which the MELCOR code predicted that a substantial amount of hydrogen could be released. Nevertheless, the results indicated nonflammable mixtures owing to the high steam concentration released before the failure. On the other hand, the CFX code solving the three-dimensional fluid dynamics by incorporating the turbulence closure model predicted that the flammable area continuously existed at the jet interface even in the rising hydrogen mixtures. In conclusion, this study confirmed that the MELCOR code, which has limitations in turbulence analysis, could underestimate the existence of local combustible gas at pipe rupture accident. This clear comparison between two codes can contribute to establishing a guideline for computational hydrogen risk analysis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.385-393
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• 2022

Hydrogen has reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the main cause of global warming, and is emerging as an eco-friendly energy source for ships. Hydrogen is a substance with a lower flammability limit (LFL) of 4 to 75% and a high risk of explosion. To be used for ships, it must be sufficiently safe against leaks. In this study, we analyzed the effect of changes in the area of the air inlet / vent port on the ventilation performance when hydrogen leaks occur in the hydrogen tank storage room. The area of the air inlet / vent port is 1A = 740 mm × 740 mm, and the size and position can be easily changed on the surface of the storage chamber. Using ANSYS CFX ver 18.1, which is a CFD commercial software, the area of the air inlet / vent port was changed to 1A, 2A, 3A, and 5A, and the hydrogen mole fraction in the storage chamber when the area changed was analyzed. Consequently, the increase in the area of the air inlet port further reduced the concentration of the leaked hydrogen as compared with that of the vent port, and improved the ventilation performance of at least 2A or more from the single air inlet port. As the area of the air inlet port increased, hydrogen was uniformly stratified at the upper part of the storage chamber, but was out of the LFL range. However, simply increasing the area of the vent port inadequately affected the ventilation performance.