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Final Results of the Hydrogen Igniter Experimental Program (NUREG/CR-2486)
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Publication Information
Manuscript Completed: November 1981
Date Published: February 1982
Prepared by
W. E. Lowry (Principal Investigator), B. R. Bowman, LLNL,
B. W. Davis, Northern Arizona University
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
7000 East Avenue
Livermore, CA 94550
Prepared for
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, D.C. 20555
NRC FIN No. A0418
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Abstract
Thermal igniters proposed by the Tennessee Valley Authority for intentional ignition of hydrogen in nuclear reactor containments have been tested in mixtures of air, hydrogen, and steam. The igniters, conventional
diesel engine glow plugs, were tested in a 10.6 ft 3 pressure vessel with dry
hydrogen concentrations from 4% to 29% hydrogen, and in steam fractions of up
to 50%. Dry tests indicated complete combustion between 8% and 9% H2 , and
no combustion for concentrations below 5%. Steam tests were done with
hydrogen volume fractions of 8%, 10%, and 12%. Steam concentrations of up to
30% consistently resulted in ignition. Most of the 40% steam fraction tests
resulted in combustion. In a few isolated cases the 50% steam fraction tests
indicated a pressure rise. Circulation of the mixture improved combustion in
both the dry and the steam tests, most notably at low H2 concentrations. An
analysis of the high steam fraction test data showed a high probability for
the presence of small, suspended, water droplets in the test mixture. The
suppressive influence of this condensation-generated fog on combustion is
evaluated.
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