Analysis of Hydrogen Diffusion Ignition in Oxygen-Nitrogen Mixtures

Odai Nassar, Surya Kaundinya Oruganti, Marcel Martins Alves, Sergey Kudriakov, Etienne Studer, Liel Ishay, Yoram Kozak

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Extreme accidental scenarios in nuclear power plants (NPPs) might involve hydrogen formation and pressurized release into the containment building, which eventually may lead to an unintended explosion. Thus, fundamental understanding of the complex physical mechanisms associated with such accidental explosions is necessary for their prevention and mitigation. In the present study, we analyse the mitigating effect of nitrogen dilution on diffusion ignition of hydrogen in air. In particular, we investigate the self-ignition of a diffusion layer behind a shock wave for the initial pressure ratio of 700 between hydrogen and atmospheric air. Numerical simulations are carried out via the open source code Ember for a 1-D unsteady diffusion-reaction problem. Pure H2 is considered as high-pressure gas and three different gas compositions are considered as low-pressure gas - 21% of O2 with 79% of N2, 12% of O2 with 88% of N2, and 6% of O2 with 94% of N2. For all the cases, it is observed that O2 is converted into OH and H2O around the same location within the diffusion layer. However, the ignition delay time is longer for the cases of 12% of O2 and 6% of O2 than for pure-air case by less than 0.06 µs and 0.50 µs, respectively.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 20th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics, NURETH 2023
PublisherAmerican Nuclear Society
Pages3994-4005
Number of pages12
ISBN (Electronic)9780894487934
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023
Event20th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics, NURETH 2023 - Washington, United States
Duration: 20 Aug 202325 Aug 2023

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 20th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics, NURETH 2023

Conference

Conference20th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics, NURETH 2023
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWashington
Period20/08/2325/08/23

Funding

FundersFunder number
NRCN-CEA International Collaboration Research Fund
PAZY Foundation

    Keywords

    • Containment
    • Diffusion ignition
    • Hydrogen
    • Nitrogen dilution
    • Pressurized jet release

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