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Phenomenology of Graphite Burning in Air Ingress Accidents of HTRs
Author
Source
Science and Technology of Nuclear Installations
Issue
Vol. 2011, Issue 2011 (31 Dec. 2011), pp.1-13, 13 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2011-12-05
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
13
Main Subjects
Engineering Sciences and Information Technology
Abstract EN
Air ingress with graphite burning belongs to the accident scenarios in HTRs with potentially severe consequences.
This paper gives an overview of basic phenomena of graphite burning like ignition conditions and moving reaction fronts.
The pioneering graphite burning experiments of Don Schweitzer are successfully reevaluated.
Ignition conditions are examined, and it is underlined that burning depends not only on graphite properties but also on the heat balance in the whole graphite arrangement.
In graphite-moderated reactors, ignition occurs at about 650°C for small air flow rates: this means that normal operation temperatures in HTRs always allow for ignition.
Fuel behaviour in air ingress, as determined in the KORA facility, is discussed: up to about 1300°C modern TRISO fuel is stable in air, but from 1500°C a complete, fast destruction is observed.
Exemplary calculations on massive air ingress by chimney draught performed with REACT/THERMIX are outlined.
For a hot bottom reflector there is a substantial time span before fuel is attacked.
Because severe air ingress in well-designed HTRs belongs to beyond design basis accidents, the knowledge is fairly good.
Concerning protecting measures, a more detailed examination of thick SiC layers is proposed.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Moormann, Rainer. 2011. Phenomenology of Graphite Burning in Air Ingress Accidents of HTRs. Science and Technology of Nuclear Installations،Vol. 2011, no. 2011, pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-483183
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Moormann, Rainer. Phenomenology of Graphite Burning in Air Ingress Accidents of HTRs. Science and Technology of Nuclear Installations No. 2011 (2011), pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-483183
American Medical Association (AMA)
Moormann, Rainer. Phenomenology of Graphite Burning in Air Ingress Accidents of HTRs. Science and Technology of Nuclear Installations. 2011. Vol. 2011, no. 2011, pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-483183
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-483183