Hydrogen challenge mitigation stands as one of the main objectives in the management of severe accidents at Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs). Key strategies for hydrogen control include atmospheric inertization and hydroge...Hydrogen challenge mitigation stands as one of the main objectives in the management of severe accidents at Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs). Key strategies for hydrogen control include atmospheric inertization and hydrogen removal with Passive Autocatalytic Recombiners (PARs) being a commonly accepted approach. However, an examination of PAR operation specificity reveals potential inefficiencies and reliability issues in certain severe accident scenarios. Moreover, during the in-vessel stage of severe accident development, in some severe accident scenarios PARs can unexpectedly become a source of hydrogen detonation. The effectiveness of hydrogen removal systems depends on various factors, including the chosen strategies, severe accident scenarios, reactor building design, and other influencing factors. Consequently, a comprehensive hydrogen mitigation strategy must effectively incorporate a combination of strategies rather than be based on one strategy, taking into consideration the probabilistic risks and uncertainties associated with the implementation of PARs or other traditional methods. In response to these considerations, within the framework of this research it has been suggested a conceptual strategy to mitigate the hydrogen challenge during the in-vessel stage of severe accident development.展开更多
This paper presents the concept of a passive electrochemical hydrogen recombiner(PEHR).The reaction energy of the recombination of hydrogen and oxygen is used as a source of electrical energy according to the operatin...This paper presents the concept of a passive electrochemical hydrogen recombiner(PEHR).The reaction energy of the recombination of hydrogen and oxygen is used as a source of electrical energy according to the operating principle for hydrogen fuel cells to establish forced circulation of the hydrogen mixture as an alternative to natural circulation(as is not utilized in conventional passive autocatalytic hydrogen recombiners currently used in nuclear power plants(NPPs)).The proposed concept of applying the physical operation principles of a PEHR based on a fuel cell simultaneously increases both productivity in terms of recombined hydrogen and the concentration threshold of flameless operation(the‘ignition’limit).Thus,it is possible to reliably ensure the hydrogen explosion safety of NPPs under all conditions,including beyond-design accidents.An experimental setup was assembled to test a laboratory sample of a membrane electrode assembly(MEA)at various hydrogen concentrations near the catalytic surfaces of the electrodes,and the corresponding current–voltage characteristics were recorded.The simplest MEA based on the Advent P1100W PBI membrane demonstrated stable performance(delivery of electrical power)over a wide range of hydrogen concentrations.展开更多
文摘Hydrogen challenge mitigation stands as one of the main objectives in the management of severe accidents at Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs). Key strategies for hydrogen control include atmospheric inertization and hydrogen removal with Passive Autocatalytic Recombiners (PARs) being a commonly accepted approach. However, an examination of PAR operation specificity reveals potential inefficiencies and reliability issues in certain severe accident scenarios. Moreover, during the in-vessel stage of severe accident development, in some severe accident scenarios PARs can unexpectedly become a source of hydrogen detonation. The effectiveness of hydrogen removal systems depends on various factors, including the chosen strategies, severe accident scenarios, reactor building design, and other influencing factors. Consequently, a comprehensive hydrogen mitigation strategy must effectively incorporate a combination of strategies rather than be based on one strategy, taking into consideration the probabilistic risks and uncertainties associated with the implementation of PARs or other traditional methods. In response to these considerations, within the framework of this research it has been suggested a conceptual strategy to mitigate the hydrogen challenge during the in-vessel stage of severe accident development.
基金Open access funding provided by North-West University
文摘This paper presents the concept of a passive electrochemical hydrogen recombiner(PEHR).The reaction energy of the recombination of hydrogen and oxygen is used as a source of electrical energy according to the operating principle for hydrogen fuel cells to establish forced circulation of the hydrogen mixture as an alternative to natural circulation(as is not utilized in conventional passive autocatalytic hydrogen recombiners currently used in nuclear power plants(NPPs)).The proposed concept of applying the physical operation principles of a PEHR based on a fuel cell simultaneously increases both productivity in terms of recombined hydrogen and the concentration threshold of flameless operation(the‘ignition’limit).Thus,it is possible to reliably ensure the hydrogen explosion safety of NPPs under all conditions,including beyond-design accidents.An experimental setup was assembled to test a laboratory sample of a membrane electrode assembly(MEA)at various hydrogen concentrations near the catalytic surfaces of the electrodes,and the corresponding current–voltage characteristics were recorded.The simplest MEA based on the Advent P1100W PBI membrane demonstrated stable performance(delivery of electrical power)over a wide range of hydrogen concentrations.
