Pressure Challenges to CANDU Containment due to Hydrogen Combustion during Accidents

Abstract

Post-LOCA hydrogen combustions in multi-unit CANDU containments are affected by a number of inherent design features. These include a large containment volume, a highly compartmentalized structure, an igniter system instal led in each reactor vault, and a provision for long term containment venting. In this paper, these factors are considered in estimating the combustion pressure challenge. It is shown that with the igniter system, the containment will survive the combustions, whereas without it, containment integrity cannot be assured.