Overpressures and Time Scales Associated with Hydrogen Combustion

Abstract

Since 1978 an experimental program has been under way at the Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment 8 to provide fundamental combustion data and large-scale model verification in support of analysis of postulated post-accident hydrogen combustion situations in CANDUR containments and calandria. The extent of the hazard from accidental hydrogen a combustion is determined primarily by the magnitude and duration of the combustion overpressure. This 2 paper reviews the factors contributing to combustion pressure development and the effectiveness of mitigation by venting, and presents some illustrative experimental results.