Hydrogen cylinder storage array explosion evaluations at the High Flux Isotope Reactor

David H. Cook, Frederick P. Griffin, Clifton R. Hyman

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

    Abstract

    The safety analysis for a recently-installed cold neutron source at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) involved evaluation of potential explosion consequences from accidental hydrogen jet releases that could occur from an array of hydrogen cylinders. The scope of the safety analysis involved determination of the release rate of hydrogen, the total quantity of hydrogen assumed to be involved in the explosion, the location of an ignition point or center of the explosion from receptors of interest, and the peak overpressure at the receptors. To evaluate the total quantity of hydrogen involved in the explosion, a 2D model was constructed of the jet concentration and a radial-axial integral over the jet cloud from the centerline to the flammability limit in air of 4% was used to determine the hydrogen mass to be used as a source term. The location of the point source was chosen along the centerline at the peak radius associated with the 4% hydrogen contour. Consequences were assessed using a combination of three methods for estimating local overpressure as a function of explosion source strength and distance: the Baker-Strehlow method, the TNT-equivalence method, and the TNO method. Results from the explosions were assessed using damage estimates in screening tables for buildings and industrial equipment.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publication2nd International Topical Meeting on Safety and Technology of Nuclear Hydrogen Production, Control, and Management 2010
    Pages212-215
    Number of pages4
    StatePublished - 2010
    Event2nd International Topical Meeting on Safety and Technology of Nuclear Hydrogen Production, Control, and Management 2010 - San Diego, CA, United States
    Duration: Jun 13 2010Jun 17 2010

    Publication series

    Name2nd International Topical Meeting on Safety and Technology of Nuclear Hydrogen Production, Control, and Management 2010

    Conference

    Conference2nd International Topical Meeting on Safety and Technology of Nuclear Hydrogen Production, Control, and Management 2010
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CitySan Diego, CA
    Period06/13/1006/17/10

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Hydrogen cylinder storage array explosion evaluations at the High Flux Isotope Reactor'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this