Performance test of the quenching meshes for hydrogen control

Abstract

The quenching distance of hydrogen gas was experimentally investigated by considering the effects of the initial pressure and steam addition. The quenching distance decreases with the initial pressure and there is a little increase with the addition of steam. Performance tests have been carried out to check the applicability of quenching mesh for the purpose of arresting hydrogen flame propagation during a severe accident in nuclear power plants. The experimental facility for the performance test of the quenching mesh consisted of a model compartment, a visualization system and an ignition system. Dimensions of the single model compartment were 300 x 300 x 300 mm. Three-compartments are connected in parallel. The quenching mesh is located between the first and second compartments. It was observed that the flame from the first compartment where the ignition starts does not propagate to the second compartment. The quenching mesh played a role of preventing flame propagation.