Ignition and flame propagation in hydrogen-air layers from a geological nuclear waste repository: A preliminary study

• Published in: Nuclear engineering and technology Vol. 54; no. 1; pp. 130 - 137
• Main Authors: Ryu, Je Ir, Woo, Seung Min, Lee, Manseok, Yoon, Hyun Chul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.2022; Elsevier; 한국원자력학회
• Subjects: Anaerobic corrosion; Flame propagation; Geological repository; Hydrogen; Ignition; Layered flame; Nuclear waste disposal; 원자력공학; Layered flame; Geological repository; Hydrogen; Ignition; Flame propagation; Anaerobic corrosion; Nuclear waste disposal
• ISSN: 1738-5733; 2234-358X; 2234-358X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2021.07.011

In the geological repository of radioactive nuclear waste, anaerobic corrosion can generate hydrogen, and may conservatively lead to the production of hydrogen-air layer. The accumulated hydrogen may cause a hazardous flame propagation resulting from any potential ignition sources. This study numerically investigates the processes of ignition and flame propagation in the layered mixture. Simple geometry was chosen to represent the geological repository, and reactive flow simulations were performed with different ignition power, energy, and locations. The simulation results revealed the effects of power and energy of ignition source, which were also analyzed theoretically. The mechanism of layered flame propagation was suggested, which includes three stages: propagation into the hydrogen area, downward propagation due to the product gas, and horizontal propagation along the top wall. To investigate the effect of the ignition source location, simulations with eight different positions were performed, and the boundary of hazardous ignition area was identified. The simulation results were also explained through scaling analysis. This study evaluates the potential risk of the accumulated hydrogen in geological repository, and illustrates the layered flame propagation in related ignition scenarios.