ML20148G385

Discusses Recent Superficial Blast & Fire Damage Caused by Ignition of Hydrogen & Oxygen Mixture Inside Containment Sys.Requests Util Review Facility Design for Possible Areas of Accumulation of Combustible Gases

ML20148G385
Person / Time
Site:	Yankee Rowe
Issue date:	01/18/1963
From:	Lowenstein R US ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC)
To:	Coe R YANKEE ATOMIC ELECTRIC CO.
References
NUDOCS 8011110596
Download: ML20148G385 (1)

Text

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Formal Suppl.

Tocket No. .S 2? REPRSB - iT/a Files -

"q P. A. Morris (2)

E. G. Case Yankee Atonic Flectric Com,>any M1- Stuart Strcot Jfdj]cjpg3' E "

' beston 16,' t'assachusetts c..

Attentiont l'.r. Rocer Coe Vice President Ce nticmen It tu recently cone to v.y attention that a rixture of hydrecen and oxycen ignited inside the contaireent cyetem of one of the Conniasion-operated reactors and caused some au .crficial blast and fire c%nago. W Since it may be poccible that auch a condition could occur elsewhere, I am writing this letter to describe the circumstances of the incident es that you mcy review the design of your facjlity for any potential danger pointe in the light of this experience. ,

The hydrogen cas was found to have evolved from two anurecs. Those vero rcdiolytic decomposition of the shield unter in which the roactor is  ;

cituated ard radiolytio decomposition of the primnry coolant water. 7no  !..

bydroc,:n reached the vapor container etmor:here via evalution from the f re e surface of the chield water pool and vin luaare throgh valvo ,

pcch;nn Ira:- the vapor phace of the prcn:rurirer. Iaring e,ntinued ow clion of t.he rcnctor with itc cent.n'.n .cnt r; rte cealed, tim igfrore :

necu-;.:lcted in v. t,tapa.t pocket in the upper regions of the cont nit.nent H cytt n until e ca;+uctil.te c?ncentrathn von renchcf. /.e ricetrien1 tar rh in thic reg 5n or thc t ot curf ace of on i of the een onente in con- .,

.%nction with n che icci pro 'oter cuch ns or.one', n*mnin, or nitrge;n peroxide in bcitered to have ignited ibn nixture caucire a typically rapid 3ncrence in preecuro. .

In view of t.his incifont, it is sugrented that you review the decir.n 'I of your facility for any such sourceu of hydrogen or other cor.trustitic casco uhich cocid reach locations within your facility whero ctagnant 4 p cheta reicht form and accumulate to conbuntibic concentratione.

j 4t tention should alco be given to crolosion-proofine, Linctrical devicec

. er othr.r criuin ant which r.icht otheruleo be en:wbic of icniting such nj

3 cc o .

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