Criteria for Evaluating the Combustion Modes of Mixtures Containing H2 and CO in NPP Containments: Part II. Flame Acceleration and Detonation

Abstract The article presents the results of the analysis and generalization of Russian and foreign experimental programs for the study of combustion modes of hydrogen-containing mixtures as applied to hydrogen issues at nuclear power plants (NPPs) with VVER during severe accidents. An approach to criteria-based estimates of flame acceleration modes and deflagration-to-detonation transition for mixtures containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide is formulated. The effects of water droplets in the gas phase on the flammability and combustion modes of hydrogen mixtures are discussed. The results of this work are relevant for the assessment of hydrogen hazards at NPPs, including the development, validation, and application of dedicated computer codes.