Coolant Radiolysis and Methods of Providing Explosion Protection of Shell-Type Boiling-Water Reactors

Background: The existing methods providing security by localizing coolant leaks in sealed equipment cannot protect light-water reactor power plants as the explosive mixture formation leads to the equipment destruction and radioactive substance emissions into the environment. Materials and methods: The basic information was obtained by empirical research. New design solutions and technological schemes have been developed based on the results of pilot studies. Results: The article is devoted to the radiolytic processes at the coolant natural circulation boiling water reactor VK-50. The article describes operation characteristics of hydrogen catalytic combustion systems under the wet conditions of the steam-gas mixture in case of emergency. Conclusions: The obtained results can be applied to improving shell-type boiling water reactor power plants.