[ RadSafe ] Zirconium Cladding of Fuel Rods - Reaction With Water

[Roger Helbig]

The NEI advised that the Hydrogen gas that is the probable cause of the
explosion at Fukushima #1 Reactor was generated when the Zirconium cladding
of the fuel rod was exposed - how did this exposure generate the Hydrogen
gas?

"It appears that as the level of coolant in the reactor vessel lowered, a
portion of the top of the uranium fuel rods was exposed. This may have
caused zirconium cladding of the fuel rods to react with water to create
hydrogen. This hydrogen was vented, then somehow ignited, causing the
explosion."

Web Elements says that Zirconium does not react with water under normal
conditions

Reaction of zirconium with water

"Zirconium does not react with water under normal conditions."

Roger