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

[Larry Addis]

I had to wonder if Zirc failure was the source of the Hydrogen. But
"serious" fuel failure would have resulted in much higher dose rate
measurements from a release of primary pressure to the environment -
wouldn't it?

Dry well is in good shape probably?

LA

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu
[mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of Roger Helbig
Sent: Saturday, March 12, 2011 8:34 PM
To: 'The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List'
Subject: [ RadSafe ] Zirconium Cladding of Fuel Rods - Reaction With Water

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





_______________________________________________
You are currently subscribed to the RadSafe mailing list

Before posting a message to RadSafe be sure to have read and understood the
RadSafe rules. These can be found at:
http://health.phys.iit.edu/radsaferules.html

For information on how to subscribe or unsubscribe and other settings visit:
http://health.phys.iit.edu