Experimental Investigation on Helium Jet Release and Distribution in a Vented Cylindrical Enclosure – Effect of Wall Temperature Conditions

Hydrogen generated during core meltdown accidents in nuclear reactors can cause serious threat to the structural integrity of the containment and safe operation of nuclear power plants. The study of hydrogen release and mixing within the containments is an important area of safety research as hydrogen released during such accidents in nuclear power plants can lead to hydrogen explosions and catastrophic consequences. A small scale experimental setup called the AERB-IIT Madras Hydrogen Mixing Studies (AIHMS) facility is setup at IIT Madras to study the distribution of hydrogen subsequent to release as a jet followed by its response to various wall thermal conditions. The present paper gives details of the design, fabrication and instrumentation of the AIHMS facility and a comparison of features of the facility with respect to other facilities existing for hydrogen mitigation studies. Then it gives details of the experiments conducted and the results of the preliminary experiments on concentration build-up as a result of injection of gases (air and helium) and effect of thermally induced natural convection on gas mixing performed in this experimental facility.