Analysis of Hydrogen Product for Reactor Core Loaded Annular Fuel in Severe Accident Condition

The zirconium amount will increase about 88% if the internally and externally cooled annular fuel is loaded in the core of Qinshan-Ⅱ NPP (Nuclear Power Plant). The total amount of hydrogen production during core melt in severe accident condition will become an issue. The core with annular fuel was simulated by using MELCOR code. The analysis of station blackout accident respectively for core with annular fuel and core with traditional solid fuel shows that the hydrogen production of core with annular fuel does not sharply increase compared with that of core with traditional solid fuel, and the accident progresses are obviously delayed. In a word, adopting annular fuel in NPP will not increase the risk of hydrogen burning in severe accident condition.