Preliminary modeling and analysis of selected hydrogen detonation events in the proposed High-Flux Isotope Reactor cold source

A defense-in-depth philosophy has been adopted by the High-Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) designers and management. Therefore, despite the low initiating event frequencies associated with detonation events, a study was initiated to evaluate the consequences of a hydrogen detonation event and to demonstrate system robustness. This paper presents a perspective overview of the modeling work under way, as well as salient results of assessments to date for evaluating the safety margins associated with hydrogen detonation events in the proposed cold source of the HFIR