Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Frank on 11/04/2011 11:30:02

Title: Can nitrogen injection prevent a nuclear reactor explosion?
Post by: Frank on 11/04/2011 11:30:02

Frank asked the Naked Scientists:
   
How does nitrogen injection into nuclear reactor prevent a hydrogen explosion?

What do you think?

Title: Can nitrogen injection prevent a nuclear reactor explosion?
Post by: JMLCarter on 11/04/2011 17:59:14

Hydrogen requires oxygen from the atmosphere to explode.

2H₂ + O₂  =>  2H₂O

It also needs a spark or flame to get it started.
If you pump nitrogen in all the oxygen is displaced, and the reaction cannot occur.

Nitrogen is a safe bet because it is inert and abundant in nature.
However, it is lighter than oxygen, so they would be better off with something like halo-methane (if they had more time and money).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halomethane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halomethane)