核燃料循环设施锆屑火灾研究

Research of Zirconium Fires in Nuclear Fuel Cycle Facilities

锆是核燃料元件包壳的制造材料,核燃料循环设施涉及锆包壳磨削、剪切等工序,机械加工产生的锆屑极易燃烧。国内外核燃料循环设施中,锆屑着火事件时有发生,对设施造成严重危害。核燃料循环设施的消防安全是整个核安全体系中至关重要的组成部分,不仅包含常规消防相关内容,还涉及核安全。本文描述锆的燃烧特性,分析了典型案例,研究了国外相关安全准则,提出科学预防与合理设置灭火设施的建议,为降低核燃料循环设施锆屑火灾危害打下了基础。

Zirconium is utilized as a cladding material for nuclear fuel elements due to its exceptional nuclear properties.The operation of the nuclear fuel cycle facility involves grinding,cutting,and processing zirconium cladding.Zirconium dust poses a high risk of combustion and is challenging to extinguish,leading to fire and explosion incidents in scientific research or industrial production facilities related to the nuclear fuel cycle.Ensuring fire safety in nuclear fuel cycle facilities is an essential component of overall nuclear safety management,encompassing not only conventional fire-related aspects but also those pertaining to nuclear safety.This paper delineates the combustion traits of zirconium chips,dissects the typical instances,examines the relevant standards overseas,and proffers the proposals of scientific prevention and rational configuration of fire extinguishing facilities,thereby providing the foundation for minimizing the fire risks of zirconium.