[en] FLAMME is a computer program designed to calculate the thermodynamic consequences of a kerosene fire in a ventilated or unventilated room. It is a multizone model that describes the exchanges of energy due to thermal radiation and the exchanges of matter due to pyrolysis, to air entrainment by the hot plume, and to the ventilation system

[en] Pool fire tests were carried out to simulate certain types of fire liable to occur in fuel reprocessing plants with TBP-kerosene mixtures in quantities ranging from 2nd to 250 liters, with combustion areas fo 78 cm² to 5 m². Test results showed that a solvent pool can be ignited at temperatures below the flashpoint by propagation from a localized hot spot in case of very strong local energy input. The transfer coefficients from the mixture to the air and the very high efficiency filters were measured for cesium and thorium, used to simulate the plutonium that could be present in the solvent

[en] On the wall of the structure to be cut is fixed a hollow section defining with the wall a duct in which is introduced an inflatable tube bearing the explosive rope. Before firing the tube is inflated and the explosive rope is closely applied on the wall. Application is made to dismantling of radioactive containers, enclosure etc... minimizing the time of exposure to radiations for the personnel

[en] This paper describes the sodium fire programs undertaken by the CEA's Nuclear Safety Department. Experimental results concerning sodium ignition and combustion, sodium fire suppression, sodium aerosol filtration and sodium-concrete contact reactions are given and the applications of these results in the Super-Phenix reactor is discussed

[en] FEUNA is a computer code developed to calculate the thermodynamic effects of a sodium fire in a ventilated or unventilated containment volume. Developed jointly by the CEA/DSN and Novatome, the FEUNA code involves two oxide formation reactions, aerosol generation and deposits, heat transfer by convection, conduction and radiation, gas inflow and outflow through the ventilation system and the relief valves. The code was validated by comparing calculated values with the results of an actual sodium fire in a 400m³ caisson. (author)

[en] In the scope of the sodium aerosol trapping research effort by the CEA/DSN, the retention capacity and yield were measured for very high efficiency fiberglass filters and several types of prefilters (cyclone agglomerator, fabric prefilters, water scrubbers). (author)

[en] The fission products present in nuclear installations create a potential hazard of environmental contamination against which precautions must be taken this is, specifically, the purpose of purification equipment. The first problem is to define the containment and its leakage rate. The efficiency of purification on the off-gas system must be adapted to the hazard and the choice will be guided by the characteristics of the site, in particular the weather conditions and the doses regarded as acceptable for the surrounding population. Purification systems will accordingly vary depending on the type of installation in which they are to be used (reactors, factories, laboratories). This paper describes the different possibilities and shows that systems which are both effective and adaptable can be built. It considers durability of equipment properties and also the additional hazards entailed in handling purification equipment and the accidents which could result from its use. The financial aspects of the different solutions are also discussed. (author)

[en] After a sodium leak in a locale, producing a fire, the operator's first concern is to repair the plant. Since the residual sodium and the products of combustion are chemically aggressive, the personnel will have to perform this operation in a hostile environment. This paper presents answers which can be given to the three questions which will however rise: When can the intervention begin? How will it be performed? What should be done with the residues of combustion? This document aims at presenting the different solutions to this problem, these solutions being derived from experiments carried out in France either in the Esmeralda Programme, which is managed jointly by CEA and ENEA, or in the other French programmes. As a general rule, the intervention inside the locale can be made much more easier if: it was foreseen right from the beginning of the design (access under the pipes, anchorage for handling, etc.); the incident can have been localised thanks to the monitoring of locales, enabling the video recording of the first instants, that is, as long as visibility does not fall to zero due to the aerosols from the fire. (author)

[en] The studies made in France on magnesium combustion and extinguishing means are associated at the nuclear fuel of the graphite-gas reactor. Safety studies are made for ameliorate our knowledge on: - magnesium combustion - magnesium fire propagation - magnesium fire extinguishing

[en] Sodium fire programs undertaken by the CEA's Nuclear Safety Department are described. Experimental results concerning sodium ignition and combustion, sodium fire suppression, sodium aerosol filtration and sodium-concrete contact reactions are given and the application of these results in the Super-Phenix reactor is discussed. 3 refs