A review of catalyst material for hydrogen mitigation systems in nuclear facilities

Abstract

The Fukushima incident starkly underscores the imperative need to address the substantial safety risks posed by hydrogen explosions in various industrial systems utilizing hydrogen. An explosion risk arises when the concentration of hydrogen in a mixed gas surpasses 4%. Catalytic hydrogen combustion, characterized by its enhanced efficiency and safety, has emerged as a potent strategy to alleviate the detrimental effects of hydrogen explosions. This paper offers an exhaustive review of catalyst material for catalytic hydrogen combustion, encompassing diverse catalysts, and delineates the current research trajectory concerning catalyst design, fabrication, and development methodologies in a systematic manner. This review encapsulates the deleterious impacts of toxic substances—such as water vapor, carbon monoxide, iodine compounds, and fire combustion products—that may be present in nuclear facilities on catalysts and the implications of isotopic effects that warrant particular scrutiny in these settings. Finally, potential avenues for future research are suggested to alleviate hydrogen hazards in nuclear plants through the use of CHC.