Post-Accident Hydrogen Generation from Protective Coatings in Power Reactors

Protective coatings applied to the interior surfaces of reactor containment facilities may consist of a paint cover over a zinc-rich primer coat. In case of a design basis accident, this coating may be exposed to extremes of temperature and radiation while exposed to hot borated suppression solution. The reaction between the zinc-rich primer coat and the hot solution may result in the generation of hydrogen. Coated coupons obtained from major paint vendors were exposed to various spray solutions under proximate design basis accident (DBA) conditions. Up to the theoretical amount of hydrogen was evolved.