Hydrogen Igniter

The Hydrogen Igniter is a critical component of a nuclear power plant containment hydrogen control system, primarily designed to respond to design-basis accidents (DBA) and severe accidents (BDBA). The device can be activated remotely to generate high temperatures that directly ignite accumulated hydrogen inside the containment, thereby preventing explosion hazards caused by hydrogen buildup. Within the nuclear power plant’s defense-in-depth safety system, the Hydrogen Igniter works in coordination with hydrogen concentration monitoring equipment and Passive Autocatalytic Hydrogen Recombiners to form a comprehensive safety protection network.

Product Features

Rugged and Durable Enclosure

The enclosure is welded from 1/8-inch-thick 304 stainless steel, providing excellent mechanical strength and corrosion resistance for reliable operation in the demanding environment inside a nuclear power plant containment.

Core Heating Assembly

A helical tubular heater is integrated as the core ignition element.

Electrical Connections and Sealing

The power and temperature signal cables are connected through ceramic plug-in terminals and sealed inside a stainless-steel box. A secondary sealing process is applied so that only the igniter heater remains exposed. This effectively isolates the electrical components and ensures safe, stable operation and reliable insulation performance.

Multiple Protection Features

Splash-Proof Design (NEMA 4)

Dedicated splash guards are installed above and below the heater section of the stainless-steel igniter body. This design protects the device from spray and water overflow during loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) conditions and meets NEMA 4 protection requirements, ensuring reliable startup and operation under accident conditions.

Thermal Insulation Design

To prevent heat generated by hydrogen combustion or other external heat sources from being transferred into the protective enclosure, a thermal insulation plate is installed inside the steel box. This design effectively protects the internal electrical components from high-temperature damage and further enhances equipment reliability and safety.