The effect of gamma radiation on reference electrodes and platinum and carbon steel bare metal electrodes in a simulated waste solution

Conference · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:10132488

Danielson, M J

Electrochemical potential measurements of materials in waste tanks are important in determining if the materials have a propensity for stress corrosion cracking and pitting. Potential measurement requires a reference electrode, but the effect of radiation on the potential generated by the reference electrode has been an unknown quantity. To determine the significance of the radiation effect, Pacific Northwest Laboratory conducted studies of five types of electrodes under gamma radiation at room temperature. The subjects were two types of silver, silver chloride reference electrodes, a mercury/calomel reference electrode, a platinum ``flag``, and a piece of A-537 carbon steel; the electrodes were exposed to a simulated caustic tank environment. The Fisher Scientific{reg_sign} silver/silver chloride and mercury/calomel reference electrodes showed essentially no radiation effects up to a flux of 2.IE6 R/h and fluence of 9.4E8 R, indicating they would be useful reference electrodes for in-tank studies. The Lazaran{reg_sign} silver/silver chloride electrode showed serious potential deviations at fluences of 2.E8 R but would be the electrode of choice in many situations because it is simple to maintain. Radiation affected the open circuit potential of both the platinum and carbon steel electrodes. This effect indicates that corrosion studies without radiation may not duplicate the corrosion processes expected in a waste tank. Mixed-potential theory was used to explain the radiation effects.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 10132488
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA--22723; CONF-940222--12; ON: DE94008045
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052002
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360105
360106
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400400
CARBON STEELS
CORROSION AND EROSION
CRACKING
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
ELECTRODES
GAMMA RADIATION
IRRADIATION
MATERIALS TESTING
MEASURING METHODS
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
PLATINUM
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
STRESS CORROSION
TANKS
WASTE DISPOSAL AND STORAGE