Active control of oxygen in molten lead-bismuth eutectic systems to prevent steel corrosion and coolant contamination

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2000 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society

OSTI ID:20086958

Li, N

There is a strong resurgent interest worldwide in heavy-liquid metals as nuclear coolant and spallation neutron target material. The continuing research and development (R and D) in accelerator-driven systems and accelerator-driven transmutation of waste have brought attention to the lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) nuclear coolant technology. Around the world R and D organizations are investigating the LBE technology in the areas of materials and corrosion, coolant quality control, thermal hydraulics, and nuclear data. There have also been concerted efforts to develop very long lived core, lead-alloy-cooled, proliferation-resistant, super safe, and transportable reactors. In this paper, the thermodynamic basis for controlling oxygen level in lead-bismuth to prevent steel corrosion and coolant contamination is examined. The operational conditions, including the thermodynamic activity of oxygen, cover-gas oxygen partial pressure, mixtures of H{sub 2} and H{sub 2}O (steam) for obtaining such low oxygen partial pressure, and the voltage signals of one type of oxygen sensors (with solid electrolyte and molten bismuth electrode) are calculated. These results provide the guidance to implement the oxygen control technique. The authors are performing laboratory experiments to verify this understanding and building an LBE material and thermal-hydraulic test facility to further develop LBE technology for accelerator transmutation of wastes applications.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (US)
• OSTI ID: 20086958
• Journal Information: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Vol. 82; Conference: 2000 Annual Meeting - American Nuclear Society, San Diego, CA (US), 06/04/2000--06/08/2000; Other Information: PBD: 2000; ISSN 0003-018X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
LIQUID METALS
LEAD ALLOYS
BISMUTH ALLOYS
CORROSIVE EFFECTS
STEELS
CORROSION PROTECTION
ACCELERATOR FACILITIES
ACCELERATOR DRIVEN TRANSMUTATION
TARGETS
SUBCRITICAL ASSEMBLIES