SOME REACTIONS BETWEEN THORIUM OXIDE AND INHIBITED HEAVY LIQUID METALS
As part of a study of liquid metal slurries as blanket materials for liquid metal fueled reactors, thoria prepared by calcination of the oxalate was mixed vigorously with inhibited lead. lead-bismuth eutectic. and bismuth at temperatures in the range 500 to 600 deg C to form slurries containing up to 18% (by volume) solids. Solidified samples were examined for reactions between the corrosion inhibitors (zirconium and magnesium) and thoria, immediately after preparation and after circulation in thermal convection loops and in a pumped loop. Magnesium at eutectic concentration in lead and bismuth reacted with thoria to produce intermetallic compounds which plugged thermal convection loops. Magnesium at normal inhibitor levels did not reduce thoria to give a thorium concentration in excess of the solubility limit in bismuth at 400 deg C. Thoria concentrations up to 7% in bismuth were not found to effect the rheological properties of the liquids in these experiments, nor to alter corrosion inhibition effects by the ZrN film technique. The rheology of lead slurries was influenced principally by thoria settling upwards. Apart from settling effects the slurries were physically stable. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, Berks, Eng.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-15-014272
- OSTI ID:
- 4066518
- Report Number(s):
- AERE-12-3131
- Journal Information:
- J. Nuclear Energy, Pt. B. Reactor Technol., Journal Name: J. Nuclear Energy, Pt. B. Reactor Technol. Vol. Vol: 1
- Country of Publication:
- United Kingdom
- Language:
- English
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