LUBRICANTS FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Journal Article · Mon Oct 31 04:00:00 EST 1960 · Compt. rend. congr. intern. chim. ind., 31e, Liege, Belg., 1958

OSTI ID:4153089

Frewing, J J

Types of nuclear power plants now commercially available and the mechanisms in them presenting special lubrication problems due to the presence of radiation are discussed. The behavior of a range of lubricants to neutrons, gamma rays, and fast electrons was investigated and it was found possible to correlate the effects produced by these types of radiations. In hydrocarbon oils atomic radiation produces cross-linkage that causes an increase in viscosity, the extent of which depends on the composition of the oil. The paraffinic oils are the most unstable and ultimately solidify. Aromatic compounds naturally occurring in refined mineral oils have a beneficial effect, but some aromatic additives examined had little effect. Several synthetic lubricants were subjected to atomic radiation, but they were found to be more unstable than many of the petroleum hydrocarbons. Typical conventional greases became fluid at relatively low radiation doses, indicating a breakdown in the soap gel structure. Special lubricants are being developed which offer considerable resistance to atomic radiation. (auth)

• Research Organization: Shell Petroleum Co., Ltd., London
• NSA Number: NSA-14-024044
• OSTI ID: 4153089
• Journal Information: Compt. rend. congr. intern. chim. ind., 31e, Liege, Belg., 1958, Journal Name: Compt. rend. congr. intern. chim. ind., 31e, Liege, Belg., 1958 Vol. Vol: 1
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AROMATICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
CONFERENCE
CONFIGURATION
ECONOMICS
FAST NEUTRONS
GAMMA RADIATION
HYDROCARBONS
LUBRICATION
NEUTRONS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
OILS
PETROLEUM
POWER PLANTS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
STABILITY
VISCOSITY