THE EFFECT OF METAL SPECIES PRESENT IN IRRADIATED FUEL ELEMENTS ON THE CORROSION OF STAINLESS STEEL IN NITRIC ACID
The presence in soiution of dichromate ions or the oxidized members of other redox couples, e.g., Ce(IV) or Ru(VIII), leads to accelerated attack of stainless steel by nitric acid. Chemical processing of irradiated reactor fuel elements may involve dissolution by nitric acid in stainless steel chemical plant and, since isotopes of cerium and ruthenium normally present as fission products will also pass into solution, accelerated corrosion rates are to be expected. Observed corrosion rates are found to he much lower than those predicted on the basis of laboratory experiments conducted under nonirradiated condiiions. This is because the beta-gamma activity of the fission products maintains the oxidation potential of the solution below that at which the cerium and ruthenium are stable in their tetravalent and octavalent states, respectively. For similar reasons, accelerated corrosion may be inhibited by certain reducing agents. The mechanism of corrosion in boiling nitric acid and the influence of the oxidizing species are discussed. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, Culcheth, Lancs, Eng.; Mond Nickel Co., Ltd., London
- NSA Number:
- NSA-13-006766
- OSTI ID:
- 4287331
- Report Number(s):
- A/CONF.15/P/30
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-59
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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