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U.S. Department of Energy
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Evaluation and improvement of PWR secondary-system oxygen control measures. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5871650

The phenomenon of denting that has occurred in some PWR steam generators has been attributed to the formation of corrosion products in the crevice region between the tubes and the tube support plates in the steam generator. This corrosion product has been identified as principally magnetite (Fe/sub 3/O/sub 4/) which forms through reaction between iron in the carbon steel tube support plates and oxygen either dissolved in the feedwater or carried by reducible metal oxides in the feedwater. Dissolved oxygen enters the feedwater through leaks in the condenser and other components of the secondary system, particularly valves and pumps. Reducible metal oxides enter after forming as corrosion products in the condenser and other components. This report provides recommendations for equipment and design options, along with associated costs, for making plant modifications that would correct the air-inleakage in most plants. The report also provides an evaluation of the use of hydrazine to scavenge oxygen in secondary systems, and provides recommendations for operating and maintenance practices.

Research Organization:
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (USA). Nuclear Technology Div.
OSTI ID:
5871650
Report Number(s):
EPRI-NP-3020; ON: DE83902697
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English