Thermodynamic model of waste tank corrosion with implications to pitting during in-tank processing, washing and storage

Technical Report · Fri Feb 14 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6755071

Bickford, D F

The electrochemical thermodynamics of iron dissolution can be applied to past studies of pitting and general corrosion of carbon steel waste tanks for the storage of radioactive waste. Such studies seek to reproduce in the laboratory the electrochemical conditions existing in waste tanks. The tests employed are either coupon tests in solutions intended to be typical of the environment, or potentiodynamic or potentiostatic tests which impress a voltage on the sample, and measure the resulting electric currents. All types of test samples are microscopically examined for crevice or pitting corrosion. This review discusses the electrochemical processes that occur during such testing. By stating the assumptions which are inherent in such testing, this review seeks to familiarize process engineers and chemists with the conditions favorable for pitting corrosion, and some of the means of controlling it. Also included is a review of the conditions which exist during the washing and storage of cesium tetraphenylborate, and high aluminum waste. Implications of the model to the chemical control of pitting during these processes are summarized, along with potential alternative methods of controlling the pitting. 29 refs., 8 figs., 8 tabs.

• Research Organization: Savannah River Lab., Aiken, SC (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-76SR00001
• OSTI ID: 6755071
• Report Number(s): DPST-86-275; ON: DE89001637
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052002* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Disposal & Storage
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360105 -- Metals & Alloys-- Corrosion & Erosion
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400201 -- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
ALLOYS
AROMATICS
BORIC ACID
CARBON STEELS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
CONTAINERS
CORROSION
CORROSION RESISTANT ALLOYS
CORROSIVE EFFECTS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DISSOLUTION
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
LEACHING
MANAGEMENT
MICROSTRUCTURE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
PHENOLATES
PHENOLS
PITTING CORROSION
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SLUDGES
STAINLESS STEELS
STEELS
STORAGE
TANKS
THERMODYNAMICS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE STORAGE