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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Prestabilized chromium protective film to reduce radiation buildup

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6977344
This patent describes a method for retarding buildup of radioactive materials on a water exposed steel surface of a pipe which forms a part of a water system of a light water nuclear reactor. It comprises preparing the water exposed steel surface to obtain a clean base metal starting surface; depositing a chromium film at least five hundred Angstroms thick on the pipe surface from a solution of chromic acid and sulfuric acid under controlled electrochemical deposition conditions; exposing the deposited chromium film and the underlying base metal to a gaseous oxygen source at temperatures between 150[degrees] C and 450[degrees] C to obtain a thin stabilized chromium-rich oxide film on the exposed surface of the deposited chromium film; and, using the chromium-coated pipe with an oxide film as a portion of the water system of the light water nuclear reactor.
Assignee:
Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
Patent Number(s):
A; US 5147597
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-682613
OSTI ID:
6977344
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English