High-temperature electromagnetic filtration on the primary circuit of the Winfrith 100-MW nuclear plant

Technical Report · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984

OSTI ID:7122993

Bridle, D A; Bird, E J; Mitchell, C R

This report details results of a program carried out by the UKAEA on the Winfrith SGHWR on the removal of particulate corrosion species from the primary coolant by high temperature magnetic filtration. The program has utilized a small fixed grid research filter (5 te h/sup -1/ flow) operating, on a once-through basis, directly on the primary coolant blowdown line. Activated corrosion products, containing in particular /sup 60/Co, are the dominant source which gives rise to occupational radiation exposure incurred in operating and maintaining most LWRs. The circulating crud in SGHWR is primarily hematite (..cap alpha..-Fe/sub 2/O/sub 3/) plus lesser amounts of magnetite (Fe/sub 3/O/sub 4/) and carries with it about 50% of the total /sup 60/Co activity in circulation as particulates. Studies carried out as part of this program have optimized the filter operating variables in terms of flow rate, operating cycle, and backwash parameters for maximum filter efficiency. Data are presented on the filter performance for the major particulate corrosion products and associated nuclides together with particle size performance data at different flow rates. Additional studies have focussed on deposition rates before and after the magnetic filter on a range of LWR circuit materials. Deposited films have been characterized chemically and radiochemically and assessments made of the effect of magnetic separation on the physical structure and activity of such films.

• Research Organization: UKAEA Atomic Energy Establishment, Winfrith. Technology Div.
• OSTI ID: 7122993
• Report Number(s): EPRI-NP-3441; ON: TI84920358
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210400* -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Otherwise Moderated or Unmoderated
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CHALCOGENIDES
COBALT 60
COBALT ISOTOPES
COOLING SYSTEMS
CORROSION PRODUCTS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
FILTERS
FILTRATION
HEAVY WATER MODERATED REACTORS
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
INTERNAL CONVERSION RADIOISOTOPES
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON OXIDES
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MAGNETIC FILTERS
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
POWER REACTORS
PRIMARY COOLANT CIRCUITS
RADIOISOTOPES
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
REACTORS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SGHWR REACTOR
THERMAL REACTORS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES