Corrosion testing of a degraded moderator: L-Area Tuff Tanks
Based on test results, storage of the degraded moderator in 55-gallon 304L drums (0.065 inches thick) would not cause failure by general corrosion for up to 5 plus years storage. Acidic degraded moderator was temporarily stored in Tuff Tanks located in L-area. The moderator characteristics included a D{sub 2}O content of 5.02--5.33%, a pH of 1.25--1.31, a conductivity of 29,300--31,200 m mhos/cm, tritium activity of 114--141 m Ci/mL, and levels of approximately 6,000 ppm for chloride and 500 ppm for chromium. The compatibility of the degraded with AISI Type 304L stainless steel (304L) was investigated in this study. Following ASTM standard practice, coupon immersion tests were conducted in both treated and untreated moderator. Treatment included the addition of either a 40 wt % NaOH solution, distilled water to serially dilute the chloride, or concentrated nitric acid to increase the nitrate concentration. Type 304L stainless steel exposed to the Tuff Tank moderator was found from these tests to: have a general corrosion rate of less than 5 mils per year (mpy) for 304L plate, which bounds that of the 304L storage drum, passivate at chloride concentrations up to 5,000 ppm for 304L sheet, resist corrosion for nitrate/chloride ratios ranging from 0.1 to 1,000, and be susceptible to crevice corrosion. Based on these test results, storage of the degraded moderator in 55-gallon 304L drums (0.065 inch thick) would not cause failure by general corrosion for up to 5+ years storage. The chloride concentration, [Cl], in the degraded moderator has been measured up to 6000 ppm. The potential or risk for aggressive localized attack of 304L increases with [Cl] concentration. A qualitative range is as follows: [Cl{sup minus}] < 150 ppm, excellent resistance, very low risk; 150 < [Cl{sup minus}] < 350 ppm, good resistance, low risk; 350 < [Cl{sup minus}] < 600 ppm, reasonable resistance, medium risk. The degraded moderator should be treated to reduce the chloride concentration to reduce the potential for localized corrosion and the risk for a leakage failure of the drum. A good practice would be to reduce the [Cl] concentration to below 250 ppm, the site standard for stainless steel. The monitoring program of these drums should continue as part of the Moderator Storage Program. More frequent inspections is a good practice as storage time increases. Long-term surveillance testing with creviced samples in actual degraded moderator should be performed in conjunction with the monitoring program, especially if the intended storage time is to exceed several years or chloride concentrations exceed 250 ppm.
- Research Organization:
- Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC09-96SR18500
- OSTI ID:
- 752501
- Report Number(s):
- WSRC-TR-2000-00020; TRN: US0001568
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 13 Mar 2000
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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