Environmentally benign control of high chromium alloy corrosion in hot oxidizing environments
The nitric acid solutions used in chemical processing by the nuclear industry are often contained in stainless steel or other high chromium alloy vessels. It is well known that oxidants, like nitrate solutions, form Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} films on such alloys providing considerable protection from general corrosion. Nevertheless, at least some small amount of corrosion always occurs, especially at high temperatures, and the corrosion products accumulate in the solutions. The authors determined experimentally that a portion of corrosion product chromium ultimately oxidizes to Cr(VI) in hot concentrated nitric acid solutions, and that as increased levels of Cr(VI) accumulate, the corrosion of stainless steel and other high chromium alloys is accelerated. Boiling nitric acid, as processed in the liquid effluent treatment and disposal facility at the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant, is especially conducive to this condition. The authors also determined that such an accumulation and accelerated corrosion can be prevented by small chemical additions that generate no by-products other than water and elemental oxygen.
- OSTI ID:
- 89091
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-941102--
- Journal Information:
- Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Vol. 71; ISSN 0003-018X; ISSN TANSAO
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Chromium in aqueous nitrate plutonium process streams: Corrosion of 316 stainless steel and chromium speciation
Chromium in aqueous nitrate plutonium process streams: Corrosion of 316 stainless steel and chromium speciation