Oxidation behaviors of matrix-grade graphite during water vapor ingress accidents for high temperature gas-cooled reactors

Cho, Yi Je; Garcia, David; Yu, Hang Z.; Deng, Zhifei; Li, Ling; Lu, Kathy

doi:10.1016/j.carbon.2021.09.032

Title: Oxidation behaviors of matrix-grade graphite during water vapor ingress accidents for high temperature gas-cooled reactors

Journal Article · 15 September 2021 · Carbon

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2021.09.032 · OSTI ID:1976906

Cho, Yi Je ^[1]; Garcia, David ^[2]; Yu, Hang Z. ^[2];

^[2];

^[2]

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA (United States); OSTI
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA (United States)

Water ingress into cores of high temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) can cause serious safety problems in graphitic components, especially for matrix graphite, which is more vulnerable than nuclear graphite. Here in this study, oxidation behaviors of a matrix-grade graphite, ARB-B1, were investigated under simulated water ingress accidental conditions. The oxidation tests were conducted in water vapor/helium mixed atmospheres at elevated temperatures up to 1200 °C. Oxidation rates and activation energy were evaluated by mass loss measurements. The activation energy was 121.5 kJ/mol in the considered temperature range, indicating only one oxidation regime-in-pore diffusion assisted by cracks. The cracks originated from the fabrication process, acting as penetration paths for the oxidant, played an important role in the oxidation behaviors. Ungraphitized binder oxidation occurred at all temperatures, while apparent oxidation of filler particles started from 1100 °C. Moreover, oxidation effects on compressive properties and hardness of the matrix graphite were discussed in terms of oxidized microstructures. This first detailed study on matrix graphite oxidation in water vapor provides important kinetics knowledge and microstructural and mechanical data for accidental scenarios of HTGRs as well as for development of new matrix graphite materials.

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Research Organization:: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)

Grant/Contract Number:: NE0008808

OSTI ID:: 1976906

Journal Information:: Carbon, Journal Name: Carbon Journal Issue: C Vol. 185; ISSN 0008-6223

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
HTGR
accidental condition
matrix graphite
oxidation
water vapor

Title: Oxidation behaviors of matrix-grade graphite during water vapor ingress accidents for high temperature gas-cooled reactors

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