Radiolysis of the coolant in the VK-50 boiling water reactor

Journal Article · Wed Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1986 · Sov. At. Energy (Engl. Transl.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01123898· OSTI ID:6818983

Zabelin, A I; Shmelev, V E

Radiolysis of the coolant proceeds at a higher rate in a boiling water reactor as compared to a water-moderated, water-cooled reactor. The radiolytic gases (hydrogen and oxygen) exiting the reactor together with steam can form a potentially explosive mixture. Special interest attaches to the results obtained under the codnitions of prolonged operation of the VK-50 reactor. Tests of various water-chemistry conditions which were performed in the experimental reactor showed their critical influence on the rate of progress of radiolytic processes. The entire period of operation of the reactor may be arbitrarily divided into three stages, each of which is characterized by its own peculiar conditions of water chemistry and range of thermal power. From stage to stage, there is a noticeable improvement in the coolant quality which to a limited extent is reflected in the exit of radiolytic gases with the steam. The concentration of radiolytic gases increases with decreased power and with an increased content of corrosion products and other contaminants in the coolant.

• OSTI ID: 6818983
• Journal Information: Sov. At. Energy (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Vol. 60:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
VK-50 REACTOR
FIRE PREVENTION
REACTOR SAFETY
WATER
RADIOLYSIS
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CORROSION PRODUCTS
FIRE HAZARDS
HYDROGEN
IMPURITIES
INHIBITION
MONITORING
OXYGEN
QUANTITY RATIO
STEAM
WATER CHEMISTRY
BWR TYPE REACTORS
CHEMICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
HAZARDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
KINETICS
NONMETALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POWER REACTORS
RADIATION CHEMISTRY
RADIATION EFFECTS
REACTION KINETICS
REACTORS
SAFETY
THERMAL REACTORS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS
220900* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Reactor Safety
210100 - Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Boiling Water Cooled
400600 - Radiation Chemistry