Atmospheric corrosion monitoring at the US Department of Energy`s Oak Ridge K-25 Site
Depleted uranium hexafluoride (UF{sub 6}) at the US Department of Energy`s K-25 Site at Oak Ridge, TN has been stored in large steel cylinders which have undergone significant atmospheric corrosion damage over the last 35 years. A detailed experimental program to characterize and monitor the corrosion damage was initiated in 1992. Large amounts of corrosion scale and deep pits are found to cover cylinder surfaces. Ultrasonic wall thickness measurements have shown uniform corrosion losses up to 20 mils (0.5 mm) and pits up to 100 mils (2.5 mm) deep. Electrical resistance corrosion probes, time-of-wetness sensors and thermocouples have been attached to cylinder bodies. Atmospheric conditions are monitored using rain gauges, relative humidity sensors and thermocouples. Long-term (16 years) data are being obtained from mild steel corrosion coupons on test racks as well as attached directly to cylinder surfaces. Corrosion rates have been found to intimately related to the times-of-wetness, both tending to be higher on cylinder tops due to apparent sheltering effects. Data from the various tests are compared, discrepancies are discussed and a pattern of cylinder corrosion as a function of cylinder position and location is described.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge K-25 Site, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OT21400
- OSTI ID:
- 10103766
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950304-5; ON: DE95003749
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Corrosion `95: National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) international annual conference and corrosion show,Orlando, FL (United States),26-31 Mar 1995; Other Information: PBD: [1995]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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