Formation of Local, Transient “Acid Spikes” in the Fast Neutron Radiolysis of Supercritical Water at 400 °C: A Potential Source of Corrosion in Supercritical Water-Cooled Reactors?

The use of supercritical water (SCW) in GEN IV reactors is a logical approach to the ongoing development of nuclear energy. A proper understanding of the radiation chemistry and reactivities of transients in a reactor core under SCW conditions is required to achieve optimal water chemistry control a...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

Gespeichert in:
Bibliographische Detailangaben
Veröffentlicht in:Journal of nuclear engineering and radiation science 2020-07, Vol.6 (3)
Hauptverfasser: Patwary, Md Mohsin, Sanguanmith, Sunuchakan, Meesungnoen, Jintana, Jay-Gerin, Jean-Paul
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
Online-Zugang:Volltext
Tags: Tag hinzufügen
Keine Tags, Fügen Sie den ersten Tag hinzu!
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:The use of supercritical water (SCW) in GEN IV reactors is a logical approach to the ongoing development of nuclear energy. A proper understanding of the radiation chemistry and reactivities of transients in a reactor core under SCW conditions is required to achieve optimal water chemistry control and safety. A Monte Carlo simulation study of the radiolysis of SCW at 400 °C by incident 2 MeV monoenergetic neutrons (taken as representative of a fast neutron flux in a reactor) was carried out as a function of water density between ∼150 and 600 kg/m3. The in situ formation of H3O+ by the generated recoil protons was shown to render the “native” track regions temporarily very acidic (pH ∼ 1). This acidity, though local and transitory (“acid spikes”), raises the question whether it may promote a corrosive environment under proposed SCW-cooled reactor operating conditions that would lead to progressive degradation of reactor components.
ISSN:2332-8983
2332-8975
DOI:10.1115/1.4044409