A Comparison and Abstraction of the Commercial Spent Fuel Corrosion Experiments in the U.S.

2002 ◽  
Vol 757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric R. Siegmann

ABSTRACTThis paper compares the results of three different fuel corrosion experiments by taking the existing corrosion data reported for various temperatures and recalculating corrosion rates at a single temperature of 25°C using a temperature dependent model developed elsewhere. Three types of light water reactor fuel corrosion tests (sometimes called dissolution or alteration tests) were performed in support of Yucca Mountain Project. The tests used three water contact modes and various fuel burnups. All measurements were adjusted for temperature differences and then compared. Five different isotopes (cesium, technetium, iodine, strontium, and, in the flow-through tests, uranium) were considered as a measure of corrosion. The data used represent over ten years of experiments with about nine different fuel types. Most experiments were with repository type fluids, containing dissolved constituents such as carbonate, calcium and silicon. The results show that all of the experiments predict similar fuel corrosion rates. Small differences in the isotope release rates are observed and incorporated in the abstracted uncertainty. Water contact mode (flow-through, batch, or drip) does not seem to be very important although the drip tests introduced larger variations. In developing a corrosion abstraction, all of the isotope measurements were considered equally. The distribution of release rates was used directly to develop the uncertainty. The mean corrosion rate was 1.8 × 10-4 fraction/year at 25°C (5%-95% range = 5.7 × 10-5 to 1.7 × 10-3). Using the derived corrosion rate for 25°C, and considering rapid axial splitting of the cladding, the CSNF fuel rod is expected to corrode in less than 2,000 years. The abstraction uses all the available experiments performed with water containing carbonates, silicon, or calcium and irradiated fuel to produce a corrosion rate distribution. Sensitivity studies using this corrosion rate abstraction in the TSPA-SR analysis show very small changes in dose (3%) in response to changes in the UO2 corrosion abstraction.

2014 ◽  
Vol 1665 ◽  
pp. 195-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osamu Kato ◽  
Hiromi Tanabe ◽  
Tomofumi Sakuragi ◽  
Tsutomu Nishimura ◽  
Tsuyoshi Tateishi

ABSTRACTCorrosion behavior is a key issue in the assessment of disposal performance for activated waste such as spent fuel assemblies (i.e., hulls and end-pieces) because corrosion is expected to initiate radionuclide (e.g., C-14) leaching from such waste. Because the anticipated corrosion rate is extremely low, understanding and modeling Zircaloy (Zry) corrosion behavior under geological disposal conditions is important in predicting very long-term corrosion. Corrosion models applicable in the higher temperature ranges of nuclear reactors have been proposed based on considerable testing in the 523−633 K temperature range.In this study, corrosion tests were carried out to confirm the applicability of such existing models to the low temperature range of geological disposal, and to examine the influence of material, environmental, and other factors on corrosion rates under geological disposal conditions. A characterization analysis of the generated oxide film was also performed.To confirm applicability, the corrosion rate of Zry-4 in pure water with a temperature change from 303 K to 433 K was obtained using a hydrogen measuring technique, giving a corrosion rate for 180 days of 8 × 10-3 μm/y at 303 K.To investigate the influence of various factors, corrosion tests were carried out. The corrosion rates for Zry-2 and Zry-4 were almost same, and increased with a temperature increase from 303 K to 353 K. The influence of pH (12.5) compared with pure water was about 1.4 at 180 days at 303 K.


Author(s):  
Andreas Loida ◽  
Bernd Grambow ◽  
Horst Geckeis

Abstract The simultaneous corrosion of spent fuel and Fe-based container material is characterized by the formation of large amounts of hydrogen, which control the composition of the gas phase. Various experimental data indicate that the matrix dissolution rate and the release rates of important radionuclides decrease, if the H2 overpressure increases. To quantify to what extent the hydrogen overpressure may counteract radiolysis enhanced matrix dissolution rates, and to take credit from the effect of hydrogen overpressure in long-term safety assessments of the repository, a detailed experimental investigation has been initiated. High burnup spent fuel is being corroded under anoxic conditions in the absence of carbonate in 5m NaCl solution under an external H2 overpressure of 3.3 bar. This pressure is in the same range as observed in a long-term test using spent fuel and Fe-powder. Results obtained after 117 days of testing show that due to constant or decreasing concentrations of Sr and other matrix bound radionuclides, corrosion rates were not measurable indicating a stop of matrix dissolution or very low long-term rates. Grain boundary release of Cs and fission gases was found to continue under hydrogen overpressure. Compared to tests in the absence of hydrogen solution concentrations decreased by about ca. 1.5 orders of magnitude for U (10−8 M), Am, Eu (10−10 M), whereas the decrease of Np (3×10−10 M), Tc (5×10−9 M) and Pu (4×10−9 M) concentrations was found to be less significant.


1989 ◽  
Vol 176 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. N. Wilson ◽  
W. J. Gray

ABSTRACTGaining a better understanding of the potential release behavior of water-soluble radionuclides is the focus of new laboratory spent fuel dissolution studies being planned in support of the Yucca Mountain Project. Previous studies have suggested that maximum release rates for actinide nuclides, which account for most of the long-term radioactivity in spent fuel, should be solubility-limited and should not depend on the characteristics or durability of the spent fuel waste form. Maximum actinide concentrations should be sufficiently low to meet the NRC annual release limits. Potential release rates for soluble nuclides such as 99Tc, 135Cs, 14C and 129I, which account for about 1-2% of the activity in spent fuel at 1000 years, are less certain and may depend on processes such as oxidation of the fuel in the repository air environment.Dissolution rates for several soluble nuclides have been measured from spent fuel specimens using static and semi-static methods. However, such tests do not provide a direct measurement of fuel matrix dissolution rates that may ultimately control soluble-nuclide release rates. Flow-through tests are being developed as a potential supplemental method for determining the matrix component of soluble-nuclide dissolution. Advantages and disadvantages of both semi-static and flow-through methods are discussed. Tests with fuel specimens representing a range of potential fuel states that may occur in the repository, including oxidized fuel, are proposed. Preliminary results from flow-through tests with unirradiated UO2 suggesting that matrix dissolution rates are very sensitive to water composition are also presented.


1985 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 1133 ◽  
Author(s):  
BG Pound ◽  
MH Abdurrahman ◽  
MP Glucina ◽  
GA Wright ◽  
RM Sharp

The corrosion rates of low-carbon steel, and 304, 316 and 410/420 stainless steels in simulated geothermal media containing hydrogen sulfide have been measured by means of the polarization resistance technique. Good agreement was found between weight-loss and polarization resistance measurements of the corrosion rate for all the metals tested. Carbon steel formed a non-adherent film of mackinawite (Fe1 + xS). The lack of protection afforded to the steel by the film resulted in an approximately constant corrosion rate. The stainless steels also exhibited corrosion rates that were independent of time. However, the 410 and 420 alloys formed an adherent film consisting mainly of troilite ( FeS ) which provided only limited passivity. In contrast, the 304 and 316 alloys appeared to be essentially protected by a passive film which did not seem to involve an iron sulfide phase. However, all the stainless steels, particularly the 410 and 420 alloys, showed pitting, which indicated that some breakdown of the passive films occurred.


1970 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 39-43
Author(s):  
Basu Ram Aryal ◽  
Jagadeesh Bhattarai

Simultaneous additions of tungsten, chromium and zirconium in the chromium- and zirconium-enriched sputter-deposited binary W-xCr and W-yZr are effective to improve the corrosion resistance property of the ternary amorphous W- xCr-yZr alloys after immersion for 240 h in 1 M NaOH solution open to air at 25°C. The corrosion rates of all the examined sputter-deposited (10-57)W-(18-42)Cr-(25-73)Zr alloys is higher than those of alloy-constituting elements (that is, tungsten, chromium and zirconium) in aggressive 1 M NaOH solution open to air at 25°C. The corrosion rates of all the examined sputter−deposited W–xCr–yZr alloys containing 10-57 at% tungsten, 18-42 at% chromium and 25-73 at% zirconium were in the range of 1.5-2.5 × 10−3 mm/y or lower which are more than two orders of magnitude lower than that of sputter-deposited tungsten and even about one order of magnitude lower than those of the sputter-deposited zirconium in 1 M NaOH solution. Keywords: Ternary W–Cr–Zr alloys; Amorphous; Corrosion rate; Open circuit potential; 1 M NaOH. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/sw.v9i9.5516 SW 2011; 9(9): 39-43


2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ihda Husnayani ◽  
Pande Made Udiyani

Reaktor Daya Eksperimental (RDE) is a 10 MWth pebble-bed High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor that is planned to be constructed by National Nuclear Energy Agency of Indonesia (BATAN) in Puspiptek complex, Tangerang Selatan. RDE utilizes low enriched UO2 fuel coated by TRISO layers and loaded into the core by means of multipass loading scheme. Determination of radionuclide characteristics of RDE spent fuel; such as activity, thermal power, neutron and photon release rates; are very important because those characteristics are crucial to be used as a base for evaluating the safety of spent fuel handling system and storage tank. This study is aimed to investigate the radionuclide characteristics of RDE spent fuel at the end of cycle and during the first 5 years cooling time in spent fuel storage. The method used to investigate the radionuclide characteristics is burnup calculation using ORIGEN2.1 code. In performing the ORIGEN2.1 calculation, one pebble fuel was assumed to be irradiated in the core for 5 cycles and then decayed for 5 years. At the end of the fifth cycle, it is obtained that the total activity, thermal power, neutron production, and photon release rates from all radionuclides inside one spent fuel are approximately 105.68 curies, 0.41 watts, 2.65 x 103 neutrons/second, and 1.79 x 104 photons/second, respectively. The results for the radionuclides characteristics during the first 5 years cooling time in the spent fuel storage show that the radioactivity characteristics from all radionuclides are rapidly decreasing at the first year and then slowly decreasing at the second until the fifth year of cooling time. The results obtained in this study can provide data for safety evaluation of fuel handling and spent fuel storage, such as the calculation of sourceterm, radiation dose rate, and the determination of radiation shielding.Keywords: RDE, spent fuel, radionuclide activity, thermal power, neutron production, photon releaserates KARAKTERISTIK RADIONUKLIDA DI DALAM BAHAN BAKAR RDE. Reaktor Daya Eksperimental (RDE) adalah reaktor tipe Reaktor Temperatur Tinggi Berpendingin Gas dengan daya termal 10MW yang akan dibangun oleh BadanTenagaNuklirNasional (BATAN) di kawasanPuspiptek, Tangerang Selatan. RDE menggunakan bahan bakar UO2 yang dilapisi dengan lapisan TRISO dan dimasukkan ke dalam teras RDE menurut skema multipass (5 siklus). Penentuan karakteristik radionuklida di dalam bahan bakar RDE; seperti aktivitas, daya termal, laju produksi neutron dan pelepasan foton; adalah sangat penting karena informasi karakteristik ini diperlukan sebagai dasar untuk melakukan evaluasi keselamatan system penanganan dan penyimpanan bahan bakar bekas. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis karakteristik radionuklida bahanbakar RDE setelah 5 siklus dan pada 5 tahun pertama pendinginan ditempat penyimpanan bahan bakar bekas. Metode yang digunakan dalam menghitung karakteristik radionuklida adalah menggunakan program ORIGEN2.1. Satu bola bahan bakar RDE diasumsikan diiradiasi selama 5 siklus dan kemudian meluruh selama 5 tahun. Pada akhir siklus, diperoleh hasil aktivitas total, daya termal, laju produksi neutron dan pelepasan foton dari seluruh radionuklida di dalam satu bola bahan bakar RDE sebesar 105,68 curies, 0,41 watts, 2,65 x 103 neutron/detik, dan 1,79 x 104 foton/detik. Hasil untuk karakteristik radionuklida selama 5 tahun penyimpanan menunjukkan bahwa karakteristik radioktivitas radionuklida menurun dengan cepat pada tahun pertama dan kemudian menurun lebih lambat pada tahun kedua hingga tahun kelima. Hasil perhitungan karakteristik radionuklida dari penelitian ini dapat digunakan sebagai basis untuk analisis keselamatan penanganan dan penyimpanan bahan bakarbekas RDE.Kata kunci:RDE, bahan bakar bekas, aktivitas radionuklida, daya termal, produksi neutron, laju foton


2021 ◽  
Vol 1201 (1) ◽  
pp. 012079
Author(s):  
S B Gjertsen ◽  
A Palencsar ◽  
M Seiersten ◽  
T H Hemmingsen

Abstract Models for predicting top-of-line corrosion (TLC) rates on carbon steels are important tools for cost-effectively designing and operating natural gas transportation pipelines. The work presented in this paper is aimed to investigate how the corrosion rates on carbon steel is affected by acids typically present in the transported pipeline fluids. This investigation may contribute to the development of improved models. In a series of experiments, the corrosion rate differences for pure CO2 (carbonic acid) corrosion and pure organic acid corrosion (acetic acid and formic acid) on X65 carbon steel were investigated at starting pH values; 4.5, 5.3, or 6.3. The experiments were conducted in deaerated low-salinity aqueous solutions at atmospheric pressure and temperature of 65 °C. The corrosion rates were evaluated from linear polarization resistance data as well as mass loss and released iron concentration. A correlation between lower pH values and increased corrosion rates was found for the organic acid experiments. However, the pH was not the most critical factor for the rates of carbon steel corrosion in these experiments. The experimental results showed that the type of acid species involved and the concentration of the undissociated acid in the solution influenced the corrosion rates considerably.


CORROSION ◽  
10.5006/3728 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Hartt

Post-tensioning (PT) has evolved to become an important technology for affecting integrity of large, increasingly sophisticated reinforced concrete structures. In the case of bridges, however, tendon failures resulting from wire/strand corrosion have been reported as early as two years post construction. In response to this, a recent study introduced, evaluated, and employed an analytical modeling approach that projects timing of such failures, given statistics which characterize the distribution of wire corrosion rate. These efforts all considered that corrosion penetration is normally distributed across the entire population of wires comprising all tendons. However, it has been reported that corrosion, resultant wire and strand fractures, and tendon failures can be confined to a specific location on a bridge structure as a result of variations in material properties or construction improprieties (or both). Also, the distribution of corrosion rates can differ within individual tendons because of, first, variations in grout structure and composition and, second, presence of voids and free water. The present research extends these previous efforts and addresses such situations; that is, those where the corrosion rate distribution is spatially variable. The results are discussed within the context of better assuring structural integrity for PT bridges.


1970 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 53-61
Author(s):  
Minu Basnet ◽  
Jagadeesh Bhattarai

The corrosion behavior of the sputter-deposited nanocrystalline W-Cr alloys wasstudied in 0.5 M NaCl and alkaline 1 M NaOH solutions at 25°C, open to air usingimmersion tests and electrochemical measurements. Chromium metal acts synergisticallywith tungsten in enhancing the corrosion resistance of the sputter-deposited W-Cr alloys soas to show higher corrosion resistance than those of alloy-constituting elements in both 0.5M NaCl and 1 M NaOH solutions. In particular, the nanocrystalline W-Cr alloys containing25-91 at% chromium showed about one order of magnitude lower corrosion rates (that is,about 1-2 × 10-3 mm.y-1) than those of tungsten and chromium metals even for prolongedimmersion in 0.5 M NaCl solution at 25°C. On the other hand, the corrosion rate of thesputter-deposited W-Cr alloys containing 25-75 at % chromium was decreased significantlywith increasing chromium content and showed lowest corrosion rates (that is, 1.5-2.0 × 10-3 mm.y-1) after immersed for prolonged immersion in 1 M NaOH solution. The corrosion ratesof these nanocrystalline W-(25-75)Cr alloys are nearly two orders of magnitude lower thanthat of tungsten and more than one order of magnitude lower corrosion rate than that ofsputter-deposited chromium metal in 1 M NaOH solution. The corrosion-resistant of all theexamined sputter-deposited W-Cr alloys in 0.5 M NaCl solution is higher than in alkaline 1M NaOH solution at 25°C. Open circuit potentials of all the examined W-Cr alloys areshifted to more noble direction with increasing the chromium content in the alloys afterimmersion for 72 h in both 0.5 M NaCl and 1 M NaOH solutions at 25°C, open to air.Keywords: Sputter deposition, nanocrystalline W-Cr alloys, corrosion test, electrochemicalmeasurement, NaCl and NaOH solutions.DOI:  10.3126/jncs.v25i0.3300Journal of Nepal Chemical Society Volume 25, 2010 pp 53-61


Author(s):  
Alebachew Demoz ◽  
Kirk H. Michaelian ◽  
John Donini ◽  
Sankara Papavinasam ◽  
R. Winston Revie

A multi-purpose instrumented loop in line with an oil producing well is described. The loop has several ports for coupons which were replaced periodically. Some of the coupons were used for electrochemical monitoring in addition to weight loss and visual inspection. Weight loss, pit rate and all the electrochemical methods used gave corrosion rates that were dependent on the positions of the coupons inside the loop. The corrosion rate of the coupons increased from top to bottom. This order reflected the media and flow to which the coupons were exposed in a multi-phase producing well.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document