Chemistry Flashcards
Definition of pH
-Log[H+].
Units in Moles/Liter
Acidic, Neutral or Basic?
0-7= Acidic
7= Neutral
7-14= Basic
Definition of General Corrosion
Uniform dissolution or attack on metal from all surfaces in contact with water.
2 conditions:
1: Metal and water in contact
2: Chemical reaction between them to form an oxide.
Conditions to form Magnetite
> 400F and NO Dissolved O2
Benefit of general corrosion
Film of magnetite slows down corrosion.
Provides passive barrier to Iron ions passing through into the water
Factors that affect corrosion rate
Temperature: high temp raises rate.
pH: extreme high/low pH raises rate (>12 causes caustic embrittlement).
Dissolved O2: more O2=more corrosion.
High Water Velocity (FAC).
3 undesirable characteristics of CRUD
1: Fouls heat transfer surfaces.
2: Clogs flow passages/ fouls demins.
3: Increase radiation levels.
How CRUD Bursts happen
Significantly changed pH.
Dissolved O2 changes.
Large temperature change.
Mechanical shock to the system.
Chemical used and reason for intentional CRUD Burst.
Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2).
Send CRUD to CVCS Demins to decon the RCS during cooldown for REFOUT.
Lowers radiation levels.
1: 2 dissimilar metals in contact with electrolyte
2: Difference in potential between them creates current flow.
Galvanic Corrosion
Ways to minimize Galvanic Corrosion.
1: Use metals that are corrosion resistant.
2: Use metals close to each other in electronegativity.
3: Maintain high water purity.
1: localized attack at/in a mechanical crevice.
2: The crevice becomes a concentration cell.
3: Type of Pitting Corrosion.
CREVICE CORROSION
Ways to minimize Crevice corrosion
1: Eliminate Crevice.
2: Perform crevice cleaning.
3: Reduce contaminants.
1: A deep attack in/on a small area of the metal.
2: The metal at the bottom of the pit acts as an anode and loses electrons forming corrosion products and deepens the pit.
PITTING CORROSION
How to minimize Pitting Corrosion
Minimize/eliminate dissolved O2.
Intergranular corrosion which occurs at Hi temp water, stainless steel and the presence of O2 and chlorides.
CHLORIDE STRESS CORROSION
Conditions for Chloride Stress Corrosion along grain boundaries.
Presence of Chlorides and Dissolved O2 with metal under tensile stress.
Difference between Chloride Stress and Fluoride Stress Corrosion.
The presence of Fluorine contamination vs Chloride contamination. The mechanics are the same.
Corrosion caused by:
1: High caustic levels and the subsequent metal attack.
2: High pH.
Caustic Stress Corrosion.
How to minimize Caustic Stress Corrosion.
Maintain system pH below high caustic levels (corrosion rate of iron between pH of 4-10 is relatively low due to pH).
Definition of Boric Acid Corrosion Wastage
Localized attack of ferrous steel (carbon steel) due to high concentrations of boric acid resulting in metal wastage.
Ways to minimize Boric Acid Corrosion Wastage.
1: Minimize RCS (boric acid) leaks.
2: Cladding carbon steel or substituting stainless steel.
3: Keep boric acid covered metal dry.
TRM 8.4.1 Steady State and Transient limits for Dissolved O2
1: <= 0.1 ppm SS.
2: <=1 ppm Transient
TRM 8.4.1 Steady State and Transient limits for Chloride
1: <=.15 ppm SS.
2: <=1.5 ppm Transient.
TRM 8.4.1 Steady State and Transient limits for Fluoride
1: <=.15 ppm SS.
2: <=1.5 ppm Transient.
What is Hydrogen Blistering
Surface bulges from subsurface voids produced in a metal by hydrogen absorption in low strength alloys.
H2 will not diffuse and causes bulges in fuel cladding.
pH must be >11 (caustic)
What is Hydrogen Embrittlement
Loss of ductility and tensile strength (becomes brittle) in a metal from H2 absorption.
pH must be >11.3 (caustic).
2 mechanisms of fission product release to RCS
Tramp Uranium and Cladding Defect
Define Tramp Uranium
UO2 imbedded in fuel cladding (Zircaloy also contains 0.1-1.0 ppm uranium naturally occurring impurity)
Define Cladding Defect
Pinholes, cracks, etc. through which fuel generated fission products can leave the fuel and enter the RCS.
2 methods for monitoring fuel cladding integrity during power operations
1: Gross activity (sample for tritium, Total Gas Activity, and Non-gas Activity)
2: Iodine 131/133 ratio (different half lives, I-133 is shorter and a quick buildup indicates fission product release)
Define Dose Equivalent I-131
1: Concentration of I-131 equivalent to mixture of all radioiodines present.
2: Concentration that would produce thyroid dose as if all Iodines were I-131
3: Conversion factors of Iodine reflect their half-life and volatility, etc.
4: Dose Equiv <=1.0 microCurie/gm.
Define Dose Equivalent Xe-133
Based on acute dose to the whole body and considers the noble gases which are significant in terms of contribution to whole body dose.
Define CRUD
Metal oxides deposited or suspended in the RCS.
CRUD Cycle
1: Corrosion (outside core).
2: Corrosion products release.
3: Corrosion products deposit in core.
4: Corrosion products activate.
5: Corrosion products release again.
6: Corrosion products deposit outside core.
CRUD Burst causes
1: Significant temperature changes. (ie large power changes)
2: Significant pH changes.
3: Mechanical agitation.
4: Chemical introduction (Hydrogen Peroxide).
3 Major classifications of activation products
Activation of:
1: Corrosion products.
2: Water/water impurities.
3: Tritium production.
Give examples of activated corrosion products
Co-60, Ag-110, Fe-59, Cr-51, Mn-56, Mn-54, Zn-65, Co-58.
Give examples of activated water/water impurities.
N-16, Na-24, N-17, O-19, K-40, K-42, Ar-41.
Give examples of production of Tritium
1: 3Li6 + 0n1 -> 2a4 + 1H3
2: 5B10 + 0n1 -> 2 2a4 + 1H3
3: 1H2 + 0n1 -> 1H3 + gamma
Explain production of N-16
8O16 + 0n1 -> 1p1 + 7N16.
Why is N-16 bad mkay?
N-16 is a very high gamma emitter (6.12 MeV).
Most abundant activation product and most limiting include for shielding installation around the RCS.
(7.13 sec half life, not a concern after Rx S/D).
Where does majority of Tritium come from?
Neutron absorption of B-10. (~80% of Tritium production)
Hazards of Tritium.
1: Not removed by filtration, ion exchange or evaporation.
2: Low level beta emitter which becomes a concern if inhaled, ingested or absorbed in the skin.
3: Can’t be detected by whole body count, only by urinalysis.
4: Biological half-life of 8-14 days.
Tech Spec limit for RCS Specific Activity
3.4.16:
1: <=1 microCurie/gm Dose Eq I-131.
2: <=215.1 microCurie/gm Dose Eq Xe-133.
Basis for Tech Spec 3.4.16, RCS Specific Activity.
Ensures the 2 hour whole body dose to an individual at the site boundary during SLB or SGTR will be a small fraction of the allowed whole body dose. ( TEDE-25 R, Thyroid -300 R)
4 reasons for maintaining primary chemistry control.
1: Maintain material integrity.
2: Minimize Corrosion.
3: Reduce Radioactivity.
4: Assist in Reactivity Control.
Method of O2 control in RCS at power.
H2 blanket in VCT. (Gamma flux combines 2 H2 and O2 to form 2 H2O).
Primary source of O2 in RCS.
Radiolytic decomposition of water.
2 H2O <-> 2 H2 + O2 (reversible reaction).
Reasons for upper limit of [H2] in RCS
1: Excess H2 is wasted.
2: Problems degassing.
3: Explosive concern when >4% and <96%.
Method of O2 control in RCS while starting up.
Hydrazine (added between 140-180F)
N2H4 + O2 -> 2H2O + N2