Research On Corrosion Behaviors In Liquid Metal Loops

Liquid lead or lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) has been widely applied in the advanced nuclear reactors and ADS systems for a series of excellent physical and chemical properties, but LBE is very corrosive to the structural material such as iron and stainless steel in medium and high temperature condition which limits its development seriously. Research works of anti-corrosion for LBE has been carried out all over the world. A kinetic model for corrosion and corrosion products precipitation in non-isothermal LBE loop is developed to predict corrosion and precipitation behaviors, the mass transfer convection-diffusion equation of the boundary. layer is established, with reasonable assumptions and simplifications, the equation is transformed and solved, and the corrosion/corrosion products precipitation rate along the loop is predicted considering the effects of temperature profile and other factors of the entire loop which are different from local parameters, the overall estimate of the corrosion/precipitation situation is obtained ultimately, Some suggestions are proposed for LBE loop design, construction and operation. In addition, the solid-phase oxygen control technique and the dissolution rate of PbO particles are discussed, which may help predict the refueling cycle and the oxygen concentration in LBE loop. All these work will make the design basis for the experimental study.