Operation life of on-life boiling water reactors
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorLeonard W. Niedrach
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Abstract
A method of extending the life of components of in service nuclear reactors or components of existing reactors is taught. The method involves forming a deposit on the surface coatings of metallic elements of the nuclear containment, as well as on the surfaces of encrusted internal components which are exposed to high-temperature, high-pressure water and steam. The deposit formed is a deposit of at least one member of the platinum group of metals. The deposit is formed by electroless deposition. In operation, this deposit facilitates the combination of hydrogen and oxygen to form water and thereby aids in reducing the electrochemical corrosion potential of the system to values below a critical potential that prevents stress corrosion cracking.
Claims10
The method of reducing the stress corrosion cracking of an on-line boiling water reactor having a mixed oxide crust on the surfaces of the stainless steel components thereof which are exposed to the high temperature, high pressure water of the operating boiling water reactor which comprises,
- forming on the surface of said mixed oxide crust a thin coating of at least one metal of the platinum group of metals, and
- maintaining a concentration of dissolved hydrogen gas in the water which contacts the surface coated with the thin coating of the platinum group metal.
A method of reducing the stress corrosion cracking of an on-line boiling water reactor having a mixed oxide crust on the surfaces of the stainless steel components thereof which are exposed to the high temperature, high pressure water of the operating reactor which comprises,
- forming on the surface of said mixed oxide crust a thin coating of at least one metal of the platinum group of metals, and
- maintaining a concentration of dissolved hydrogen gas in the hot, pressurized reactor water, the concentration of hydrogen in said reactor water being less stoichiometrically than the concentration of oxygen in said reactor water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.