NUCLEAR TECHNIQUES, Volume. 46, Issue 3, 030603(2023)

Effect of zinc injection on crud deposition and boron precipitation on fuel cladding surface

Jiapeng LIAO, Yulong MAO*, Tianming RUAN, Yousen HU, Desheng JIN, Jinggang LI**, and Zhongcun CHEN
Author Affiliations
  • China Nuclear Power Technology Research Institute Co, Ltd., Shenzhen 518000, China
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    Background

    Under the condition of sub-cooled nucleate boiling (SNB), corrosion products in primary coolant of nuclear reactor will deposit on the outer surface of fuel cladding, which is commonly called fuel crud. Previous literature shown, zinc injection in primary coolant is an important method to inhibit the fuel crud deposition on the fuel cladding surface.

    Purpose

    This study aims to investigate the influence of zinc concentration on the behavior of fuel crud deposition, and eventually provide guidance for zinc injection in primary coolant of nuclear power plant.

    Methods

    The fuel crud deposition tests of domestic zirconium alloy fuel cladding in different zinc concentrations were carried out by using a self-made fuel crud deposition device. Tubular crud deposition test specimen with built-in heating unit was designed and prepared for simulation study. After the tests, stereo microscope (SM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were employed to observe the macro and micro morphology of fuel crud whilst the composition of of fuel crud was observed and analyzed by the energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) with SEM, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to analyze the contents of Zn and B elements in the crud phase and inside the crud.

    Results

    Observation results show that the chimney-like crud formed on the fuel cladding surface becomes less obvious with increasing the zinc concentration in the coolant and the crud surface becomes flatter. Simutabeously, the crud thickness, the ratio of Ni/Fe and the boron precipitation mass within the crud are decreasing with increase of the zinc concentration. When the zinc concentration increases to 100 μg?L-1, new Zn-containing phases precipitate within the crud.

    Conclusions

    Within the zinc concentration of 0~100 μg?L-1, zinc injection in primary coolant of reactor can significantly inhibit the crud deposition on the fuel cladding surface.

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    Jiapeng LIAO, Yulong MAO, Tianming RUAN, Yousen HU, Desheng JIN, Jinggang LI, Zhongcun CHEN. Effect of zinc injection on crud deposition and boron precipitation on fuel cladding surface[J]. NUCLEAR TECHNIQUES, 2023, 46(3): 030603

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    Paper Information

    Category: Research Articles

    Received: Oct. 20, 2022

    Accepted: --

    Published Online: Apr. 17, 2023

    The Author Email:

    DOI:10.11889/j.0253-3219.2023.hjs.46.030603

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