PROBLEMS OF ATOMIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Series: Nuclear and Reactor Constants

since 1971

Русский (РФ)

ISSN 2414-1038 (online)

STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF LOWERING THE TEMPERATURE ON THE EFFICIENCY OF HYDROGEN PURIFICATION OF REACTOR PLANTS WITH LEAD-BISMUTH COOLANT

EDN: JXVLZA

Authors & Affiliations

Ulianov V.V., Koshelev M.M., Kremlyova V.S., Bragin D.S., Bukreeva A.D., Komarovskiy V.A., Prikazchikova A.A.
A.I. Leypunsky Institute for Physics and Power Engineering, Obninsk, Russia

Ulianov V.V. – Head of Laboratory, Cand. Sci. (Tech.). Contacts: 1, pl. Bondarenko, Obninsk, Kaluga region, Russia, 249033. Tel.: +7 (484) 399-80-14; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Koshelev M.M. – Deputy Head of Laboratory.
Kremlyova V.S. – Research Engineer.
Bragin D.S. – Engineer 2nd category.
Bukreeva A.D. – Research Engineer.
Komarovskiy V.A. – Research Engineer.
Prikazchikova A.A. – Research Intern.

Abstract

The article is devoted to the results of research to substantiate the possibility of maintaining the purity of lead-containing coolants and the surfaces of their loops in relation to the conditions of reactor installations and research stands of various designs. It is shown that with uncontrolled depressurization of the primary circuit, excessive accumulation of solid lead oxides is possible due to the contact of the coolant with atmospheric oxygen, which can eventually lead to negative consequences for the circulation circuits. It is expedient to remove solid lead oxides from circulation circuits with lead-bismuth coolant by treating the surfaces of the circuit and coolant with gas mixtures of hydrogen, water vapor, and inert gas. Processing is best carried out when gas mixtures are introduced directly into the coolant flow, while lead is recovered from the oxide and can be returned to the coolant. Cleaning of circuits with lead-bismuth coolant was carried out at temperatures from 300 to 330 °C, i. e. at temperatures where lead can be in solid form and, as a result, can slow down the rate of removal of solid oxides from the circuit. The authors did not find reliable data on the dissolution of lead in the lead-bismuth eutectic, so they conducted its experimental study. It was found that lead dissolves quite effectively in lead-bismuth eutectic. The activation energy of the process is 41060 J/mol, i. e. the process proceeds in the diffusion region. Its intensity is determined by the diffusion of lead into the lead-bismuth eutectic.

Keywords
lead-containing coolant, lead, lead-bismuth eutectic, lead oxide-based slags, hydrogen, water vapor, gaseous oxidizers, mechanical gas dispersants, thermodynamics, kinetics, activation energy, degree of reduction, ejector

Article Text (PDF, in Russian)

References

UDC 621.039.534

Problems of Atomic Science and Technology. Series: Nuclear and Reactor Constants, 2023, no. 4, 1:14