Papers by Keyword: Boiling Water Reactor

Abstract: In-situ diffraction measurements were carried out on a tensile specimen of SUS304 stainless steel using a small autoclave at BL22XU at SPring-8. The temperature of circulating water in the autoclave was changed from room temperature to 561 K under ambient pressure and also under a pressure of 8.8 MPa. Tensile stress of 260 MPa was applied to the specimen at 561 K under 8.8 MPa, and a two dimensional strain distribution was obtained by calculation based on measured lattice spacings of the γ-Fe311 plane under various conditions. The interior region of the specimen showed higher strain compared with that on the surface region. After the tensile deformation in the autoclave, CT images of cross sections of the specimen were taken. Void-like images with about 50 μm in size were observed.

Abstract: We are developing a Small-Punch SCC testing apparatus with an in-situ observation system applied to high temperature water and high pressure. This new testing apparatus is used to evaluate the Environmentally Assisted Cracking effect. A constant loading rate was carried out with different values of speed, of water flow rate and different polishing of the sample. In BWR (Boiling Water Reactor) conditions (9MPa and 288°C) it was found that the loading rate, water flow rate and surface preparation of the sample have some influence if the test is performed during a short time (maximum 4 days). After the test, by SEM observation, studying the secondary microcracks, it is possible to find all the sequences of EAC process. The in-situ observation system permits to study the strain of the sample during the test.

Abstract: The electronic properties of the interfacial oxide film formed on 304L stainless steel in high temperature water are investigated by contact electric resistance (CER) measurements. Tests are performed in pure water with a wide range of dissolved oxygen (DO) content at 200, 250, and 288°C. The electrochemical potential (ECP) moves in the noble direction and CER increases when increasing DO. Results show that DO content has a dominant effect on the electronic properties of oxide film. The change of oxide film properties can also be attributed to the variation of the electrochemical potential, which is directly affected by DO content. Critical potentials exist for the formation and reduction of oxide films in high temperature water. Multiple steps are found for the reduction of oxide films due to de-aeration in 200, 250, and 288°C water, implying the presence of multiple-layer interfacial oxide films. The film reduction process is relatively slower than the film formation process. Present results show that even in high purity water, a moderate change of DO content can result in different surface conditions. Dissolved hydrogen has a moderate effect on interfacial surface films in deaerated water. In-situ monitoring of the oxide film properties by CER technique provides information on the interfacial reactions that are related to the SCC behavior of materials in high temperature water environments.