Corrosion problems in steam generators have forced the early shutdown of nuclear power plants in the United States. In this study, a carbon-packed crevice situated in a high-temperature, high-pressure autoclave was used to simulate a partially fouled crevice of the type that causes corrosion in steam generators. By using a 60 ppm NaCl solution to represent typical power plant feedwater impurities, a hideout and hideout return corrosion process was used to study the autoclave performance. The autoclave was operated below the water saturation point of 510°F and 871 psig. When heat was added to the carbon fiber-packed crevice, the solution temperature was elevated above the saturation point in the crevice creating accumulation (hideout). Once the crevice was saturated with NaCl, heat was removed causing the accumulated impurity to leave (hideout return). The results of the experiments performed were analyzed to verify performance of the autoclave.
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