Effects of Post-LOCA (Loss-of-Coolant-Accident) Conditions on a Protective Coating (Paint) for the Nuclear Power Industry.

摘要

The oxidation of zinc in a zinc-rich coating used in the nuclear power industry has been studied and the rates of hydrogen generation from these coatings due to zinc oxidation at temperatures of up to 175 degrees C has been measured. The results suggest that the real-time rates of hydrogen generation are considerably higher than previously believed. The higher rates measured in this study are probably due to differences in experimental methodologies between this and previous studies. In this study, the measurements were real-time measurements, as opposed to time-averaged values which are typically obtained. The results suggest, as have the results of other investigators, that the measured rates and reaction parameters may not be those of any specific reaction, but are instead the 'effective' values of a series of complex systems operating together. However, the total quantity of hydrogen generated by this mechanism is significantly less than can be produced from other sources, e.g., steam: zirconium.