Oxygen determn. in liq. sodium used as a coolant - in fast breeder nuclear reactors, using solid electrolyte in contact with sodium

摘要

Electrochemical appts. for determn. of the O2 concn. in liq. alkali metal (1), the novelty being:- (a) a solid electrolyte, conducting O2 ions, forms a wall with its outer surface in contact with metal (1); (b) the inner surface of the wall is in contact with a reference electrode formed by a mixt. of Ga, In, or Sn and an oxide of these metals, this mixt. (2) being liq. at the working temp. of the appts. (c) a device measuring the e.m.f. produced by the passage of O2 through the wall. Mixt. (2) is pref Sn + SnO2; Ga + Ga2O3; or In + In2O3. Wall (a) is pref. 85-92% ThO2, balance Y2O3. See also 2642808. Used e.g. for determn. of O2 in liq. Na used as the coolant in fast breeder nuclear reactors. The O2 indicates the presence of H2O which causes corrosion.