Methods for the mitigation of the chemical reactivity of beryllium in steam

F. Druyts, E. C. Alves, C. H. Wu

    Research outputpeer-review

    Abstract

    In the safety assessment of future fusion reactors, the reaction of beryllium with steam remains one of the main concerns. In case of a loss of coolant accident (LOCA), the use of beryllium in combination with pressurised water as coolant can lead to excessive hydrogen production due to the reaction Be+H2O=BeO+H2+heat. Therefore, we started an R&D programme aimed at investigating mitigation methods for the beryllium/steam reaction. Beryllium samples were implanted with either calcium or aluminium ions in a 210 kV ion implanter at ITN Lisbon. The chemical reactivity of these samples in steam was measured at SCK•CEN in a dedicated experimental facility providing coupled thermogravimetry/mass spectrometry. In comparison to reference undoped material, the reactivity of doped beryllium after 30 min of exposure decreased with a factor 2 to 4. The mitigating effect was higher for calcium-doped than for aluminium-doped samples.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the 11th International Conference on Fusion Reactor Materials (ICFRM-11)
    Pages1353-1356
    Number of pages4
    Volume329-333
    Edition1-3 PART B
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Aug 2004
    Event2003 - ICFRM-11: 11th International Conference on Fusion Reactor Materials - Kyoto
    Duration: 7 Dec 200312 Dec 2003

    Publication series

    NameJournal of Nuclear Materials
    PublisherElsevier
    ISSN (Print)0022-3115

    Conference

    Conference2003 - ICFRM-11
    Country/TerritoryJapan
    CityKyoto
    Period2003-12-072003-12-12

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Nuclear and High Energy Physics
    • General Materials Science
    • Nuclear Energy and Engineering

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