Development of a LDIE Prediction Theory in the Condition of Magnetite Formation on Secondary Side Piping in Nuclear Power Plants

Abstract

It has been thought that wall thinning on the secondary side piping in nu-clear power plants is mostly caused by Flow-Accelerated Corrosion (FAC). Recently, it has been seen that wall thinning on the secondary side piping carrying two-phase flow is caused by not only FAC but also Liquid Droplet Impingement Erosion (LDIE). Moreover, it turns out that LDIE in nuclear power plants does not result from a single degradation mechanism but also from the simultaneous happenings of LDIE and FAC. This paper presents a comparison of the mass loss rate of the tested materials between carbon steel (A106 B) and low alloy steel (A335 P22) resulting from degradation effect. An experimental facility was set up to develop a prediction model for clarifying multiple degradation mechanisms that occur together. The experimental facility allows examining liquid droplet impingement erosion in the same conditions as the secondary side piping in nuclear power plants by generating the magnetite on the surface of the test materials. The magnetite is formed by controlling the water chemistry and the temperature of fluid inside the facility. In the initial stage of the experiments, the mass loss rate of A106 B was greater than that of A335 P22. However, after a certain period of time, the mass loss rate of A335 P22 became greater than that of A106 B. It is presumed that the results are caused by the different yield strengths of the test materials and the different degrees of buffer action of the magnetite deposited on their surfaces. The layer of magnetite on the surface of A106 is thicker than that of A335 P22, due to the different amount of chrome content. In nuclear power plants, carbon steel piping having experienced wall thinning degradation is generally replaced with low-alloy steel piping. However, the materials of pipes carrying two-phase flow should be selected considering their susceptibility to LDIE.