Analyses of fuel crud and coolant-borne corrosion products in normal water chemistry BWRs

The samples of crud removed from the surface of fuel rods and corrosion products sampled by filtration of condensate and feed water in three boiling water reactors (BWR) operating at normal water chemistry (NWC) were analyzed using 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. The corrosion products concentration and phase composition was examined in filter membranes exposed to influent and effluent of condensate polishing resin beds, as well as to final feed water. The brushed and scraped portions of fuel crud extracted from fuel rods during refueling outage comprised mostly hematite, α-Fe2O3, and submicron-sized goethite particles, α-FeOOH, in weight ratio similar to that observed in feed water. The observed phases are consistent with the oxidizing water chemistry of NWC BWRs. The feasibility of identifying other iron oxides and oxyhydroxides, as well as copper and zinc bearing phases in corrosion products from BWRs is briefly discussed. The results of this work can be used to better understand and minimize iron transport and crud deposition on fuel rods in BWRs.

► Corrosion products formed in boiling water reactors were examined.
► Samples were obtained from three reactors operating at normal water chemistry.
► Phase composition of samples was determined using 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy.
► Oxidation form of iron in coolant and on fuel rods is discussed.