Gas/liquid oxygen-transfer to flowing lead alloys

For the application of liquid lead or lead-bismuth eutectic as coolant in nuclear reactors, the concentration of dissolved oxygen, determining the compatibility with steels used as construction materials, is of critical importance. In general, oxygen has to be added continuously to the liquid metal, so as to compensate for consumption by oxide formation on the surface of the reactor components. A potential method of keeping the oxygen concentration in a favourable range is transferring oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas, which is investigated on the basis of the experience from operating a gas/liquid transfer device in the CORRIDA loop. Conclusions on oxygen transfer in industrial-scale systems are drawn.

Research highlights▶ Feasibility of gas/liquid oxygen-transfer is demonstrated for an experimental facility operated with flowing lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE). ▶ Analysis of the transfer process on the basis of the oxygen mass-balance in the transfer device. ▶ A simplified method for the scale-up to industrial nuclear reactors is developed.