Effect of the presence of In and Sn in the oxygen chemistry in molten 44.5% lead–55.5% bismuth alloy

The oxygen activity and its control is a key parameter in the use of molten lead–bismuth eutectic LBE in accelerator-driven systems (ADS) reactors. The presence of pollutants in the molten alloy, such as metallic impurities dissolved from the structural material or from other sources, can modify the oxygen chemistry in the molten alloy. For this reason, the oxygen activity in molten LBE has been studied under the presence of In and Sn as a metallic impurities. All the experiments were performed with a shift of the covering gas from a reductive environment (Ar + 10% H2) to air (20% O2). These covering gas conditions were used to enable measurement of the electrochemical potential of the sensor in a low oxygen environment and under oxygen saturation conditions of the molten alloy (Me/LBE). All of the tests were performed at 500 °C and in stagnant conditions in an autoclave.