Radiochemistry in Nuclear Power Reactors (1996)

Astronuc

This book provides some useful information on various chemistry topics in LWRs.

It is a bit dated, so some of the numbers pertaining to the operating conditions of BWRs and PWRs are a bit off, although close.

http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=9263&page=1

The appendices are particularly useful, as are the figures.

Contents:

1. Brief Description of Nuclear Power Reactor Systems and Primary Coolant Chemistry (1-10)

2. Radioactivity Productions in Nuclear Reactors (11-30)

3. Fission Products (31-68)

4. Activated Corrosion Products (69-112)

5. Water and Impurity Activation Products (113-124)

6. Radiation Chemistry in Reactor Coolant (125-142)

7. Assay of Radiactive Waste (143-158)

8. Special Radiochemical Studies (159-188)

A. Nuclear Data (189-216)

B. Sampling Practices and Sample Preparation for Radiochemical Analyses (217-228)

C. Gamma-Ray Specrometric Analysis (229-244)

D. Counting Geometric Corrections in Gamma-Radiation Measurements (245-250)

E. Selected Radiochemical Procedures (251-277)


The water chemistry practices have changed considerably since 1996. BWRs use Zn-injection with depleted Zn (depleted in Zn-64), and now many use noble metal injection in order to reduce the need for hydrogen injection in the primary system (used to reduce ECP). PWRs use Zn-injection, and higher pH, typically > 7.0, and as close to 7.4 during the latter part of the cycle. Several plants use Li above 3 and up to nearly 6 ppm. Ideally B content is less than 1200 ppm.