Effects of Advanced Amines on Magnetite Deposition of Steam Generator Tubes in Secondary System

Abstract

Ethanolamine (ETA) is widely used to control the pH value in the secondary water of pressurized water reactors. However, it is necessary to consider other advanced amines which can replace ETA due to its serious human hazards and environmental treatment problems. The purpose of this study is to contemplate the effects of three advanced amines (ETA, 3-methoxypropylamine (MPA), and dimethylamine (DMA)) on the magnetite deposition behavior of a thermally treated (TT) Alloy 690 tubes by using a steam generator (SG) tube fouling loop in simulated secondary water. All particles were identified as a magnetite and were polyhedral or spherical in shape. When using ETA, MPA, and DMA, the average porosity of the deposits was about 34.7%, 33.0%, and 24.6%, respectively. The amount of deposits was largest when ETA was added, and it decreased by 41% when adding MPA and 55% when adding DMA. The mechanism of magnetite deposition was discussed in terms of zeta potentials of both the magnetite particles and the Alloy 690TT surface and magnetite solubility depending on the amines. To compare the potential for replacing ETA with other advanced amines, the various factors such as SG integrity, human hazards, and environmental treatment problems were discussed.