Boric Acid Corrosion in the Primary System of PWRs

Abstract

Borated water leakage could lead to boric acid corrosion of nuclear equipment, and it’s a danger to the pressurized water reactor nuclear power plants (PWRs). In this study, the principle of boric acid corrosion was studied first. Through the experiences of borated water leakages and boric acid corrosion at home and abroad, the main leakage sources in PWRs were summarized. Combining the technique features of visual inspection, the detecting principles were proposed. In the end, a protection strategy of boric acid corrosion was established including the control of borated water leakage, the detection of equipment, the treatment of leakages and the improvement of the equipment material.