SEDL / STP / STP866-EB / STP33769S

Corrosion Test Loop

Yau, T-L
Corrosion group head and principal metallurgical engineer, Metallurgical Research and Development, Teledyne Wah Chang Albany, Albany, OR

Webster, RT
Corrosion group head and principal metallurgical engineer, Metallurgical Research and Development, Teledyne Wah Chang Albany, Albany, OR

Pages: 12    Published: Jan 1985

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Abstract

In order to study the corrosion of zirconium under heat-transfer conditions, a corrosion test loop has been set up at Teledyne Wah Chang Albany. The major components of this test loop are a 37.85-L (10-gal) tank, a zirconium centrifugal pump, a heat-transfer heater, a vertical single-tube heat exchanger, and monitors for temperature, pressure, and flow speed at critical areas. Specimens were 0.9-m (3-ft) long tubes and wires, which were and were not subjected to a heat flux, respectively.

Tests of zirconium versus 50% sulfuric acid were conducted. Test results indicate that the effect of heat flux on zirconium in 50% sulfuric acid at about 160°C (330°F) is negligible. However, acid concentration may change in the process because of vaporization, imperfect sealing, condensation, and so forth. When the acid becomes too strong, zirconium will be susceptible to localized corrosion.