A simulation of radiolysis of chloride solutions containing ferrous ion

Abstract

ABSTRACT To investigate the effect of dissolved species from steels on the radiolysis processes of Cl−, radiolysis simulations of solutions containing both Cl− and Fe2+ were carried out. The results showed that the generation of radiolytic products (H2O2, O2 and H2) increased mainly by the addition of Fe2+, and the concentrations of H2O2 and O2 increased with increasing dose rate. Moreover, radiolysis of Fe2+ solutions also induced noticeable pH drop due to the hydrolysis of Fe3+. This pH drop enhanced the reactivity of Cl− with ∙OH, which induced additional generation of H2O2 and O2. These results show that low concentrations of Cl− (1 × 10−3 mol/dm3 = 35 mg/kg) in the presence of Fe2+ could influence the generation of H2O2 and O2 during water radiolysis. On the other hand, it is considered that these effects of Fe2+ and Cl− on water radiolysis are less important for corrosion of steels due to the low concentrations of H2O2 and O2 generated if the concentrations of these additives and dose rate are sufficiently low. The other process, such as dissolution of iron enhanced by FeOOH, might predominantly induce corrosion under the conditions of solutions with low concentrations of H2O2 and O2.