Long-Term Behaviors of Oxide Layer in Liquid Lead–Bismuth Eutectic (LBE), Part I: Model Development and Validation

Abstract

For all LBE-cooled systems, the oxygen control technology must be applied for inhibiting corrosion by the liquid metal through formation of protective oxide layers on the structural material surface. The present study focuses on the stability of the protective layer in long-term operations subjected to LBE corrosion. This article, focusing on the modeling development and validation, is the first part of the systematic study. A chemical corrosion model, taking into account the oxide layer removal mechanisms by LBE, is developed. The model is partially validated by available long-term and short-term experimental measurements.