Magnetite (Fe3O4) and nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) zeta potential measurements at high temperature: Part II – Results, study of the influence of temperature, boron concentration and lithium concentration on the zeta potential

Abstract

Predicting the deposition of typical corrosion products (CPs) particles formed in the primary system of pressurized water reactors (PWRs) is important for system integrity and the radioprotection of nuclear workers. Such corrosion products foul heat transfer surfaces, promote localized corrosion and, when made radioactive in the reactor core, transport throughout the coolant system and give rise to radiation fields around components. Accurately predicting CPs’ propensity to transport and deposit around the system entails knowing their zeta potentials, quantities that until now have been unavailable. The zeta potentials of magnetite and nickel ferrite particles between 20 °C and 240 °C have been measured in the chemical conditions representative of an operating cycle of the primary system of PWRs. The measurements were performed via the streaming potential method as described in a previous paper – Part I. The measured values increased with temperature but decreased with increasing concentrations of boron and lithium. They are suitable for predicting radiation field growth around components of a typical PWR system.