Inhibiters replacement of chilled water system in nuclear unit

The purpose of this paper was to study the corrosion control of B10 copper-nickel alloy using the LiOH-N₂H₄ compound inhibitors and to evaluate the feasibility of replacing the original inhibitors (NaNO₂-Na₂MoO₄) with the new ones (LiOH-N₂H₄) for the chilled water system in a nuclear unit.

The corrosion resistance performance of B10 copper-nickel alloy was evaluated during the whole replacement process of inhibiters using electrochemical tests and surface analysis techniques.

The results indicated that the corrosion of B10 copper-nickel alloy could be prevented effectively using LiOH to increase the pH value of solution higher than 10.0 and using N₂H₄ to consume dissolved oxygen. During the replacement process of inhibitors from NaNO₂-Na₂MoO₄ to LiOH-N₂H₄, the corrosion resistance performance of B10 copper-nickel alloy had not decreased greatly. The new LiOH-N₂H₄ inhibitor, which could enhance the compactness of rust, was able to reduce the corrosion rate of rusted B10 metal.

It is feasible and operable to replace the NaNO₂-Na₂MoO₄ inhibitors with the LiOH-N₂H₄ inhibitors for the corrosion prevention of B10 copper-nickel alloy. The research results can provide guidelines for the inhibitor selection of chilled water system in a nuclear unit.