(A) theoretical and experimental investigation of the deposition of Co-59 particle on a heated zircaloy-4 rod

Abstract

A theoretical and experimental investigation was carried out for the deposition of suspended Co-59 particles on a heated zircaloy-4 surface in a recirculation loop at an atmospheric pressure. The effects of various factors, including concentration of Co-59 particle, its diameter, water temperature, water velocity, run time, and particle``s sticking probability, on the amount of deposition during the initial period have been investigated. A model based on the concept of turbulent mass transfer and stopping distance is proposed for the analysis of the experimental results. The theoretical and experimental results are proposed and discussed. Approximate agreement is obtained between the theoretical and the experimental results. The proposed model can predict qualitatively the amount of deposition on the fuel rods in the initial stage of reactor operation if the velocity distribution of the coolant in the reactor core and the corrosion product release rate of the reactor construction materials contacting the coolant are known. In the early period of reactor operation when the oxides of zircaloy or reactor construction materials are not formed, the coolant pH does not affect the amount of deposition of the corrosion products on the fuel rods.