Effect of high temperature on steady-state radiolysis product behaviour

Understanding the effect of temperature on the redox environments generated in water by ionizing radiation is important for safety assessments for nuclear reactors. Radiolysis of water creates reactive species that affect the system chemistry and impact the degradation of materials in contact with aqueous phase. Understanding the effect of temperature on the long-term radiolysis helps to determine the steps required to minimize corrosion and enhance reactor lifetime. The radiolytically-produced hydrogen and hydrogen peroxide were measured as a function of irradiation time, pH and dissolved oxygen at room temperature and 150^oC. The experimental data were simulated with the steady-state radiolysis kinetic model. (author)