Reactions between the liquid alkali-metals and liquid water

The rates of reaction of the constituents of sodium-potassium alloy with water have been determined between 20 to 600C. They fall into two categories; the instant the alloy meets the water, and the reaction of the metal through a bubble of hydrogen. High speed photography has been used to study the disintegration of the liquid metal jets when injected into the water. The reaction rate may be reduced by small concentrations of mineral acids in the water, because of the presence of salts, less soluble than sodium hydroxide, at the metal-water interface. The study was carried out in relation to sodium leaks in LMFBR steam generators. (U.K.)