The use of microelectrodes for the In-situ monitoring of the chemistry of aqueous coolants in heat-transport systems of nuclear reactors

In contrast to conventional amperometric electrodes, amperometric microelectrodes exhibit certain unique characteristics that make them well suited as sensors in the dilute aqueous electrolytes. The heat-transport systems (HTSs) of thermal power plants employ such electrolytes as coolants at elevated temperatures and pressures. Thus, amperometric microelectrodes are in principle well suited for the in-situ monitoring of HTS coolant chemistry. This report describes the experimental evaluation of a platinum microdisc electrode for one such application. The results of these experiments demonstrate that microelectrodes can be used to monitor the concentration of dissolved oxygen in simulated HTS coolants at 150 degrees C in the concentration range of 10-1000 ppb. Measurements of open-circuit potential, commonly referred to as ECP, are currently being made from platinum electrodes installed in the HTSs of a number of nuclear reactors. The availability of platinum microelectrodes capable of functioning under HTS conditions offers the prospect of replacing the conventional electrodes with microelectrodes. Such a strategy would allow the use of a variety of more advanced electrochemical techniques that involve the polarization of the electrode from its open-circuit potential through the external application of potential. Thus, the utility of electrochemical monitors could be significantly enhanced for minimal additional expense while maintaining probe and system reliability. (author)