Lithium alloy chemical reactivity with reactor materials: current state of knowledge

• Published in: Fusion engineering and design Vol. 14; no. 3-4; pp. 273 - 288
• Main Authors: Corradini, M.L., Jeppson, D.W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.04.1991; New York, NY Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; Inorganic chemistry and origins of life; Kinetics and mechanism of reactions; Metals. Metallurgy; Lithium alloy; Chemical reactivity; Lithium Lead Alloys; Nuclear reactor
• ISSN: 0920-3796; 1873-7196
• DOI: 10.1016/0920-3796(91)90011-E

Experimental work and supporting analysis have been conducted by Westinghouse Hanford Company and the University of Wisconsin on lithium-lead alloy chemical reactivity. This work is in support of the U.S. Department of Energy Fusion Safety Program through EG&G Idaho Inc. These studies involve experiments with lithium-lead (17Li83Pb) and its interactions with air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, concrete, steam and water. The work at Westinghouse Hanford has been done to characterize potential safety concerns associated with the use of this alloy as a breeding abd/or coolant material in fusion reactors. These activities primarily involve large and small scale integral experiments. The work at Wisconsin has focused on lithium alloy/water interactions and is concerned with the chemical kinetics in small scale separate effects tests. In addition this work has been complemented by larger scale more prototypic tests and associated analyses at JRC Ispra. This paper discusses recent results and the status of our knowledge.