Status of LBE Study and Experimental Plan at JAEA

Abstract

Because the material irradiation data are important for Accelerator-Driven nuclear transmutation System (ADS) development, JAEA is planning an irradiation facility with a lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) spallation target at J-PARC. To design the facility, various R&Ds such as corrosion by LBE, large scale LBE loop experiment, oxygen concentration control associated with LBE flow, development of instruments for diagnostics, remote handling technologies, freeze seal valve development and investigation of impurities behavior, are being carried out. Present status and future plans for the next few years of these R&Ds, especially the corrosion test and long-term non-isothermal operations, are discussed.

Electrochemical Sensors for Controlling Oxygen Content and Corrosion Processes in Lead-Bismuth Eutectic Coolant—State of the Art

“…Solid electrolytes separating the working and reference electrode in the sensors are solid solutions of the composition MeO x *Me’O y . The solutions are based on refractory oxides ZrO 2 , HfO 2 , ThO 2 , stabilized by the addition of CaO, Y 2 O 3 and Sc 2 O 3 [ 50 , 55 ]. These oxide additives provide ionic conductivity and mechanical strength of electrolytes due to stabilization of the cubic crystal lattice similar to fluorite.…”