Moessbauer study of the behaviour of sinthetic corrosion products of nuclear power plants

Abstract

Iron oxides are the main com ponents of the circulating particles carried by the fluid in the primary circuit of nuclear power stations. The oxidation state of iron is (II, III), as in Fey 04, or (III), as in Fey 04 depending upon the reducing or oxidizing condition of the medium. Moessbauer Spectroscopy allows the characterization of diflíerent form s of iron oxides, as well as iron and other metal mixed oxides. AIso with this technique it is possible to detect the gradual changes in the stoichiometry of the phases due to oxidation. From the results obtained, it is concluded that the change in the oxygen content of the coolant in nuclear power stations will rapidly reflect itself in changes in the stoichiometry of the magnetite-type solids and, if higher leveis of oxygen or localized attacks take place, the structure of the particles will suffer more drastic changes to hematite in a short time.