ECCS strainer clogging due to corrosion of hot-dip galvanized steel containment internals

Damage to fibrous insulation materials located near to a LWR primary circuit coolant leak may compromise the operation of the emergency core cooling system, if insulation fibers are transported to the containment sump strainers, where they may block or penetrate the strainers. Beside insulation material, other forms of debris may influence the sump strainer clogging behavior as well as the cooling water chemistry. Especially, the long-term contact of the water jet from the leak with hot-dip galvanized steel grating treads installed in the containment may cause corrosion of the corresponding materials. Subsequently, the formation of particulate corrosion products may occur by spalling of solid corrosion products from the metallic surfaces or precipitation of solids from the liquid phase. In the event of a LOCA, such processes may lead to an accelerated clogging of the fiber-laden sump strainers. This is especially important in PWRs, where post-LOCA corrosion is accelerated due to the specific primary coolant water chemistry.
Detailed experimental investigations regarding the influence of corrosion processes on the chemical composition of the coolant as well as on the strainer clogging behavior were established within a research project funded by the BMWi, where the priority of the presented investigations is given to the mechanisms that cause sump strainer clogging. As a result of corrosion experiments in the lab-scale KorrVA test facility using hot-dip galvanized steel as well as pure steel samples, it was found that the increase of the head loss is mainly caused by the flow-accelerated corrosion of the base material (steel) whereas the corrosion of the zinc coating leads to soluble corrosion products influencing the cooling water chemistry. Depending on the hydrodynamic conditions, the particulate corrosion products may be removed from the surface and suspended in the coolant, which may lead to further increase of the head loss. In addition, the water chemistry as well as the ratio of coolant volume to corrosion material surface affects the corrosion and clogging behavior significantly.