Development of a measurement technique of boric acid concentration in high concentrated aqueous solutions
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abstract
During a Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA) in Light Water Reactors (LWR), borated water is injected into the core through the safety injection system. The continuous vaporization of the water from the core may increase the concentration of boric acid such that the solution may reach the solubility limit and precipitate. Questions regarding the effects of the in-core precipitate on flow behavior, including the possibility of additional blockages produced by precipitate accumulation are of particular interest in the understanding of decay heat removal during LOCA scenarios. A simple experimental facility was constructed to perform experimental observations of the behavior of borated water under the combined effects of the boiling and the boric acid precipitation (BAP). Three methods for measuring the boric acid concentration of the solution in the test facility during the experiments were developed. Calibration results of the three methods were compared to identify the limitations of each technique, and determine the best approach for measuring concentration of boric acid in the test section. The results obtained provide valuable tools and alternatives for measuring concentrations of boric acid under conditions where other methodologies may not be successfully applied.
