Development of Technology to Reduce 'Sludge' Disrupting Nuclear Power Electricity Production by up to 68%

Nuclear Research Institute "Develops Korea's First Hydochemical Technology to Enhance Nuclear Power Plant Safety"

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute has developed the country's first demonstration device simulating sludge adhesion on nuclear power plant steam generator heat transfer tubes. (Photo by Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] A technology that minimizes 'sludge (sewage residue)' obstructing electricity production in nuclear power plants has been developed for the first time in Korea. The safety of nuclear power plants is expected to improve.

On the 20th, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute announced that it has developed for the first time a hydrochemical technology that significantly reduces sludge adhering to the surface of heat transfer tubes for the first time in Korea.

Metal heat transfer tubes are contained in the cooling water of nuclear power plants. The heat generated by nuclear fission in the reactor is transferred through the heat transfer tubes to the cooling water inside the steam generator. This heat produces steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity.

The problem is that sludge forms when water and metal are used together. When sludge adheres to the surface of the heat transfer tubes in nuclear power plants, heat is not efficiently transferred to the cooling water, accelerating corrosion and blocking flow paths. Naturally, the reliability of non-destructive testing also decreases.

The Atomic Energy Research Institute identified the type of cooling water pH adjuster and the pH value that minimize the amount of sludge adhering to the heat transfer tubes.

Currently, nuclear power plants use a technology that adds pH adjusters to the cooling water in the steam generator to maintain alkalinity so that the cooling water does not corrode the metal heat transfer tubes.

Instead of maintaining pH 9 with ethanolamine, which is mainly used domestically, maintaining pH 10 with ammonia reduced sludge by up to 68%.

A demonstration device simulating sludge formation inside the steam generator was developed. Using this device, the optimal combination related to the type and range of pH adjusters was found.

Heo Dohang, principal researcher at the Atomic Energy Research Institute, explained, "By significantly reducing sludge on the surface of heat transfer tubes, the safety of operating nuclear power plants will be enhanced."

The results of this study were published in this month's issue of the nuclear energy academic journal, Annals of Nuclear Energy.

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