Experimental Study on Oxygen Potentials in Liquid Lead-Bismuth Eutectic

Abstract-Experimental study has been conducted to investigate the oxygen potentials for lead-bismuth eutectic(LBE) under steam injecting conditions. A solid electrolyte type oxygen sensor was prepared and equipped in LBE test section to immerse in LBE liquid. Electro-motive force (EMF) of the oxygen sensor was measured under the conditions of various gases: argon(Ar),hydrogen(H2),steam(H2O) injection and temperatures ranged from 573-773 K. The obtained EMF data were examined with respect to reliability and responsibility to oxygen potential of LBE. From these experimental results, the performance of the oxygen sensor was demonstrated to be applicable to the LBE. Also, hydrogen additions in the injecting steam to adjust the ratios of hydrogen over steam partial pressures (PH2/PH2O) proved suitable for controlling oxygen potential of LBE that was essential for the application of Pb-Bi to reactor coolant