H2OradiationeH2OReactor Water ChemistryDOE-HDBK-1015/2-93EFFECTS OF RADIATIONON WATER CHEMISTRY (SYNTHESIS)Rev. 0CH-03Page 1EFFECTS OF RADIATIONON WATER CHEMISTRY (SYNTHESIS)Radiation synthesis is a process that takes place in the reactor coolant system.This phenomenon is limited to the reactor coolant system because of the high flux(radiation) levels that exist in the core region and further complicate chemistrycontrol of the reactor plant.EO 1.1DESCRIBE the process of radiolytic decomposition andrecombination of water.EO 1.2DESCRIBE the process of radiolytic decomposition andrecombination of nitric acid and ammonia.EO 1.3STATE the advantage of maintaining excess hydrogen inreactor water.EO 1.4STATE the three sources of radioactivity in reactor waterand each one's decay product.InteractionofRadiationAs reactor coolant water passes through the core region of an operating reactor, it is exposedto intense radiation. The major components of the radiation field are neutrons, protons, gammarays, and high energy electrons (beta particles). These types of radiation interact with thecoolant water primarily by an ionization process and have a marked effect on the water itselfand on the chemical reactions between substances dissolved in the water. This section discussesthese effects, and in particular the effects that involve gases dissolved in reactor coolant.The interaction of radiation with matter produces ion pairs. Usually, the negative member ofthe ion pair is a free electron and the positive member is a polyatomic cation, the exact natureof which depends on the particular substance being irradiated. For example, the interaction ofradiation with water is illustrated by the following reaction.(3-1)
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