H2O
radiation
e
H2O
Reactor Water Chemistry
DOE-HDBK-1015/2-93
EFFECTS OF RADIATION
ON WATER CHEMISTRY (SYNTHESIS)
Rev. 0
CH-03
Page 1
EFFECTS OF RADIATION
ON 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 chemistry
control of the reactor plant.
EO 1.1
DESCRIBE the process of radiolytic decomposition and
recombination of water.
EO 1.2
DESCRIBE the process of radiolytic decomposition and
recombination of nitric acid and ammonia.
EO 1.3
STATE the advantage of maintaining excess hydrogen in
reactor water.
EO 1.4
STATE the three sources of radioactivity in reactor water
and each one's decay product.
Interaction of Radiation
As reactor coolant water passes through the core region of an operating reactor, it is exposed
to intense radiation. The major components of the radiation field are neutrons, protons, gamma
rays, and high energy electrons (beta particles). These types of radiation interact with the
coolant water primarily by an ionization process and have a marked effect on the water itself
and on the chemical reactions between substances dissolved in the water. This section discusses
these 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 of
the ion pair is a free electron and the positive member is a polyatomic cation, the exact nature
of which depends on the particular substance being irradiated. For example, the interaction of
radiation with water is illustrated by the following reaction.
(3-1)
