Studying the thermophysical and physicochemical properties of solutions of boric acid for emergency core cooling of WWER

Abstract

The results of experimental research of physicochemical (degree of acidity - pH) properties of aqueous solutions of boric acid are presented in this paper. A review of available literature data about the influence of properties of boric acid solutions on heat removal from the reactor core is given. It has been established that the available information is very general in nature and does not cover the entire range of parameters (temperature, pressure, acid concentration) characteristic of a possible emergency situation at NPPs with a WWER reactor. Experimental techniques and test facilities for research are described. The experimental data of the pH of aqueous solutions of boric acid in range of the concentration (5-100 g kg-1 H2O) and temperature (25-50 °C) are received. The approximating dependence for the degree of acidity of aqueous solutions of boric acid has been obtained.