Reaction path analysis of sodium-water chemical reaction field using laser diagnostics

Muranaka, Ryota*; Deguchi, Yoshihiro*; Tamura, Kenta*; Takata, Takashi*; Kikuchi, Shin ; Kurihara, Akikazu 

In a sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR), liquid sodium is used as a heat transfer fluid because of its excellent heat transport capability. On the other hand, it has strong chemical reactivity with water vapor. One of the design basis accidents of the SFR is the water leakage into the liquid sodium flow by a breach of heat transfer tubes. Therefore, the study on sodium-water chemical reactions is of importance for security reasons. This study aims to clarify the gas phase sodium-water reaction path and reaction products. Na, Na, HO, and reaction products in the counter-flow sodium-water reaction field were measured using laser diagnostics such as Raman scattering and photo-fragmentation. The main product in the sodium-water reaction was determined to be NaOH and its reaction path was discussed using Na-HO elementally reaction analysis.