Development of dissolved hydrogen concentration control apparatus by solid polymer electrolyte water electrolysis method

Nakano, Hiroko  ; Fuyushima, Takumi ; Tsuguchi, Akira*; Nakamura, Mutsumi*; Takeuchi, Tomoaki   ; Takemoto, Noriyuki ; Ide, Hiroshi  

In order to investigate the phenomenon of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) for structural materials at the light water reactor (LWR), it is important to manage a water quality for simulating high-temperature and high-pressure water. Generally, dissolved hydrogen (DH) concentration in water loop has been controlled by the bubbling method of pure hydrogen gas or standard gas with high hydrogen concentration. However, it is necessary to equip the preventing hydrogen explosion in the area installed experimental apparatus. In general, in order to prevent accident by hydrogen, it is required to take measures such as limiting the amount of leakage, eliminating hydrogen, shutting off the power supply, and suppressing combustion before an explosion occurs. Thus, the dissolved hydrogen concentration control apparatus by electrolysis method has been developed which has two electrolysis cells to control DH concentration by electrolyzing water loop. In this study, small basic experimental devices were set up. The preliminary data were acquired regarding the simple performance of two electrolysis cells and the change of DH concentration in circulation. Based on the preliminary data, the dissolved hydrogen concentration control apparatus was designed to be connected to the high-temperature and high-pressure water loop test equipment. This report describes the test results with the small basic experimental devices for the design of the dissolved hydrogen concentration control apparatus.