THE REMOVAL OF NICKEL DISSOLVED IN PB-17LI BY THE FORMATION OF A LESSSOLUBLE NICKEL-MANGANESE ALLOY

Structural steels are susceptible to dissolution when exposed to liqui d Pb-17Li. In order to remove the corrosion products transferred into the alloy, purification systems may be used. The efficiency of a cold trap fitted to the Anapurna liquid metal loop has been studied. The re moval of nickel from solution in Pb-17Li has been shown to be possible by adding manganese to the Pb-17Li. Experiments carried out with a co ld trap temperature of 523 K and an alloy temperature of 673 K have sh own that nickel concentration as low as 1 wppm may be achieved by this method. The result is interpreted by the formation of nickel-manganes e compounds deposited in the cold parts of the trap. This observation which suggests an interaction between both nickel and manganese in Pb- 17Li is confirmed by equilibrium tests of Ni-Mn alloys with Pb-17Li.