A system has been developed for evaluating the effect of impurity intrusion
on reactor water as part of the chemistry diagnostic system for boiling wa
ter reactor water. Past records of anomalous changes noted in reactor water
quality were first surveyed to identify the substances presenting the high
est probability of intrusion into reactor water. The ions and their concent
rations were derived, taking into account mutual chemical reactions among t
he substances and the plant operating conditions affecting the balance equa
tion of the reactor primary system.
The results predicted for the peak conductivity of reactor water during pla
nt startup were within +/-15% of the measured data. This good agreement fou
nd on a comparison of estimated results with measured data from an actual p
lant substantiated the validity of the present method.