Patent ID: 8290111
Filing Date: 2012-10-16
Classification: G01N,G21C,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method for determining an electrochemical corrosion potential representative of the electrochemical corrosion potential of zirconium cladding of zirconium fuel rods in a nuclear reactor, the method comprising: positioning at least two electrochemical corrosion sensors in either a nuclear reactor or in a system adjacent to the nuclear reactor, the at least two electrochemical corrosion sensors positioned in and in contact with the reactor coolant in the nuclear reactor or in and in contact with the reactor coolant in the system adjacent to the nuclear reactor, wherein at least one of the at least two electrochemical corrosion sensors includes a heating element and a zirconium electrode in contact with the coolant, said heating element configured to heat said zirconium electrode to a temperature that is approximately equal to a temperature of a surface of zirconium cladding of the fuel rods; producing a voltage between the at least two electrochemical corrosion sensors; measuring a current induced by the voltage; and determining an electrochemical corrosion potential representative of the electrochemical corrosion potential of zirconium cladding of zirconium fuel rods based upon the current induced.