The corrosion behavior of structural materials in lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) is one of thekey issues for engineering application of the lead-bismuth reactors, i.e. China LEAd-based Reactor (CLEAR). The corrosion rate can be slowed down significantly in case of the oxygen concentrations of LBE being controlled in a sustained reasonable range. However, the available corrosion data of structural materials for engineering application are quite inadequate worldwide at present.

“China multi-functional LBE integrated experimental loop KYLIN-II” was developed by Institute of Nuclear Energy Safety Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences·FDS Team. The corrosion experiments for structural Materials in KYLIN-II(M) loop were performed steadily for more than 6000 hrs with steady controlling of the oxygen concentration till now. And the corrosion data could be useful for the design and construction of CLEAR. In addition, the sustained running of KYLIN-II(M) loop with accurate control on oxygen concentration will greatly support the development of LBE technology at laboratory scale and lay good foundation for the engineering application in CLEAR.

KYLIN-II(M) loop (Imaged by JIANG Zhizhong)