Studies on the interaction of sodium with cellulose wool

Abstract

This study investigates the interaction between liquid sodium and cellulose wool at various temperatures, commonly used in fast breeder reactors (FBR). Cellulose wool, used for cleaning reactor components, was subjected to sodium interaction experiments within the welded stainless steel capsules in argon heated at temperatures from 150 °C to 550 °C. Analysis was carried out for the gaseous reaction products and solid residue using various characterization techniques. The products showed the presence of H₂, CO, CO₂, CH₄, C₂H₂, C₂H₄, C₂H₆ and residual carbon. Gaseous products from the reactions were analyzed using Gas Chromatography (GC) with flame ionisation detector (GC-FID), Discharge ionization detector (GC-DID) and metal oxide semiconducting sensors. The gaseous products at 150 °C indicated the presence of CO and CO₂ as the sample temperature was increased these gases were absent. The concentration of H₂, C₂H₄ and C₂H₆ in the gaseous product decreased while the CH₄ concentration increased with temperature. Solid residues were analysed by (i) Scanning electron microscope/Energy dispersive (SEM/EDS) for morphology and chemical content, (ii) carbon analysis and (iii) infrared spectroscopy (IR). The systematic study using these techniques revealed a significant decomposition of cellulose wool with liquid sodium at high temperatures.