Corrosion Inhibition Behaviors of Different Inhibitors for Depleted Uranium in Cooling Water

Inhibition effect of sodium nitrite and sodium molybdate combined with triethanolamine respectively for depleted uranium was evaluated in cooling water by weight-loss method. The corrosion surfaces of depleted uranium immersed in cooling water at different temperatures for 20 h were analyzed by laser Raman spectrum and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that sodium nitrite and sodium molybdate have inhibition effect for depleted uranium. Inhibition efficiencies of the two inhibitors are improved by adding triethanolamine. Inhibition efficiencies of sodium molybdate combined with triethanolamine are 89% and 88% at 45 ℃ and 65 ℃, respectively. Inhibition efficiency of sodium nitrite is 93.4% at 85 ℃. Uranium dioxide is main component on uranium surface determined by laser Raman spectrum. The analysis of SEM indicates that the oxidation film formed on uranium surface is compact in cooling water with inhibitors.