The investigation of corrosion mechanisms in coolant circulation paths of electron accelerators

The electron accelerator located at Yazd is working with tap water as cooling. This equipment is made of carbon steel (A37). This steel, as a typical carbon steel, is very susceptible to corrosion destruction in uncontrolled condition. Using tap water as a coolant, has led to high corrosion and thus blocked water circulation paths. XRD and XRF analysis of corrosion products from different parts of accelerator showed that a large quantity of these sediments is composed of Iron Oxide. SEM images indicated that the sediments have a Tubculation morphology. Also, the ICP-OES results showed that in comparison with Yazd tap water, the chemistry of the cooling water circulating in the accelerator has been changed, consequently its hardness decreased by passing time. The results obtained from the Langelier parameter showed that the water exiting from the end of the cooling system is a little corrosive. Due to the color and morphology of corrosion products, the corrosion mechanism is a Tubculation type.