Ion Exchange and Mechanical Purification of Fire-Resistant Phosphate Ester Fluids Used in Steam-Turbine Control Systems

TL;DRAbstract

Steam turbines at nuclear stations have electro-hydraulic control (EHC) systems that use a phosphate ester-based fire-resistant fluid. This fluid undergoes degradation in service via hydrolytic, oxidative, and thermal mechanisms that are influenced by system design and operating conditions. Past experience (OPEX) has shown that the condition of the fire-resistant fluid in service is critical for station safety and nuclear regulatory authorities; therefore, chemistry control of this fluid is included as a part of a station’s operating license. The typical industry approach to maintaining fluid quality within specification is to continuously circulate a portion of the fluid through an adsorbent solid to remove degradation products. Since the late 1980s, ion-exchange treatment has become one of the most effective purification processes. However, there are now several different resin types available that can interact with the fluid in different ways, and the optimum process for resin treat

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