Radioactive waste primarily containing sodium nitrate, nitrite, and hydroxide is stored in underground storage tanks at
the Department of Energy (DOE) Savannah River Site (SRS). A comprehensive structural integrity program, which includes chemistry controls, is in place to preclude any consequential corrosion in these waste tanks to maintain safe storage of the waste. Sodium hydroxide and nitrite are used to inhibit nitrate-induced stress corrosion cracking and nitrate-induced pitting corrosion in the liquid phase of the waste tanks. Although these solution chemistry controls are in place, recent experience has shown that steel not in contact with the bulk waste solution or slurry, but exposed to the “vapor space” above the bulk waste, may be vulnerable to the initiation and propagation of corrosion, including pitting and stress corrosion cracking.
Recent laboratory testing has not been successful in recreating vapor space cracking seen in the waste tanks. Subsequent testing is planned to better simulate tank conditions.
Keywords: carbon steel, nitrate, pitting