Research & Development: Water/Steam Lab

Thirteen separate test facilities are housed within 3,000 square feet of the water/steam laboratory space at the B&W Research Center.

Sixteen feedtanks with volumes up to 500 gallons are located on 800 square feet of mezzanine space above and adjacent to the water/steam lab. Deaerated high purity water (conductivity of < 0.1 μS) is used to prepare representative fossil or nuclear test environments in the feedtanks. Test solutions from the feed tanks are pumped to various test facilities.

The 13 test facilities permit the evaluation of material - water/steam interactions over a wide range of conditions (temperature, mechanical loading, velocity, etc.), as described below:

Steamside Oxidation/Exfoliation Facilities

Oxidation and oxide exfoliation properties of engineering materials are investigated by subjecting specimens to high-temperature steam environment for long periods of time. Oxidation kinetics and morphologies are determined through the use of metallographic and electron optic techniques. Oxide exfoliation behavior is studied using acoustic emission (AE) monitoring equipment.

Flow Accelerated Corrosion Test Loop

Flow accelerated corrosion (FAC) of carbon steel components in fossil and nuclear power plants is evaluated in the high-temperature FAC loop. This loop typically operates at temperatures up to 550°F, pressures up to 1,500 psig, and velocities up to 20 ft/sec.

High-Temperature, High-Pressure Autoclaves

Four autoclaves with volumes up to seven gallons are available to evaluate materials in static or refreshed modes at temperatures up to 750°F and pressures up to 3,200 psig.

Constant Extension Rate Test Facilities

Constant extension rate testing (CERT) is a technique for rapid evaluation of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) susceptibility of materials. Two CERT facilities are available for testing materials in environments at temperatures up to 750°F and pressures up to 5,300 psig.

Corrosion Fatigue Test Facilities

Corrosion fatigue is the accelerated degradation of materials due to the combined effects of cyclic stresses and service environment. Three test facilities, each consisting of a 20-gallon stainless steel autoclave (650°F/2500 psig) and a hydraulically driven load frame permit corrosion fatigue evaluations to be performed under specific loading conditions.

For more information, please contact us.