High Temperature Reference Electrode

Corrosion of steel in elevated temperature aqueous environments is a significant problem in many industries.  Therefore, high-temperature/high-pressure reference electrodes are needed for various corrosion measurements such as polarization, galvanic corrosion, electrochemical noise measurement, and electrochemical corrosion potential (ECP) measurement.  A high-temperature/high-pressure reference electrode has been developed for applications in the primary system of operating nuclear power plants.  The electrode has been designed to operate in high radiation environments and is capable of withstanding rapid temperature and pressure transients.

System Features

The MPM high temperature reference electrode has the following features:

• The reference electrode is a pressure balanced external reference electrode

• The thermal liquid junction potential is accounted for in the conversion of the measured potential to the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) scale

• Software is provided for continuous data acquisition and determination of the potential versus SHE scale at temperature

• The electrode can operate continuously in normal water chemistry, hydrogen water chemistry, or in aqueous environments with chemical additions to control corrosion

• The electrode is capable of continuous operation at 290ºC for over 2 years before replacement

• The electrode can operate at pressures in excess of 2,000 psig

• The electrode can withstand rapid depressurization events as well as thermal ramps of up to 485ºC per minute

System Upgrades

The high temperature reference electrode can be provided with several options:

• Miniature pressure vessel for research or plan applications

• Flow grabber attachment for in-service piping applications where flow rates are too high for direct installation of the reference electrode

• Data acquisition system with computer and software

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