Hydrogen Effusion Probe Development and Installation at the Point Lepreau Generating Station

Abstract

Some corrosion reactions which occur in steel pipes have hydrogen as a reaction product. This hydrogen may diffuse through the steel to the outside of the pipe and escape as hydrogen gas; a process referred to as hydrogen effusion. Literature shows that the rate of corrosion can be estimated by measuring the rate of hydrogen production. CNER enlisted the services of RPC to design and manufacture a corrosion monitor based on the principle of hydrogen effusion - the HEPro. In May 2006, an HEPro was installed at PLGS. This report describes the success of the development and installation of the HEPro.