Filter demineralizer performance improvement program

Iron has long been recognized as playing a major role in the development of radiation fields in boiling water reactors (BWRs). This is recognized in both GE`s optimum water chemistry program and the Electric Power Research Institute`s (EPRI) BWR Water Chemistry Guidelines. The recent discovery of cracks in major reactor components has placed a new emphasis on the control of feedwater chemistry and iron reduction. Therefore, across the industry considerable effort is being given to optimizing the performance of condensate demineralizers in terms of removal efficiency and operating cost. EPRI has commissioned CENTEC to develop a comprehensive program to assist utilities in this optimization process related to filter demineralizer systems. Unfortunately, the performance of condensate filter demineralizers (CFD) at U.S. nuclear power plants is considerable below the intended performance objectives for these systems.