Nuclear Power — Secondary Circuit Water Purification
Protecting the Secondary Circuit from Corrosion Products and Particulate Contamination
In pressurized water reactor (PWR) plants, the secondary circuit connects the steam generator, turbine, condenser, and feedwater system. During long-term operation, corrosion products, iron oxides, metallic particles, and suspended solids can enter the condensate and feedwater cycle.
If these contaminants are transported into the steam generator, they may accumulate around heat-transfer tubes, tube sheets, and support structures, increasing deposit load and affecting heat-transfer conditions.
Effective particulate control is therefore an important part of secondary-circuit water chemistry and equipment integrity management.
Why Filtration Is Needed？
Controlling Corrosion Products Before They Reach Critical Equipment
Corrosion products generated within the secondary circuit can migrate with condensate and feedwater. Magnetic iron oxides and other particulate contaminants are particularly important to control because they may contribute to deposits in critical areas of the steam generator.
Filtration provides an additional physical barrier to intercept and remove these contaminants before they are transported further into critical equipment.
The Role of Filtration
Targeted Removal of Magnetic and Suspended Particles
Santoflux combines high-gradient magnetic filtration with fine particle filtration according to the actual water quality and system requirements.
Magnetic Filtration
Captures magnetic iron oxides, ferrous particles, and other magnetic corrosion products.
Fine Filtration
Removes non-magnetic suspended solids and fine particulate contaminants.
Together, these technologies provide continuous particulate control within the secondary water cycle.
Capture contaminants before they reach critical equipment.
What Can Filtration Improve?
Lower Contaminant Transport. Lower Deposit Load. More Stable Operation.
A properly designed filtration system can help:
Reduce the transport of magnetic corrosion products
Lower particulate deposition around critical equipment
Reduce the particulate load on downstream treatment systems
Support more stable heat-transfer conditions
Support long-term steam generator and secondary-circuit integrity management
Filtration does not independently prevent corrosion or stress corrosion cracking. Instead, it serves as an additional layer of particulate control within the broader water chemistry and equipment management strategy.
Santoflux Filtration Solution
Customized Purification for Nuclear Secondary Circuits
Santoflux provides customized filtration solutions based on actual operating conditions, including:
Flow Rate · Pressure · Temperature · Pipe Diameter · Water Chemistry · Iron Concentration · Particle Characteristics
Depending on the application, the system can be configured with:
High-Gradient Magnetic Filtration + Fine Particle Filtration
to provide targeted and continuous control of corrosion products and suspended contaminants.
Key Benefits
Cleaner Water
Reduced particulate contamination in the secondary water cycle.
Lower Deposit Load
Less particulate material available for deposition in critical areas.
Reliable Operation
Additional protection for steam generators and associated secondary-circuit equipment.