Nuclear power reactor applications of high gradient magnetic filtration

Tnis paper will review the present status and future prospects for applications of high gradient magnetic filters to water-cooled nuclear power plants. A brief summary of tests performed at installation world-wide in support of nuclear applications and specifically the author´s work at the United States Department of Energy´s N Reactor will be presented. Filtration of both the primary and secondary coolant circuits of power reactors to remove impurities, will have significant effects on both direct operating costs and personnel radiological exposure. All tests to date, indicate that magnetic filtration is the most effective means of removing this particulate material (crud) which is believed to be the basic cause of tube denting problems in PWR steam generators and is the source of the majority of radiological exposure associated with reactor operation.