Application of an electrochemical hydrogen meter for studying reactions in liquid sodium

Abstract

An electrochemical hydrogen meter based on a CaCl₂-CaH₂ solid electrolyte was used to study the reactions of rust (FeOOH) and hydrocarbon based oil with liquid sodium in the temperature range of 623 to 748 K. The results indicated that the reaction between FeOOH and sodium is slow at 623 K and fast at 723 K. The hydrogen concentration in sodium is increased due to the reaction. Similarly, the reaction between oil and sodium proceeds slowly at 623 K whereas above 673 K, it takes place rapidly. The gaseous products released during sodium-oil reactions were analysed by means of the gas Chromatographie technique. It was found that methane was the major gaseous product formed and its formation obeyed a parabolic rate law. The response of the meter for the liberation of hydrogen in both reactions was found to be fast, qualifying the meter for detecting the ingress of hydrogen bearing compounds into sodium.