Hydrogen Evolution and Steam Dissociation in Steam Generators

The paper discusses the metal-steam reaction and the evolution of hydrogen in steam generating plants both from this reaction and from thermal dissociation. An analysis is made of the quantity of hydrogen expected at outlet from a particular monotube steam generator, expressions being derived from which the degree of dissociation can be calculated when the fluid no longer has a stoichiometric composition because of oxygen used up in the metal-steam reaction. The effect of oxygen in the feedwater is considered and the oxygen and hydrogen contents of the steam at outlet calculated for various cases.