Chemistry control in nuclear power plants continues to evolve in the types of additive chemistry and purification technologies applied, as well as in how important parameters are monitored and controlled. New chemistry technologies are being evaluated, qualified, and demonstrated throughout the industry that have the potential to fundamentally alter and significantly improve chemistry control in these plants. Many of these technologies could improve operations and maintenance, as well as economic viability. For example, filming products (including filming amines) could significantly reduce pressurized water reactor (PWR) secondary flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC) and corrosion product transport, improving steam generator (SG) performance and reducing the need for SG chemical cleanings. The application of potassium hydroxide (KOH) to the reactor coolant system (RCS) for pH control in "Western-designed" PWRs may ultimately result in significant cost savings for the industry, both relative to the cost of the bulk chemical it replaces (compared to costly enriched lithium-7, Li-7), and in the reduced risk of lithium-assisted corrosion issues of irradiated stainless steels and zirconium-based fuel cladding alloys. In boiling water reactors (BWRs) materials mitigation technologies such as online noble chemistry continue to expand throughout the industry, with utilities seeking more options - including continuous application, which would reduce the overall cost of the application. Demonstration of these technologies over the next few years will further the ability of other plants to complete their own cost-benefit analysis and start utilizing them. Regarding chemistry monitoring in nuclear power plants, most continue to rely on manually intensive methods for both sampling and analysis. Several utilities have applied online monitoring methods for some parameters but may still struggle with maintenance of older instruments. Many utilities may have purchased older generations of technologies only to find the maintenance costs and performance did not live up to expectations. Outside of nuclear power plant applications, technologies such as online ion chromatography and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analyses have continued to evolve and improve, and are applied widely. Moving to completely automated and higher frequency analysis of chemistry parameters may allow for reducing the total number of monitored parameters while also moving toward fully automated plant chemistry, which may eventually include automated control. This paper highlights the current development status of these new technologies and provides a vision for the overall future impacts of full utilization in nuclear power plants.
