Selection of process parameters for sodium removal via the water vapor nitrogen process

For the vapor phase of the WVN process the 160 to 190{sup 0}F temperature limit is shown to be well within the 145 to 208{sup 0}F minimum/maximum range. Decreasing process time by expansion of the temperature range is not expected to aid processing. The most productive area for improvement would be an increase in the water vapor concentration above the present 5% level. However, this would require confirmatory testing before approved use. The rinsing process was shown to be mainly controlled by component crevice geometry. Improvements in rinse time may be made by increasing the water temperature, but the concern over the caustic stress corrosion cracking will tend to limit the available increase. Although directed jets or sprays of rinse flows was not recommended, methods were suggested for conserving rinse water. Drying (as well as heating and cooling) of components was again shown to be constrained mostly by individual geometry and not processing parameters. A gas only, vacuum only, or a combination of the two modes were shown to be generally accepted methods. The hot gas only mode was recommended for its simplicity