Which field concerns chemical control in the non-primary circuits of a nuclear plant?

• A. Primary Coolant Chemistry
• B. Secondary System Chemistry
• C. Containment System Chemistry
• D. Fuel Handling Chemistry

Answer: (B)

Non-primary circuits refer to the steam/water cycle outside the reactor’s primary coolant loop. The field that focuses on chemical control in that portion of the plant is secondary system chemistry. It covers the chemistry of feedwater, boilers/steam generators, condensate, and related piping and turbines, with the goal of preventing corrosion, scaling, and other water-chemistry-related issues in the steam cycle. This contrasts with primary coolant chemistry, which targets the reactor coolant loop itself, containment system chemistry for the containment atmosphere, and fuel handling chemistry for processes involved in moving and handling fuel. So, managing the chemistry of the non-primary, or secondary, side is precisely what secondary system chemistry does.