Ammonia cleanup of lithium containing components

Following testing, lithium wetted refractory components will normally be drained of their lithium coolant prior to reuse or post-test inspection. However, experience has shown that the lithium cannot be completely removed from the refractory metal surfaces by draining alone. Prior experience has demonstrated that liquid anhydrous ammonia is an effective lithium cleaning agent in applications where it can be assured that the ammonia will remain in a liquid state. However, if ammonia is to be used to clean unrefrigerated components, some ammonia vapor is expected. Ammonia vapor can react with lithium to produce hydrogen which in turn may damage the refractory surfaces. Experiments are reported which were performed at the Idaho National Engineering Lab. These experiments explored the possibility of using liquid anhydrous ammonia to clean without damage unrefrigerated lithium wetted refractory components.