The following comprise the principal sodium reactions of interest for exposed sodium (5).

4Na + 3COa 2Na2C03 + C

2Na + 3CO Na2C02 + 2C

Na + H20 ->- NaOH + Ш2 Na + NaOH NaaO + Ш2

Na + 4H2 NaH

2Na + 402 —Na20

2Na + Oa Na2Oa

The final two reactions are discussed in Section 4.5, which is concerned with sodium fires. It suffices to say here that air has to be excluded from areas in which sodium is handled and where temperatures may be high. Both these reactions release considerable heat and dense oxide smoke.

Components which have been immersed in sodium are cleaned before inspection or repair. The cleaning is performed on the basis of either dissolv­ing the sodium or reacting with it before rinsing away the cleanser and the cleaning products. Cleaners are alcohol, ammonia, nitric acid or other acids such as hydrofluoric, acetone, and steam.