Nuclear Energy Based on Thorium Molten Salt

Examination of Molten Salt Reactor Relevant Elements Using Hydrothermal Synthesis

“…Zr was included in the study because of its occasional use in eutectics and as an analogue of other oxophilic tetravalent metals. 1,2 MO 2 or Nd 2 O 3 (∼11 mol %; M = Np, U, Th, Ce, Zr) was combined with a 3.4:1 LiF/BeO ratio (69 and 20 mol %, respectively) in a Teflon cup with 500 μL of HF(aq) (48 wt %) and 750 μL of deionized water and sealed inside a steel jacket. The autoclave was heated to a temperature of 200 °C for 3 days, followed by slow cooling at a rate of 4 °C/h to room temperature.…”

“…There is growing interest in the use of molten salt reactors for the next generation of nuclear energy. , These systems utilize a low-melting salt eutectic, e.g., LiF–BeF 2 , NaF–ZrF 4 , LiF–NaF–BeF 2 , or NaCl–KCl, based on the idea that in the event of power loss or system breach the molten salt will quickly solidify. − This keeps the nuclear material isolated in an inert matrix until it can be properly handled. While the chemistry of actinide fluorides has been heavily studied as part of the Manhattan project and shortly after, their chemistry is being revisited, with significant results in the past several years. − However, there are very few single-crystal studies of actinide–beryllium compounds, primarily AnBe 13 (An = Th–Cm), − and one example of Na 3 BeTh 10 F 45 .…”

“…With this in mind, we sought to define the structural chemistry of the early actinides, U and Np, and utilize Ce and Nd analogues for Pu and Am, respectively, under hydrothermal conditions with LiF and BeO in a high fluoride environment (aqueous hydrogen fluroide, HF). Zr was included in the study because of its occasional use in eutectics and as an analogue of other oxophilic tetravalent metals. , …”

“…T here is growing interest in the use of molten salt reactors for the next generation of nuclear energy. 1,2 These systems utilize a low-melting salt eutectic, e.g., LiF−BeF 2 , NaF−ZrF 4 , LiF−NaF−BeF 2 , or NaCl−KCl, based on the idea that in the event of power loss or system breach the molten salt will quickly solidify. 1−4 This keeps the nuclear material isolated in an inert matrix until it can be properly handled.…”

Actinide Molten Salts: A Machine-Learning Potential Molecular Dynamics Study

“…The excellent chemical, radiochemical, and thermal stabilities, together with their high heat capacities, high boiling points, and low vapor pressure, make MSs an excellent choice as coolants and/or fuels in nuclear reactors. , Spent nuclear fuel reprocessing is another important nuclear application of MSs mostly due to their low chemical sensitivity to high levels of radiation and proliferation resistance . Currently, our knowledge of these systems is limited; therefore, a better understanding of the molecular properties of Ans in MSs is key toward fundamental insights and maximizing their practical use in many modern materials and processes. ,− …”