Since impurities directly affect degradation of structural materials in molten salt environments, impurity analysis in molten salts is important for the deployment of the next generation molten salt nuclear reactors. Various impurities affect corrosion of structural alloys. Some of the most prevalent trace impurities present in halide salts are water, hydroxides, oxides, HCl, HF and others. Chloride and fluoride salts used for this study were chemically purified using CCl<sub>4</sub> chlorination and HF fluorination, respectively. Purity of these salts was assessed through analytical approaches using at least one of the following: titrations, O and H analysis and static corrosion tests. In addition, trace cationic and anionic impurities were characterized and their effect on corrosion of structural alloys will be presented. Analysis of the post-corrosion salt samples was done to quantify the amount of alloy constituent elements leached into the salt, as well as to understand the formation of corrosion products in molten salts.

Analysis of impurities in molten salts

ACS Fall 2021

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