About this Abstract |
Meeting |
2022 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
Symposium
|
Materials and Chemistry for Molten Salt Systems
|
Presentation Title |
Electrochemical Measurement of Uranium Concentration in FLiNaK |
Author(s) |
Matthew Newton, Michael F. Simpson |
On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Matthew Newton |
Abstract Scope |
Molten fluoride salt fueled reactors promise greater efficiency, improved safety, and less waste. Unfortunately, existing methods of composition monitoring are slow. Electrochemical sensors were identified as a method for monitoring real-time compositions that could improve safety and efficiency. In this study, molten salt mixtures of FLiNaK and 1-5 wt% UF4 were tested using cyclic voltammetry. The objective was to develop a method of measuring uranium concentrations in salts. This method could improve process controls and nuclear material safeguards. Experiments used tungsten electrodes and a platinum quasi-reference electrode. The working electrode’s surface area was controlled using a vertical translator. Solution resistance was measured using EIS and ICP-MS verified uranium concentrations. Cyclic voltammetry revealed reduction peaks at -0.5V and -0.75V representing the reduction of U4+ to U3+ and U3+ to U. ICP-MS was used to develop a correlation between the slope of these plots and uranium concentration. This correlation will be discussed |
Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
Keywords |
Electrometallurgy, Nuclear Materials, Other |