Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have developed a groundbreaking technique for tracking chemical changes in molten salts in real time , an advance that could transform nuclear power production .
This new method uses laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to analyze the elemental composition of molten salt in advanced nuclear reactors , a technology that promises to optimize the performance of molten salt reactors.
LIBS technology for molten salt reactors
Molten salt reactors, which use liquid salt as a coolant and fuel by dissolving uranium, have been in development for decades. However, their complex chemistry has made effective monitoring difficult. As interest in these reactors grows due to their safety and energy efficiency, the need for new monitoring technologies becomes even more crucial.
The ORNL research team has used LIBS to measure elements and identify isotopes in molten salts for the first time. In this process, a high-energy laser creates a plasma that emits light, which is then analyzed to detect the elements present in the molten salt.
This technique allows results to be obtained in less than a second , making it an invaluable tool for real-time monitoring in nuclear reactors.
Improving the safety and efficiency of nuclear reactors
The use of LIBS has made it possible to identify the chemical composition of molten salts and analyze the gas diffusion rate within the reactor. This analysis is essential for understanding how gases propagate and dissolve in the salt, which directly affects reactor efficiency and operational safety.
This method not only provides an elemental fingerprint of the samples, but also helps to monitor reactors more effectively.
Explained Hunter Andrews, senior scientist at ORNL
The technique is able to differentiate between hydrogen and water in the reactor gases , providing accurate data on the dissolution of the gases in the molten salt.
The future of advanced nuclear energy
This breakthrough is just the beginning. ORNL is working to refine the use of LIBS to monitor impurities within molten salt aerosols, with the goal of incorporating this sensor into commercial reactors in the coming years.
The goal is for advanced molten salt reactors to be a central piece in the fight against climate change , providing clean, sustainable energy while generating radioisotopes.
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Source and photo: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
