Molten carbonate is an excellent electrolyte for the electrochemical reduction of CO_(2)to carbonaceous materials.However,the electrolyte–electrode-reaction relationship has not been well understood.Herein,we propose...Molten carbonate is an excellent electrolyte for the electrochemical reduction of CO_(2)to carbonaceous materials.However,the electrolyte–electrode-reaction relationship has not been well understood.Herein,we propose a general descriptor,the CO_(2)activity,to reveal the electrolyte–electrode-reaction relationship by thermodynamic calculations and experimental studies.Experimental studies agree well with theoretical predictions that both cations(Li^(+),Ca^(2+),Sr^(2+)and Ba^(2+))and anions(BO_(2)^(-),Ti_(5)O_(14)^(8-),SiO_(3)^(2-))can modulate the CO_(2)activity to control both cathode and anode reactions in a typical molten carbonate electrolyzer in terms of tuning reaction products and overpotentials.In this regard,the reduction of CO_(3)^(2-)can be interpreted as the direct reduction of CO_(2)generated from the dissociated CO_(3)^(2-),and the CO_(2)activity can be used as a general descriptor to predict the electrode reaction in molten carbonate.Overall,the CO_(2)activity descriptor unlocks the electrolyte–electrode-reaction relationship,thereby providing fundamental insights into guiding molten carbonate CO_(2)electrolysis.展开更多
In a thorium-based molten salt reactor(TMSR),it is difficult to achieve the pure 232Th–^(233)U fuel cycle without sufficient^(233)U fuel supply.Therefore,the original molten salt reactor was designed to use enriched ...In a thorium-based molten salt reactor(TMSR),it is difficult to achieve the pure 232Th–^(233)U fuel cycle without sufficient^(233)U fuel supply.Therefore,the original molten salt reactor was designed to use enriched uranium or plutonium as the starting fuel.By exploiting plutonium as the starting fuel and thorium as the fertile fuel,the high-purity^(233)U produced can be separated from the spent fuel by fluorination volatilization.Therefore,the molten salt reactor started with plutonium can be designed as a^(233)U breeder with the burning plutonium extracted from a pressurized water reactor(PWR).Combining these advantages,the study of the physical properties of plutonium-activated salt reactors is attractive.This study mainly focused on the burnup performance and temperature reactivity coefficient of a small modular molten-salt reactor started with plutonium(SM-MSR-Pu).The neutron spectra,^(233)U production,plutonium incineration,minor actinide(MA)residues,and temperature reactivity coefficients for different fuel salt volume fractions(VF)and hexagon pitch(P)sizes were calculated to analyze the burnup behavior in the SM-SMR-Pu.Based on the comparative analysis results of the burn-up calculation,a lower VF and larger P size are more beneficial for improving the burnup performance.However,from a passive safety perspective,a higher fuel volume fraction and smaller hexagon pitch size are necessary to achieve a deep negative feedback coefficient.Therefore,an excellent burnup performance and a deep negative temperature feedback coefficient are incompatible,and the optimal design range is relatively narrow in the optimized design of an SM-MSR-Pu.In a comprehensive consideration,P=20 cm and VF=20%are considered to be relatively balanced design parameters.Based on the fuel off-line batching scheme,a 250 MWth SM-MSR-Pu can produce approximately 29.83 kg of ^(233)U,incinerate 98.29 kg of plutonium,and accumulate 14.70 kg of MAs per year,and the temperature reactivity coefficient can always be lower than−4.0pcm/K.展开更多
High entropy oxides(HEOs)with ideal element tunability and enticing entropy-driven stability have exhibited unprecedented application potential in electrochemical lithium storage.However,the general control of dimensi...High entropy oxides(HEOs)with ideal element tunability and enticing entropy-driven stability have exhibited unprecedented application potential in electrochemical lithium storage.However,the general control of dimension and morphology remains a major challenge.Here,scalable HEO morphology modulation is implemented through a salt-assisted strategy,which is achieved by regulating the solubility of reactants and the selective adsorption of salt ions on specific crystal planes.The electrochemical properties,lithiation mechanism,and structure evolution of composition-and morphology-dependent HEO anode are examined in detail.More importantly,the potential advantages of HEOs as electrode materials are evaluated from both theoretical and experimental aspects.Benefiting from the high oxygen vacancy concentration,narrow band gap,and structure durability induced by the multi-element synergy,HEO anode delivers desirable reversible capacity and reaction kinetics.In particular,Mg is evidenced to serve as a structural sustainer that significantly inhibits the volume expansion and retains the rock salt lattice.These new perspectives are expected to open a window of opportunity to compositionally/morphologi cally engineer high-performance HEO electrodes.展开更多
Dense zirconium coatings on copper substrates were obtained in an alumina crucible and a stainless steel crucible from FLiNaK-K_(2)ZrF_(6)molten salt at 1023 K.Due to the potential difierences between copper and zirco...Dense zirconium coatings on copper substrates were obtained in an alumina crucible and a stainless steel crucible from FLiNaK-K_(2)ZrF_(6)molten salt at 1023 K.Due to the potential difierences between copper and zirconium,zirconium can difiuse into the copper substrate to form zirconium alloys on the surface of copper substrates in the course of deposition.The coating deposited in a stainless steel crucible has a gray surface.The components of the coating are mainly CuZr2alloy and Cu_(10)Zr_(7)alloy,and,the outermost layer of the coating is a layer of amorphous pure zirconium.The coating deposited in an alumina crucible has a silvery white metallic luster.The components of the coating are mainly Cu-Zr-Al intermetallic compounds,AlCu_(2)Zr,ZrAl,AlCu and CuZr.Furthermore,two types of zirconium coatings can greatly increase the hardness of the substrate.展开更多
The corrosion behavior of 316H stainless steel(SS)in the impure and purified Na Cl–KCl–Mg Cl_(2) salt was investigated at700°C.Results indicate that the main deleterious impurity induced corrosion in the impure...The corrosion behavior of 316H stainless steel(SS)in the impure and purified Na Cl–KCl–Mg Cl_(2) salt was investigated at700°C.Results indicate that the main deleterious impurity induced corrosion in the impure salt was the absorbed moisture,present in the form of Mg Cl_(2)·6H_(2)O.316H SS occurred severe intergranular corrosion with a corrosion depth of 130μm for1000 h in the impure Na Cl–KCl–Mg Cl_(2) salt.In contrast,the purification treatment of molten chloride salt by the dissolved Mg metal can remove the absorbed moisture,and the corresponding reactions were also discussed.As a result,the corrosiveness of Na Cl–KCl–Mg Cl_(2) salt is reduced significantly.316H SS occurred slight uniform corrosion with a depth of less than 5μm for 3000 h in the purified Na Cl–KCl–Mg Cl_(2) salt.展开更多
MXenes are two-dimensional transition metal carbides and/or nitrides with unique physiochemical properties and have attracted extensive interest in numerous fields.However,current MXene synthesis methods are limited b...MXenes are two-dimensional transition metal carbides and/or nitrides with unique physiochemical properties and have attracted extensive interest in numerous fields.However,current MXene synthesis methods are limited by hazardous synthesis conditions,high production costs,or difficulty in largescale production.Therefore,a general,safe,cost-effective,and scalable synthesis method for MXenes is crucial.Here,we report the fast synthesis of MXenes in the open air using a molten salt-shielded synthesis(MS^(3))method,which uses Lewis-acid salts as etchants and a low-melting-point eutectic salt mixture as the reaction medium and shield to prevent MXene oxidation at high temperatures.Carbide and nitride MXenes,including Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x),Ti_(2)CT_(x),Ti_(3)CNT_(x),and Ti_(4)N_(3)T_(x),were successfully synthesized using the MS^(3) method.We also present the flexibility of the MS^(3) method by scaling the etching process to large batches of 20 and 60 g of Ti_(3)AlC_(2) MAX precursor in one pot.When used as negative electrodes,the prepared MS^(3)-MXenes delivered excellent electrochemical properties for high-rate Li-ion storage.展开更多
The properties of non-oxide materials are continuously revealed,and their applications in the fields of ceramics,energy,and catalysis are increasingly extensive.Regardless of the traditional binary materials or the MA...The properties of non-oxide materials are continuously revealed,and their applications in the fields of ceramics,energy,and catalysis are increasingly extensive.Regardless of the traditional binary materials or the MAX phases,the preparation methods,which are environmentally friendly,efficient,economical,and easy to scale-up,have always been the focus of attention.Molten salt synthesis has demonstrated unparalleled advantages in achieving non-oxide materials.In addition,with the development of the process in molten salt synthesis,it also shows great potential in scale-up production.In this review,the recent progress of molten salt synthesis in the preparation of binary non-oxide and MAX phase is reviewed,as well as some novel processes.The reaction mechanisms and the influence of synthetic conditions for certain materials are discussed in detail.The paper is finalized with the discussion of the application prospect and future research trends of molten salt synthesis in non-oxide materials.展开更多
RE-containing magnesium alloys were prepared via molten-salt-mediated magnesiothermic reduction by using RE_(2)O_(3)(RE=Y,Nd and Gd)and Mg metal as raw materials.The thermomechanical analysis of the magnesiothermic re...RE-containing magnesium alloys were prepared via molten-salt-mediated magnesiothermic reduction by using RE_(2)O_(3)(RE=Y,Nd and Gd)and Mg metal as raw materials.The thermomechanical analysis of the magnesiothermic reduction reactions in molten salt was investigated.Then the molten-salt-mediated magnesiothermic reduction process was studied from three different perspectives.After that,the RE-containing magnesium alloy was characterized by using chemical analysis,XRD analysis and SEM analysis.The magnesiothermic reduction was a liquid-liquid reaction with relatively weak driving force.During the melting process and the magnesiothermic reduction process,magnesium metal and the obtained alloy went up and down as a whole in molten salt,which improved the process safety without introducing chloride inclusions.Meanwhile,the hydrolysis of the RECl_(3^(-))containing molten salt occurred at elevated temperature,which severely impeded the magnesiothermic reduction process.After the magnesiothermic reduction at 750°C for 2.0 h,the content of RE and the common impurity elements in the obtained RE-containing alloy met the both requirements of the commercial WE43A and WE43B.展开更多
The high-temperature molten salt pump is the core equipment in a molten salt reactor that drives the flow of the molten salt coolant.Rotor stability is key to the continuous and reliable operation of the molten salt p...The high-temperature molten salt pump is the core equipment in a molten salt reactor that drives the flow of the molten salt coolant.Rotor stability is key to the continuous and reliable operation of the molten salt pump,and the liquid seal at the wear ring can affect the dynamic characteristics of the rotor system.When the molten salt pump is operated in the hightemperature molten salt medium,thermal deformation of the submerged parts inevitably occurs,changing clearance between the stator and rotor,affecting the leakage and dynamic characteristics of the seal.In this study,the seal leakage,seal dynamic characteristics,and rotor system dynamic characteristics are simulated and analyzed using finite element simulation software based on two cases of considering the effect of seal thermal deformation effect or not.The results show a significant difference in the leakage characteristics and dynamic characteristics of the seal obtained by considering the effect of seal thermal deformation and neglecting the effect of thermal deformation.The leakage flow rate decreases,and the first-order critical speed of the seal-bearing-rotor system decrease after considering the seal’s thermal deformation.展开更多
The effects of fluoride ions(F^(-)) on the electrochemical behavior and coordination properties of titanium ions(Ti^(n+)) were studied in this work,by combining electrochemical and mathematical analysis as well as spe...The effects of fluoride ions(F^(-)) on the electrochemical behavior and coordination properties of titanium ions(Ti^(n+)) were studied in this work,by combining electrochemical and mathematical analysis as well as spectral techniques.The α was taken as a factor to indicate the molar concentration ratio of F^(-) and Ti^(n+).Cyclic voltammetry(CV),square wave voltammetry(SWV),and open circuit potential method(OCP)were used to study the electrochemical behavior of titanium ions under conditions of various α,and in-situ sampler was used to prepare molten salt samples when α equal to 0.0,1.0,2.0,3.0,4.0,5.0,6.0,and 8.0.And then,samples were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) and Raman spectroscopy.The results showed that F^(-) in molten salt can reduce the reduction steps of titanium ions and greatly affects the proportion of valence titanium ions which making the high-valence titanium content increased and more stable.Ti^(2+) cannot be detected in the molten salt when α is higher than 3.0 and finally transferred to titanium ions with higher valence state.Investigation revealed that the mechanism behind those phenomenon is the coordination compounds(TiCl_(j) F_(i)^(m-)) forming.展开更多
Due to their unique features,such as the inherent safety,simplified fuel cycle,and continuous on-line reprocessing,molten salt reactors(MSRs)are regarded as one of the six reference reactors in the Generation IV Inter...Due to their unique features,such as the inherent safety,simplified fuel cycle,and continuous on-line reprocessing,molten salt reactors(MSRs)are regarded as one of the six reference reactors in the Generation IV International Forum(GEN-IV).Molten chloride salt fast reactors(MCFRs)are a type of MSR.Compared to molten fluoride salt reactors(MFSRs),MCFRs have a higher solubility of heavy metal atoms,a harder neutron spectrum,lower accumulation of fission products(FPs),and better breeding and transmutation performance.Thus,MCFRs have been recognized as a type of MSR with great prospects for future development.However,as the most important feature for MSRs,the effect of different reprocessing modes on MCFRs must be researched in depth.As such,this study investigated the effect of different isotopes,especially FPs,on the neutronic performance of an MCFR,such as its breeding performance.Furthermore,the characteristics of the different reprocessing modes and MCFR rates were analyzed in terms of safety,radioactivity level,neutron economy,and breeding capacity.In the end,a reprocessing method suitable for MCFRs was determined through calculation and analysis,which provides a reference for the further research of MCFRs.展开更多
Low grade magnesite is one of the main research directions in the future as the raw material for the preparation of magnesia based insulating refractories.Periclase-forsterite(MgO-Mg_(2)SiO_(4)) lightweight insulating...Low grade magnesite is one of the main research directions in the future as the raw material for the preparation of magnesia based insulating refractories.Periclase-forsterite(MgO-Mg_(2)SiO_(4)) lightweight insulating refractories were prepared by the molten salt method with high silica magnesite and tertiary talc ore as raw materials by pretreating them to get light burnt magnesia and talc,and NaCl molten salt as the reaction medium.The effects of the NaCl addition,the sintering temperature,the holding time and the raw material ratio on the sample preparation were studied.The results show that when the NaCl addition is 20% of the mass of light burnt magnesia and talc mixture,the sintering temperature is 1 200 ℃,the holding time is 6 h,and m(light burnt magnesia):m(talc)=5:5,the sample has the optimal comprehensive properties:the bulk density of 1.46 g·cm^(-3) and the apparent porosity of 55.0%.In addition,it is found that self-decomposition of talc and the formation of forsterite can form pores inside the sample.展开更多
Concentrating solar power(CSP) has garnered considerable global attention as a reliable means of generating bulk electricity, effectively addressing the intermittent nature of solar resources.The integration of molten...Concentrating solar power(CSP) has garnered considerable global attention as a reliable means of generating bulk electricity, effectively addressing the intermittent nature of solar resources.The integration of molten salt technology for thermal energy storage(TES) has further contributed to the growth of CSP plants;however, the corrosive nature of molten salts poses challenges to the durability of container materials, necessitating innovative corrosion mitigation strategies.This review summarizes scientific advancements in high-temperature anticorrosion coatings for molten nitrate salts, highlighting the key challenges and future trends.It also explores various coating types, including metallic, ceramic, and carbon-based coatings, and compares different coating deposition methods.This review emphasizes the need for durable coatings that meet long-term performance requirements and regulatory limitations, with an emphasis on carbon-based coatings and emerging nanomaterials.A combination of multiple coatings is required to achieve desirable anticorrosion properties while addressing material compatibility and cost considerations.The overall goal is to advance the manufacturing, assembly, and performance of CSP systems for increased efficiency, reliability, and durability in various applications.展开更多
Thermal barrier coating (TBC) revolutionized the industry by allowing higher operating temperatures for equipment, such as gas turbines in the aeronautical industry. However, at high temperatures, the TBC is exposed t...Thermal barrier coating (TBC) revolutionized the industry by allowing higher operating temperatures for equipment, such as gas turbines in the aeronautical industry. However, at high temperatures, the TBC is exposed to the attack of molten silicates, known as CMAS (Calcium-Magnesium-Alumino-Silicate), which are particles from the environment that infiltrate the TBC, causing delamination. In this study, samples coated with TBC by thermal spray and covered with CMAS were evaluated at temperatures of 1200˚C and 1250˚C. For each temperature, exposure times of 1 h and 5 h were used. Samples with longer exposure time had a considerable volume increase. The main contribution of this work was to demonstrate the non-wettability of the CMAS, even in the 5-h heat treatments, which prevented its infiltration in the deeper regions. The conditions to guarantee the formation of the silicate and its consequent wettability are also discussed.展开更多
From a safety point of view, it is important to study the damages and reliability of molten salt reactor structural alloy materials, which are subjected to extreme environments due to neutron irradiation, molten salt ...From a safety point of view, it is important to study the damages and reliability of molten salt reactor structural alloy materials, which are subjected to extreme environments due to neutron irradiation, molten salt corrosion, fission product attacks, thermal stress, and even combinations of these. In the past few years, synchrotron radiation-based materials characterization techniques have proven to be effective in revealing the microstructural evolution and failure mechanisms of the alloys under surrogating operation conditions. Here, we review the recent progress in the investigations of molten salt corrosion,tellurium(Te) corrosion, and alloy design. The valence states and distribution of chromium(Cr) atoms, and the diffusion and local atomic structure of Te atoms near the surface of corroded alloys have been investigated using synchrotron radiation techniques, which considerably deepen the understandings on the molten salt and Te corrosion behaviors. Furthermore, the structure and size distribution of the second phases in the alloys have been obtained, which are helpful for the future development of new alloy materials.展开更多
Molten salt is an excellent medium for chemical reaction,energy transfer,and storage.Molten salt innovative technologies should be developed to recover metals from secondary resources and reserve metals from primary n...Molten salt is an excellent medium for chemical reaction,energy transfer,and storage.Molten salt innovative technologies should be developed to recover metals from secondary resources and reserve metals from primary natural sources.Among these technologies,molten salt electrolysis is an economic and environment-friendly method to extract metals from waste materials.From the perspective of molten salt characteristics,the application of molten salts in chemistry,electrochemistry,energy,and thermal storage should be comprehensively elaborated.This review discusses further directions for the research and development of molten salt electrolysis and their use for metal recovery from various metal wastes,such as magnet scrap,nuclear waste,and cemented carbide scrap.Attention is placed on the development of various electrolysis methods for different metal containing wastes,overcoming some problems in electrolytes,electrodes,and electrolytic cells.Special focus is given to future development directions for current associated processing obstacles.展开更多
Compared with solid metals,liquid metals are considered more promising cathodes for molten slat/oxide electrolysis due to their fascinating advantages,which include strong depolarization effect,strong alloying effect,...Compared with solid metals,liquid metals are considered more promising cathodes for molten slat/oxide electrolysis due to their fascinating advantages,which include strong depolarization effect,strong alloying effect,excellent selective separation,and low operating temperature.In this review,we briefly introduce the properties of the liquid metal cathodes and their selection rules,and then summarize development in liquid metal cathodes for molten salt electrolysis,specifically the extraction of Ti and separation of actinides and rare-earth metals in halide melts.We also review recent attractive progress in the preparation of liquid Ti alloys via molten oxide electrolysis by using liquid metal cathodes.Problems related to high-quality alloy production and large-scale applications are cited,and several research directions to further improve the quality of alloys are also discussed to realize the industrial applications of liquid metal cathodes.展开更多
A molten chloride salt fast reactor(MCFR)is well suited to fuel breeding and the transmutation of transuranium(TRU)elements owing to its advantageous features of fast neutron spectrum and high TRU solubility.However,t...A molten chloride salt fast reactor(MCFR)is well suited to fuel breeding and the transmutation of transuranium(TRU)elements owing to its advantageous features of fast neutron spectrum and high TRU solubility.However,the neutron absorption cross section of 35Cl is approximately 1000 times greater than for 37Cl,which has a significant impact on the neutron physical characteristics of a MCFR.Based on an automatic online refueling and reprocessing procedure,the influences of 37Cl enrichment on neutron economy,breeding performance,and the production of harmful nuclides were analyzed.Results show that 37Cl enrichment strongly influences the neutron properties of a MCFR.With natural chlorine,233U breeding cannot be achieved and the yields of S and 36Cl are very high.Increasing the 37Cl enrichment to 97%brings a clear improvement in its neutronics property,making it almost equal to that corresponding to 100%enrichment.Moreover,when 37Cl is enriched to 99%,its neutronics parameters are almost the same as for 100%enrichment.Considering the enrichment cost and the neutron properties,a 37Cl enrichment of 97%is recommended.Achieving an optimal neutronics performance requires 99%37Cl enrichment.展开更多
Heavy water-moderated molten salt reactors(HWMSRs)are novel molten salt reactors that adopt heavy water rather than graphite as the moderator while employing liquid fuel.Owing to the high moderating ratio of the heavy...Heavy water-moderated molten salt reactors(HWMSRs)are novel molten salt reactors that adopt heavy water rather than graphite as the moderator while employing liquid fuel.Owing to the high moderating ratio of the heavy water moderator and the utilization of liquid fuel,HWMSRs can achieve a high neutron economy.In this study,a large-scale small modular HWMSR with a thermal power of 500 MWth was proposed and studied.The criticality of the core was evaluated using an in-house critical search calculation code(CSCC),which was developed based on Standardized Computer Analyses for Licensing Evaluation,version 6.1.The preliminary fuel cycle performances(initial conversion ratio(CR),initialfissile fuel loading mass,and temperature coefficient)were investigated by varying the lattice pitch(P)and the molten salt volume fraction(VF).The results demonstrate that the temperature coefficient can be negative over the range of investigated Ps and VFs for both 233U-Th and LEU-Th fuels.A core with a P of 20 cm and a VF of 20%is recommended for 233U-Th and LEU-Th fuels to achieve a high performance of initial CR and fuel loading.Regarding TRU-Th fuel,a core with a smaller P(~5 cm)and larger VF(~24%)is recommended to obtain a negative temperature coefficient.展开更多
The molten salt leakage accident is an important issue in the nuclear safety analysis of molten salt reactors.While the molten salt leaks from the pipeline or storage tank,it will contact the insulation layer outside;...The molten salt leakage accident is an important issue in the nuclear safety analysis of molten salt reactors.While the molten salt leaks from the pipeline or storage tank,it will contact the insulation layer outside;hence,the processes of penetration and spreading play an important role in the development of leakage accidents.In this study,the penetration and diffusion of leaking molten salt(LMS)in an aluminum silicate fiber(ASF)thermal insulation layer were studied experimentally.A molten salt tank with an adjustable outlet was designed to simulate the leakage of molten salt,and the subsequent behavior in the thermal insulation layer was evaluated by measuring the penetra-tion time and penetration mass of the LMS.The results show that when the molten salt discharges from the outlet and reaches the thermal insulation layer,the LMS will penetrate and seep out from the ASF,and a higher flow rate of LMS requires less penetration time and leaked mass of LMS.As the temperature of the LMS and thickness of the ASF increased,the penetration time became longer and the leaked mass became greater at a lower LMS flow rate;when the LMS flow rate increased,the penetration time and leaked mass decreased rapidly and tended to flatten.展开更多
基金funded by National Natural Science Foun-dation of China(No.52031008,21673162).
文摘Molten carbonate is an excellent electrolyte for the electrochemical reduction of CO_(2)to carbonaceous materials.However,the electrolyte–electrode-reaction relationship has not been well understood.Herein,we propose a general descriptor,the CO_(2)activity,to reveal the electrolyte–electrode-reaction relationship by thermodynamic calculations and experimental studies.Experimental studies agree well with theoretical predictions that both cations(Li^(+),Ca^(2+),Sr^(2+)and Ba^(2+))and anions(BO_(2)^(-),Ti_(5)O_(14)^(8-),SiO_(3)^(2-))can modulate the CO_(2)activity to control both cathode and anode reactions in a typical molten carbonate electrolyzer in terms of tuning reaction products and overpotentials.In this regard,the reduction of CO_(3)^(2-)can be interpreted as the direct reduction of CO_(2)generated from the dissociated CO_(3)^(2-),and the CO_(2)activity can be used as a general descriptor to predict the electrode reaction in molten carbonate.Overall,the CO_(2)activity descriptor unlocks the electrolyte–electrode-reaction relationship,thereby providing fundamental insights into guiding molten carbonate CO_(2)electrolysis.
基金supported by the Chinese TMSR Strategic Pioneer Science and Technology Project(No.XDA02010000)Shanghai Pilot Program for Basic Research-Chinese Academy of Science,Shanghai Branch(No.JCYJ-SHFY-2021-003)the Chinese Academy of Sciences Special Research Assistant Funding Project.
文摘In a thorium-based molten salt reactor(TMSR),it is difficult to achieve the pure 232Th–^(233)U fuel cycle without sufficient^(233)U fuel supply.Therefore,the original molten salt reactor was designed to use enriched uranium or plutonium as the starting fuel.By exploiting plutonium as the starting fuel and thorium as the fertile fuel,the high-purity^(233)U produced can be separated from the spent fuel by fluorination volatilization.Therefore,the molten salt reactor started with plutonium can be designed as a^(233)U breeder with the burning plutonium extracted from a pressurized water reactor(PWR).Combining these advantages,the study of the physical properties of plutonium-activated salt reactors is attractive.This study mainly focused on the burnup performance and temperature reactivity coefficient of a small modular molten-salt reactor started with plutonium(SM-MSR-Pu).The neutron spectra,^(233)U production,plutonium incineration,minor actinide(MA)residues,and temperature reactivity coefficients for different fuel salt volume fractions(VF)and hexagon pitch(P)sizes were calculated to analyze the burnup behavior in the SM-SMR-Pu.Based on the comparative analysis results of the burn-up calculation,a lower VF and larger P size are more beneficial for improving the burnup performance.However,from a passive safety perspective,a higher fuel volume fraction and smaller hexagon pitch size are necessary to achieve a deep negative feedback coefficient.Therefore,an excellent burnup performance and a deep negative temperature feedback coefficient are incompatible,and the optimal design range is relatively narrow in the optimized design of an SM-MSR-Pu.In a comprehensive consideration,P=20 cm and VF=20%are considered to be relatively balanced design parameters.Based on the fuel off-line batching scheme,a 250 MWth SM-MSR-Pu can produce approximately 29.83 kg of ^(233)U,incinerate 98.29 kg of plutonium,and accumulate 14.70 kg of MAs per year,and the temperature reactivity coefficient can always be lower than−4.0pcm/K.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52104309,52272021)the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province(2021CFB010)。
文摘High entropy oxides(HEOs)with ideal element tunability and enticing entropy-driven stability have exhibited unprecedented application potential in electrochemical lithium storage.However,the general control of dimension and morphology remains a major challenge.Here,scalable HEO morphology modulation is implemented through a salt-assisted strategy,which is achieved by regulating the solubility of reactants and the selective adsorption of salt ions on specific crystal planes.The electrochemical properties,lithiation mechanism,and structure evolution of composition-and morphology-dependent HEO anode are examined in detail.More importantly,the potential advantages of HEOs as electrode materials are evaluated from both theoretical and experimental aspects.Benefiting from the high oxygen vacancy concentration,narrow band gap,and structure durability induced by the multi-element synergy,HEO anode delivers desirable reversible capacity and reaction kinetics.In particular,Mg is evidenced to serve as a structural sustainer that significantly inhibits the volume expansion and retains the rock salt lattice.These new perspectives are expected to open a window of opportunity to compositionally/morphologi cally engineer high-performance HEO electrodes.
基金Funded by National MCF Energy R&D Program(No.2019YFE03130002)。
文摘Dense zirconium coatings on copper substrates were obtained in an alumina crucible and a stainless steel crucible from FLiNaK-K_(2)ZrF_(6)molten salt at 1023 K.Due to the potential difierences between copper and zirconium,zirconium can difiuse into the copper substrate to form zirconium alloys on the surface of copper substrates in the course of deposition.The coating deposited in a stainless steel crucible has a gray surface.The components of the coating are mainly CuZr2alloy and Cu_(10)Zr_(7)alloy,and,the outermost layer of the coating is a layer of amorphous pure zirconium.The coating deposited in an alumina crucible has a silvery white metallic luster.The components of the coating are mainly Cu-Zr-Al intermetallic compounds,AlCu_(2)Zr,ZrAl,AlCu and CuZr.Furthermore,two types of zirconium coatings can greatly increase the hardness of the substrate.
基金supported by the National Science Foundation of Shanghai(No.22ZR1474600)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.12175302)+1 种基金the“Thorium Molten Salt Reactor Nuclear Energy System”Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDA 02040000)the“Transformational Technologies for Clean Energy and Demonstration,”Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDA 21000000)。
文摘The corrosion behavior of 316H stainless steel(SS)in the impure and purified Na Cl–KCl–Mg Cl_(2) salt was investigated at700°C.Results indicate that the main deleterious impurity induced corrosion in the impure salt was the absorbed moisture,present in the form of Mg Cl_(2)·6H_(2)O.316H SS occurred severe intergranular corrosion with a corrosion depth of 130μm for1000 h in the impure Na Cl–KCl–Mg Cl_(2) salt.In contrast,the purification treatment of molten chloride salt by the dissolved Mg metal can remove the absorbed moisture,and the corresponding reactions were also discussed.As a result,the corrosiveness of Na Cl–KCl–Mg Cl_(2) salt is reduced significantly.316H SS occurred slight uniform corrosion with a depth of less than 5μm for 3000 h in the purified Na Cl–KCl–Mg Cl_(2) salt.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.52072252,No.51902215)Sichuan Science and Technology Program(No.2020ZDZX0005)+4 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(YJ201886)the Agence Nationale de la Recherche(Labex STORE-EX)for financial supportsupported by the Leading Innovative and Entrepreneur Team Introduction Program of Zhejiang(Grant No.2019R01003)Ningbo Top-talent Team Program,Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology(Grant No.2018A610005)President’s International Fellowship Initiative of CAS(No.2021DE0002).
文摘MXenes are two-dimensional transition metal carbides and/or nitrides with unique physiochemical properties and have attracted extensive interest in numerous fields.However,current MXene synthesis methods are limited by hazardous synthesis conditions,high production costs,or difficulty in largescale production.Therefore,a general,safe,cost-effective,and scalable synthesis method for MXenes is crucial.Here,we report the fast synthesis of MXenes in the open air using a molten salt-shielded synthesis(MS^(3))method,which uses Lewis-acid salts as etchants and a low-melting-point eutectic salt mixture as the reaction medium and shield to prevent MXene oxidation at high temperatures.Carbide and nitride MXenes,including Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x),Ti_(2)CT_(x),Ti_(3)CNT_(x),and Ti_(4)N_(3)T_(x),were successfully synthesized using the MS^(3) method.We also present the flexibility of the MS^(3) method by scaling the etching process to large batches of 20 and 60 g of Ti_(3)AlC_(2) MAX precursor in one pot.When used as negative electrodes,the prepared MS^(3)-MXenes delivered excellent electrochemical properties for high-rate Li-ion storage.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51804277)supported by the State Key Laboratory of Special Rare Metal Materials(No.SKL2020K004)Northwest Rare Metal Materials Research Institute.
文摘The properties of non-oxide materials are continuously revealed,and their applications in the fields of ceramics,energy,and catalysis are increasingly extensive.Regardless of the traditional binary materials or the MAX phases,the preparation methods,which are environmentally friendly,efficient,economical,and easy to scale-up,have always been the focus of attention.Molten salt synthesis has demonstrated unparalleled advantages in achieving non-oxide materials.In addition,with the development of the process in molten salt synthesis,it also shows great potential in scale-up production.In this review,the recent progress of molten salt synthesis in the preparation of binary non-oxide and MAX phase is reviewed,as well as some novel processes.The reaction mechanisms and the influence of synthetic conditions for certain materials are discussed in detail.The paper is finalized with the discussion of the application prospect and future research trends of molten salt synthesis in non-oxide materials.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(51501178)Autonomous Research Fund of State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Complex Systems(MPCS-2019-A-10)
文摘RE-containing magnesium alloys were prepared via molten-salt-mediated magnesiothermic reduction by using RE_(2)O_(3)(RE=Y,Nd and Gd)and Mg metal as raw materials.The thermomechanical analysis of the magnesiothermic reduction reactions in molten salt was investigated.Then the molten-salt-mediated magnesiothermic reduction process was studied from three different perspectives.After that,the RE-containing magnesium alloy was characterized by using chemical analysis,XRD analysis and SEM analysis.The magnesiothermic reduction was a liquid-liquid reaction with relatively weak driving force.During the melting process and the magnesiothermic reduction process,magnesium metal and the obtained alloy went up and down as a whole in molten salt,which improved the process safety without introducing chloride inclusions.Meanwhile,the hydrolysis of the RECl_(3^(-))containing molten salt occurred at elevated temperature,which severely impeded the magnesiothermic reduction process.After the magnesiothermic reduction at 750°C for 2.0 h,the content of RE and the common impurity elements in the obtained RE-containing alloy met the both requirements of the commercial WE43A and WE43B.
基金the Strategic Pilot Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDA02010500).
文摘The high-temperature molten salt pump is the core equipment in a molten salt reactor that drives the flow of the molten salt coolant.Rotor stability is key to the continuous and reliable operation of the molten salt pump,and the liquid seal at the wear ring can affect the dynamic characteristics of the rotor system.When the molten salt pump is operated in the hightemperature molten salt medium,thermal deformation of the submerged parts inevitably occurs,changing clearance between the stator and rotor,affecting the leakage and dynamic characteristics of the seal.In this study,the seal leakage,seal dynamic characteristics,and rotor system dynamic characteristics are simulated and analyzed using finite element simulation software based on two cases of considering the effect of seal thermal deformation effect or not.The results show a significant difference in the leakage characteristics and dynamic characteristics of the seal obtained by considering the effect of seal thermal deformation and neglecting the effect of thermal deformation.The leakage flow rate decreases,and the first-order critical speed of the seal-bearing-rotor system decrease after considering the seal’s thermal deformation.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51804277)the State Key Laboratory of Complex Nonferrous Metal Resources Clean Utilization,China(No.CNMRCUKF2008)+1 种基金the State Key Laboratory of Special Rare Metal Materials,China(No.SKL2020K004)the Northwest Rare Metal Materials Research Institute,China。
文摘The effects of fluoride ions(F^(-)) on the electrochemical behavior and coordination properties of titanium ions(Ti^(n+)) were studied in this work,by combining electrochemical and mathematical analysis as well as spectral techniques.The α was taken as a factor to indicate the molar concentration ratio of F^(-) and Ti^(n+).Cyclic voltammetry(CV),square wave voltammetry(SWV),and open circuit potential method(OCP)were used to study the electrochemical behavior of titanium ions under conditions of various α,and in-situ sampler was used to prepare molten salt samples when α equal to 0.0,1.0,2.0,3.0,4.0,5.0,6.0,and 8.0.And then,samples were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) and Raman spectroscopy.The results showed that F^(-) in molten salt can reduce the reduction steps of titanium ions and greatly affects the proportion of valence titanium ions which making the high-valence titanium content increased and more stable.Ti^(2+) cannot be detected in the molten salt when α is higher than 3.0 and finally transferred to titanium ions with higher valence state.Investigation revealed that the mechanism behind those phenomenon is the coordination compounds(TiCl_(j) F_(i)^(m-)) forming.
基金supported by the Chinese TMSR Strategic Pioneer Science and Technology Project (No.XDA02010000)the Frontier Science Key Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (No.QYZDY-SSW-JSC016)the Shanghai Sailing Program (No.20YF1457600).
文摘Due to their unique features,such as the inherent safety,simplified fuel cycle,and continuous on-line reprocessing,molten salt reactors(MSRs)are regarded as one of the six reference reactors in the Generation IV International Forum(GEN-IV).Molten chloride salt fast reactors(MCFRs)are a type of MSR.Compared to molten fluoride salt reactors(MFSRs),MCFRs have a higher solubility of heavy metal atoms,a harder neutron spectrum,lower accumulation of fission products(FPs),and better breeding and transmutation performance.Thus,MCFRs have been recognized as a type of MSR with great prospects for future development.However,as the most important feature for MSRs,the effect of different reprocessing modes on MCFRs must be researched in depth.As such,this study investigated the effect of different isotopes,especially FPs,on the neutronic performance of an MCFR,such as its breeding performance.Furthermore,the characteristics of the different reprocessing modes and MCFR rates were analyzed in terms of safety,radioactivity level,neutron economy,and breeding capacity.In the end,a reprocessing method suitable for MCFRs was determined through calculation and analysis,which provides a reference for the further research of MCFRs.
文摘Low grade magnesite is one of the main research directions in the future as the raw material for the preparation of magnesia based insulating refractories.Periclase-forsterite(MgO-Mg_(2)SiO_(4)) lightweight insulating refractories were prepared by the molten salt method with high silica magnesite and tertiary talc ore as raw materials by pretreating them to get light burnt magnesia and talc,and NaCl molten salt as the reaction medium.The effects of the NaCl addition,the sintering temperature,the holding time and the raw material ratio on the sample preparation were studied.The results show that when the NaCl addition is 20% of the mass of light burnt magnesia and talc mixture,the sintering temperature is 1 200 ℃,the holding time is 6 h,and m(light burnt magnesia):m(talc)=5:5,the sample has the optimal comprehensive properties:the bulk density of 1.46 g·cm^(-3) and the apparent porosity of 55.0%.In addition,it is found that self-decomposition of talc and the formation of forsterite can form pores inside the sample.
文摘Concentrating solar power(CSP) has garnered considerable global attention as a reliable means of generating bulk electricity, effectively addressing the intermittent nature of solar resources.The integration of molten salt technology for thermal energy storage(TES) has further contributed to the growth of CSP plants;however, the corrosive nature of molten salts poses challenges to the durability of container materials, necessitating innovative corrosion mitigation strategies.This review summarizes scientific advancements in high-temperature anticorrosion coatings for molten nitrate salts, highlighting the key challenges and future trends.It also explores various coating types, including metallic, ceramic, and carbon-based coatings, and compares different coating deposition methods.This review emphasizes the need for durable coatings that meet long-term performance requirements and regulatory limitations, with an emphasis on carbon-based coatings and emerging nanomaterials.A combination of multiple coatings is required to achieve desirable anticorrosion properties while addressing material compatibility and cost considerations.The overall goal is to advance the manufacturing, assembly, and performance of CSP systems for increased efficiency, reliability, and durability in various applications.
文摘Thermal barrier coating (TBC) revolutionized the industry by allowing higher operating temperatures for equipment, such as gas turbines in the aeronautical industry. However, at high temperatures, the TBC is exposed to the attack of molten silicates, known as CMAS (Calcium-Magnesium-Alumino-Silicate), which are particles from the environment that infiltrate the TBC, causing delamination. In this study, samples coated with TBC by thermal spray and covered with CMAS were evaluated at temperatures of 1200˚C and 1250˚C. For each temperature, exposure times of 1 h and 5 h were used. Samples with longer exposure time had a considerable volume increase. The main contribution of this work was to demonstrate the non-wettability of the CMAS, even in the 5-h heat treatments, which prevented its infiltration in the deeper regions. The conditions to guarantee the formation of the silicate and its consequent wettability are also discussed.
基金supported by the National key research and development program of China(Nos.2016YFB0700401 and 2016YFB0700404)Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai(Nos.19ZR1468200 and 18ZR1448000)+2 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.51671154,51601213 and 51671122)Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDA02004210)Youth Innovation Promotion Association,Chinese Academy of Science(No.2019264)
文摘From a safety point of view, it is important to study the damages and reliability of molten salt reactor structural alloy materials, which are subjected to extreme environments due to neutron irradiation, molten salt corrosion, fission product attacks, thermal stress, and even combinations of these. In the past few years, synchrotron radiation-based materials characterization techniques have proven to be effective in revealing the microstructural evolution and failure mechanisms of the alloys under surrogating operation conditions. Here, we review the recent progress in the investigations of molten salt corrosion,tellurium(Te) corrosion, and alloy design. The valence states and distribution of chromium(Cr) atoms, and the diffusion and local atomic structure of Te atoms near the surface of corroded alloys have been investigated using synchrotron radiation techniques, which considerably deepen the understandings on the molten salt and Te corrosion behaviors. Furthermore, the structure and size distribution of the second phases in the alloys have been obtained, which are helpful for the future development of new alloy materials.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51621003)the Beijing Natural Science Foundation(No.2204073).
文摘Molten salt is an excellent medium for chemical reaction,energy transfer,and storage.Molten salt innovative technologies should be developed to recover metals from secondary resources and reserve metals from primary natural sources.Among these technologies,molten salt electrolysis is an economic and environment-friendly method to extract metals from waste materials.From the perspective of molten salt characteristics,the application of molten salts in chemistry,electrochemistry,energy,and thermal storage should be comprehensively elaborated.This review discusses further directions for the research and development of molten salt electrolysis and their use for metal recovery from various metal wastes,such as magnet scrap,nuclear waste,and cemented carbide scrap.Attention is placed on the development of various electrolysis methods for different metal containing wastes,overcoming some problems in electrolytes,electrodes,and electrolytic cells.Special focus is given to future development directions for current associated processing obstacles.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.51725401 and 51904030)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Cental Universities(No.FRF-TP-18-003C2).
文摘Compared with solid metals,liquid metals are considered more promising cathodes for molten slat/oxide electrolysis due to their fascinating advantages,which include strong depolarization effect,strong alloying effect,excellent selective separation,and low operating temperature.In this review,we briefly introduce the properties of the liquid metal cathodes and their selection rules,and then summarize development in liquid metal cathodes for molten salt electrolysis,specifically the extraction of Ti and separation of actinides and rare-earth metals in halide melts.We also review recent attractive progress in the preparation of liquid Ti alloys via molten oxide electrolysis by using liquid metal cathodes.Problems related to high-quality alloy production and large-scale applications are cited,and several research directions to further improve the quality of alloys are also discussed to realize the industrial applications of liquid metal cathodes.
基金supported by the Chinese TMSR Strategic Pioneer Science and Technology Project(No.XDA02010000)the Frontier Science Key Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.QYZDY-SSW-JSC016)the Nuclear Energy Development Project(No.20154602098)
文摘A molten chloride salt fast reactor(MCFR)is well suited to fuel breeding and the transmutation of transuranium(TRU)elements owing to its advantageous features of fast neutron spectrum and high TRU solubility.However,the neutron absorption cross section of 35Cl is approximately 1000 times greater than for 37Cl,which has a significant impact on the neutron physical characteristics of a MCFR.Based on an automatic online refueling and reprocessing procedure,the influences of 37Cl enrichment on neutron economy,breeding performance,and the production of harmful nuclides were analyzed.Results show that 37Cl enrichment strongly influences the neutron properties of a MCFR.With natural chlorine,233U breeding cannot be achieved and the yields of S and 36Cl are very high.Increasing the 37Cl enrichment to 97%brings a clear improvement in its neutronics property,making it almost equal to that corresponding to 100%enrichment.Moreover,when 37Cl is enriched to 99%,its neutronics parameters are almost the same as for 100%enrichment.Considering the enrichment cost and the neutron properties,a 37Cl enrichment of 97%is recommended.Achieving an optimal neutronics performance requires 99%37Cl enrichment.
基金supported by the Chinese TMSR Strategic Pioneer Science and Technology Project(No.XDA02010000)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.11905285)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.11790321)the Frontier Science Key Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.QYZDY-SSW-JSC016)。
文摘Heavy water-moderated molten salt reactors(HWMSRs)are novel molten salt reactors that adopt heavy water rather than graphite as the moderator while employing liquid fuel.Owing to the high moderating ratio of the heavy water moderator and the utilization of liquid fuel,HWMSRs can achieve a high neutron economy.In this study,a large-scale small modular HWMSR with a thermal power of 500 MWth was proposed and studied.The criticality of the core was evaluated using an in-house critical search calculation code(CSCC),which was developed based on Standardized Computer Analyses for Licensing Evaluation,version 6.1.The preliminary fuel cycle performances(initial conversion ratio(CR),initialfissile fuel loading mass,and temperature coefficient)were investigated by varying the lattice pitch(P)and the molten salt volume fraction(VF).The results demonstrate that the temperature coefficient can be negative over the range of investigated Ps and VFs for both 233U-Th and LEU-Th fuels.A core with a P of 20 cm and a VF of 20%is recommended for 233U-Th and LEU-Th fuels to achieve a high performance of initial CR and fuel loading.Regarding TRU-Th fuel,a core with a smaller P(~5 cm)and larger VF(~24%)is recommended to obtain a negative temperature coefficient.
基金supported by the“Strategic Priority Research Program”of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDA0201002)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.2018301).
文摘The molten salt leakage accident is an important issue in the nuclear safety analysis of molten salt reactors.While the molten salt leaks from the pipeline or storage tank,it will contact the insulation layer outside;hence,the processes of penetration and spreading play an important role in the development of leakage accidents.In this study,the penetration and diffusion of leaking molten salt(LMS)in an aluminum silicate fiber(ASF)thermal insulation layer were studied experimentally.A molten salt tank with an adjustable outlet was designed to simulate the leakage of molten salt,and the subsequent behavior in the thermal insulation layer was evaluated by measuring the penetra-tion time and penetration mass of the LMS.The results show that when the molten salt discharges from the outlet and reaches the thermal insulation layer,the LMS will penetrate and seep out from the ASF,and a higher flow rate of LMS requires less penetration time and leaked mass of LMS.As the temperature of the LMS and thickness of the ASF increased,the penetration time became longer and the leaked mass became greater at a lower LMS flow rate;when the LMS flow rate increased,the penetration time and leaked mass decreased rapidly and tended to flatten.
