Irradiation of thorium-bearing molten fluoride salt in graphite crucibles

Journal article (2021)

Authors

P. R. Hania NRG (Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group) Petten
Dennis Boomstra NRG (Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group) Petten
O. Beneš European Commission Joint Research Centre
A. de Koning NRG (Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group) Petten
S. de Groot NRG (Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group) Petten
R. Konings European Commission Joint Research Centre
E. Capelli European Commission Joint Research Centre, RST/Reactor Physics and Nuclear Materials - AS
P. Baas NRG (Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group) Petten
G. I.A. Lippens NRG (Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group) Petten
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Research Group
RST/Reactor Physics and Nuclear Materials (AS) (TU Delft)
Design Fuel Molten salt Fission product behaviour MTR irradiation
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Published Date

2021

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Applied Sciences

Department

RST/Radiation, Science and Technology

Research Group

RST/Reactor Physics and Nuclear Materials

Abstract

Four fluoride fuel salt samples (78LiF-22ThF4) in graphite crucibles were irradiated in the HFR Petten for a duration of 508 Full Power Days under the name SALIENT-01 (SALt Irradiation ExperimeNT). Goal of the experiment was to gain experience with the design of liquid salt experiments and the handling of the salts before and after irradiation. Specific research goals for SALIENT-01 are (i) to confirm claims of good fission product retention in the salt, (ii) to obtain size distributions for noble metal particles using Transmission Electron Microscopy and (iii) to assess possible interactions between fuel salt and fine-grained nuclear graphite, as well as possible uptake of fission products by the graphite. Here the design and irradiation history of the experiment are discussed together with plans for post-irradiation examinations. Limitations in representativeness of this experiment and capsule irradiations in general are discussed as well as follow-up actions to improve the quality of future irradiations.