Molten Salts
Molten salts, also known as melted salts, are ionic compounds that exist in a liquid state at elevated temperatures. They consist of a mixture of salts, typically including nitrates, chlorides, and carbonates. With low vapor pressure and high thermal stability, molten salts are well suited for applications in energy storage, molten salt reactors, chemical processing, and heat transfer systems. Their unique properties make them ideal for high-temperature applications and thermal energy management.
We offer a wide range of high-purity salts, including nitrates, halides, carbonates, and acetates, available in anhydrous forms, with purity levels verified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES).
We offer salts, featuring:
- Trace metal purities of 99.9% (3N) to 99.999% (5N)
- Low levels of metallic impurities, including Be, Ca, K, Li, Pb, Zn, and Cd
- Trace metal analysis up to 32 to 68 elements based on type of salts
- Beaded salts with water content in the ppm range
- Low oxygen content measured by infrared combustion analysis (product-specific)
- Anhydrobeads™ salts are monodisperse and free-flowing for easy handling
Products
Applications of Molten Salts in Molten Salt Reactors
Molten salts are vital to advanced energy technologies because they remain liquid at high temperatures (up to 600 °C), provide excellent heat transfer, and operate safely at low vapor pressure. Their ability to dissolve nuclear fuels makes them indispensable in molten salt reactors (MSRs), while their high purity and controlled moisture levels reduce corrosion and support long-term system efficiency. Key applications include:
Molten Salts as Coolants
Used in high-temperature reactors and thermal systems, molten salts outperform traditional coolants like water by transferring heat more efficiently across a broad liquid-phase range. High-purity formulations further minimize corrosion and extend equipment lifetimes.
Molten Salts as Thermal Energy Storage Materials
In concentrating solar power (CSP) plants, molten salts act as both heat transfer fluids and storage media, capturing solar heat and storing it at up to 600 °C for later electricity generation. Nitrate–nitrite salts dominate current CSP systems, while nitrate-, carbonate-, and chloride-based mixtures are being developed for next-generation, higher-temperature plants. Their low cost, non-toxicity, and thermal stability make them ideal for large-scale TES.
AnhydroBeads™ Salts for Synthesizing Fuel Salts
Producing reactor-grade fuel salts requires precise control of moisture and impurities. Anhydrobeads, specialized desiccant media, are used during synthesis to remove residual water and contaminants, ensuring consistent salt quality. This improves actinide solubility (e.g., uranium, plutonium, thorium), reduces corrosion during operation, and stabilizes long-term reactor performance.
Molten Salts in Pyro Processing
High-purity molten salts are essential for pyroprocessing, a technique used to recycle spent nuclear fuel and other materials. These salts enable efficient heat transfer and chemical reactions at elevated temperatures, often above 600°C. They facilitate the separation of actinides and fission products, improving material recovery while minimizing waste.
The advantages of high-purity molten salts include enhanced thermal efficiency, improved reaction kinetics, and reduced corrosion of equipment. Maintaining purity is crucial, as impurities can negatively impact performance and processing efficiency. Overall, high-purity molten salts are vital for effective pyroprocessing, supporting sustainability in the nuclear industry.
Lithium Chloride/Potassium Chloride Eutectic
Lithium chloride/potassium chloride eutectic is used in recycling lithium-ion batteries, as an electrolytic bath for separating actinides from lanthanides on aluminum electrodes, in molten salt batteries, in metal refining, in pyrochemical nuclear fuel processing, and in electric power cells.
To continue reading please sign in or create an account.
Don't Have An Account?