Molten nuclear fuel salts and related systems and methods

Abstract

This disclosure describes nuclear fuel salts usable in certain molten salt reactor designs and related systems and methods. Binary, ternary and quaternary chloride fuel salts of uranium, as well as other fissionable elements, are described. In addition, fuel salts of UClxFy are disclosed as well as bromide fuel salts. This disclosure also presents methods and systems for manufacturing such fuel salts, for creating salts that reduce corrosion of the reactor components and for creating fuel salts that are not suitable for weapons applications.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 62 / 097,235, filed Dec. 29, 2014, 62 / 098,984, filed Dec. 31, 2014, and 62 / 234,889, filed Sep. 30, 2015, which applications are hereby incorporated by reference.[0002]The present application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ [Attorney Docket No. 14-003-UT1-USINN / 365003USP1], entitled “Fission Reaction Control in a Molten Salt Fast Reactor” and filed Dec. 28, 2015, which is specifically incorporated by reference herein for all that it discloses and teaches.INTRODUCTION[0003]The utilization of molten fuels in a nuclear reactor to produce power provides significant advantages as compared to solid fuels. For instance, molten fuel reactors generally provide higher power densities compared to solid fuel reactors, while limiting fuel fabrication processes, which are necessary in the construction of solid fuels. Molten fuel reactors may also provide a higher level of bur...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The use of molten fuels in nuclear reactors to produce power has advantages over solid fuels. Molten fuel reactors have higher power density and can achieve higher levels of burn-up in a given reactor without the need for salt cleanup. This patent text explains the technical effects of utilizing molten fuels in nuclear reactors.

Problems solved by technology

For instance, molten fuel reactors generally provide higher power densities compared to solid fuel reactors, while limiting fuel fabrication processes, which are necessary in the construction of solid fuels.

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