Molten Metal Hydroxide Oxoacidity Control to Reduce Corrosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Molten metal hydroxide salts are highly corrosive, limiting their use in industrial applications such as neutron moderators and energy storage due to their corrosive nature, and existing methods do not effectively control oxoacidity to mitigate corrosion and utilize the full temperature range of these salts.
Innovation Solution
A method to adjust the oxoacidity of molten metal hydroxide salts by estimating target concentrations of H2O, O2−, and OH− and using an oxoacidity control component to contact the molten salt, thereby adjusting the oxoacidity to neutral conditions, reducing corrosion and enabling broader industrial applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If molten metal hydroxide salts are used for energy storage or as neutron moderators, then the temperature range for industrial applications is expanded, but the corrosive nature of the salts limits their practical use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameter of oxoacidity in the molten salt system by adding controlled amounts of water. This parameter change transforms the highly basic molten hydroxide salt into a system with adjusted oxoacidity, thereby reducing its corrosive properties while maintaining the desired temperature range for industrial applications
Solution Approach 2:
Water acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the highly basic molten hydroxide salt and the container materials. By introducing water, the oxoacidity is adjusted to create a more compatible chemical environment, reducing direct corrosive attack on containment materials while allowing the molten salt to function at elevated temperatures
2Reliability
If single crystal corundum is used as corrosion resistant material in contact with molten hydroxide moderator salt, then corrosion resistance is improved, but the cost and complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the material of containment (which would increase complexity and cost), the invention changes the chemical parameter of the molten salt itself by adjusting its oxoacidity. This approach achieves corrosion resistance by modifying the aggressiveness of the molten salt rather than relying solely on expensive corrosion-resistant materials
Solution Approach 2:
Conventionally, one would protect the container from corrosion by using resistant materials. The invention inverts this approach by modifying the molten salt to be less corrosive, thereby protecting the container through chemical adjustment rather than material selection
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method effectively minimizes corrosion of materials in contact with molten hydroxide salts, allowing for the utilization of the full temperature range of molten hydroxide salts in applications like energy storage and nuclear fission reactors, enhancing their practicality and durability.
Implementation Method 1
Water present in the molten salt reacts by Equation 1 and Equation 2
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of adjusting the oxoacidity of a molten metal hydroxide salt, the method comprising the steps of: estimating a target concentration of at least one of H2O, O2−, and OH— in a molten salt of a metal hydroxide; providing an oxoacidity control component; and contacting the oxoacidity control component with the molten salt of a metal hydroxide to adjust the oxoacidity of the molten salt of a metal hydroxide. The method allows better utilisation of the available temperature range for a molten salt of a metal hydroxide by reducing the corrosive nature of the metal hydroxide.