Molten salt nuclear reactor gets boost with new plasma bubble breakthrough

A research team from North Carolina State University has accomplished a noteworthy breakthrough in the domain of molten salt analysis.

The team has developed an innovative method, referred to as “plasma bubble spectroscopy,” which facilitates the detection and measurement of elements in molten salt solutions.

“The new technique could be used to better characterize and develop new materials for use in liquid fueled molten salt reactors,” asserts the researchers in the press release.

Notably, molten salt reactors are a promising type of advanced reactor currently under development in the United States.

Overcoming challenges

These reactors utilize molten salt as a coolant instead of water. This unique approach offers numerous advantages, including the ability to operate at near atmospheric pressure even at high temperatures and a substantial capacity for energy storage.

In certain designs, nuclear fuel, like uranium, is dissolved in the molten salt and flows into the reactor ‘s core. However, a significant challenge with molten salt is that other elements can mix with it.

Consequently, one of the major hurdles in the development of these reactors has been the ability to accurately detect and understand the distribution of nuclear fuel and other materials within the molten salt coolant.

This is crucial for assessing and avoiding potential contamination and safety risks during operation.

Interpreting the results

The latest research has enabled the measurement of fuel quantities in the salt at any time, aiding in salt processing and material accountancy.

The newly developed plasma bubble spectroscopy technique uses a specialized probe “that can withstand the extreme environment of molten salt.”

“We started doing a lot of research and making designs to figure out how we would implement this,” said Kayla Hahn, a doctoral student. “We started with distilled water and saline just to make sure our system worked.”

This probe creates a plasma bubble within the molten salt, which emits a distinctive glow of various light colors. A spectrometer then analyzes this light to identify the specific elements present in the salt.

“The resulting spectrum is a plot of the intensity of the light to the light wavelength,” expressed undergraduate researcher Alina Jugan.

“You’ll see lots of spikes, and each of those spikes corresponds to a different wavelength, and each of those wavelengths relates to a certain material or element. The more intense the spike, the higher presence of that light, or material,” she explained .

Future directions

Looking ahead, NC State intends to conduct further testing and refinement of this groundbreaking technique in collaboration with national laboratories and industry partners.

“We have a promising way to analyze these results,” remarked Hahn. “Now our focus is where we can improve and where we can put this.”

The researchers additionally seek to look out for potential academic partnerships and opportunities for the commercialization of this technology.

This progress in the analysis of molten salt can expedite the development of advanced nuclear reactors. It lays the foundation for a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.