Mechanism and Kinetics of Interaction of FLiNaK-CeF3 Melt with Water Vapors and Oxygen in the Air Atmosphere

The mechanism and kinetic parameters of the interaction of the FLiNaK-CeF3 melt with water vapors and oxygen in the air atmosphere were determined using Raman and IR spectroscopy, XRD analysis, and thermodynamic modeling of processes. The presence of the 4CeF(3(solution)) + 6H(2)O ((gas)) + O-2(gas) = 4CeO(2(solid)) + 12HF((gas)) reaction, which disturbs the fluoride melt homogeneity, was verified in situ by Raman spectroscopy adopted for high-temperature, chemically aggressive fluoride systems. Based on the obtained spectral data, the type of the kinetic equation, order, and rate constant of the chemical reaction were determined. The concentration of cerium dioxide was found to increase linearly in time and a zero reaction order with respect to CeO2 was detected. The change in the concentration of CeO2 over time at T = 510 degrees C is described by the equation C = 0.085t; the reaction rate constant is 0.085 mol. %center dot min(-1). The obtained kinetic parameters may be used to model emergencies related with the depressurization of the coolant circuit or the working area of the molten salt reactor.

Automated summary

The mechanism and kinetic parameters of the FLiNaK-CeF3 melt interaction with water vapors and oxygen in air atmosphere were investigated using various techniques including Raman and IR spectroscopy, XRD analysis, and thermodynamic modeling. The presence of a reaction disrupting the fluoride melt homogeneity was confirmed in situ by Raman spectroscopy. The kinetic equation, order, and rate constant of the chemical reaction were determined from spectral data. The obtained kinetics data can be used to model emergencies related to depressurization in a molten salt reactor.