| Abstract Scope |
Molten NaCl-CaCl2 forms a eutectic with a melting temperature of about 500°C, making it an attractive base salt for a molten chloride fast reactor (MCFR). The salt is hygroscopic, and simple thermal dehydration results in hydrolysis and formation of oxygen containing anionic species such as oxides, hydroxides, and oxychlorides. This paper presents results of the study of water removal from NaCl-CaCl2 via thermal dehydration and hydrochlorination. The purity of the processed salt was tested through base titration, acid titration, cyclic voltammetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Using 0.5% HCl in argon, salt purification appeared to go to completion in about 5 hours based on auto-titrator output. Salt sample titrations showed hydroxide removal between 76-93%. Cyclic voltammetry of the molten salt before and after hydrochlorination indicated a 69% reduction in the hydroxide concentration. This study demonstrates that MCFR salt can be produced starting with high water content chlorides. |