Issue 8, 2022

Approach to using 3D laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) data to explore the interaction of FLiNaK and FLiBe molten salts with nuclear-grade graphite

Abstract

Nuclear graphite has historically been a key component of many nuclear reactor designs and has emerged as key to numerous advanced nuclear reactor design concepts. Molten salt reactors (MSRs) are one broad group of advanced reactor designs currently being pursued by industry for commercialization. Several MSR designs under consideration use graphitic materials that directly interface with a molten salt, whether it is a fuel salt, coolant salt, or both. Therefore, the interaction of graphite materials with molten salts must be understood. To gain this required understanding, a range of data is needed including porosity, strength, and composition as a function of different salt exposure parameters. A laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) measurement and data analysis methodology was developed to obtain spatially resolved elemental composition information for graphite samples exposed to a molten fluoride salt. Traditional univariate emission line analysis of atomic, ionic, and molecular optical emission signals was coupled via correlation analysis with spectral decomposition of the data using principal component analysis. Elemental depth profiling and elemental mapping were also performed to visualize salt–graphite interactions. LIBS was demonstrated to be useful for measuring key analytes such as fluorine and hydrogen, which are troublesome for other analysis techniques. Evidence for complex behavior was found, thereby demonstrating the usefulness of the developed approach for future systematic studies.

Graphical abstract: Approach to using 3D laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) data to explore the interaction of FLiNaK and FLiBe molten salts with nuclear-grade graphite

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
16 May 2022
Accepted
21 Jun 2022
First published
23 Jun 2022

J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2022,37, 1629-1641

Author version available

Approach to using 3D laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) data to explore the interaction of FLiNaK and FLiBe molten salts with nuclear-grade graphite

K. G. Myhre, H. B. Andrews, D. Sulejmanovic, C. I. Contescu, J. R. Keiser and N. C. Gallego, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2022, 37, 1629 DOI: 10.1039/D2JA00168C

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements