Sparge Sampling of Molten Salts for Online Monitoring via Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Kitzhaber, Zechariah B.; Orea, Daniel; McFarlane, Joanna; Manard, Benjamin T.; Andrews, Hunter B.

doi:10.1021/acsomega.5c04988

Sparge Sampling of Molten Salts for Online Monitoring via Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Journal Article · Tue Aug 05 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · ACS Omega

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.5c04988· OSTI ID:3002642

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Chemical Sciences Division

A method was developed to sample molten salts by sparging to generate and transport aerosols to an isolated instrument for compositional analysis by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Real-time monitoring of molten salt composition is critical to developing molten salt nuclear reactors, which offer enhanced safety and efficiency. In this article, the sparge sampling method is described and compared with sampling using a Collison nebulizer. The size distribution and transport of aerosols produced from molten eutectic NaNO₃–KNO₃ salt were compared for multiple gas flow rates (75–1200 mL min^–1) and transport distances (0.68–2.61 m). Both methods produced aerosols ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 μm determined using a cascade impactor. Aerosols were effectively transported without pre- or trace-heating of gas lines, but transport efficiency was reduced by the formation of agglomerates. Sparge sampling was found to use less sample and less gas than a Collison nebulizer while producing a more concentrated aerosol stream (up to 5 μg L^–1). The effects of laser energy and delay time on the signal quality of LIBS measurements of these aerosols were also studied. High energy and short delay times were found to enhance signal and repeatability, whereas signal-to-background and signal-to-noise ratios were highest at low energy and longer delay times. The capabilities of this system for online monitoring of molten salts were demonstrated with calibrations for Sr and Li with relative standard deviations of 2.6% and 1.5% and limits of detection of 380 and 180 μg g^–1, respectively.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), Reactor Fleet and Advanced Reactor Development

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 3002642

Journal Information:: ACS Omega, Journal Name: ACS Omega Journal Issue: 33 Vol. 10; ISSN 2470-1343

Publisher:: American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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