Materials considerations for molten salt accelerator-based plutonium conversion systems
Accelerator-driven transmutation technology (ADTT) refers to a concept for a system that uses a blanket assembly driven by a source of neutrons produced when high-energy protons from an accelerator strike a heavy metal target. One application for such a system is called Accelerator-Based Plutonium Conversion, or ABC. Currently, the version of this concept being proposed by the Los Alamos National Laboratory features a liquid lead target material and a blanket fuel of molten fluorides that contain plutonium. Thus, the materials to be used in such a system must have, in addition to adequate mechanical strength, corrosion resistance to molten lead, corrosion resistance to molten fluoride salts, and resistance to radiation damage. In this report the corrosion properties of liquid lead and the LiF-BeF{sub 2} molten salt system are reviewed in the context of candidate materials for the above application. Background information has been drawn from extensive past studies. The system operating temperature, type of protective environment, and oxidation potential of the salt are shown to be critical design considerations. Factors such as the generation of fission products and transmutation of salt components also significantly affect corrosion behavior, and procedures for inhibiting their effects are discussed. In view of the potential for extreme conditions relative to neutron fluxes and energies that can occur in an ADTT, a knowledge of radiation effects is a most important factor. Present information for potential materials selections is summarized.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 73004
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/TM--12925/R1; ON: DE95012545
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
ACTINIDE BURNER REACTORS
BERYLLIUM FLUORIDES
BREEDING BLANKETS
CORROSION
CORROSIVE EFFECTS
GRAPHITE
HASTELLOY N
LEAD
LIQUID METALS
LITHIUM FLUORIDES
MOLTEN SALT FUELED REACTORS
MOLTEN SALTS
NEUTRON SOURCES
NICKEL BASE ALLOYS
NUCLEAR FUELS
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
PLUTONIUM
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
REACTOR MATERIALS
STAINLESS STEEL-304L
STAINLESS STEEL-316
STEEL-CR2MO
SUBCRITICAL ASSEMBLIES
TARGET CHAMBERS
TRANSMUTATION