in-situ X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy of Oxygen and Moisture Exposed Uranium Trichloride Molten Fuel Salts
Digital Document
Document
Persons |
Persons
Creator (cre): Tuffy, Benjamin W.
Major Advisor (mja): Chiu, Wilson K. S.
Associate Advisor (asa): Cassenti, Brice N.
Associate Advisor (asa): Pasaogullari, Ugur
Associate Advisor (asa): Phillips, William C.
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Title |
Title
Title
in-situ X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy of Oxygen and Moisture Exposed Uranium Trichloride Molten Fuel Salts
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Origin Information
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Digital Origin
born digital
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Description |
Description
In recent years the concept of a molten salt reactor (MSR) has been identified as one of
the leading generation IV nuclear reactor concepts . The fuel studied in this experiment is the non-fissile isotope, Uranium-238. In applications the fuel mixture will be a proportion of uranium-238 and uranium-235. This work builds on the state of literature and understanding of interactions and molecular structure and dynamics of uranium chloride in molten chloride salts. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) data were collected for between 5 and 50% molar UCl3 in LiCl, KCl, and LiCl-KCl eutectic salts from between 20 and 800°C. The initial goal of this work was to better understand UCl3 structure in molten salts and identify potential ternary formation, specifically K2UCl5. Results showed that even within single containment and reliable preparation methods, samples experienced unintended intense oxidation and hydration. Complex oxychlorides formed at low temperatures that quickly decomposed under heating and formed a uniform β, high temperature, phase of U3O8 in all samples. These results strengthen understanding, specifically of in molten salt environments, of oxychloride formation and hydration, oxychloride decomposition range, and introduce a mechanism of the β-U3O8 formation at lower temperatures than previously reported. |
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Genre
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Organizations |
Organizations
Degree granting institution (dgg): University of Connecticut
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Rights Statement |
Rights Statement
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Use and Reproduction |
Use and Reproduction
These Materials are provided for educational and research purposes only.
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Note |
Note
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Degree Name |
Degree Name
Master of Science
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Degree Level |
Degree Level
M.S.
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Degree Discipline |
Degree Discipline
Advanced Manufacturing for Energy Systems
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Local Identifier |
Local Identifier
S_36419001
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