The thermodynamic and thermo-physical properties of the molten salt system [Formula presented] have been investigated using an experimental and modelling approach. This molten salt system includes a single intermediate compound [Formula presented], whose structure has been investigated using X-ray and neutron diffraction. Furthermore, this system exhibits solubility of [Formula presented] in [Formula presented] at high temperatures up to a concentration of around 25% [Formula presented] at 1060 K. Additionally, our measurements show solubility of [Formula presented] in [Formula presented] up to about 5% [Formula presented] at 973 K. The investigation of these solid solutions has been performed using quenching experiments and subsequent post-characterisation by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Phase diagram equilibria have also been investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Using the aforementioned information on phase transitions, intermediate compound formation, and mutual solid solubility, a thermodynamic assessment of the system has been performed using the CALPHAD method. The model for the Gibbs energy of the liquid solution is the quasi-chemical formalism in the quadruplet approximation, while the model for the Gibbs energy of the solid solutions is a two-sublattice polynomial model.

We measure the thermal conductivity of solid and molten tungsten using steady state temperature differential radiometry. We demonstrate that the thermal conductivity can be well described by application of Wiedemann-Franz law to electrical resistivity data, thus suggesting the validity of Wiedemann-Franz law to capture the electronic thermal conductivity of metals in their molten phase. We further support this conclusion using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations with a machine-learned potential. Our results show that at these high temperatures, the vibrational contribution to thermal conductivity is negligible compared to the electronic component.

This work examines the thermochemistry of the chromium difluoride CrF₂ corrosion product in the molten [Formula presented] fuel salt system. Through a combination of experimental investigations and thermodynamic modeling assessment, the study elucidates the thermodynamic properties, phase diagram equilibria, and overall thermodynamic behavior of CrF₂ corrosion product, following dissolution from a structural material to the molten salt fuel environment. In this work, two different synthesis methods were developed for pure CrF₂, further allowing to experimentally measure the phase equilibria in the [Formula presented], [Formula presented], and [Formula presented] systems. Then, thermodynamic models were developed using the CALPHAD method based on the quasichemical model in the quadruplet approximation.

The thermochemistry of the ternary system CsI-PbI₂-BiI₃, of interest for applications in photovoltaics, memory devices, and nuclear applications, among other things, is investigated in this work. The binary phase diagrams CsI-PbI₂ and CsI-BiI₃ were subjected to renewed experimental investigation, and the compounds CsPbI₃, Cs₄PbI₆, and Cs₃Bi₂I₉ were found to be the only stable phases in the investigated temperature window. The liquidus lines and invariant equilibria were determined. The phase equilibria in the BiI₃-PbI₂ system were measured for the first time by using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The end-members form a solid solution over the entire composition range. The pseudobinary section CsPbI₃-Cs₃Bi₂I₉ of the CsI-PbI₂-BiI₃ ternary system was moreover measured by DSC, as well as the ternary eutectic points. A thermodynamic model of the complete CsI-PbI₂-BiI₃ system was developed by using the Compound Energy Formalism (CEF) for the solid phases and the Modified Quasichemical Model in the Quadruplet Approximation (MQMQA) for the liquid phase. The binary systems were modeled first, and no ternary interaction parameters were found necessary to reproduce accurately the phase equilibria in the ternary system. With our model, the whole liquidus surface of the field CsI-PbI₂-BiI₃ is described for the first time.

The quaternary compound Cs₂Pb(MoO₄)₂ was synthesized and its structure was characterized using X-ray and neutron diffraction from 298 to 773 K, while thermal expansion was studied from 298 to 723 K. The crystal structure of the high-temperature phase β-Cs₂Pb(MoO₄)₂ was elucidated, and it was found to crystallize in the space group R3̅m (No. 166), i.e., with a palmierite structure. In addition, the oxidation state of Mo in the low-temperature phase α-Cs₂Pb(MoO₄)₂ was studied using X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy. Phase diagram equilibrium measurements in the Cs₂MoO₄-PbMoO₄ system were performed, revisiting a previously reported phase diagram. The equilibrium phase diagram proposed here includes a different composition of the intermediate compound in this system. The obtained data can serve as relevant information for thermodynamic modeling in view of the safety assessment of next-generation lead-cooled fast reactors.

The heat capacities of CsPbI₃, Cs₄PbI₆, and Cs₃Bi₂I₉ were studied using low-temperature thermal relaxation calorimetry in the temperature range of 1.9-300 K. The three compounds are insulators, with no electronic contribution to the heat capacity. None of them show detectable anomalies in the studied temperature window. Thermodynamic properties at standard conditions are derived. Previously reported results on Cs₃Bi₂I₉ are not fully consistent with the present findings. Moreover, the magnetic susceptibilities of the three title compounds were measured.

Chloride salts are considered a good alternative to fluoride salts as fuel carrier in the Molten Salt Fast Reactor concepts. The NaCl–ThCl4–PuCl3 fuel salt solution seems very promising, with low melting temperature eutectic compositions, and the potential to be used in a breeder and burner type of reactor design. This work focuses on the first thermodynamic modeling assessment of the ThCl4–PuCl3 binary system and the NaCl–ThCl4–PuCl3 ternary system, using the CALPHAD (Computer Coupling of Phase Diagrams and Thermochemistry) method and the quasichemical formalism in the quadruplet approximation. The investigated system shows potential for a high flexibility with respect to composition at operating temperatures, which can be beneficial to accommodate the requirements on other essential fuel properties (e.g. neutronic and thermo-hydraulic).

CALPHAD models to compute the density and viscosity of four keystone systems related to Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology have been optimized: NaCl-UCl₃, LiF-ThF₄, LiF-UF₄, and LiF-ThF₄-UF₄. Revised thermodynamic assessments of all four systems, using the modified quasichemical formalism in the quadruplet approximation for the description of the liquid solutions, are reported. In the case of NaCl-UCl₃, phase diagram and mixing enthalpy data available in the literature are taken into account. For the fluoride systems, recently published data on some solid phases are taken into account, while retaining the most recently published descriptions of the liquid solutions. The densities of the liquid solutions are modelled using pressure-dependent terms of the excess Gibbs energy, while the viscosities are then modelled using an Eyring equation. Both state functions are related to the thermodynamic assessments through the quadruplet distributions.

The structural, thermochemical, and thermophysical properties of the NaF-ThF4 fuel system were studied with experimental methods and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Equilibrium MD (EMD) simulations using the polarizable ion model were performed to calculate the density, molar volume, thermal expansion, mixing enthalpy, heat capacity, and distribution of [ThFn]m- complexes in the (Na,Th)Fx melt over the full concentration range at various temperatures. The phase equilibria in the 10-50 mol % ThF4 and 85-95 mol % ThF4 regions of the NaF-ThF4 phase diagram were measured using differential scanning calorimetry, as were the mixing enthalpies at 1266 K of (NaF/ThF4) = (0.8:0.2), (0.7:0.3) mixtures. Furthermore, the β-Na2ThF6 and NaTh2F9 compounds were synthesized and subsequently analyzed with the use of X-ray diffraction. The heat capacities of both compounds were measured in the temperature ranges (2-271 K) and (2-294 K), respectively, by thermal relaxation calorimetry. Finally, a CALPHAD model coupling the structural and thermodynamic data was developed using both EMD and experimental data as input and a quasichemical formalism in the quadruplet approximation. Here, 7- and 8-coordinated Th4+ cations were introduced on the cationic sublattice alongside a 13-coordinated dimeric species to reproduce the chemical speciation, as calculated by EMD simulations and to provide a physical description of the melt.

The ACl-ThCl (Formula presented.) (A = Li, Na, K) systems could be of relevance to the nuclear industry in the near future. A thermodynamic investigation of the three binary systems is presented herein. The excess Gibbs energy of the liquid solutions is described using the quasi-chemical formalism in the quadruplet approximation. The phase diagram optimisations are based on the experimental data available in the literature. The thermodynamic stability of the liquid solutions increases in the order Li < Na < K, in agreement with idealised interactions and structural models.

The short-range structures of LiF-ThF4, NaF-AnF4, KF-AnF4, and Cs-AnF4 (An = Th, U), were probed using in situ high temperature Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. Signally, the EXAFS spectra of pure molten ThF4 and UF4 were measured for the first time. The data were interpreted with the aid of Molecular Dynamics (MD) and standard fitting of the EXAFS equation. As in related studies, a speciation distribution dominated by [AnFx]4-x (x = 7, 8, 9) coordination complexes was observed. The average coordination number was found to decrease with the increasing size of the alkali cation, and increase with AnF4 content. An average coordination number close to 6, which had not been detected before in melts of alkali actinide fluorides, was seen when CsF was used as solvent. This journal is

Four fluoride fuel salt samples (78LiF-22ThF₄) in graphite crucibles were irradiated in the HFR Petten for a duration of 508 Full Power Days under the name SALIENT-01 (SALt Irradiation ExperimeNT). Goal of the experiment was to gain experience with the design of liquid salt experiments and the handling of the salts before and after irradiation. Specific research goals for SALIENT-01 are (i) to confirm claims of good fission product retention in the salt, (ii) to obtain size distributions for noble metal particles using Transmission Electron Microscopy and (iii) to assess possible interactions between fuel salt and fine-grained nuclear graphite, as well as possible uptake of fission products by the graphite. Here the design and irradiation history of the experiment are discussed together with plans for post-irradiation examinations. Limitations in representativeness of this experiment and capsule irradiations in general are discussed as well as follow-up actions to improve the quality of future irradiations.