Stable High-Temperature Molten Salt Reference Electrodes

Thermodynamic, high-temperature reference electrodes (HTRE) with lifetimes of up to 6 months are necessary for monitoring the redox potential of nuclear-relevant, molten salts at elevated temperatures for corrosion control. Unfortunately, robust thermodynamic HTRE for this challenging application are not commercially available which inhibits the development and deployment of next-generation, molten-salt-cooled, high-temperature nuclear reactors. HiFunda is proposing to leverage our teamĺs Phase II electrochemical sensor and materials development, high-temperature molten salt electrochemical testing, first principles and thermodynamic experiences to develop and demonstrate new robust HTRE designs that meet the thermal, chemical, mechanical, electrical, manufacturability, cost, and reliability requirements for this demanding application. The HiFunda team is proposing to build upon the Phase II results to further develop and demonstrate a HTRE specifically designed and engineered for the high-temperature molten fluoride salt application. Additional research and development (R&D), beyond the scope of the original Phase II grant, is required to further develop and demonstrate HTRE performance so that the HTRE technology can be commercialized for advanced nuclear, concentrated solar power (CSP), and other applications. Voice-of-customer (VOC) inputs obtained from potential end users indicate that in order to commercialize HTREs, it is desirable to demonstrate operation of HTREs in more nuclear-relevant uranium and/or actinide-containing fluoride and chloride salts representative of electrorefining (ER) and molten salt reactor (MSR) systems. The proposed approach will help to enable next-generation nuclear power generation which will have a significant positive effect on power generation and CO2 emissions in the US and worldwide. Reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and increasing the supply of energy produced from nuclear fuels will have an enormous impact on US energy security and US energy demand with abundant emission-free electricity. In addition, the HTRE developed for this application can be used to corrosion monitoring and control in other molten salt systems such as concentrated solar power (CSP).