An extensive study of LiF-ThF4 salt for the MSFR fuel

In the framework of the new generation of nuclear fission reactors, one of the promising systems is the Molten Salt Fast Reactor (MSFR) [1]. It is a thorium fuelled fast spectrum reactor in which the fissile and fertile materials are dissolved into a molten salt mixture. The salt considered as primary candidate in this concept is the binary system LiF–ThF4 with the addition of 235U or 239Pu in the form of fluorides serving as start-up fissile materials. For the design of the reactor and in order to determine its safety limits, it is extremely important to have an accurate description of the physico-chemical properties of the fuel salt (such as the melting point, the boiling point and the vapour pressure). This goal can be achieved by developing a thermodynamic database, which is based on the available experimental data and which allows prediction of all the other important properties.

CAPELLI Elisa;  BENES Ondrej;  KONINGS Rudy; 

2015-07-30

American Nuclear Society

JRC96494