Abstract
The detection of off-gassed sodium from molten sodium nitrate (NaNO3) at temperatures between 330 °C and 505 °C and off-gassed calcium from molten lithium chloride–potassium chloride eutectic (LKE) mixtures at 510 °C with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was demonstrated. NaNO3 and LKE samples were melted in a custom-built crucible that promoted the generation of off-gassed products from the molten sample. The off-gassed products were analyzed with a LIBS system designed to probe the high-temperature environment. Na D emission lines, Na(I)588.99 nm and Na(I) 589.59 nm, were detected from the NaNO3 samples after reaching a temperature threshold, which indicated the occurrence of phase change. In LKE mixtures, the detection of Ca impurities at a concentration of 78 mg/kg was possible using the emission lines Ca(II) 393.66 nm and Ca(II) 395.85 nm. This work demonstrates the real-time monitoring capabilities of LIBS in high-temperature environments that simulate the conditions of molten salt reactors.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1033-1043 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Applied Spectroscopy |
Volume | 77 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2023 |
Keywords
- LIBS
- Molten salt reactor
- calcium
- laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
- off-gassed products
- sodium
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Instrumentation
- Spectroscopy