Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
James R. Keiser, Preet M. Singh, Michael J. Lance, Harry M. Meyer, Kristian G. Myhre, Tracie M. Lowe, Dino Sulejmanovic, Ercan Cakmak, Victoria A. Cox, C. Shane Hawkins, Adam W. Willoughby
Summary: The increased demand for renewable energy resources has sparked a renewed interest in nuclear reactors, including a new generation of molten salt reactors. The handling of molten chloride or fluoride salts poses a challenge due to the inability of metals to form and retain a protective oxide surface layer. A specific alloy, Hastelloy N, was developed to address this issue, but it had some deficiencies. For the next generation of molten salt reactors, an alloy with higher temperature capability and pressure vessel code approval is required, leading some reactor designers to opt for 316H stainless steel. To minimize corrosion of the stainless steel by the molten fluoride salt, beryllium metal can be added to react with impurities and lower the oxidation potential. However, there are concerns about the potential reaction between beryllium and the stainless steel components.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Na Li, Huaiyou Wang, Huiqin Yin, Qi Liu, Zhongfeng Tang
Summary: The corrosion resistance of 316 stainless steel (316SS) in molten KCl-MgCl2 salts at high temperatures was investigated. The corrosion rate of 316SS increased slowly with temperature below 600 degrees C, but increased dramatically at 700 degrees C. The corrosion of 316SS was mainly due to the selective dissolution of Cr and Fe at high temperatures. Impurities in the salts accelerated the dissolution process, while purification treatment reduced the corrosivity of the salts. The diffusion rate of Cr/Fe in 316SS changed more with temperature than the reaction rate of salt impurities with Cr/Fe under the experimental conditions.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Sen Ren, Yanjun Chen, Xiang-Xi Ye, Li Jiang, Shuai Yan, Jianping Liang, Xinmei Yang, Bin Leng, Zhijun Li, Zezhong Chen, Zhimin Dai
Summary: In a high-temperature chloride salt environment, carburized 316 stainless steel with added Mg metal exhibits more severe intergranular corrosion compared to regular 316 stainless steel, mainly due to the influence of metallic ions in the salt on the dissolution of Fe and Cr on the alloy surface.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zhongdi Yu, Minghui Chen, Jinlong Wang, Fengjie Li, Shenglong Zhu, Fuhui Wang
Summary: Hot-dip galvanizing provides excellent corrosion and wear resistance for steels, but the equipment itself suffers serious material loss during production. The enamel coating performs better in tribo-corrosion, providing high corrosion resistance and reduced wear loss.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hongxia Xu, Yang Wang, Na Li, Changjian Ling, Qi Liu, Zhongfeng Tang
Summary: The corrosion effect of Ca(NO3)2-NaNO3-KNO3 on 316 stainless steel and nodular cast iron was studied at 520 degrees C. Oxides were found on the corroded surfaces of both alloys after 100 hours of corrosion. The oxide on the surface of 316 stainless steel was thin, while a loose oxide layer with a greater thickness was formed on the surface of nodular cast iron. The different corrosion performance of the two materials was due to the different oxide structures formed on their surfaces.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mahander Pratap Singh, Bikramjit Basu, Kamanio Chattopadhyay
Summary: The high-temperature electrochemical behavior of passive film on 316SS in solar salt was evaluated, showing an increase in corrosion rate with temperature and severe oxidation at 550 degrees C. However, the corrosion potential did not change significantly. The impedance bode phase diagram analysis revealed the role of the passive layer at 400 degrees C and processes controlled by mass transfer limitations at 500 degrees C.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS ENGINEERING AND PERFORMANCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Khagendra Baral, Saro San, Ridwan Sakidja, Adrien Couet, Kumar Sridharan, Wai-Yim Ching
Summary: This study investigates the structure and properties of FLiBe molten salt over a wide temperature range using molecular dynamics simulation. The results show nonlinear changes in mechanical strength, band gap, and total bond order density of FLiBe with temperature, with anomalous behavior observed across the melting region. Additionally, a surprising minimum in refractive index at 850 K, above the melting point, was discovered. These findings provide insights into the temperature-dependent structures and properties of FLiBe salt.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoli Li, Litao Chang, Chengpeng Liu, Bin Leng, Xiangxi Ye, Fenfen Han, Xinmei Yang
Summary: The study found that long-time thermal aging affects the corrosion behavior of type 316H stainless steel in molten chloride salt, resulting in reduced weight loss and thinner Cr depleted region in the thermally-aged specimens. The mechanisms behind the different corrosion behaviors were discussed based on experimental observations.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xiaodong Wang, Xinmei Yang, Miaomiao Hu, Huajian Liu, Xingtai Zhou
Summary: The effect of 316 stainless steel on the corrosion of pressureless-sintered SiC in the vapor of molten NaCl-KCl-MgCl2 salt at 700 degrees C was studied. It was found that MgCl2•xH2O (x = 4, 6) hydrolyzed into HCl, which caused corrosion of the stainless steel. Some corrosion products dissolved and increased the concentration of elements Cr, Fe, and Ni in the salt, while others reacted with SiC to form Cr7C3, Fe3Si, and SiCl4. Reactions among SiC, stainless steel, and their corrosion products (FeCl2, CrCl2, and SiCl4) led to a corrosion depth of approximately 250 μm for 1000 hours.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Qi Gao, Yuanwei Lu, Yanchun Yang, Yuting Wu, Cancan Zhang, Zhansheng Fan
Summary: This study investigated the corrosion behavior of molten salt with different chlorine ion (Cl) content on metal materials. The results showed that the quaternary mixed molten salt with a low Clcontent of 0.03 wt% had the lowest corrosion rate on stainless steel, and the addition of calcium ions (Ca2+) to solar salt with the same Clcontent of 0.03 wt% reduced the corrosion rate of stainless steel. Morphological analysis of the corrosion products revealed the formation of calcium rich oxide layers containing CaFeO4, which inhibited further corrosion of stainless steel in molten salt.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zhe Hu, Linlin Liu, Pengfei Lu, Weihua Liu, Fan Zhang, Zhongfeng Tang
Summary: The corrosion behavior and mechanism of 316SS alloy in NaCl-KCl-ZnCl2 molten salts were investigated. The annual corrosion rate initially increased and then decreased to a steady rate. No evident pitting and intergranular corrosion were observed. An oxide layer composed of various oxides formed on the surface of the 316SS samples. The corrosion mechanism involved the hygroscopicity of ZnCl2, the reactions with Fe and Cr, and the formation of nickel oxide. Removal of Zn(OH)2 or basic zinc chloride in NaCl-KCl-ZnCl2 is necessary for commercial application.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Qi Liu, Hongxia Xu, Huiqin Yin, Na Li, Wenrui Wang, Linfan Li, Zhongfeng Tang, Yuan Qian
Summary: The experiment investigated the corrosion behavior of 316 stainless steel in NaCl-KCl-MgCl2 salt vapor at 700 degrees C under static conditions. Easy-to-peel oxide layers were formed on the surface, with their composition and structure changing as exposure continued. The initially formed oxide monolayer gradually transformed into oxide multilayers, with the outermost layer changing from Cr-Fe oxide to Mg-Cr oxide, due to varying diffusion rates of elements and different reaction rates of MgCl2 in the salt vapor.
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
N. Dianne Bull Ezell, Stephen S. Raiman, J. Matt Kurley, Joel McDuffee
Summary: This study demonstrates a method for conducting in-reactor irradiation-corrosion experiments in static molten salts, showing that neutron irradiation may decelerate corrosion of alloys in molten chloride salts. Stainless steel samples irradiated during exposure had less corrosive attack than samples exposed to the same conditions without irradiation, while alloy N samples showed no significant effect of irradiation.
NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Peiying Shi, Bin Leng, Xiangxi Ye, Shubin Wang, Litao Chang, Xiaoke Li, Xiaoli Li, Hefei Huang
Summary: The high-temperature tribocorrosion performance of 316H stainless steel in a molten solar salt was comparatively studied. It was found that under dry sliding conditions, the wear rate increases at 500 degrees C while the friction coefficient decreases. In contrast, the wear resistance of 316H at 500 degrees C in molten nitrate salt is remarkably improved due to the lubrication effect of the molten salt and the enhanced oxidation tendency on the worn surface.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Pengfei Lu, Qi Liu, Hongliang Bao, T. J. Pan, Zhongfeng Tang
Summary: The addition of FeCl3 accelerated the corrosion of 316 stainless steel in NaCl-MgCl2 salts at 600 degrees C. After corrosion, both Fe2+ and Fe3+ coexisted in the salt, with a higher concentration of Fe2+ than Fe3+. Increasing the FeCl3 concentration in the salt aggravated the grain boundary corrosion of 316 stainless steel and increased the concentration difference of Fe2+ and Fe3+ in the salt after corrosion.
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
G. Cao, S. Herrmann, S. Li, R. Hoover, J. King, B. Serrano-Rodriguez, K. Marsden
NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
Kieran Dolan, Guiqiu Zheng, David Carpenter, Steven Huang, Lin-Wen Hu
FUSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Nuclear Science & Technology
Karl Britsch, Mark Anderson
NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
Charles Forsberg, Guiqiu (Tony) Zheng, Ronald G. Ballinger, Stephen T. Lam
NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
X. Liu, W. Peng, F. Xie, J. Cao, Y. Dong, X. Duan, Y. Wen, B. Shan, K. Sun, G. Zheng
FUSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Samuel W. McAlpine, Natasha C. Skowronski, Weiyue Zhou, Guiqiu (Tony) Zheng, Michael P. Short
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Weiyue Zhou, Yang Yang, Guiqiu Zheng, Kevin B. Woller, Peter W. Stahle, Andrew M. Minor, Michael P. Short
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Kyle F. Becker, Mark H. Anderson
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2020)
Article
Energy & Fuels
J. R. Lovering, S. H. Baker, T. R. Allen
Summary: The deployment of advanced nuclear technologies is expected to help mitigate global climate change, with successful projects requiring public support and thoughtful approaches to equitable energy transitions. Involving social scientists can improve the likelihood of success in energy infrastructure deployments.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Matthew Weathered, Christopher Grandy, Mark Anderson, Darius Lisowski
Summary: This paper describes the design and analysis of a permanent magnet flowmeter for use in a pool type sodium fast reactor environment. Recently developed Samarium Cobalt rare earth magnets were utilized, showing resilience to high temperatures and neutron flux. The flowmeter was calibrated at different temperatures, yielding an error of 2-3.6%.
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Jingyu Wu, Mohan Wang, Kehao Zhao, Sheng Huang, Mohamed Zaghloul, Rongtao Cao, David Carpenter, Guiqiu Zheng, Steven Rountree, K. P. Chen
Summary: This study utilized femtosecond laser direct writing to inscribe Type-II modifications in standard telecom fibers and radiation-hardened fibers, enhancing Rayleigh backscattering signals for distributed temperature measurements in an in-pile environment. The results demonstrated the stability of laser-inscribed fiber sensors under extreme conditions and their ability to monitor the temperature profile of a nuclear reactor core in real-time.
JOURNAL OF LIGHTWAVE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Guoping Cao, Nicole Larson, Brian Storms, Praneeth Kandlakunta, Lei R. Cao, Shelly Li
Summary: The study evaluated the use of radioactive tracer dilution and gamma spectroscopy in monitoring the mass of liquid salt in molten salt systems, focusing on the uncertainty analysis of Eu-154 isotope's gamma radioactivity. The research found that a longer data acquisition time and higher count rate gamma detector significantly improved the uncertainty of Eu-154 from 7% or 8% to 3%.
JOURNAL OF RADIOANALYTICAL AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chaitanya Vivek Bhave, Guiqiu Zheng, Kumar Sridharan, Daniel Schwen, Michael R. Tonks
Summary: In this study, an electrochemical phase-field model is developed to capture the microstructure-dependent corrosion of structural alloys in molten salts. The model is validated using 1D, 2D, and 3D simulations and predicts the corrosion rate proportional to the average grain size at the alloy/salt interface.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Guoping Cao, Brian Storms, Magen E. Coleman, Robert Hoover, Shelly Li
Summary: This paper investigates radioactive tracer dilution (RTD) as a potential method for measuring the total mass of LiCl-KCl-UCl3 salt used in uranium electrorefining. Experimental and scale-up tests were conducted to determine the feasibility, uncertainty, and fission product effect of RTD.
JOURNAL OF RADIOANALYTICAL AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
Mohan Wang, Kehao Zhao, Jingyu Wu, Yuqi Li, Yang Yang, Sheng Huang, Jieru Zhao, Thomas Tweedle, David Carpenter, Guiqiu Zheng, Qingxu Yu, Kevin P. Chen
Summary: This paper discusses the precision inscription of nanogratings in silica fiber cores using femtosecond lasers for device fabrication and sensing applications in extreme environmental conditions. The high-temperature stable and low insertion loss sensors were continuously inscribed point by point, showing stable and distributed temperature measurements in extreme radiation environments. The femtosecond-laser-fabricated fiber sensors have been proven suitable measurement devices for applications in extreme environments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXTREME MANUFACTURING
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Liuming Wei, Jingwen Li, Yonggang Li, Qirong Zheng, Fan Cheng, Chuanguo Zhang, Jingyu Li, Gaofeng Zhao, Zhi Zeng
Summary: This study investigates the influence of He-V complexes on H behaviors on different W surfaces using DFT calculations. The results show that H dissolution is most difficult but H trapping is easiest on the W (110) surface, while the opposite is true on the W (111) surface. Moreover, the presence of He-V complexes increases the difficulty of H diffusion from bulk to surface and desorption.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yan Meng, Song Zeng, Chen Chen, Chaowen Zhu, Huahai Shen, Xiaosong Zhou, Xiaochun Han
Summary: The characteristics of magnetron sputtered Cr coatings vary with different temperature, bias voltage, and pressure. Coatings with random orientation, good crystallinity, and small grain size exhibit favorable oxidation behavior, while coatings with strong (200) texture, poor crystallinity, and large grains have many intrinsic defects that are detrimental to the protection property of the Cr coatings.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xinyuan Xu, Zefeng Yu, Wei-Ying Chen, Aiping Chen, Arthur Motta, Xing Wang
Summary: This study presents an automated approach for characterizing grain morphology in TEM images recorded during ion irradiation. By combining a machine learning model and a computer vision algorithm, comparable results to human analysis can be achieved with significantly reduced analysis time. Researchers can train their own models following the procedures described in this study to automate grain morphology analysis of their own TEM images.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shihao Wu, Dong Wang, Yapei Zhang, Koji Okamoto, Marco Pellegrini, Wenxi Tian, Suizheng Qiu, G. H. Su
Summary: The oxidation and degradation mechanisms of Cr coating on Zr alloy cladding under high temperature steam atmosphere are summarized, and a mathematical analysis model is established to predict the changes in coating thickness. The model is applied in the analysis of structure evolution under different conditions.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
V. Diaz-Mena, J. de Prado, M. Roldan, I. Izaguirre, M. Sanchez, M. Rieth, A. Urena
Summary: The brazeability of a cupronickel alloy was evaluated as a filler alloy for high-temperature joining of tungsten to steel. The study investigated the brazing conditions and the impact of the selected filler on the joint quality using numerical software. The results showed different metallurgical interactions and diffusion phenomena between the filler alloy and the base materials at different temperatures. The study emphasized the importance of selecting a suitable filler to mitigate residual stresses in the joints.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Pengcheng Zhu, Yajie Zhao, Yan-Ru Lin, Jean Henry, Steven J. Zinkle
Summary: This study investigates the effect of heavy-ion irradiation on radiation hardening in high-purity binary alloy Fe18Cr. Nanoindentation testing and high-quality TEM imaging were conducted to extract hardness and microstructure information. The strength factor was accurately calculated based on the detailed TEM characterization of irradiated microstructures, and a refined hardening superposition method was applied to quantify the mechanical properties of ion-irradiated materials.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Bin Wu, Haixia Ning, Hanzhen Zhu, Jianjun Chen, Kang Wang, Daiyu Zhang, Fu Wang, Qilong Liao
Summary: This study discusses the effects of ZrO2 and B2O3 on the phase composition and properties of SAP-based glass-ceramics. The results show that ZrO2 addition improves the formation of NZP phase while restricting the crystallization of AlPO4 phases. The correct ratios of ZrO2 and B2O3 allow only the formation of NZP phase within the SAP glass.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hwasung Yeom, Greg Johnson, Benjamin Maier, Tyler Dabney, Kumar Sridharan
Summary: Cr-Nb bilayer coatings were developed using cold spray deposition to improve the limiting operational temperature of Cr-coated Zr-alloy system. The coatings exhibited outstanding oxidation resistance at high temperatures and formed continuous intermetallic compound layers at the interfaces.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Padhraic L. Mulligan, Andrew T. Nelson, Chad M. Parish, Patrick A. Champlin, Xiang Chen, Daniel Morrall, Jason M. Harp
Summary: Environmental barrier coatings are being developed to reduce oxidation and embrittlement in Zr-based materials. Chromium nitride is a candidate for this application, but understanding its impact on irradiation-induced creep and microstructure is critical.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Dexuan Yan, Xinlei Cao, Ke Shen
Summary: This study investigated the purification mechanism of polycrystalline graphite by comparing IG-11 graphite with IG-110 nuclear grade graphite. The analysis revealed that metallic impurities in IG-11 were primarily segregated within graphite porosities, while IG-110 demonstrated a significant reduction in impurities. This research contributes to the development of innovative graphite purification techniques for greater purity and stronger oxidation resistance.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Wei Xu, Wei Peng, Lei Shi, Qi Sun
Summary: This paper investigates the oxidation and shape evolution of matrix graphite in high temperature gas-cooled reactors during air-ingress accidents. A reaction kinetics model is established and computational fluid dynamics with a dynamic mesh method is used to simulate the oxidation process. The results show that the geometric shape of graphite changes significantly with increasing flow rate, and the graphite pebbles tend to form a structure with a narrow front and wide tail.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Allison Harward, Casey Elliott, Michael Shaltry, Krista Carlson, Tae-Sic Yoo, Guy Fredrickson, Michael Patterson, Michael F. Simpson
Summary: This paper investigates the hygroscopic properties of eutectic LiCl-KCl absorbed into zeolite-4A. The study finds that water absorption and corrosion worsen with increasing salt loading. It also suggests that the salt can be stored in a non-inert atmosphere for a certain period of time.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Takaaki Koyanagi, Xunxiang Hu, Christian M. Petrie, Gyanender Singh, Caen Ang, Christian P. Deck, Weon-Ju Kim, Daejong Kim, James Braun, Yutai Katoh
Summary: This study provides critical experimental data on the effects of irradiation on the hermeticity of SiC composite cladding, finding that irradiation can cause a decrease in hermeticity and cracking, and coating the outer surface can mitigate the cracking issue.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
S. Krat, A. Prishvitsyn, Yu. Gasparyan
Summary: This study proposes a probabilistic and diffusion-based model to describe the co-deposition of multiple hydrogen isotopes with slowly grown metal layers. The model calculates the relative concentrations of different hydrogen isotopes in the co-deposited metal layers. It is found that if hydrogen isotopes have different detrapping energies, only the isotope with the highest detrapping energy shows a monotonic decrease in concentration with deposition temperature. Furthermore, the study evaluates the uncertainty of tritium concentration in the co-deposited layer based on the uncertainty in detrapping energy of tritium and deuterium, predicting a >10% tritium concentration uncertainty for a 0.01 eV difference.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tijo Vazhappilly, Arup Kumar Pathak
Summary: This study investigates the effect of Ce atom substitution in UO2 on its thermophysical properties using density functional theory. The results show that the Ce substitution levels and the oxidation state of Ce/U atoms strongly influence the band structure and specific heat capacity of the UO2 lattice. These findings provide important insights into the fuel properties of UO2 under reactor conditions.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
(2024)
