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Application of zero resistance ammeter to real time measurement of redox control in molten chloride salts

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Abstract

Molten NaCl–CaCl2–UCl3 was dosed with small amounts of NiCl2 at 600 °C to cause the redox potential to spike upwards. A metallic zirconium rod was used as the working electrode (WE) and was shorted to a stainless steel beaker [counter electrode (CE)] used to contain the salt through a potentiostat operating in zero resistance ammeter mode. The potentiostat simultaneously measured electric current between the WE and CE and the potential of the WE versus a Ag/AgCl reference electrode. With each dosing of NiCl2, the current spiked indicating oxidation of the Zr metal rod, and its open circuit potential spiked and then returned to its initial value or lower. Based on these results, in a molten salt system such as an electrorefiner or molten salt reactor where Zr metal can be an effective redox buffer, this device can be used to continuously monitor the rate at which redox buffering is occurring.

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Acknowledgements

This work was made possible via funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Versatile Test Reactor program under contract 207312 with Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC. Technical leadership from Joel McDuffee, formerly of Oak Ridge National Laboratory is also gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Utah, 122 S. Central Campus Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, 84107, USA

    D. Ethan Hamilton, Mario Gonzalez & Michael F. Simpson

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  1. D. Ethan Hamilton
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  2. Mario Gonzalez
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  3. Michael F. Simpson
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Correspondence to Mario Gonzalez.

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Hamilton, D.E., Gonzalez, M. & Simpson, M.F. Application of zero resistance ammeter to real time measurement of redox control in molten chloride salts. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 331, 4863–4872 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-022-08509-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-022-08509-5

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