Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a molten salt reactor comprising a reactor vessel and a molten salt contained within the reactor vessel. A corrosion reduction unit is configured to process the molten salt to maintain an oxidation reduction ratio at a substantially constant level.

<CIT> describes a scraping blade for scraping and collecting a target element deposited on a cylindrical electrode.

Some embodiments of the invention include an chemical separation mechanism for a molten salt reactor; the molten salt in the reactor may include some fission products. In some embodiments, the chemical separation mechanism may include a molten salt receptacle with a molten salt disposed within, a solvent receptacle having a solvent disposed within; an electrode; and an electrode mechanism. The electrode mechanism is configured to submerse the electrode into the molten salt receptacle such that a chemical reaction occurs between the electrode and one or more of the fission products in the molten salt. In some embodiments, the electrode mechanism may submerse the electrode into the solvent receptacle such that a chemical reaction occurs resulting in one or more of the fission products being deposited into the solvent.

In some embodiments, the electrode mechanism comprises a raise and swivel gantry. In some embodiments, the electrode mechanism comprises a raise and slide electrode mechanism.

In some embodiments, the chemical separation mechanism may include a power source configured to place an electrical potential on the electrode(s).

In some embodiments, the molten salt comprises an actinide bearing salt, and wherein the electrode does not react with the actinides within the actinide bearing salt. In some embodiments, the molten salt comprises an actinide bearing salt. In some embodiments, the molten salt comprises a fluoride or chloride salt.

In some embodiments, the fission products may be plated on the electrode when the electrode is placed within the molten salt receptacle.

In some embodiments, the electrode may include uranium. In some embodiments, the electrode may include an actinide.

In some embodiments, the chemical separation mechanism may include a second electrode disposed within or in contact with the molten salt within the molten salt receptacle. In some embodiments, the second electrode may be disposed within or in contact with the solvent within the solvent receptacle.

In some embodiments, the chemical separation chamber encloses a noble gas.

The invention includes a method as set out in claim <NUM>. A chemical reaction occurs between the electrode and one or more of the fission products in the molten salt; removing the electrode to the molten salt; and exposing the electrode to a solvent such that a chemical reaction occurs resulting in one or more of the fission products being deposited into the solvent. The method may also include removing the electrode from the solvent. In some embodiments, the method may include providing an electric potential to the electrode while the electrode is exposed to the molten salt. In some embodiments, the method may include providing an electric potential to the electrode while the electrode is exposed to the solvent.

In some embodiments, exposing the electrode to the molten salt comprises operating a raise and swivel gantry. In some embodiments, exposing the electrode to a molten salt comprises operating a raise and slide electrode mechanism.

In some embodiments, the molten salt comprises an actinide bearing salt, and the electrode does not react with the actinides within the actinide bearing salt. In some embodiments, the molten salt comprises an actinide bearing salt.

In some embodiments, the electrode may include uranium.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure are better understood when the following Detailed Description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Some embodiments of the disclosure include an chemical separation mechanism that includes a molten salt receptacle and a solvent receptacle. The molten salt receptacle includes or contains a molten salt having fission products. The solvent receptacle may include or contain a solvent. The chemical separation mechanism includes an electrode and an electrode mechanism configured to submerse the electrode into the molten salt receptacle and optionally submerse the electrode into the solvent receptacle. The electrode mechanism may include any type of electro-mechanical electrode mechanisms or electronics to move the electrode from various positions. The electrode may react or bond with some of the fission products in the molten salt in the molten salt receptacle. The electrode may react or bond with the solvent in the solvent receptacle such that fission products bonded with the electrode can be deposited or released into the solvent.

A chemical separation mechanism can be utilized in any type of molten salt system or device including, but not limited to, thermal spectrum nuclear reactors, fast spectrum nuclear reactors, epithermal spectrum nuclear reactors, molten salt test loops, molten salt targets, molten salt neutron sources, etc. In some embodiments, the solvent comprises Ethylene Glycol. In some embodiments, the solvent comprises choline chloride.

In some embodiments, the chemical separation mechanism can include a raise and swivel gantry or a raise and slide electrode mechanism to move the electrode from one position to another. Various other robotic or electro-mechanical devices may be used.

Systems and methods are disclosed for electrochemical separation in a molten salt chamber. A molten salt reactor may be a nuclear fission reactor in which the primary nuclear reactor coolant, or even the fuel itself, is a molten salt mixture. In some embodiments, molten salt reactors can run at higher temperatures than water-cooled reactors for a higher thermodynamic efficiency, while staying at low vapor pressure. In some embodiments, the fuel in a molten salt reactor may include a molten mixture of fluoride salts (e.g., lithium fluoride and beryllium fluoride (FLiBe)) with dissolved uranium (U-<NUM> or U-<NUM>) fluorides (UF<NUM>). In some embodiments, the uranium may be low-enriched uranium, unenriched uranium, or enriched uranium.

<FIG> is a diagram of a molten salt reactor system <NUM> according to some embodiments. The molten salt reactor system <NUM> may include a reactor <NUM>, a chemical separation subsystem (e.g., including a chemical separation chamber <NUM>), safety systems (e.g., including one or more emergency dump tanks <NUM>), and turbines <NUM>.

The reactor <NUM> may include any type of molten salt fission device or system whether or not it includes a reactor. The reactor <NUM> may include a liquid-salt very-high-temperature reactor, a liquid fluoride thorium reactor, a liquid chloride thorium reactor, a liquid salt breeder reactor, a liquid salt solid fuel reactor, a high flux water reactor with a high or low enriched uranium-salt target etc..

The molten salt reactor system <NUM>, for example, may employ one or more molten salts with a fissile material. The molten salt, for example, may include any salt comprising fluorine, chlorine, lithium, sodium, potassium, beryllium, zirconium, rubidium, etc., or any combination thereof. Some examples of molten salts may include LiF, LiF-BeF<NUM>, 2LiF-BeF<NUM>, LiF-BeF<NUM>-ZrF<NUM>, NaF-BeF<NUM>, LiF-NaF-BeF<NUM>, LiF-ZrF<NUM>, LiF-NaF-ZrF<NUM>, KF-ZrF<NUM>, RbF-ZrF<NUM>, LiF-KF, LiF-RbF, LiF-NaF-KF, LiF-NaF-RbF, BeF<NUM>-NaF, NaF-BeF<NUM>, LiF-NaF-KF, etc. In some embodiments, the molten salt may include sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, aluminum fluoride, zirconium fluoride, lithium fluoride, beryllium fluoride, rubidium fluoride, magnesium fluoride, and/or calcium fluoride.

In some embodiments, the molten salt may include any of the following possible salt eutectics. Many other eutectics may be possible. The following list also includes molar ratios and the melting point of the example eutectics. The molar ratios are examples only. Various other eutectics may be used.

The reactor <NUM> may include a reactor blanket <NUM> that surrounds a reactor core <NUM>. A plurality of rods <NUM> may be disposed within the reactor core <NUM>. The reactor core <NUM>, for example, may include a Uranium rich molten salt such as, for example, UF<NUM>-FLiBe. The reactor blanket <NUM> may include a breeding fuel that can produce Uranium for the reactor core <NUM>. The reactor blanket <NUM> may include a thorium rich fluoride salt. For example, the reactor blanket <NUM> may include thorium-<NUM>, which through neutron irradiation becomes thorium-<NUM>. Thorium-<NUM> has a half-life of <NUM> minutes and through beta decay becomes protactinium-<NUM>. Then, through a second beta decay protactinium-<NUM>, which has a half-life of <NUM> days, becomes uranium-<NUM>, which is additional fuel for the reactor core <NUM>.

The rods <NUM> may include any material that may act as a neutron energy moderator such as, for example, graphite, ZrHx, light water, heavy water, beryllium, lithium-<NUM>, etc. The neutron energy moderator may be selected or not used at all based on the desire for a thermal, epithermal, or fast spectrum neutrons within the reactor core <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the molten salt reactor system <NUM> may include a chemical separation subsystem. The chemical separation subsystem, for example, may include a chemical separation chamber <NUM> and/or a chemical separation loop <NUM>. The chemical separation subsystem, for example, may be used to extract fission products (e.g., molybdenum, ruthenium ) from the molten salt and purify the fission products. A list of fission products can be found, for example, at https://www-nds. org/wimsd/fpyield. htm#T1 and/or at https://www-nds. org/wimsd/fpyield. Other fission products may be included. The chemical separation subsystem, for example, may remove fission products without removing actinides (e.g., Uranium isotopes such as, for example, Uranium <NUM>, Uranium <NUM>; or Plutonium isotopes such as, for example, Plutonium <NUM>; or Thorium isotopes; etc.) from the reactor core. <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> illustrate examples of a chemical separation subsystem.

The safety subsystem may include an emergency dump conduit <NUM>, a freeze plug <NUM>, or one or more emergency dump tanks <NUM>. The emergency dump tanks <NUM> are connected with the reactor core <NUM> via the emergency dump conduit <NUM>. The freeze plug <NUM> may be an active element that keeps the fissile material within the reactor core <NUM> unless there is an emergency. If the freeze plug <NUM>, for example, loses power or is otherwise triggered, the dump conduit is opened and the material in the reactor core <NUM> is dumped into the emergency dump tanks <NUM>. The emergency dump tanks <NUM> may include materials such as, for example, energy moderating materials. The emergency dump tanks <NUM>, for example, may be placed in a location where any reactions can be controlled. The emergency dump tanks <NUM>, for example, may be sized to preclude the possibility of a sustained reaction.

<FIG> is a diagram of a chemical separation subsystem <NUM> of a molten salt reactor according to some embodiments. The chemical separation subsystem <NUM> includes a molten salt chemical separation channel <NUM> that can conduct molten salt from a molten salt chamber (e.g., reactor core <NUM>). The molten salt chemical separation channel <NUM> may connect with the molten salt loop conduit <NUM>, which may channel molten salt from the molten salt chamber to the molten salt chemical separation channel <NUM>. The molten salt chemical separation channel <NUM> may feed molten salt into the molten salt reservoir <NUM>, <NUM>. The molten salt reservoir <NUM>, <NUM> may fill or partially fill with molten salt via the molten salt chemical separation channel <NUM>. In some embodiments, bismuth or other chemicals may be constrained, placed, or disposed within the molten salt reservoir <NUM>, <NUM> by a membrane or mesh, for example, to chemically remove additional fission products. Molten salt may flow through the molten salt reservoir <NUM>, <NUM> and return to the molten salt chamber via the molten salt return conduit <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the molten salt surface <NUM> within the molten salt chemical separation channel <NUM> may separate the molten salt chemical separation channel <NUM> and the chemical separation chamber <NUM>. In some embodiments, the chemical separation chamber <NUM> may be filled with an inert gas or a vacuum that may, for example, keep the molten salt surface <NUM> from being exposed to unwanted reactions or oxidation.

In some embodiments, an electrode <NUM> is dipped within the molten salt within the molten salt chemical separation channel <NUM>. The electrode <NUM> may include actinide such as, for example, Uranium. The electrode may be coupled with a raise and swivel gantry <NUM>. The raise and swivel gantry <NUM> may be a mechanical electrode mechanism that raises the electrode <NUM> (see <FIG>), swivels the electrode <NUM>, and lowers the electrode <NUM> (see <FIG>) into a solvent <NUM> within the solvent receptacle <NUM>. The solvent receptacle <NUM> may include a solvent <NUM>. In some embodiments, the solvent may comprise any solvent that includes Ethylene glycol. In some embodiments, the solvent may be held at or near about room temperature. The raise and swivel gantry <NUM> may include a one or more of motors, actuators, gears, pulleys, solenoids, cables, etc. that can effectuate the movement of the electrode <NUM>.

In some embodiments, an electrical potential is placed on the electrode <NUM> while the electrode is in contact with the molten salt (e.g., actinide bearing salt). In some embodiments, an electrical potential may not be required and the electrode <NUM> will merely be a conductor while the electrode is in contact with the molten salt. In some embodiments, the electric potential may be a direct current or an alternating current electrical potential. A second electrode may be in contact with the molten salt to complete (or ground) the circuit. The second electrode can be an electrode coupled with any portion of the chemical separation subsystem <NUM> or may be part of a vessel wall of the chemical separation subsystem <NUM>. For example, the second electrode may be part of the vessel wall of the molten salt chemical separation channel <NUM> and/or the vessel wall of the molten salt loop conduit <NUM>. The electric potential between the electrode <NUM> and the second electrode may produce or enhance an electrochemical reaction between fission products within the molten salt and the electrode <NUM>. The electrochemical reaction causes fission products to plate on the electrode <NUM>. In some embodiments, the electric potential between the electrodes may vary from as low as <NUM> volts to as high as <NUM> volts. The electric potential may vary in order to select which elements are expected to be plated on the electrode <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the magnitude of the electric potential, the magnitude of the current applied to the electric potential, the composition of the molten salt, the type and composition of the fission products dissolved in the salt, and/or the material comprising the electrode <NUM> may determine the reactants that react with the electrode <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the frequency of an alternating electric potential, the frequency of the alternating current applied to the electric potential, the composition of the molten salt, and/or the material comprising the electrode <NUM> may determine the reactants that react with the electrode <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the raise and swivel gantry <NUM> may be disposed partially within the chemical separation chamber <NUM>. In some embodiments, one or more of motors, actuators, gears, pulleys, solenoids, cables, etc. may be coupled with and/or part of the raise and swivel gantry <NUM>. In some embodiments, the one or more of motors, actuators, gears, pulleys, solenoids, cables, etc. may be disposed external to the chemical separation chamber <NUM> that cause the raise and swivel gantry <NUM> to raise and/or swivel the electrode <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the chemical separation chamber <NUM> may include a getter <NUM> that may include a getter plug. The getter may be used to remove gases from within the chemical separation chamber <NUM>. The getter <NUM>, for example, may include magnesium carbonate, depleted uranium, silver, or copper etc. In some embodiments, the getter may collect various chemicals, especially gasses such as tritium, hydrogen, deuterium, iodine, krypton, xenon, helium, etc. In some embodiments, the getter <NUM> may use a pneumatic or mechanical system to remove and/or replace the (potentially saturated) getter in order to pull out chemicals from the chemical separation chamber <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the chemical separation chamber <NUM> may include a gaseous release port <NUM>. The gaseous release port <NUM>, for example, may collect gaseous products from the chemical separation chamber <NUM> such as, for example, krypton, xenon, iodine, helium, molybdenum, zirconium, etc..

<FIG> is a diagram of a chemical separation subsystem <NUM> of a molten salt reactor with the electrode <NUM> in a raised position within the chemical separation chamber <NUM> according to some embodiments. In this figure, the one or more of motors, actuators, gears, pulleys, solenoids, cables, etc. have been engaged to raise the raise and swivel gantry <NUM> such that the electrode <NUM> is not submersed within the molten salt and is not submersed within a solvent <NUM> in the solvent receptacle <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram of a chemical separation subsystem <NUM> of a molten salt reactor with the electrode <NUM> in a lowered position and disposed within the solvent <NUM> in the solvent receptacle <NUM> according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, when the electrode <NUM> is in a lowered position and disposed, placed, or inserted into the solvent <NUM> within the solvent receptacle <NUM>, the electric potential between the electrode <NUM> and the second electrode may be reversed and produce an electrochemical reaction between the fission products on the electrode and the solvent <NUM> within the solvent receptacle <NUM>. In some embodiments, when the electrode <NUM> is in the lowered position and disposed within the solvent receptacle <NUM>, the frequency or magnitude of the potential between the electrode <NUM> and the second electrode may be changed to produce an electrochemical reaction between the fission products on the electrode and the solvent <NUM> within the solvent receptacle <NUM>. In some embodiments the fission products may be released, dissolved, and/or deposited into the solvent.

In some embodiments, either the first electrode or the second electrode may comprise an anode and the other electrode may comprise a cathode. In some embodiments, a third electrode may be included that may be a reference electrode. In some embodiments, a third electrode may be included the may be an additional anode or an additional cathode.

In some embodiments, the solvent receptacle <NUM> may be coupled with a solvent processing subsystem such as, for example, via a tube and/or a solenoid that allows the solvent <NUM> to flow from the solvent receptacle <NUM> to the solvent processing subsystem. In some embodiments, the fission products may be separated from the solvent and/or further processed.

<FIG> is a diagram of a chemical separation subsystem <NUM> attached with the molten salt reactor <NUM> (e.g., reactor <NUM>) according to some embodiments. <FIG> is another diagram of a chemical separation subsystem <NUM> attached with the molten salt reactor <NUM> according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the chemical separation subsystem <NUM> may be coupled with the molten salt reactor <NUM> via the molten salt return conduit <NUM> and/or the molten salt loop conduit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart representing a process <NUM> for using an electrode to remove fission products from a molten salt reactor according to some embodiments. At block <NUM> an electrode may be exposed to a molten salt. The electrode, for example, may include the electrode <NUM>. The molten salt may include but not be limited to any molten salt described in this document.

At block <NUM> an electrical potential is provided to the electrode. The electrical potential, for example, may vary in voltage and/or frequency depending on the type of molten salts, the molten salt mixture, and/or the type of fission products desired to extract from the molten salt. The electric potential, for example, may be a potential between the electrode and a second electrode disposed elsewhere in the molten salt. The electric potential between the electrode and the second electrode produces an electrochemical reaction between fission products within the molten salt and the electrode. The electrochemical reaction causes fission products to be plated on the electrode.

At block <NUM> the electrode may be removed from the molten salt. This can be accomplished in any number of ways. For example, the electrode may be removed using a raise and swivel gantry. As another example, the electrode may be removed using one or more of motors, actuators, gears, pulleys, solenoids, etc. As another example, the electrode may be removed from the molten salt by removing the molten salt.

At block <NUM> the electrode may be exposed to a solvent. For example, the electrode can be moved to a solvent receptacle. As another example, the chamber where the electrode is disposed may be filled with a solvent after the molten salt has been removed.

At block <NUM> the electrode is exposed to an electrical potential. In some embodiments, the electrical potential provided while the electrode is disposed in the solvent may be reversed relative to the electrical potential provided at block <NUM>. In some embodiments, the electrical potential, for example, may vary in voltage and/or frequency depending on the solvent composition and/or the type of fission products. The electric potential, for example, may be a potential between the electrode and a third electrode disposed elsewhere in the solvent. The electric potential between the electrode and the third electrode may produce an electrochemical reaction between fission products plated on the electrode such that the fission products are dissolved in the solvent.

At block <NUM> the electrode may be removed from the solvent.

The process <NUM> may be repeated any number of times. The process <NUM> may also include additional blocks or steps. In addition or alternatively, any number of blocks of the process <NUM> may be removed or deleted.

In some embodiments, an electrode may be held stationary within a chemical separation subsystem. Molten salt and solvent may alternately flow into the chemical separation subsystem as electrical potential on the electrode is correspondingly reversed to collect fission material from the molten salt and dissolve fission material in the solvent.

In some embodiments, a power source may be included that is configured to place an electrical potential on the electrode(s). The electric potential may produce an electrochemical reaction between electrode and the fission products within the molten salt or the electrode and the solvent. In some embodiments, the fission products are plated on the electrode when the electrode is placed or submersed within the molten salt receptacle.

In some embodiments, the molten salt comprises an actinide bearing salt, and wherein the electrode comprises a material that does not react with the actinides within the actinide bearing salt. In some embodiments, the molten salt comprises a fluoride salt or a chloride salt. In some embodiments, the electrode comprises an actinide.

In some embodiments, the chemical separation mechanism may also include a chemical separation chamber, wherein at least a portion of the electrode mechanism is disposed within the chemical separation chamber.

In some embodiments, the chemical separation chamber contains a noble gas.

In some embodiments, a mesh is used to collect precipitated particles within the solvent receptacle.

In some embodiments a secondary chamber may be used to perform chemical cleaning of the salts.

Unless otherwise specified, the term "substantially" means within <NUM>% or <NUM>% of the value referred to or within manufacturing tolerances. Unless otherwise specified, the term "about" means within <NUM>% or <NUM>% of the value referred to or within manufacturing tolerances.

In other instances, methods, apparatuses or systems that would be known by one of ordinary skill have not been described in detail so as not to obscure claimed subject matter.

The system or systems discussed herein are not limited to any particular hardware architecture or configuration.

Claim 1:
A chemical separation mechanism comprising:
a molten salt receptacle having a molten salt mixture disposed within the molten salt receptacle, the molten salt mixture comprising one or more molten salts and one or more fission products;
a first electrode (<NUM>);
a second electrode; and
an electrode mechanism coupled with the first electrode (<NUM>) and configured to secure the first electrode (<NUM>) in the molten salt receptacle such that the first electrode (<NUM>) is disposed within the molten salt mixture and an electrochemical reaction occurs between the first electrode (<NUM>) and one or more of the fission products in the molten salt mixture causing the one or more fission products to be plated on the first electrode (<NUM>) when an electrical potential is placed between the first electrode (<NUM>) and the second electrode.