González Hernández, Andres I.

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Measuring the boiling curves of chloride eutectics relevant in MSR designs
(2023-04-03) González Hernández, Andres I.; Cancelos Mancini, Silvina; College of Engineering; Marin Martin , Carlos; Gutierrez, Jorge Gustavo; Department of Mechanical Engineering; Perez Muñoz, Fernando J.
IV-Generation nuclear reactors, like the Molten Salt Reactor, provide advantages such as low-pressure vessels, improved thermal efficiencies, and safety features like freeze valve safety systems and continuous fuel replacement. However, their design and behavior must be rigorously tested to ensure their safe and efficient operation over time. This work seeks to enhance the use of molten chloride-cooled reactors by measuring key parameters such as the Onset of Nucleate Boiling (ONB), Critical Heat Flux (CHF), and heat transfer coefficient of their eutectic mixtures boiling curves. The experimental approach used platinum wire as a joule heating element placed inside an isothermal pool of molten salt at subcooled conditions. From this: (i) the pool temperature, (ii) the wire resistivity, and (iii) the surface temperature of the wire was obtained. Initial measurements on the NaCl-KCl boiling curve suggest a CHF point of 4 MW/m2, four times the value of water at atmospheric pressure and saturated conditions.