Platinum Oxidation in Molten Salt Reactor

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the oxidation of platinum in a molten salt reactor environment, specifically using a pure platinum crucible to heat Calcium Chloride salts at 850°C. Induction heating is employed, raising concerns about the potential formation of platinum chlorides, particularly PtCl2, due to reactions with chlorine gas. The participant has ruled out significant degradation from induced currents and is now seeking analytical methods to estimate the quantity of PtCl2 produced and its solubility in molten CaCl2, referencing the "Molten Salt Handbook" for further insights.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of induction heating principles
  • Knowledge of platinum chemistry and its chlorides
  • Familiarity with molten salt reactor technology
  • Experience with analytical methods for solubility estimation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research solubility data for Platinum Chloride in molten Calcium Chloride
  • Explore analytical techniques for quantifying PtCl2 formation
  • Investigate the effects of galvanic cells on platinum recovery
  • Study the thermal stability of platinum chlorides at varying temperatures
USEFUL FOR

Chemical engineers, materials scientists, and researchers involved in molten salt reactor design and operation, particularly those focused on platinum chemistry and impurity management.

Andronicus1717
Messages
32
Reaction score
1
In an argon atmosphere, there is a pure platinum crucible that is used to heat Calcium Chloride salts to 850 deg C. After it is heated, pure chlorine gas is bubbled through the molten salt to remove CaO impurities. The heating method is by induction heating.

My questions/concerns: Since we are using induction heating, is there a risk that the induced current will oxidize the platinum and result in producing platinum chlorides.

Also, is there an analytical method to estimate how much platinum chloride will be produced through natural reactions (no induced currents)?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Update

I've pretty much ruled out any degradation due to the induction currents. If there is a galvanic reaction with the platinum it would be to my benefit since platinum is very high on the cathode side of the galvanic series.

My main concern now is the formation of PtCl2 on the surface of the platinum. It has a melting point of ~581 deg C so my guess is it will dissolve in the molten CaCl2 resulting in Platinum impurities in the final salt. PtCl4 is not an issue since it will degrade at the temperatures in the crucible during flow.

Do you think it would be worth it to create a galvanic cell to try and depose any dissolved platinum back on the crucible?

In any case I'm stuck trying to quantitatively estimate the amount of PtCl2 formed which will determine how far I have to take this. Any thoughts?
 
Last edited:
According to the "Molten Salt Handbook", Platinum chloride decomposes at temperatures lower than the melting point of Calcium Chloride, however there could still be platinum chloride dissolved in solution. Does anyone know where I can find the solubility of Platinum Chloride in molten Calcium Chloride to give me a worst case?
 

Similar threads

Question about Molten Salt Fast Reactors
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Transatomic - Molten Salt Reactor (from Question about LFTR?)
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
How Can Plasma Be Created and Ignited in Toroidal Fusion Reactors?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Textbooks on Condensed Matter Physics
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
19K