Page 16 - Demo

Hastelloy N alloy and other nickel-based superalloys [30] and [64] have shown an excellent resistance to corrosion [65] and compatibility with fluoride salts [66]. Hastelloy-N was deteriorating in its properties due to the intragranular attack by tellurium [67] and [68]. Since the molten salt has a high melting temperature, and if any leakage occurs, molten salt freezes without releasing radioactive material [69] and [70].
The other materials we examine for the transmutator wall include a diamond. Diamond possesses a set of properties that could withstand extreme environments, for instance: very high thermal conductivity, radiation hardness, wide bandgap and therefore an electrical insulator, high electric breakdown field, chemical inertness and resistance, transparency to the electromagnetic radiation from IR to UV [71]. Diamond also has low neutron damage or DPA (displacement per atom) [72] and [73]. Diamond has been developed as a highly efficient and robust neutron detector at the JET tokamak [74], [75].
We propose for the transmutator’s liquid medium a FLiBe molten salt where the TRUs are dissolved. FLiBe is a liquid and is a molten chemical compound of acid and alkali at high temperatures [76]. We consider this as our candidate liquid solvent, medium for a thermal transfer and a fuel processing medium.
Advantages of FLiBe molten salt and MSR based transmutator:
 Transparent liquid
 Real-time monitoring with laser and gamma
 Green’s function impulse response sensors
 Large fission cross section for fusion or fast neutrons shown in Fig. 6.
 Does not react with water or air
 Remains liquid up to 1400 C giving safety margins