Utilization of Molten Inorganic Salts as Coolants in Nuclear Energetics – The Salt of the Earth and Light of the World

Abstract

Recently, a rapid growth of interest in the high-temperature coolants (700?1000 °C) based on the molten fluorides has been observed. The interest is a consequence of new applications of high-temperature heat and the development of more efficient nuclear reactors. Recent advances in the high-temperature helium or nitrogen turbines make it possible to convert high-temperature heat to electricity on industrial scale. Likewise, there is a growing interest in using the nuclear high-temperature heat in the production of hydrogen and shale oil. Several applications of molten salts in nuclear reactors of various types are currently investigated. The use of new molten salt coolants and the related reactor concepts are described.