Review of thermodynamic and kinetic data for the molten-tin process

This report gives a brief description of the Molten Tin Process for nuclear fuel reprocessing, and summarizes the available data on thermodynamics and kinetics that pertain to the process. The two main reactions of concern in the process are illustrated by: MO/sub 2/(s) + 2C(in Sn sol'n) ..-->.. M(in Sn sol'n) + 2CO(g), and M(in Sn sol'n) + 1/2 N/sub 2/(g) ..-->.. MN(s), where M represents U or some other element in an oxide fuel. It is especially important for the Molten Tin Process to have information on the chemical activities of metals dissolved in tin at temperatures in the vicinity of 1900/sup 0/K. Sufficient thermodynamic and kinetic information is presented in this report to show that the various steps in the Molten Tin Process are scientifically feasible, but more information will need to be experimentally determined to work out a detailed process flow sheet

Thermochemical hydrogen production studies at LLNL: a status report

Currently, studies are underway at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) on thermochemical hydrogen production based on magnetic fusion energy (MFE) and solar central receivers as heat sources. These areas of study were described earlier at the previous IEA Annex I Hydrogen Workshop (Juelich, West Germany, September 23-25, 1981), and a brief update will be given here. Some basic research has also been underway at LLNL on the electrolysis of water from fused phosphate salts, but there are no current results in that area, and the work is being terminated

Hydrogen production based on magnetic fusion

Aspects of the work that are reported are (1) a brief summary of the status of TMR blanket design studies as an energy source for thermochemical cycles, (2) a joule-boosted decomposer concept for SO/sub 3/ decomposition, and (3) some of the details of the thermodynamics of boiling of the H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ azeotrope and the enthalpy of the resulting vapor as a function of temperature

Estimation of the thermophysical and mechanical properties and the equation of state of Li/sub 2/O. Revision 1

In this study we develop correlation methods based on Knoop microhardness and melting points for estimating tensile strength, Young's modulus, and Poisson's ratio for Li/sub 2/O as a function of grain size, porosity, and temperature. We develop generalized expressions for extrapolating the existing data on thermal conductivity and thermal expansivity. These derived thermophysical data are combined to predict thermal stress factors for Li/sub 2/O. Based on the available vapor pressure data on Li/sub 2/O and empirical correlations for the liquid and vapor equation of state of Li/sub 2/O, we also make estimates of the critical properties of Li/sub 2/O and obtain a critical temperature of approximately 6800 +- 800/sup 0/K

Materials considerations for the coupling of thermochemical hydrogen cycles to tandem mirror reactors

Candidate materials are discussed and initial choices made for the critical elements in a liquid Li-Na Cauldron Tandem Mirror blanket and the General Atomic Sulfur-Iodine Cycle for thermochemical hydrogen production. V and Ti alloys provide low neutron activation, good radiation damage resistance, and good chemical compatibility for the Cauldron design. Aluminide coated In-800H and siliconized SiC are materials choices for heat exchanger components in the thermochemical cycle interface

Conceptual design study FY 1981: synfuels from fusion - using the tandem mirror reactor and a thermochemical cycle to produce hydrogen

This report represents the second year's effort of a scoping and conceptual design study being conducted for the express purpose of evaluating the engineering potential of producing hydrogen by thermochemical cycles using a tandem mirror fusion driver. The hydrogen thus produced may then be used as a feedstock to produce fuels such as methane, methanol, or gasoline. The main objective of this second year's study has been to obtain some approximate cost figures for hydrogen production through a conceptual design study

Thermochemical hydrogen production based on magnetic fusion

Conceptual design studies have been carried out on an integrated fusion/chemical plant system using a Tandem Mirror Reactor fusion energy source to drive the General Atomic Sulfur-Iodine Water-Splitting Cycle and produce hydrogen as a future feedstock for synthetic fuels. Blanket design studies for the Tandem Mirror Reactor show that several design alternatives are available for providing heat at sufficiently high temperatures to drive the General Atomic Cycle. The concept of a Joule-boosted decomposer is introduced in one of the systems investigated to provide heat electrically for the highest temperature step in the cycle (the SO/sub 3/ decomposition step), and thus lower blanket design requirements and costs. Flowsheeting and conceptual process designs have been developed for a complete fusion-driven hydrogen plant, and the information has been used to develop a plot plan for the plant and to estimate hydrogen production costs. Both public and private utility financing approaches have been used to obtain hydrogen production costs of $12-14/GJ based on July 1980 dollars