FLiBe

FLiBe is a type of molten salt made from a mixture of lithium fluoride (LiF) and beryllium fluoride (BeF2). It is both a solvent and a coolant in certain types of nuclear reactors, particularly molten salt reactors (MSRs).

History

FLiBe was first proposed for use in the Aircraft Reactor Experiment in the 1950s. The experiment was part of the U.S. Air Force's program to develop a nuclear-powered aircraft. The idea was later adopted by the Molten-Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE), which ran from 1965 to 1969 at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.

Properties

FLiBe has several properties that make it suitable for use in nuclear reactors. It has a high melting point and a low vapor pressure, which means it can operate at high temperatures without boiling. It also has a high heat capacity, allowing it to absorb a large amount of heat. Furthermore, FLiBe is transparent to neutrons, which makes it an excellent coolant for nuclear reactors.

Applications

The primary application of FLiBe is in molten salt reactors, where it acts as both a coolant and a solvent for uranium or thorium fuel. The use of FLiBe allows these reactors to operate at high temperatures, which increases their thermal efficiency.

FLiBe is also being considered for use in fusion reactors, specifically in the blanket that surrounds the fusion core. The blanket absorbs the high-energy neutrons produced by the fusion reaction and uses them to generate heat, which can then be converted into electricity.

Safety and Handling

FLiBe is highly corrosive and requires special handling procedures. It can also produce tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, when exposed to neutrons. This requires additional safety measures to prevent the release of tritium into the environment.

See Also

• Molten salt reactor
• Nuclear reactor coolant
• Fusion power