IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,506,855
Granted Patent B2
US 8,506,855 · App. 12/888,704 · Granted Aug 13, 2013

Molten salt fuels with high plutonium solubility

Inventors: Ralph W. Moir (Livermore, CA); Patrice E. A. Turchi (Menlo Park, CA); Henry F. Shaw (San Ramon, CA); Larry Kaufman (Brookline, MA)
Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,506,855
App. No.
12/888,704
Granted
Aug 13, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention includes a composition of LiF—ThF 4 —UF 4 —PuF 3 for use as a fuel in a nuclear engine.

Claims (21)

1. A composition comprising LiF, UF 4 , ThF 4 , and PuF 3 , wherein the UF 4 and ThF 4 are together present in a mole fraction of from about 20 to about 30% of the composition, and wherein the composition is molten at a temperature of between about 475° C. and about 575° C.

2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the LiF is present in a mole fraction of from about 70 to about 80% of the composition.

3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the LiF is present in a mole fraction of from about 72 to about 77% of the composition.

4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the LiF is present in a mole fraction of about 74.5% of the composition.

5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the UF 4 is present in a mole fraction of from about 0.1 to about 24% of the composition.

6. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the UF 4 is present in a mole fraction of from about 6 to about 12% of the composition.

7. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the UF 4 is present in a mole fraction of about 9% of the composition.

8. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the ThF 4 is present in a mole fraction of from about 0.1 to about 24% of the composition.

9. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the ThF 4 is present in a mole fraction of from about 12 to about 18% of the composition.

10. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the ThF 4 is present in a mole fraction of about 15% of the composition.

11. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the UF 4 and ThF 4 are together present in a mole fraction of from about 22 to about 26% of the composition.

12. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the UF 4 and ThF 4 are together present in a mole fraction of about 24% of the composition.

13. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the PuF 3 is present in a mole fraction of from about 0.1 to about 5% of the composition.

14. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the PuF 3 is present in a mole fraction of from about 1 to about 2% of the composition.

15. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is molten at a temperature of between about 500° C. and about 550° C.

16. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is molten at a temperature of about 520° C.

17. The composition of claim 1 , wherein

the LiF is present in a mole fraction of about 74.5% of the composition;

the UF 4 is present in a mole fraction of about 9% of the composition;

the ThF 4 is present in a mole fraction of about 15% of the composition; and

the PuF 3 is present in a mole fraction of about 1.5% of the composition, wherein the composition is molten at a temperature of about 520° C.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 31, 2011
From: MOIR, RALPH W.; TURCHI, PATRICE E. A.; SHAW, HENRY F.; KAUFMAN, LARRY
To: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
Reel/Frame 025720/0959 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Dec 9, 2010
From: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
To: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 025453/0529 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61245578 · Sep 24, 2009
Related Publication 20110108783A1 · May 12, 2011