Molten chloride salts have been proposed to be used as the primary coolant in molten salt reactors, and as the heat transfer fluid in concentrated solar power plants in next generation energy system design. The corrosive properties of molten chloride salts make it challenging to find appropriate structural materials for plant/system realization. In this work, two corrosion mitigation strategies are investigated to determine the relative corrosion performance of high temperature alloys in molten chloride salt mixtures: (1) chemical purification of salt mixture using a Mg sacrificial anode and (2) developing a protective oxide layer on the surface of high temperature alloys after pre-oxidation. These corrosion inhibitors are studied in combination with each other to determine the relative corrosion performance of three high temperature alloys: Incoloy 800H (chromia former), Haynes 214 (alumina former), and Noram SX (silica former). The unprotected and pre-oxidized alloys were exposed to molten chloride salt (62.5 wt % KCl + 37.5 wt % MgCl2·6H2O) with and without 1.7 wt % Mg as a corrosion inhibitor for 100 h at 700 °C under inert Ar atmosphere. SEM-EDS characterization was used to compare cross-sections and surfaces of each alloy exposed to molten salt with and without Mg additions. SEM-EDS cross-sectional characterization revealed significant Cr depletion in each
unprotected alloy, and reduced Cr depletion in alloys immersed in molten chloride salt mixtures with chemical purification included. The addition of Mg metal to the salt mixture resulted in the precipitation of MgO on the alloy surfaces. The oxide deposition of MgO on components may impact the thermal and mechanical performance of the system. Therefore, the addition of Mg should be optimized for use in an operational system. Cross-sectional analysis identified the dissolution of Cr2O3 and SiO2 oxide scales and a stable Al2O3 oxide scale post-exposure. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/27333 |
| Date | January 2021 |
| Creators | McDonald, Isabella |
| Contributors | Kish, Joseph, Materials Science and Engineering |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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