A comparison of actinide halides for use in molten salt reactor fuels

Recent years have seen a renewed interest for molten salt reactor (MSR) technologies. It is noticeable, though, that all MSR projects feature either fluoride or chloride melts the fuel while use of heavier halides -- bromine and iodine, namely – scarcely mentioned with argument their capture cross section too high. This paper thus intends to update status bromide iodide salts as potential nuclear through more in depth comparison these respect “standard” compounds. A literature review main thermodynamic properties few sodium halides, uranium plutonium presented support existence liquid bromides iodides. The stable critical neutronic configurations then discussed showing both might constitute reasonable candidates burner cores. radiotoxicity most dangerous and/or oxidizing activation products finally analyzed are comparable analogs. salts, leads an increase gamma emission.