Engineering Papers⌕ Search
Home/Archive/DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI · 3008132

Measurement of partial vapor pressures of salt mixtures via combined horizontal transpiration and thermogravimetric analysis

Yankey, Jacob [Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (United States)] (ORCID:0000000239568459)·Cernyar, Mary [Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (United States)]·Leavitt, Cameron [Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (United States)]·Monreal, Marisa [Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)]·Jackson, Matt [Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)]·Holland, Justin [Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:000900075712007X)·Fitzhugh, Richard [Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, TN (United States)]·Simpson, Michael [Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (United States)]
View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

A method combining thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and horizontal transpiration with elemental analysis via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry or ion chromatography enabled calculation of partial pressures of individual salts in molten mixtures. TGA quantified total mass loss, while transpiration identified vapor-phase composition. Furthermore, two chloride (NaCl-MgCl 2 , NaCl-MgCl 2 + UCl 3 ) salts and one mixed halide (LiCl-LiF + Li 2 O) salt were analyzed at 750 °C and 550 °C, respectively. NaCl and MgCl 2 vapor pressures were 2.19–2.61 × 10 -4 atm and 2.47–2.48 × 10 -5 atm (dependent upon the identity of the invesitgated mixture); UCl 3 was 1.42 × 10 -7 atm. LiCl and LiF vapor pressures at 550 °C were 1.53 × 10 -6 and 6.32 × 10 -6 atm, respectively. Additionally, the TGA method was validated against values from the literature for unary LiCl and LiF.

Explore related subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCEBasic Plasma Phenomena and Gas DischargesChloride ChannelsChloride SaltFluidsMSRMolten Salt SystemSaltThermal Process EngineeringTransient Receptor Potential ChannelsTranspirationVapor Pressure

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Yankey, Jacob [Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (United States)] (ORCID:0000000239568459), Cernyar, Mary [Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (United States)], Leavitt, Cameron [Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (United States)], Monreal, Marisa [Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)], Jackson, Matt [Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)], Holland, Justin [Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:000900075712007X), Fitzhugh, Richard [Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, TN (United States)], Simpson, Michael [Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (United States)]. 2025-10-17. Measurement of partial vapor pressures of salt mixtures via combined horizontal transpiration and thermogravimetric analysis. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-025-10456-w

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related reports

DOE OSTI2026

Cyclic moisture reactivation of calcium sorbents for long duration thermochemical energy storage

The transition to a flexible and reliable energy infrastructure, using electro-thermal energy generation technologies such as geothermal, concentrated solar power, and nuclear, usually demands simultaneous advancement of thermal energy storage (TES) to support on-demand electricity generation and industrial applications while mitigating the inherent intermittency of renewable energy sources and power outages from direct energy generation. Among TES technologies, thermochemical energy storage (TCES) based on calcium looping emerges as a compelling high-power energy storage candidate due to its high reaction enthalpy, compatibility with elevated operating temperatures, and abundance of low-cost materials. However, the long-term durability of calcium-based sorbents for TCES is hindered by surface sintering and particle aggregation, leading to performance degradation over repeated thermal cycles. This study explores a moisture hydration-based strategy to regenerate a degraded calcium sorbent and mitigate performance degradation for long duration TCES. The addition of moisture transforms calcium oxide into calcium hydroxide and produces intercalation water layers, associated with a regenerated surface area and reduced calcium oxide crystallite size. Both these effects are beneficial in restoring the sorbents' reactivity for carbonization. Additionally, an optimized hydration-assisted reactivation protocol balances the recovered energy storage capacity with heating penalty required for moisture removal from hydrated samples, resulting in an enhanced energy storage capacity up to 176% compared to benchmark sorbents that undergo cycling without reactivation after 60 cycles. In conclusion, these results highlight the potential of hydration-assisted reactivation to enhance the long-term performance of TCES, providing an effective pathway to advancing electro-thermal storage technologies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗