Dissolution Behavior of Cerium in NaCl-KCl and NaCl-KCl-CeCl₃ Molten Salt System

The dissolution behavior of cerium in NaCl-KCl and NaCl-KCl-CeCl₃ molten salt systems was evaluated by ion concentration determination, gas generation method, determination of acid consumption of molten salt, X-ray diffraction and differential gravimetry analysis method. The results show that the loss of cerium in molten salt involves physical dissolution and chemical reactions, which can produce oxides, nitrogen oxides, chlorine oxides and other forms. The cerium can also react with the composition of crucible. Cerium and its compounds have a low solubility in molten salts, but new phases are formed, which contain large amounts of cerium. The dissolution loss of cerium can be effectively reduced by using nested crucible and increasing the height of small crucible.