Molten-nitrate-salt technology development. Progress report

A materials research program is being conducted to further the technologies associated with utilizing molten nitrate salts in solar thermal energy systems. Activities have addressed numerous concerns, including the absence of thermophysical and thermochemical data at high temperatures, an inadequate understanding of salt chemistry and how it relates to thermal stability and corrosion, and an inadequate understanding of corrosive interactions between the salt, containment alloys, and the thermal-mechanical environment. Progress made during FY1981 and the first quarter of FY1982 is reported.