What is molten salt?

Molten salt refers to any salt in liquid state. While different types of salts have different properties, most of them have a very high melting point. For example, standard table salt melts at 1,472 ° Fahrenheit (800 degrees Celcius). Before these salts melt into a liquid state, they absorbed and maintained a huge amount of thermal energy. This high melting point and the ability to maintain thermal energy make it possible to use molten salts for everything from energy production to metallurgical processes.

For many years, manufacturers and industrial companies have relied on molten salts to transform or protect different types of metals. For example, these salts play a key role in the heat treatment of steel and metal alloys. It is also used to end, annel and temperament of steel. Molten salt can also be used to increase the natural properties of metal or even to change the surface treatment. For example, this liquid salt is used to anodize aluminum or to increase the strength and corrosion of other metal alloys.

molten salt also plays an important role in modern energy production and can enable power plants to use solar energy, even if the sun does not cut. Solar devices use large mirrors or solar panels to heat a large tub or tower filled with molten salt. This mixture naturally stores thermal energy, which is pumped in a nearby steam. This generator drives an electric turbine to produce clean electricity. The natural properties of molten salt allow it to store thermal energy for many hours, which means that these plants can produce electricity around hours using this technology.

molten salts also represent a promising new method for storing energy into batteries or fuel cells. In this type of application, molten salt acts as an electrolyte. Each battery contains an internal heat source to warm the molten salt and activate the energy production capabilitiesbattery. Some scientists believe that molten salt batteries can serve as an effective energy source for hybrid or electric vehicles. This technology requires further research due to the highly corrosive nature and short life of these batteries.

Due to its ability to store thermal energy, molten salt can help reduce dependence on traditional energy sources such as fossil fuels. This can reduce air and water pollution associated with these fuel sources while helping to maintain limited world reserves. One limitation of this technology is high heat levels associated with molten salt, which require specially designed retention and cooling systems.