Corrosion testing, materials testing and component validation in flowing molten salt up to 600 °C
Copenhagen Atomics runs professional molten salt test services for nuclear companies, national labs and universities worldwide, specialising in corrosion testing, materials compatibility testing and component validation in pumped fluoride and chloride salt loops. Until now we have mainly tested using fluoride, chloride and nitrate salts, but next year we will also start testing with uranium and thorium bearing salts. This is a new chapter in our journey to help bring molten salt reactor technology forward towards commercial reactor deployment.
Why work with us?
Because we collaborate with a number of universities and national laboratories around the world that use our equipment and share the collected data with us for better results
Opening up for more
Copenhagen Atomics now offers testing with both static salts and pumped molten salt loops at our test facility in Copenhagen. We’re also the only commercial testing provider preparing to run tests with natural uranium and thorium-bearing salts, extending beyond standard fluoride and chloride work that very few facilities worldwide can offer.
This makes it possible for companies and researchers without their own workshop, or those unable to accommodate a test loop or work with radioactive materials, to carry out their testing in Copenhagen using our facilities and benefiting from the expertise of our experienced loop operators.
The system builds on Raspberry Pi computers, Linux, .NET. It uses cabled ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth and USB.
It can interface with RS232, RS485, 4-20mA, 0-5V, 0-10V and has excellent support for redundancy of sensors.
Interested in our testing services? Contact our team to discuss your testing requirements.
Get in touch
You will receive a confirmation email right away, followed by regular updates.
Molten Salt Testing Services FAQ
Is it possible to run tests with radioactive materials?
It will soon be possible to run tests with natural uranium and natural thorium bearing salts in test tubes (static tests) or test loops (high flow rate tests).
Is it possible to run tests in a private room?
At an additional cost it is possible for CA to install your equipment inside a private room. However a short list of named CA personnel must have access to the room as well as firefighters in case of fire. We can set up access logs and remote accessible video surveillance in the room if you want.
Can we visit the CA site every time the loop is stopped and changed?
Yes we can agree on procedures where the customer (you) are invited to participate every time the test loop (or test tube) is opened and inspected or changed. This will give you a lot of knowledge about how to operate molten salt loops and how to avoid corrosion, pump failure, etc. This is very valuable knowledge before you start to build your own loop or reactor.
Can we get samples out of the loop while it is running?
Yes we can make an addon where we can take salt samples out of the loop monthly and analyze them in CA globe boxes for corrosion or other measurements. We can also prepare these samples and send them to your lab or a 3rd party lab for measurements.
What is the difference between running the test in our lab or the CA lab?
Some companies and universities do not have the space, infrastructure or regulatory approval to operate loops with radioactive salts or even conventional FLiNaK or FLiBe salts. Copenhagen Atomics’ testing services were developed to give these organizations access to state-of-the-art molten salt testing, including both pumped and static salt systems. Our highly skilled engineers and operators run these loops every day. In many cases, it is more cost-effective to have Copenhagen Atomics perform complex testing at our facility than to build your own laboratory, train personnel and bring service technicians to a remote site. For teams needing molten salt corrosion testing or materials testing without months of lab setup, running the test campaign at our facility is often the faster and lower-cost option, especially for first-time molten salt projects. Many tasks, such as changing a pump or a filter, can be completed up to ten times faster at the Copenhagen Atomics test facility than at other sites. We are happy to provide quotations for either a custom test loop delivered to your facility or a complete test campaign carried out at Copenhagen Atomics.