Russia develops critical process for molten salt reactors' operations

A Russian company under Rosatom has developed a solid-phase synthesis production process for lithium-7 fluoride, a critical material for molten salt reactors (MSRs). This marks a significant advancement for Russia, which previously lacked industrial-scale lithium-7 fluoride production. The process is environmentally friendly, minimizing lithium isotope loss and fluorine-containing waste. Rosatom plans to scale production to up to one tonne per year, supporting the development of MSRs, which use molten fluoride salts like lithium-7 fluoride as coolants operating at high temperatures without high pressure. MSRs represent a novel nuclear reactor technology that dissolves fissile and fertile fuel in molten salts, offering advantages over traditional solid-fuel reactors. Lithium-7 fluoride is essential due to its neutron transparency and purity requirements, as impurities can lead to tritium formation. MSRs can operate with various neutron spectra and fuels, with current interest focusing on thorium fuel cycles. Rosatom has completed the first design stage of an MSR, with technical designs and