Dynamic reference electrode for investigation of fluoride melts containing beryllium difluoride

Existing designs of reference electrodes for potentiometric measurements in fluoride melts do not meet basic requirements of the long exposure corrosion tests to be performed. A new diaphragm-free three-electrode meter with a nonstationary (dynamic) beryllium reference electrode for the redox potential measurements was developed. Optimum conditions of forming dynamic beryllium reference electrode were determined in the laboratory tests in isothermal cell. The device for redox potential measurement was designed and it was shown that it is highly sensitive to changes redox potential within +/- 5 mV. Reliability and efficiency of diaphragm-free device with dynamic reference electrode was confirmed in the thermal convection corrosion loop operating more than 1200 h with molten 15LiF-58NaF-27BeF(2) mixture (mol%) at a maximum temperature of about 700 degrees C. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.