Water Solubility in Molten Alkali Nitrates

Abstract

The solubility of water vapor in pure lithium nitrate and in lithium-sodium and lithium-potassium nitrate mixtures, at water vapor pressures up to 30 torr and temperatures 230—280°C is reported. The dissolution process is reversible, i. a. no hydrolysis reactions occur. The ion-dipole interaction energy is taken into account, and it is shown to be the most relevant parameter in determining the dissolution process. Thermodynamic quantities for the solution equilibrium are given.