Application of high temperature infrared emission spectroscopy to molten salts

The potential of using ir emission spectroscopy for obtaining vibrational frequencies of molten NaNO(3), KNO(3), and CsNO(3) near 600 degrees C was examined. A double beam technique was used to obtain emission bands at frequencies that corresponded to the fundamental vibrations of the nitrate ion. A single beam technique was used to determine absorption coefficients near the nu(2) frequency, 828 cm(-1), of the nitrate ion. These analyses are based on derived emittance equations, which incorporate the container contribution to the total radiated energy. Emission spectra of the LiCl-KCl eutectic at 550 degrees C, and a silica-alumina glass at 600 degrees C are also presented.