Neutronic study of nanofluids application to VVER-1000

The change in neutronic parameters of the VVER-1000 nuclear reactor core attributable to the use of nanoparticle/water (nanofluid) as coolant is presented in this paper. Optimization of type and volume fraction of nanoparticles in water that affect the safety enhancement of core primary parameters is intended in this study. Reactivity change, radial and axial local peaking factors (LPPF), and the consequence of nanoparticle deposition on fuel clad are investigated. We considered five nanoparticles which have been studied extensively for their heat transfer properties including Alumina, Aluminum, Copper oxide, Copper and Zirconia. The results of our study show that at low concentration (0.001 volume fraction) Alumina is optimum nanoparticle for normal operation. The maximum radial and axial LPPF were found to be invariant to the type of nanofluid at low volume fractions. With an increase in nanoparticle deposition thickness on fuel clad, a flux and K_eff depression occurs and Al₂O₃ has the lowest rate of drop off.