Simulation of oxygen transfer in liquid lead under influence of nanoparticles by using lattice Boltzmann method

- Lattice Boltzmann method presented as compatible numerical tools to simulate oxygen transfer in low Pr number fluid.
- Identified most efficient boundary condition for oxygen transfer.
- Enhance oxygen transfer rate due to existence of nanoparticels.
- Copper particles is the most efficient nanoparticle for oxygen transfer in liquid lead.

Oxygen transfer presents a serious challenge in the application of liquid lead as a nuclear coolant in advanced reactors. To mitigate corrosion by liquid lead in contact with steel, carefully controlling the oxygen concentration has been used as an effective way. Oxygen needs to mix in liquid lead uniformly and quickly. To enhance oxygen transport in liquid lead, nanoparticles are added to the liquid metal. In the current study, a lattice Boltzmann method is applied to investigate natural convection of copper/lead and aluminum oxide/lead in two-dimensional simplified container. Two thermal boundary cases are evaluated in order to check the effect of different natural convection flow patterns on oxygen transport. Some useful information are obtained such as improvement in natural convection and reduction in oxygen equilibrium time.