Neutronic simulation of water-based nanofluids as a coolant in VVER-1000 reactor

The main goal of this study is to perform the neutronic simulation of nanofluids application to reactor core. The variation of the Bushehr VVER-1000 reactor primary neutronics parameters is investigated with using different nanofluids as coolant. In the present neutronic simulation, water-based nanofluids containing various volume fractions of Al2O3, Si, Zr, TiO2, CuO, Ti, Cu and Ag nanoparticles are investigated. Optimization of type and volume fraction of nanoparticles affects the reactor neutronic characteristics. The results achieved by using WIMS and CITATION codes, show that below 0.1 percent volume fraction of Al2O3 is the optimum nanoparticle for normal operation and Ag/water nanofluid is suggested to use as a reactor safety enhancement tool.

► We performed the neutronic analysis of nanofluids as a coolant in reactor core. ► The neutron flux was calculated by coupling WIMS and CITATION code. ► Al2O3 with volume fraction less than 0.1 percent is the optimum case. ► Ag/water nanofluid was suggested to use as a reactor safety enhancement tool.