Neutronic study for the dual use of nanofluid as a primary coolant and neutron absorber in VVER-1000 nuclear power reactor

The use of nanofluid as a primary coolant and reactivity controller in VVER-1000 reactor to enhance the heat transfer is the goal of this study. In this study, we have studied using nanofluid in the reactor for two cases: first, only using nanofluid as primary coolant, second, using nanofluid as a primary coolant and reactivity controller. The simulation has been done in case of normal operation of the reactor with several concentration for the different types of nanofluid. Their effect on the neutronic field has been investigated to obtain the optimum type of nanofluid from the neutronics point of view. It can be concluded that among the four types of nanofluids Al₂CO₃, CuO, Cu and Ag₂O for the first case Ag₂O is the optimum type, however, Cu is the optimum type for the second case where the boron is absent. (paper)