Study on Chemical Reactivity Control of Sodium by Suspended Nanoparticles II

• Published in: Journal of nuclear science and technology Vol. 47; no. 12; pp. 1171 - 1181
• Main Authors: ARA, Kuniaki, SUGIYAMA, Ken-ichiro, KITAWAGA, Hiroshi, NAGAI, Masahiko, YOSHIOKA, Naoki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Taylor & Francis Group 01-12-2010; Atomic Energy Society of Japan
• Subjects: Applied sciences; atomic interaction; chemical reactivity; coolant; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; fast breeder reactor; Fission nuclear power plants; Fuels; fundamental physical property; Heat transfer; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; liquid sodium; nanoparticle; Nuclear fuels; reactivity control; Theoretical studies. Data and constants. Metering; liquid sodium; Coolant; Nanoparticle; chemical reactivity; Combustion; Evaporation; Experimental study; Reaction rate; Physical properties; fundamental physical property; Nuclear reactor; Case study; atomic interaction; Reactivity; Sodium; Fast breeder; Fast reactor; Surface tension; fast breeder reactor; Chemical properties; reactivity control; Heat transfer
• ISSN: 0022-3131; 1881-1248
• DOI: 10.1080/18811248.2010.9720984

A study was conducted on the control of the chemical reactivity of sodium utilizing the atomic interaction between sodium and nanoparticles. The authors reported in a previous paper that the atomic interaction between sodium and nanoparticles increases and has the potential to suppress chemical reactivity. In this paper, the authors examined the released reaction heat and reaction behavior. As a result, it was confirmed that the released reaction heat and reaction rate decreased. From the results of experimental studies, it is clear that the suppression of chemical reactivity is caused by changes in sodium evaporation rate and fundamental physical properties such as surface tension, which originate from the change in the atomic interaction between sodium and nanoparticle atoms. The suppression of chemical reactivity applied to an FBR coolant was estimated for the cases of sodium combustion and sodium-water reaction. It was confirmed that the concept of suspending nanoparticles into sodium has a high potential for the suppression of chemical reactivity. The applicability as coolant to the FBR was investigated, including not only the chemical reaction properties but also the aspects of heat transfer and operation.