Preparation and characterization of water-based nanofluids for nuclear applications

W. C. Williams, E. Forrest, L. W. Hu, J. Buongiorno

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

As part of an effort to evaluate water-based nanofluids for nuclear applications, preparation and characterization has been performed for nanofluids being considered for MIT's nanofluid heat transfer experiments. Three methods of generating these nanofluids are available: creating them from chemical precipitation, purchasing the nanoparticles in powder form and mixing them with the base fluid, and direct purchase of prepared nanofluids. Characterization of nanofluids includes colloidal stability, size distribution, concentration, and elemental composition. Quality control of the nanofluids to be used for heat transfer testing is crucial; an exact knowledge of the fluid constituents is essential to uncovering mechanisms responsible for heat transport enhancement. Testing indicates that nanofluids created by mixing a liquid with nanoparticles in powder form are often not stable, although some degree of stabilization is obtainable with pH control and/or surfactant addition. Some commercially available prepared nanofluids have been found to contain unacceptable levels of impurities and/or include a different weight percent of nanoparticles compared to vendor specifications. Tools utilized to characterize and qualify nanofluids for this study include neutron activation analysis (NAA), inductively-coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Preparation procedures and characterization results for selected nanofluids will be discussed in detail.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 2006 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants, ICAPP'06
Pages1566-1572
Number of pages7
StatePublished - 2006
Externally publishedYes
EventAmerican Nuclear Society Embedded Topical Meeting - 2006 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants, ICAPP'06 - Reno, NV, United States
Duration: Jun 4 2006Jun 8 2006

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 2006 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants, ICAPP'06
Volume2006

Conference

ConferenceAmerican Nuclear Society Embedded Topical Meeting - 2006 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants, ICAPP'06
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityReno, NV
Period06/4/0606/8/06

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