Nanofluids and nuclear power
Some members of the Nanofluids Research Group: (l-r) Bao Truong, Graig Gerardi, Andrew Lerch, Ulzie Rea, Prof. Jacopo Buongiorno and Dr. Tom McKrell.
Further reading:
One of the highlights of NSE research over the past year has involved the use of nanofluids to increase the power output and safety of nuclear reactors. Experiments led by NSE Assistant Professor Jacopo Buongiorno and Principal Scientist Lin-wen Hu of the Nuclear Reactor Laboratory, indicate that a small amount of nanoparticles added to water can significantly enhance the critical heat flux (CHF). Given that all water-cooled nuclear systems are CHF-limited, the use of nanofluids could afford considerable economic and safety gains.
A second but especially interesting aspect of the research concerns the mechanism by which the enhancement is achieved. Briefly, as the nanofluids boil, a porous layer of nanoparticles forms on the container’s surface. This material is currently being investigated for potential manufacturing applications.
Professor Buongiorno, a native of Milan, joined the NSE faculty in 2004, after receiving his doctorate from the department in 2000. A gifted teacher, he has received several teaching awards, including the School of Engineering’s Graduate Teaching Award in 2005 and the Spira Award for Distinguished Teaching in 2006. In June he was appointed as the Carl R. Soderberg Professor of Power Engineering.
What are Nanofluids?
(Left) Wire after boiling of distilled water; (Right) Wire after boiling of nanofluid. Upon boiling, nanoparticles deposit on surface, creating a porous layer. This material is currently being investigated for potential manufacturing applications.
Nanofluids are “colloidal suspensions of nanoparticles (1-100 nm) in a base fluid, usually water. The size of the particles imparts unique characteristics to the fluids, including enhanced energy, momentum and mass transfer, as well as reduced tendency for sedimentation and erosion of the containing surfaces. Nanofluids are being investigated for many applications, including cooling, manufacturing, chemical and pharmaceutical processes, and medical treatments.
In 2004, Professor Buongiorno and Dr. Hu formed the Center for Nanofluids Technologies at MIT, in collaboration with colleagues from the departments of Aero-Astro Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering & Mechanical Engineering.