Study on chemical reactivity control of sodium by suspended nanoparticles, 2

Ara, Kuniaki ; Sugiyama, Kenichiro*; Kitagawa, Hiroshi*; Nagai, Masahiko*; Yoshioka, Naoki*

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 the reaction behavior. As a result, it was confirmed that the released reaction heat and the reaction rate decreased. From the results of experimental studies, it is clear that the suppressions of chemical reactivity are caused by a change in the sodium evaporation rate and fundamental physical properties such as surface tension which originate in the change in the atomic interaction between sodium and nanoparticle atoms. The suppression of chemical reactivity applying to FBR coolant was estimated for the case of sodium combustion and sodium-water reaction. It was confirmed that the concept of suspending nanoparticles into sodium has high potential for the suppression of chemical reactivity. Applicability as coolant to the FBR was investigated, including not only the chemical reaction properties but also the aspects of heat transfer and operation.