Introduction to nuclear engineering
Summary
This course is intended to understand the engineering design of nuclear power plants using the basic principles of reactor physics, fluid flow and heat transfer. This course includes the following: Reactor designs, Thermal analysis of nuclear fuel, Nuclear safety and Reactor dynamics
Content
Brief review of nuclear physics
- Nuclear reactions and radioactivity - Nuclear reactions - Cross sections - Fission reaction main characteristics - Chain reaction
Reactor physics
- Neutron balance equation - Reactor dynamics: prompt and delayed transients - Reactivity variations and control - Basic reactor thermo-dynamics and design
Nuclear safety principles
- Defense in Depth - Radiation protection - Design Basis Accidents - Beyond Design Basis Accidents phenomenology - Fukushima Accident
Nuclear Reactor Technology
- LWR reactors Gen-II/III - Active & passive safety systems - Gen-IV reactor concepts: SFR, LFR, HTR, MSR
Waste Management
- transport, intermediate storage - waste conditioning - geological disposal and siting - reprocessing - Partitioning & Transmutation
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Elaborate on basics of nuclear physics, radioactivity, nuclear reactions, cross-sections
- Formulate radioactive decay, reaction rates, basics of nuclear reactor neutronics and thermal behavior
- Explain nuclear safety principles
- Elaborate on neutron life cycle in a reactor, reactor kinetics, reactor thermal-hydraulics, physics of fission reaction
- Describe various nuclear reactors concepts
- Explain design basis accidents, severe accidents, safety systems, radiation protection
Assessment methods
Written exam during exam session (100%)
Resources
Bibliography
Elements of Nuclear Engineering, J. Ligou, Chs. 1, 3, (4), 5, (6) – English translation of “Introduction au génie nucléaire” (PPUR, 1997)
Ressources en bibliothèque
Moodle Link
Dans les plans d'études
- Semestre: Printemps
- Forme de l'examen: Ecrit (session d'été)
- Matière examinée: Introduction to nuclear engineering
- Cours: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Type: optionnel
- Semestre: Printemps
- Forme de l'examen: Ecrit (session d'été)
- Matière examinée: Introduction to nuclear engineering
- Cours: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Type: optionnel
- Semestre: Printemps
- Forme de l'examen: Ecrit (session d'été)
- Matière examinée: Introduction to nuclear engineering
- Cours: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Type: optionnel
- Semestre: Printemps
- Forme de l'examen: Ecrit (session d'été)
- Matière examinée: Introduction to nuclear engineering
- Cours: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Type: optionnel