last modified 23/02/2006

Coursecode: wb4416
Coursename: Nuclear Engineering

ECTS creditpoints: 3

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Marine Technology

Lecturer(s): Verkooijen, prof.dr.ir. A.H.M.

Tel.: 015-27 86687

Catalog data:
nuclear, power, energy, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, nuclear safety, heat transfer, neutrons

Course year: MSc 1st year
Semester: 2A
Hours p/w: 4
Other hours:
Assessment: written
Assessm.period(s): 2A, 2B
(see academic calendar)

Prerequisites: -

Follow up: -

Detailed description of topics:

·        Introduction to nuclear power.

·        Introduction nuclear physics, reactor kinetics and reactor control.

·        Description of the various reactor types and future trends.

·        Reactor safety and safety analysis. Reactor cooling during normal operation and accidents.

·        Reactor materials.

·        Three Miles Island and Chernobyl accidents

·        Economics of nuclear power.

Course material:
R.A. Knief, Nuclear Engineering

References from literature:
Same, ISBN 1-56032-089-3

Remarks (specific information about assesment, entry requirements, etc.):

Goals:
The student must be able to:

  1. describe the history of the development of nuclear science and engineering

  2. make an elementary calculation of the marginal and total costs of nuclear electricity

  3. describe the basic properties of radioactive isotopes and radioactive decay and to make calculations

  4. describe the basics of neutron physics and of reactor kinetics

  5. describe the physical processes that allow control of a nuclear reactor and to  calculate the reactivity of reactors and the different feedback mechanisms

  6. describe the different systems that are necessary to safely convert thermal energy from nuclear reactions into electricity and to calculate the system for energy removal for normal and accident situations

  7. describe the various reactor types now operational

  8. describe and quantify factors that influence the spent fuel produced

  9. explain the improvements that future designs must bring

  10. list factors for reactor safety and quantify the most important ones for a simple safety analysis

  11. list materials used in nuclear reactors and the specific requirements they must meet

  12. describe the accidents at Three Miles Island and Chernobyl

Computer use: Pc Simulator of a PWR will be supplied to students. Load change and loss of coolant accident will be analyzed on a system level.

Laboratory project(s):

Design content:

Percentage of design: 0%