Nuclear Engineering
Course Description
General Competencies
Understanding of basic nuclear and thermal characteristics of nuclear reactor. Knowledge of main systems and operational characteristics of nuclear power plants. Ability to perform analytical and numerical calculations of the reactor. Analysis of the specific requirements for the application of electric equipment in nuclear power plants.
Learning Outcomes
- describe main nuclear reactions with neutrons
- apply mass defect principle in calculation of nuclear reaction energy gain
- explain conditions needed to have critical reactor
- identify causes and consequences of reactivity changes during reactor operation
- explain role of main components in light water reactors
- analyze behavior of nuclear reactor during normal operation
- calculate power and temperature distributions in reactor core
- analyze environmental conditions for operation of electrical equipment in nuclear power plants
Forms of Teaching
Teaching the course is organized in two teaching cycles. The first cycle contains seven weeks, mid-term exam, and the second cycle contains six weeks of classes and a final exam. Classes are conducted through a total of 15 weeks with weekly load of 2 hours. Each lecture includes wrriten material and slides.
ExercisesSolved examples to support lectures and prepare students for exams. 1 hour per week. Solved examples on slides and discussion of possible variations in problem statement with examples on bord.
SeminarsApplication of computer code for calculation of neutron cross section,s criticality, decay heat, steady state temperature distributions in reactor core.
Grading Method
Continuous Assessment | Exam | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type | Threshold | Percent of Grade | Threshold | Percent of Grade | ||
Homeworks | 0 % | 15 % | 50 % | 15 % | ||
Mid Term Exam: Written | 0 % | 30 % | 0 % | |||
Final Exam: Written | 0 % | 45 % | ||||
Final Exam: Oral | 10 % | |||||
Exam: Written | 0 % | 75 % | ||||
Exam: Oral | 10 % |
Week by Week Schedule
- Development and use of nuclear energy for electricity production
- Nuclear reactions with neutrons, fission, decay heat
- Neutron slowdown and diffusion
- Four-factors formul, homogenous and heterogenous reactor cell
- Critical dimensions, power distribution in reactor core, role of reflector
- Point kinetics equations, reactivity
- Reactivity coefficients and changes in reactivity during operation (reactor poissoning)
- Exams
- Exams
- Exams
- Thermal calculation of reactor and operational characteristics
- Main reactor types
- Main components in light water reactor types (PWR, BWR)
- Process and auxiliary systems in nuclear power plants
- Principles of nuclear power plant design and safety related electrical equipment