GENU2000-1 : Nuclear energy : introduction

Study Programmes 2015-2016

GENU2000-1

Nuclear energy : introduction

Duration :

20h Th, 8h Pr, 10h Vis.

Number of credits :

Specialised master in nuclear engineering		3

Lecturer :

N...

Language(s) of instruction :

English language

Organisation and examination :

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Course contents :

Global energy issue: world energy needs (developing world), greenhouse effect,
liberalisation of the energy markets, strategic independence of the EU.
Environmental issues
Birds-eye view of nuclear power generation: principle of generating electricity by nuclear means (fission; chain reaction; heat transfer to coolant; turbine; alternator);
fissile & fertile materials; burn up; production of fission products; breeding; current types of power plants (PWR, BWR,...); future types of power plants (LWR-type, gas
cooled, ADS, ...); introduction to the fuel cycle; front end, back end; introduction to safety aspects of nuclear reactors (criticality; core melt); engineered safety systems;
risk; difference with research reactors & fusion reactors; proliferation issues & safeguards
Economics of nuclear power generation: European Utility Requirements; life time of existing NPP's; cost of nuclear kWh; investment costs of new types NPP's; construction time and licensing process; decommissioning costs; internalisation of waste management; external costs
Public perception & communication (media, general public, public authorities).

Learning outcomes of the course :

To place the world and the Belgian nuclear energy production in its economic, social, technical and cultural context
To give a first overview of nuclear electricity generation and an overall introduction to reactor and plant engineering.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills :

Students are supposed to have a solid knowledge in basis engineering sciences such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, material science etc. (Level of electro-mechanical university graduated engineers is optimal.

REFERENCE BOOKS ON PREREQUISITE
See website www.sckcen.be/bnen Brochures and Info Background books W. D'haeseleer

Planned learning activities and teaching methods :

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :

1 t.m.
It includes an introduction to SCK*CEN activities and a visit to SCK*CEN library.