GENU2004-1 : Nuclear reactor theory and experiments

Study Programmes 2015-2016

GENU2004-1

Nuclear reactor theory and experiments

Duration :

40h Th, 32h Pr

Number of credits :

Specialised master in nuclear engineering		6

Lecturer :

N...

Language(s) of instruction :

English language

Organisation and examination :

Teaching in the second semester

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Course contents :

Physics of nuclear reactors
Transport and diffusion
Spatial dependence
Slowing down theory
Resonance integrals
Cell calculations
Neutron thermalisation
Multigroup equations
Reactivity and control
Reactor dynamics
Reactor codes
Neutron sources and detectors
Basic measurements: source strength, neutron flux (activation analysis, neutron counting), neutron spectrum (time of flight methods, unfolding methods), reaction rates
Activity, dose and cross-section measurement
Measurement of neutron transport parameters: stationary methods, pulsed neutron experiments
Measurement of reactivities (and reactivity coefficients): survey, static methods, dynamic measurements, inverse kineticsStatistical fluctuation method: reactor noise, mathematical
analysis, applications (Rossi-alpha, sign correlations, zero crossings)

Learning outcomes of the course :

To understand the physical processes involved in a nuclear reactor
To understand and be able to write down and solve the basic equations
To be able to simulate a reactor/source configuration as appropriate depending on:
- number of dimensions;
- steady state or transient;
- number of groups;
- delayed neutron precursors;
- space dependent properties and grid spacing.
To learn how to measure neutron distributions and parameters relevant for nuclear reactors, in particular reactivity and reactivity coefficients

Prerequisite knowledge and skills :

Mathematics as discussed in the list of background books by W. D'haeseleer (differential equations, taylor expansions, fourier expansions, bessel functions)

REFERENCE BOOKS ON PREREQUISITE
See website www.sckcen.be/bnen, Brochures and Info, Background books W., D'haeseleer (mathematics)
A further good book is : Advanced Calculus for Applications, F.B. Hildebrand, Prentice Hall

Planned learning activities and teaching methods :

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

2.5 t.m. , 45 hours lectures, 45 hours lab. sessions, 15 hours independent study
SCK*CEN guidance: use of codes: 1 day
Use of a critical assembly at SCK*CEN