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Prerequisites
Language of instruction
Duration
Identical coursesNuclear Energy: Introduction (B-KUL-H02G2A)
Cannot be taken as part of an examination contract
N. Aims
• 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
Previous knowledge
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.
Order of Enrolment
This course unit is a prerequisite for taking the following course units:
H02G8A : Nuclear Fuel Cycle
H02G9A : Nuclear Materials
H02G4B : Nuclear reactor theory and experiments
H02G5B : Nuclear Thermal Hydraulics
Is included in these courses of study
Activities
3 ects. Nuclear Energy: Introduction (B-KUL-H02G2a)
Content
• 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).
Course material
Textbook followed:
• John R. Lamarsh & Anthony J. Baratta, “Introduction to Nuclear Engineering”; 3-rd Ed., Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2001 (ISBN 0-201-82498-1)
Other interesting books:
• Ronald Allen Knief, “Nuclear Engineering; Theory and Technology of Commercial Nucler Power”; 2-nd Ed., Taylor & Francis, Washington DC, 1992 (ISBN 1-56032-089-3)
• David Bodansky, “Nuclear Energy; Principles, Practices, and Prospects”; 2-nd Ed., Springer, Berlin/New York, 2004 (ISBN 0-387-20778-3)
Format: more information
See BNEN Brochure at http://bnen.sckcen.be/en/Documentation.
Evaluation
Evaluation: Nuclear Energy: Introduction (B-KUL-H22G2a)
Explanation
Open book preparation of two or three (generally overview) questions. Students can take notes during the 30 min preparation. Using the just made notes, students will then be interrogated orally to check whether they have thoroughly understood the study material. Questions are oriented towards understanding and insight.