About this course:

  • Course Name: Nuclear Energy: Concepts and Applications
  • Course Code: ME 612
  • L-T-P-C : 3-0-0-6
  • Syllabus: NaN
  • Course Type: Core course


    • Nuclear Energy: Concepts and Applications

    Description:

    Course Content

    Atomic & nuclear physics: Overview of atomic structure, equivalence of mass and energy, stability of nucleus, radioactive decay, binding energy, different nuclear reactions, natural radioactivity. Interaction of radiation with matter: Interactions of charged particle, α- and β-particle, photons, radiation detectors. Neutron physics: Nuclear interactions, concept of cross-section, cross-section measurement, neutron interactions, neutron scattering, fission chain reaction. Neutron diffusion and scattering: One-speed diffusion equation and its solution, neutron diffusion in multiplying media, diffusion in elementary reactors, multi-group neutron diffusion theory, moderation and scattering, diffusion of thermal neutrons. Time-dependent neutron transport: Delayed neutrons, diffusion in transient reactors, reactor kinetics. Nuclear fuel: Properties of fuel and cladding, nuclear fuel cycle, isotope separation, fuel reprocessing, radioactive waste disposal. Nuclear reactor control: Control rod and chemical shim, effect of temperature on reactivity, fission product poisoning. Thermalhydraulics of reactors: General thermodynamic consideration, thermalhydraulic analyses of simple block and cylindrical reactors. Thermal reactors: Pressurized and boiling water reactor, heavy water reactor, Gen-III+ and Gen-IV designs. Breeder reactors: Concept of breeding and breeding potential, fast breeder reactor. Principle of nuclear fusion Radiation protection: Biological effects of radiation, calculation of radiation effects, computation of exposure and dose, philosophy of reactor safety & containment.

    Suggested Books

    1. JR Lamarsh & AJ Baratta, Introduction to Nuclear Engineering, 3rd Eds., Pearson, 2001.
    2. RL Murray & KE Holbert, Nuclear Energy: An Introduction to the Concepts, Systems and Application of Nuclear Processes, 7th Eds., Elsevier, 2015.

    Reference Books

    1 MM El-Wakil, Power Plant Technology, McGraw-Hill Education, 2017.

    2 DG Cacuci (Eds.), Handbook of Nuclear Engineering, Vol I: Nuclear Engineering Fundamentals, Springer, 2010.

    3 CE Brennen, Introduction to Nuclear Power Generation, Dankat Publishing Company, 2005.

    4 N Tsoulfanidis, Nuclear Energy, Springer, 2018.

    5 NE Todreas & MS Kazimi, Nuclear Systems I & II, Taylor & Francis, 1993.

    6 RA Knief, Nuclear Engineering: Theory and Technology of Commercial Nuclear Power, 2nd Eds., American Nuclear Society, 2008.

    7 EE Lewis, Fundamentals of Nuclear Reactor Physics, Academic Press, 2008.