NucE 497A:  Introduction to Nuclear Engineering

 

 

 

Textbook:       J. R. Lamarsh and A. Baratta, Introduction to Nuclear Engineering (3rd ed.), Prentice Hall, 2001.

 

 

Reference:     W.M. Stacey, “Nuclear Reactor Physics”, John Willey & Sons, 2001

                        J. J. Duderstadt and L. J. Hamilton, Nuclear Reactor Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, 1976.

 

 

Instructor:      Kostadin N. Ivanov, 206 Reber Building, 865-0040, kni1@psu.edu.

 

 

Goals:             This course is designed as an intensive summer semester course providing introduction to nuclear engineering (Nuc E) to the undergraduate co-op students, and to graduate students with non-NucE background, and to returning students. After successfully completing this course, undergraduate students will be able to effectively follow the regular NucE curriculum.

 

 

Office Hours: By Appointment

 

 

Classes:          Distance Education      

 

                        Topics:

 

1.                     Introduction:  Role of Nuclear Engineering (1 class)

 

2.                     Atomic and Nuclear Physics (3 classes)

 

3.                     Interaction of Radiation with Matter (3 classes)

 

4.                     Nuclear Reactors and Nuclear Power (2 classes)

 

5.                     Neutron Diffusion and Moderation (3 classes)

 

6.                     Nuclear Reactor Theory (4 classes)

 

7.                     Reactor Kinetics (4 classes)

 

 

   

Computer Usage:       Students are required to use PCs on several homework assignments.

  

Lab Projects:              None

  

                        ABET Category Content:          Engineering science:  3 credits

                                                                        Engineering design:        0 credits

  

                        Grading:                       15% Homework

                                                            20% 1st Exam

                                                            30% 2nd Exam

                                                            35% 3rd Exam

 

COURSE OUTLINE

 

Introduction to the course - Course objectives, Grading, homework, exams,

Attendance

 

                                    Chapter 1 of Lamarsh

 

Lecture 1                The scope of nuclear engineering

 

                              Chapter 2 of Lamarsh

 

Lecture 2                Fundamental particles

 

Lecture 3                Radiation, radioactive decay and calculations

 

Lecture 4                Nuclear Reactions

 

      `                       Chapter 3 of Lamarsh

 

Lecture 5                Neutron interactions and cross-sections

 

Lecture 6                Polyenergetic neutrons and fission

 

Lecture 7                Gamma-ray interactions and charged particles

 

                              Exam 1

 

                              Chapter 4 of Lamarsh  

 

Lecture 8                Types of nuclear reactors

 

Lecture 9                Nuclear fuel cycles

 

                              Chapter 5 of Lamarsh

 

Lecture 10              Neutron flux and current, and diffusion equation

 

Lecture 11              Solutions of the diffusion equation

 

Lecture 12              The group diffusion method, thermal neutron diffusion, and two-group calculation of neutron moderation

 

                                    Chapter 6 of Lamarsh

 

Lecture 13              One-group reactor equation, the slab reactor, and other reactor shapes

 

Lecture 14              The one group critical equation, and thermal reactors

 

                                    Exam 2

                       

Lecture 15              Reflected reactors, and multi-group calculations

 

Lecture 16              Heterogeneous reactors

 

                              Chapter 7 of Lamarsh

 

Lecture 17              Reactor kinetics

 

Lecture 18              Control rods and chemical shim

 

Lecture 19              Temperature effects on reactivity

 

Lecture 20              Fission product poisoning, and core properties during the lifetime

 

Exam 3