Nuclear Reactor Kinetics and Dynamics

Catalog description

Analytical kinetics and dynamics modeling for reactivity-induced transients; reactor accident kinetics methods for simple and complex geometries; experimental methods. NUC E 511 Nuclear Reactor Kinetics and Dynamics (3) This course provides students with a background in the area of nuclear reactor kinetics and dynamics and enhances their understanding of the important multi-physics phenomena in a reactor, which can determine reactor safety performance. Students will obtain an overall view of nuclear reactor safety from the nuclear reactor dynamics perspective. This course examines the outcomes of research projects and international scientific activities in the area of reactor dynamics. Objectives are met by introducing course modules that utilize state-of-the-art computer codes to solve well established international coupled thermal-hydraulics and neutronics benchmark problems to demonstrate reactor performance during operational transients. The course will be based on modules that demonstrate the Light Water Reactor (LWR) behavior utilizing state-of-the-art computer codes to solve well established Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) coupled code benchmark problems. A supplementary module will also be developed which focuses on the High Temperature Reactor (HTR) in order to demonstrate the dynamic and safety issues unique to an advanced next generation reactor. The course will provide students with a computationally intensive modular curriculum that the instructor can utilize as appropriate to complement the nuclear reactor kinetics and dynamics concepts. This course focuses on nuclear reactor kinetics and dynamics methods and techniques for multi-dimensional safety and transient analysis. It consists of five major topics: review of point nuclear reactor kinetics theory; reactivity feedback and nuclear reactor dynamics; methods for spatial kinetics; coupled and multi-dimensional thermal-hydraulics/neutron kinetics; and, experimental determination of reactor dynamics parameters. A computer project provides students with knowledge about state-of-the-art methods used to model reactor transients for safety evaluations.Background on basic reactor physics and analysis is the prerequisite content to this course, which provides a basis for understanding nuclear reactor kinetics theory and nuclear reactor dynamics phenomena.