Introduction to Nuclear Engineering

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

Electrical energy generation is a huge and growing market as the world attempts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Apart from direct conversion of energy sources (e.g., photovolatics and wind/water energy), the generation of electricity revolves around the production of heat (by any source) and then conversion of that to electricity through a steam turbine. Nuclear energy is a carbon-free way of producing this heat. In this course we shall examine the key facets of this way of generating heat: how a sustained fission chain reaction can be safely achieved, how the heat generated can be safely removed, and how the radioactive waste products can be safely disposed of. The course will introduce the students to the fundamentals of fission, including concepts such as neutron capture cross section, reactor poisoning, cladding and shielding, as well as reactor design. Much of the focus will be on conventional pressurized water reactors (PWRs), however the many alternative coolant approaches such as liquid metal and high temperature gas reactors will also be discussed. The course will finish with a discussion of the new small modular reactors (SMR) under development, as well as a discussion of the current status of waste disposal.