Course teacher(s)
Pierre-Etienne LABEAU (Coordinator)ECTS credits
5
Language(s) of instruction
english
Course content
Introduction to the physics of nuclear reactors, transport equation, overview of solution methods (discretization methodes, elements of Monte Carlo simulation), diffusion approximation, multigroup model, criticality, point kinetics, diffusion and neutron slowing down, Doppler effect, resonance integrals, reactivity control.
Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)
Understand the physical concepts underlying how a nuclear reactor works. Model the evolution of the neutron population in a reactor. Understand the associated numerical methods.
Prerequisites and Corequisites
Required and Corequired knowledge and skills
Mathematics and physics expected at the end of a bachelor in engineering
Teaching methods and learning activities
Oral lectures + tutorials.
Oral lectures with powerpoint support aiming to emphasize on the physical interpretation of the mathematical modeling. Tutorials allowing to use the concepts developed during the lectures, and presenting simplified reactor design problems.
Seminars given by industrial collaborators:
* General introduction on how a nuclear plant (mainly a pressurized water reactor, PWR) works.
* Introduction to fast nuclear reactors.
* Introduction to SMR (Small Modular Reactors)
Bibliographical project realized in small groups on a topic based on the concepts seen in the course.
References, bibliography, and recommended reading
J.J. Duderstadt et L.J. Hamilton, "Nuclear Reactor Analysis", Wiley et Sons, New York, 1976.
P. Reuss, "Précis de Neutronique", EDP Sciences, Collection Génie Atomique, Les Ulis, 2003.
I. Lux et L. Koblinger, " Monte Carlo Particle Transport Methods: Neutron and Photon Calculations ", CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1991.
B. Zohuri, "Neutronic Analysis For Nuclear Reactor Systems (2nd edition)", Springer, 2019.
Course notes
- Université virtuelle
Contribution to the teaching profile
Contribution to the bridge between microscopic (i.e. nuclear) physics and the application of nuclear reactor physics. Development of the skills of the students in the mathematical modeling of systems.
Other information
Contacts
Métrologie nucléaire Bât D, Porte B, Niv 3, local 153 Tél : 02/650 20 60 - Mail : pierre.etienne.labeau@ulb.be
Campus
Solbosch
Evaluation
Method(s) of evaluation
- written examination
- Other
written examination
Other
The exam (written for the 1st session, potentially oral for the 2nd session if the number of students is limited) covers both theory and exercises. A group project is done at the end of the course.
A first part of the exam, in closed-book format, covers the theory of the first 6 chapters. A second part, in open-book format, consists of questions of reflection and understanding on the whole course, as well as exercises.
Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)
Theory (closed-book) 40%, project 10%, questions of reflection and exercises 50%
Language(s) of evaluation
- english