Post on 18-Jul-2015
transcript
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Nuclear Engineering Undergraduate Coursework
• Design in Nuclear Engineering (2 Classes)
• Introduction to Nuclear Structure/Radiation Interactions (2
Classes)
• Materials (1-2 Classes + 1 Lab)
• Mechanics of Materials (1 Class)
• Neutronics (1-2 Classes)
• Nuclear Instrumentation (2 Labs)
• Nuclear Power Systems (1 Class)
• Thermodynamics (1 Class)
• Thermal-Hydraulics (2 Classes + 1 Lab)
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Where Do Purdue NEs Go?
Good fundamental theoretical knowledge, but lack of practical hands on experience with nuclear reactor operations.
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Outline of Proposed Class
• Fundamental applied reactor physics • PWR systems • Operations — Startup/shutdown • Transients • Casualties • Testing/maintenance
Proposed Takeaways from the Class • Integration of reactor plant systems • Application of theory to operation • Systems-level background
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Structure of Class
• Two 75-minute periods each week
• PWR computer simulator used during these periods in a computer lab – Theory to practice – “Hands-on” operation of a full plant
• Hands-on lab periods using Purdue’s 1 kW training
reactor (PUR-1)
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PUR-1 Research and Teaching Reactor
PUR-1 Reactor (built in 1962)
• Licensed for 1 kW
• MTR-type flat plate fuel
• Can be operated by students under licensed operator direction
• Pool-type design
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Hands-On Reactor Experience
Current Student Experience • Lecture on reactor instrument
channels
• Approach to critical via control rod removal
• Determination of control rod reactivity worth via positive period
• Demonstration of prompt drop and delayed neutrons with large negative reactivity insertion
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Additional Reactor Operations
More Console Experience • Rod swaps
• Power level changes
• Measurement of the reactivity worth of experiments
• Sample irradiation
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GPWR Simulator
• First-of-a-kind engineering simulator experience • Multiple universities (Ohio State, Penn State, Texas A&M
and University of Central Florida) are using the GPWR simulator for research and teaching.
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Sample Simulation Exercises
Startup: Point of adding heat
Shutdown: Demonstration of period/startup rate
Reactor coolant leak: Indication & actions
Reactor scram: Actions & physics
Up power and down power: Xenon and Samarium transients and reactivity changes
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Instructional Methods
• Lectures and quizzes covering power plant systems (Training materials included with simulator purchase)
• Some computer labs will be individual lessons for a single student.
• Some computer labs will be team oriented with each student taking a different role.
• Some computer labs will involve multiple students on a single console.
• Integrate hands-on PUR-1 runs with GPWR simulations.
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Steps Forward
• Pursue funding for the simulator (DOE NEUP, NRC, Purdue instructional equipment funding, industrial).
• Develop full curriculum.
• Goal: Potential start date in spring or fall 2016 as a 500-level elective (may be taken by students with senior standing and graduate students)
• Course open to interested engineering students – the goal is to make it as self-contained as possible
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Takeaways
• Propose a class to apply theoretical nuclear engineering to reactor operations.
• Combine coursework with computer simulation
and practical operation of PUR-1. • Potential first offering of the course in spring
2015 or fall 2016.