Proposal for a Nuclear Reactor Operations Course at Purdue University

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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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Example: A Full PWR Simulation

This is a little bit too much for starting off the students.

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Example Screen: BWR

Starting point for the students

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Output

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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.

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