Nuclear reactor theory (Centre d'étude nucléaire-Mol)

Language

English

Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	To understand the physical processes involved in a nuclear reactor To understand and be able to write down and solve the basic equations To be able to simulate a reactor/source configuration (geometry, composition) as appropriate depending on: -          number of dimensions; -          steady state or transient; -          number of groups; -          delayed neutron precursors; -          space dependent properties. To learn how to measure neutron distributions and parameters relevant for nuclear reactors, in particular reactivity and reactivity coefficients

Content

• Physics of nuclear reactors
• Transport and diffusion
• Spatial dependence
• Slowing down theory
• Resonance integrals
• Cell calculations
• Neutron thermalisation
• Multigroup equations
• Criticality dependence on geometry and composition
• Reactivity and control
• Reactor dynamics
• Reactor codes
• Neutron sources and detectors
• Basic measurements: source strength, neutron flux (activation analysis, neutron counting), neutron spectrum reaction rates
• Activity, dose and cross-section measurement
• Measurement of neutron transport parameters: stationary methods, pulsed neutron experiments
• Measurement of reactivity (and reactivity coefficients): survey, static methods, dynamic measurements, inverse kinetics, neutron noise fluctuation methods

Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

Written examination, open book.

Other information

This course is part of the Advanced Master programme in nuclear engineering organized by the Belgian Nuclear Higher Education Network (BNEN).  BNEN is organised through a consortium of six Belgian universities and the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK-CEN and takes place at the SCK-CEN in Mol.
Information : https://www.sckcen.be/fbnen

Faculty or entity

EPL