Nuclear Reactor Physics

This course will give you an overview of the fundamental physical processes taking place in a nuclear reactor. After having followed this course you will know about and be able to work with the following topics:

1. Nuclear reactions

* various types of reactions

* probability of reactions, nuclear cross sections

* energy release in fission

* data files

2. Fission chain reaction

* criticality, multiplication of neutrons

* classification of various nuclear reactors

3. Transport of neutrons

* general description of relevant variables

* diffusion theory description and its assumptions

* homogeneous and reflected geometries

4. Energy distribution of neutrons

* neutron slowing down by moderation

* description of various energy ranges

* resonance absorption of neutrons, temperature dependence

* perturbation theory

5. Time dependent behavior of reactors

* delayed neutron emission and implication for time dependence

* exact description

* point kinetics equations simplification

* feedback mechanisms

6. Thermal hydraulic analysis of nuclear reactor cores

* power generation in reactor cores

* heat transfer in reactor cores

* temperature distribution in reactor cores

7. Fuel burnup

* fuel composition and depletion with usage

* measure of fuel burnup

* fuel cycle overview and nuclear waste

* breeding of fuel in special reactors

* recycling of fuel

8. Nuclear power reactors

* existing types, principle of operation

* next generation reactors

Please note that this list is only meant to give you an impression about the course.