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2023　Introduction to Nuclear Engineering

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Academic unit or major
Undergraduate major in Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering
Instructor(s)
Obara Toru  Akatsuka Hiroshi  Kikura Hiroshige  Katabuchi Tatsuya  Tsutsui Hiroaki 
Class Format
Lecture    (Face-to-face)
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Mon1-2(WL1-201(W521))  Thr1-2(WL1-201(W521))  
Group
-
Course number
TSE.A311
Credits
2
Academic year
2023
Offered quarter
4Q
Syllabus updated
2023/3/20
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
Japanese
Access Index

Course description and aims

[Outline]
Fission reactor systems and nuclear fusion reactor development in nuclear engineering are taken up in this class. First, basic nuclear characteristics, nuclear decay and radiation, and nuclear reaction physics are explained. Second, criticality, kinetics, and combustion characteristics of fission reactors are explained as well as reactor thermal hydrodynamics, nuclear system safety, and nuclear fuel cycles. Finally, basic plasma physics, nuclear fusion reactions and fusion plasma are explained as well as the history and present status of nuclear fusion reactor development.
[Aim]
To understand and obtain basic knowledge on physics in nuclear engineering, the mechanisms and safety of fission reactors, reactor thermal hydrodynamics, nuclear fuel cycles, fusion plasma, and the present status of nuclear fusion reactor development.

Student learning outcomes

By taking this course, the students are expected to obtain a wide range of basic knowledge on nuclear engineering and to apply that knowledge to understand the content of higher-level courses in nuclear engineering.

Keywords

energy self-sufficiency rate, energy security, nuclear force, nuclear structure, nuclear binding energy, critical, nuclear reactor, safety, innovative nuclear energy systems, nuclear fuel, uranium enrichment, reprocessing of nuclear spent fuel, disposal of nuclear waste

Competencies that will be developed

✔ Specialist skills Intercultural skills Communication skills Critical thinking skills ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

This omnibus course overviewing nuclear engineering, consists of six lecturers from their respective specialist fields.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 Outline of this class, Energy situation in Japan Students must be able to explain the energy security situation of Japan based on energy self-sufficiency rate, etc.
Class 2 Nuclear structure, Nuclear Binding Energy Students must be able to explain the basic of nuclear engineering such as nuclear force, nuclear structure, nuclear binding energy, etc.
Class 3 Nuclear disintegration and radiation interactions Students must be able to explain the generation mechanism of nuclear radiations due to the decay of unstable atomic nuclei and the interaction of the radiation with matter.
Class 4 Nuclear reactions and chain reactions of nuclear fission Students must be able to explain the mechanisms of nuclear reactions and neutron-induced fission of heavy nuclei such as uranium.
Class 5 Criticality of nuclear reactor and reactor kinetics Students must be able to explain the principal of criticality conditions to achieve it in a nuclear reactor and the change in reactor power by reactivity change.
Class 6 Reactor burnup, safety, and nuclear systems Students must be able to explain the effect by the change of fuel composition by reactor operation, safety, and conventional nuclear systems.
Class 7 Innovative Nuclear Reactor Student must be able to expain the concept of innvative nuclear reactors.
Class 8 Fundamentals of thermal-hydraulics Students must be able to explain the fundamentals of thermal-hydraulics in nuclear reactors.
Class 9 Thermal-hydraulics in nuclear reactors Students must be able to explain the thermal-hydraulic characteristic of nuclear reactors such as heat generation, boiling heat transfer, critical heat flux and so on, and to explain the differences of thermal-hydraulics between BWR and PWR.
Class 10 Nuclear fuel cycle Students must be able to explain the nuclear fuel cycle, i.e. nuclear fuels, uranium enrichment, burn-up in nuclear reactors, reprocessing and disposal of nuclear spent fuels.
Class 11 Nuclear fusion reactions and magnetic confinement Students must be able to explain fundamentals of plasma science and engineering. They must be also able to explain about applications of plasma science from the aspect of fundamental natural phenomena and of various industrial applications.
Class 12 Heating methods and diagnostics of fusion plasmas Students must be able to explain nuclear fusion reactions in stars as a source of energy, and magnetic plasma confinement to achieve fusion reactions on earth.
Class 13 Nuclear fusion reactions and magnetic confinement Students must be able to explain the heating methods of plasmas to trigger enough fusion reactions and the diagnostic schemes to measure the temperature and density of plasmas.
Class 14 History and present status of fusion reactor development, report themes Students must be able to explain the history and present status of research and development to realize fusion reactors.

Out-of-Class Study Time (Preparation and Review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.

Textbook(s)

None. Material for each class can be provided by the lecturer.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Material for each class can be provided by the lecturer.

Assessment criteria and methods

Einal examination (100%)

Related courses

  • CAP.E361 ： Radiation Chemistry
  • CAP.E362 ： Nuclear Chemical Engineering

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

None

Contact information (e-mail and phone)    Notice : Please replace from "[at]" to "@"(half-width character).

tobara[at]zc.iir.titech.ac.jp (Prof. Obara)

Office hours

Prior appointment by e-mail is necessary.

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