EN613 Nuclear Reactor Theory
Instructor: Suneet Singh
Credits: 6
Text Books
1. J. J. Duderstadt and L. J. Hamilton, “Nuclear Reactor
Analysis”, John Wiley and Sons, NY, USA, 1976.
2. J. R. Lamarsh, “Introduction to Nuclear Engineering”,
2nd Edition, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company,
Menlo Park, California, USA, 1983.
Later editions of these books can also be used. The
chapters covered will be announced during lectures.
The soft copies of both the books are available.
Exams, Assignments, Projects
There will be three exams:
1. Midsem: 25%
2. Second Exam: 25%
3. End Sem: 30%
Exams will have both numerical and reasoning questions
(Short how and why questions, very rarely some facts)
There will be two computer projects: 15%
Assignments (5 or 6): 5%
Grading Policy
AA:85+
AB:75-84
BB: 65-74
BC: 56-64
CC: 47-55
CD: 38-46
DD: 30-37 (with at least 20/80 in exams)
The grade requirement for each grade can be reduced by
some points (typically order of 5-6 points) on my
discretion (but will not be increased).
About the course
Reactor Theory deals with interaction of neutrons with
different nuclei in a nuclear reactor.
Also known as reactor physics or reactor analysis.
Includes reactor statics i.e. neutron distribution in critical
(steady state) reactors.
Also, include reactor kinetics i.e. variation of neutron
distribution in a non-critical reactor.
It is study of neutron balance also known as neutronics.
Course outline
A. Preliminaries:
1. Introduction
2. Nuclear Reactions, Binding Energy, Mass Defect
3. Types of radioactive decay
4. Fission Reaction
5. Neutron interaction with nuclei, reaction
(interaction) cross-sections (micro and macro) and
reaction (interaction) rates.
6. Infinite and effective multiplication factors
7. Criticality
B. Neutron Diffusion Theory (Reactor statics)
1. One group Neutron Diffusion Equation
2. One group source problem, criticality problems.
3. Bare Homogeneous Reactors (1-D and multi-D).
4. Inhomogeneous reactors (primarily 2-region with
reflectors).
5. Modified one group theory.
6. Multigroup theory.
7. Numerical methods for source and criticality
problems.
C. Reactor Kinetics
1. Time dependent reactors
2. Concept and need of prompt and delayed neutrons
3. Point reactor kinetics equation, inhour equation.
4. Preliminaries of poison and temperature feedback.
5. Concept of space-time reactor kinetics
This course is not about
Different type of reactors.
Reactor design and thermal hydraulics.
History of nuclear reactors.
Structure of reactors.
Materials used in reactors
Reactor safety and waste management
