Proposal For a Nuclear Reactor Operations Course at Purdue University

Proposal For a Nuclear Reactor Operations Course at Purdue University

• 1.
  Proposal for aNuclear Reactor Operations Course at Purdue University [email protected]  
• 2.
  2 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)
• 3.
  3 Where Do PurdueNEs Go? Good fundamental theoretical knowledge, but lack of practical hands on experience with nuclear reactor operations.
• 4.
  4 Outline of ProposedClass •  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
• 5.
  5 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)
• 6.
  6 PUR-1 Research andTeaching 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
• 7.
  7 Hands-On Reactor Experience CurrentStudent 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
• 8.
  8 Additional Reactor Operations MoreConsole Experience •  Rod swaps •  Power level changes •  Measurement of the reactivity worth of experiments •  Sample irradiation
• 9.
  9 GPWR Simulator •  First-of-a-kindengineering 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.
• 10.
  10 Example: A FullPWR Simulation This is a little bit too much for starting off the students.
• 11.
  11 Example Screen: BWR Startingpoint for the students
• 12.
  12 Output
• 13.
  13 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
• 14.
  14 Instructional Methods •  Lecturesand 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.
• 15.
  15 Steps Forward •  Pursuefunding 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
• 16.
  16 Takeaways •  Propose aclass 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.
• 17.
  For more information: Goto: www.GSES.com Call: +1 800.638.7912 Email: [email protected] Follow us on: Twitter @GSESystems Facebook.com/GSESystems