PHYS-E0460: Introduction to Reactor Physics
| Course name | Introduction to Reactor Physics |
|---|---|
| Course code | PHYS-E0460 |
| Abbreviation | Reactor Physics |
| Period | I-II |
| Lecturer | Seppo Sipilä |
Description
Introduction to nuclear reactor physics and engineering, fuel cycle, reactor safety, and selected special topics in nuclear power. This optional course is a useful introduction for students interested in nuclear energy engineering.
Course material
Official material
Introduction to Nuclear Engineering (Lamarsh & Baratta, 3rd ed.) together with detailed lecture slides.
Extra material
Contents and workload
Overall workload
One lecture and one exercise session each week. Weekly homework contains 3–4 problems, but only one specified problem must be solved for full points. Weeks 4–9 are the most demanding.
Weekly contents
| Week | Topics |
|---|---|
| 1 | Nuclear energy |
| 2 | Basic nuclear physics |
| 3 | Fission and reactor fundamentals |
| 4 | Neutron flux, diffusion, one-group theory |
| 5 | Multigroup diffusion, thermal reactors |
| 6 | Reflected and heterogeneous reactors |
| 7 | Time-dependent reactors, delayed neutrons, reactivity |
| 8 | Temperature effects, fission product poisoning |
| 9 | Core life cycle, plant components |
| 10 | Thermodynamics, power density |
| 11 | Thermal hydraulics, heat transfer |
| 12 | Nuclear safety, risk analysis |
Practicalities
Assessment consists of either two midterms or one final exam. Weekly exercises provide bonus points that can compensate up to 20% of the exam score. Students may be asked to present their solutions during exercise sessions.
Related courses
Official prerequisites
Bachelor-level mathematics, including ordinary differential equations.
Additional prerequisites
Knowledge of separation of variables from partial differential equations is beneficial.
More like this
- PHYS-E0467: Experimental Reactor Physics
- PHYS-E0562: Nuclear Engineering, Advanced Course