6 ECTS credits
180 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 6009271FNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Partnership Agreement
Under interuniversity agreement for degree program
Faculty
Faculty of Engineering
Department
Electrical Engineering and Power Electronics
External partners
Universiteit Gent
KU Leuven
Educational team
Peter Baeten
Jean-Marie NOTERDAEME
Decaan IR (course titular)
Activities and contact hours

44 contact hours Lecture
24 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
12 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

Physics of nuclear reactors
Transport and diffusion
Spatial dependence
Slowing down theory
Resonance integrals
Cell calculations
Neutron thermalisation
Multigroup equations
Reactivity and control
Reactor dynamics
Reactor codes
Neutron sources and detectors
Basic measurements: source strength, neutron flux (activation analysis, neutron counting), neutron spectrum (time of flight methods, unfolding methods), reaction rates
Activity, dose and cross-section measurement
Measurement of neutron transport parameters: stationary methods, pulsed neutron experiments
Measurement of reactivities (and reactivity coefficients): survey, static methods, dynamic measurements, inverse kinetics
Statistical fluctuation method: reactor noise, mathematical analysis, applications (Rossi-alpha, sign correlations, zero crossings)

 

Information also available at the BNEN website: http://bnen.sckcen.be/en/Programme.

Course material
Handbook (Required) : Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Theory, Lamarsh, J.R., Addison-Wesley, Reading, Mass, 9780894480409, 2002
Handbook (Required) : Experimental Reactor Physics, Profio, A.E., J. Wiley, 9780471700951, 1976
Additional info

J.J. Duderstadt and L.J. Hamilton, "Nuclear Reactor Analysis", 1976 (Wiley & Sons)
Lamarsh, J.R., "Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Theory", Addison-Wesley, Reading, Mass., 1966.
Profio, A.E., Experimental Reactor Physics, J. Wiley, 1976.

Main instructor: William D'Haeseleer (KULeuven).

Information also available at the BNEN-website: http://bnen.sckcen.be/en/Programme.

Learning Outcomes

Algemene competenties

To understand the physical processes involved in a nuclear reactor
To understand and be able to write down and solve the basic equations
To be able to simulate a reactor/source configuration as appropriate depending on:
- number of dimensions
- steady state or transient
- number of groups
- delayed precursors
- space dependent properties and grid spacing
To learn how to measure neutron distributions and parameters relevant for nuclear reactors, in particular reactivity and reactivity coefficients.

 

Information also available at the BNEN-website: http://bnen.sckcen.be/en/Programme.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Other Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • exam with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

Information available at the BNEN-website: http://bnen.sckcen.be/en/Programme.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Nuclear Engineering: Standaard traject