2024-2025 / GENU0018-3

Introduction to Nuclear Engineering and Power Plant Technnologies

Duration

26h Th, 26h Pr

Number of credits

 Master Msc. in Energy Engineering, professional focus in Energy Conversion5 crédits 
 Master MSc. in Electromechanical Engineering, professional focus in energetics (Inscriptions closes)5 crédits 
 Master Msc. in Energy Engineering, professional focus in Networks5 crédits 

Lecturer

Pierre Dewallef

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course Nuclear Power Plant consists in an introduction to the different techniques related the nuclear based power generation. It begins with an introduction presenting the different fondamental concepts such as the neutron diffusion, the neutron moderation, nuclear fission... It continues with the following chapters:

  • different types of nucleat power plant,
  • nuclear fuel life cycle,
  • reactor kinetics,
  • nuclear reactor design,
  • dynamics of pressurized water reactor,
  • thermohydraulics,
  • radioprotection and
  • nuclear fusion.
Exercises related to real life applications are solved in order to illustrate the theoretical concepts studied in class.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The student gets familiarized with the concepts related to the production of electricity based on nuclear energy. He is able to understand the physics and the operation of a nuclear power plant. He is introduced to the safety and security risk inherent to the nuclear applications. The student learns the different types of existing nuclear power plants together with the fuel used.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

This course is an introduction to nuclear power plant and not pre-requisite is mandatory to follow it. However, a good knowledge of the thermodynamical cycles used to convert heat to mechanical work (e.g., Rankine cycle or Brayton cycle) helps to a better understanding of the course.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course is given is hybrid mode with face-to-face sessions comprising exercises and podcast sessions.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Blended learning


Additional information:

The first introduction lecture is given through a podcast available from 4th October. Afterwards face-to-face sessions are mixed with online sessions through podcasts. The program for the face-to-face sessions is the following:

- 11/10/2022

- 8/11/2022

- 15/11/2022

- 6/12/2022

- 13/12/2022.

The face-to-face sessions are given from 13h45 to 17h15.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Lecture slides  and podcasts are made available electronically to students through the platform eCampus.

The first and second session exams are made of a single written exam (theory and exercise).

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

This course is an optional course and is organised only if at least 10 students are registered to the course. The interested students must send an email at the address p.dewallef@uliege.be to express their interest in following the course by mentioning their first name, last name and Uliège identifier before 16th September 2022. The confirmation for the organisation of the course will be given no later than 23rd September and, if applicable, the lectures will begin 4th October.

Contacts

For any information, you can contact Prof. Pierre Dewallef by mail (p.dewallef@uliege.be) or by phone to 04/366.99.95.

Association of one or more MOOCs