Fuel Element Experience In Nuclear Power Reactors

This book is intended to provide an introduction to the basic principles of nuclear fission reactors for advanced undergraduate or graduate students of physics and engineering. The presentation is also suitable for physicists or engineers who are entering the nuclear power field without previous experience with nuclear reactors. No background knowledge is required beyond that typically acquired in the first two years of an undergraduate program in physics or engineering. Throughout, the emphasis is on explaining why particular reactor systems have evolved in the way they have, without going into great detail about reactor physics or methods of design analysis, which are already covered in a number of excellent specialist texts. The first two chapters serve as an introduction to the basic physics of the atom and the nucleus and to nuclear fission and the nuclear chain reaction. Chapter 3 deals with the fundamentals of nuclear reactor theory, covering neutron slowing down and the spatial dependence of the neutron flux in the reactor, based on the solution of the diffusion equations. The chapter includes a major section on reactor kinetics and control, including'tempera ture and void coefficients and xenon poisoning effects in power reactors. Chapter 4 describes various aspects offuel management and fuel cycles, while Chapter 5 considers materials problems for fuel and other constituents of the reactor. The processes of heat generation and removal are covered in Chapter 6.

Nuclear Power Reactor Designs: From History to Advances analyzes nuclear designs throughout history and explains how each of those has helped to shape and inform the nuclear reactor designs of today and the future. Focused on the structure, systems and relevant components of each reactor design, this book provides the readers with answers to key questions to help them understand the benefits of each design. Each reactor design is introduced, their origin defined, and the relevant research presented before an analysis of its successes, what was learned, and how research and technology advanced as a result are presented. Students, researchers and early career engineers will gain a solid understanding of how nuclear designs have evolved, and how they will continue to develop in the future. Presents reactor designs through history to present day, focusing on key structures, systems and components Provides readers with quick answers about various design principles and rationales Includes new approaches such as the micro-reactor and small-modular reactors

Originally published in 1961. This book gives the layman a better understanding of the nature of nuclear power and explains some of the major problems which have to be overcome in making practical use of it. It is concerned mainly with the different kinds of nuclear reactors - their underlying principles are explained and illustrated by reference to particular plants or design studies. Interested readers will find that the discussion of principles is full enough, and the range covered wide enough, to provide a broad view of the subject and a useful introduction to some more technical literature.

An introduction to the theory and technology of nuclear power which is aimed at students of mechanical and electrical engineering and engineers in the field of nuclear power. This edition includes new details on the safety and hazards of nuclear fuel.