Nuclear Systems

The book has been developed in conjunction with NERS 462, a course offered every year to seniors and graduate students in the University of Michigan NERS program. The first half of the book covers the principles of risk analysis, the techniques used to develop and update a reliability data base, the reliability of multi-component systems, Markov methods used to analyze the unavailability of systems with repairs, fault trees and event trees used in probabilistic risk assessments (PRAs), and failure modes of systems. All of this material is general enough that it could be used in non-nuclear applications, although there is an emphasis placed on the analysis of nuclear systems. The second half of the book covers the safety analysis of nuclear energy systems, an analysis of major accidents and incidents that occurred in commercial nuclear plants, applications of PRA techniques to the safety analysis of nuclear power plants (focusing on a major PRA study for five nuclear power plants), practical PRA examples, and emerging techniques in the structure of dynamic event trees and fault trees that can provide a more realistic representation of complex sequences of events. The book concludes with a discussion on passive safety features of advanced nuclear energy systems under development and approaches taken for risk-informed regulations for nuclear plants.

Offers rigorous coverage of nuclear power generation fundamentals. Provides description and analysis of the latest nuclear power plant designs and technologies. Includes extensive examples in each chapter to illustrate the analysis methods, which are also presented. Includes program code to demonstrate computer analysis of nuclear power generation. Provides an integration of fluid flow and heat transfer, as applied to single- and two-phase coolants.

This book covers the entire spectrum of the science and technology of nuclear reactor systems, from underlying physics, to next generation system applications and beyond. Beginning with neutron physics background and modeling of transport and diffusion, this self-contained learning tool progresses step-by-step to discussions of reactor kinetics, dynamics, and stability that will be invaluable to anyone with a college-level mathematics background wishing to develop an understanding of nuclear power. From fuels and reactions to full systems and plants, the author provides a clear picture of how nuclear energy works, how it can be optimized for safety and efficiency, and why it is important to the future.

Discusses fundamental ideas for various modeling approaches for the macro- and micro-scale flow conditions in the reactor. Covers specific design considerations, such as natural convection and core reliability. Enables the reader to better understand the importance of safety considerations in thermal engineering and analysis of a modern nuclear plant. Features end-of-chapter problems. Includes a Solutions Manual for adopting instructors.

In recent years the effort devoted to assuring both the safety and reliability of commercial nuclear fission power reactors has markedly increased. The incentives for performing this work are large since the resulting im provement in plant productivity translates into lower fuel costs and, more importantly, reduced reliance on imported oil. Reliability and availability of nuclear power plants, whether fission or fusion, demand that more attention be focused on the behavior of materials. Recent experiences with fission power indicate that the basic properties of materials, which categorize their reliable behavior under specified conditions, need reinforcement to assure trouble-free operation for the expected service life. The pursuit of additional information con tinues to demand a better understanding of some of the observed anom alous behavior, and of the margin of resistance of materials to unpre dictable service conditions. It is also apparent that, next to plasma heating and confinement, materials selection represents the most serious chal lenge to the introduction of fusion power. The recognition of the importance of materials performance to nu clear plant performance has sustained a multimillion dollar worldwide research and development effort that has yielded significant results, both in quantification of the performance limits of materials in current use and the development and qualification of new materials. Most of this infor mation appears in the open literature in the form of research reports, journal articles, and conference proceedings.

Nuclear power is in the midst of a generational change—with new reactor designs, plant subsystems, fuel concepts, and other information that must be explained and explored—and after the 2011 Japan disaster, nuclear reactor technologies are, of course, front and center in the public eye. Written by leading experts from MIT, Nuclear Systems Volume I: Thermal Hydraulic Fundamentals, Second Edition provides an in-depth introduction to nuclear power, with a focus on thermal hydraulic design and analysis of the nuclear core. A close examination of new developments in nuclear systems, this book will help readers—particularly students—to develop the knowledge and design skills required to improve the next generation of nuclear reactors. Includes a CD-ROM with Extensive Tables for Computation Intended for experts and senior undergraduate/early-stage graduate students, the material addresses: Different types of reactors Core and plant performance measures Fission energy generation and deposition Conservation equations Thermodynamics Fluid flow Heat transfer Imparting a wealth of knowledge, including their longtime experience with the safety aspects of nuclear installations, authors Todreas and Kazimi stress the integration of fluid flow and heat transfer, various reactor types, and energy source distribution. They cover recent nuclear reactor concepts and systems, including Generation III+ and IV reactors, as well as new power cycles. The book features new chapter problems and examples using concept parameters, and a solutions manual is available with qualifying course adoption.

This edition builds on earlier traditions in providing broad subject-area coverage, application of theory to practical aspects of commercial nuclear power, and use of instructional objectives. Like the first edition, it focuses on what distinguishes nuclear engineering from the other engineering disciplines. However, this edition includes reorganization and overall update of descriptions of reactor designs and fuel-cycle steps, and more emphasis on reactor safety, especially related to technical and management lessons learned from the TMI-2 and Chernobyl - 4 accidents.

Covers all aspects of electrical systems for nuclear power plants written by an authority in the field Based on author Omar Mazzoni's notes for a graduate level course he taught in Electrical Engineering, this book discusses all aspects of electrical systems for nuclear power plants, making reference to IEEE nuclear standards and regulatory documents. It covers such important topics as the requirements for equipment qualification, acceptance testing, periodic surveillance, and operational issues. It also provides excellent guidance for students in understanding the basis of nuclear plant electrical systems, the industry standards that are applicable, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's rules for designing and operating nuclear plants. Electrical Systems for Nuclear Power Plants offers in-depth chapters covering: elements of a power system; special regulations and requirements; unique requirements of a Class 1E power system; nuclear plants containment electrical penetration assemblies; on-site emergency AC sources; on-site emergency DC sources; protective relaying; interface of the nuclear plant with the grid; station blackout (SBO) issues and regulations; review of electric power calculations; equipment aging and decommissioning; and electrical and control systems inspections. This valuable resource: Evaluates industry standards and their relationship to federal regulations Discusses Class 1E equipment, emergency generation, the single failure criterion, plant life, and plant inspection Includes exercise problems for each chapter Electrical Systems for Nuclear Power Plants is an ideal text for instructors and students in electrical power courses, as well as for engineers active in operating nuclear power plants.