NPRE 402
Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering
NPRE 402
COURSE OUTLINE
Course Number: NPRE 402/ME 405
Title: Nuclear Power Engineering
Catalogue Description: Principles of utilization of fission energy in nuclear power engineering; includes such topics as fission processes and controlled chain reactions; nuclear reactor types, design principles, and operational characteristics; power reactor design criteria; radiation hazards and radioactive waste treatment; economics; and other applications such as propulsion and research reactors. Students who plan to take more extensive training in nuclear technology are advised to take the NPRE 247, NPRE 446, NPRE 447 sequence. Same as ME 405. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Credit is not given for both NPRE 402 and NPRE 247. Credit is not given toward an NPRE graduate degree.
| Principle Topics Covered | Hours (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| The Fission Process | |
Review of Atomic and Nuclear Physics (including the characteristics of neutron, gamma beta, and alpha particles and their reactions with matter. |
4 |
Fission Process and Chain Reaction (including energy release, radioactive decay and isotope production). |
4 |
Fuel Materials and their Chemical Processing |
2 |
| Nuclear Reactor Principles | |
The Multiplication Factor and Criticality |
3 |
Concepts of Neutron Flux, Breeding and Conversion (including classification of reactor types and their characteristics |
3 |
Operational Characteristics (including start-up, shut-down, steady state and transient as well as the influence of Xenon, temperature, delayed neutrons and voids) |
4 |
Construction Materials (including fuel, coolant, moderator and structural) |
3 |
Thermal Systems (including heat transfer, fluid flow and thermodynamic cycles) |
3 |
Design Calculations (for typical power system currently in operation |
3 |
Economic Considerations (including capital costs, fuel costs and operational load factors) |
3 |
| Associated Reactor Design Topics | |
Radiation Hazards and Health Physics |
1 |
Reactor Shielding |
2 |
Radioactive Waste Disposal |
1 |
Radiation Detectors and Control Instruments |
2 |
| Other Nuclear Reactor Applications | |
Research Reactors (including visit to university reactor) |
1 |
Propulsion (sea,land and space) |
1 |
Medical and Food Preservation |
1 |
| Other Related Topics | |
Nuclear Explosives |
.5 |
Fusion |
.5 |
| Exams | 3 |
| Total | 45 |
Basic Texts:
Recommended::
- J.R. Lamarsh "Introduction to Nuclear Engineering"
- M.M. Elwakil "Nuclear Power Engineering"
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
Purpose of Course: Elective for all undergraduate engineering disciplines in the College of Engineering.
Instructor: Magdi Ragheb
Credit: 3 Semester Hours
Meeting hours per week: 3
Class registration opacity: 150
Semesters course offered: REFER TO MASTER LISTING
Other notes: There is some overlap with NPRE 347. However, NPRE 347 is a beginning sequence and has as prerequisites both atomic and nuclear physics courses. The NPRE/ME 405 course is a survey course and does not have those prerequisites. It is, therefore, more available to engineering seniors.
Course last revised: May 2007
© 2009 The Board of Trustees at the University of Illinois