Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Design

Course Description:

Day 1: Intro to basic reactor concepts

• Neutron particle interactions
• Nuclear Fission of Uranium/Plutonium

• Criticality and feedback effects

  • Moderation
  • Temperature feedback
  • Accident scenarios
    • Design for the worst
    • Fail in a ‘safe’ way

Day 2: PWRs, BWRs, and CANDUs

• Most widespread type of reactors around the world

  • Original design process was sometimes trial and error
  • Chosen for versatility
• Thermal neutron spectrum
• Use water or heavy water as the primary moderator and coolant
• 2 famous accidents (Three Mile Island & Fukushima) 
  

Day 3: Gen IV Reactor Designs: https://www.gen-4.org/gif/jcms/c_59461/generation-iv-systems

• Some of the configurations have been used before while others are completely new or have only existed as test reactors
• Mix of thermal and fast neutron spectrums
• Wide variety of coolants
• Advanced fuel designs
  • TRISO fuel particles
  • Prismatic block based designs
• Many pros and cons when compared to traditional reactors
  • Designed with the intent to be safer, cheaper, and more efficient
• Passive safety

Day 4: Modular Reactor, Advanced, and Future Designs

• Designed to be more affordable
• Breeder reactors
• Thorium as a fuel source
  

Day 5: Modular Reactor, Advanced, and Future Designs (continued)