Nuclear Reactor Technology Development and Utilization

Salah Ud-Din Khan, Alexander V. Nakhabov

• Publisher: Woodhead Publishing
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9780128184837
• eBook ISBN: 9780128189436
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Industrial Health & Safety
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Nuclear Reactor Technology Development and Utilization presents the theory and principles of the most common advanced nuclear reactor systems and provides a context for the value and utilization of nuclear power in a variety of applications both inside and outside a traditional nuclear setting. As countries across the globe realize their plans for a sustainable energy future, the need for innovative nuclear reactor design is increasing, and this book will provide a deep understanding of how these technologies can aid in a region's goal for clean and reliable energy.Dr Khan and Dr Nakhabov, alongside their team of expert contributors, discuss a variety of important topics, including nuclear fuel cycles, plant decommissioning and hybrid energy systems, while considering a variety of diverse uses such as nuclear desalination, hydrogen generation and radioisotope production. Knowledge acquired enables the reader to conduct further research in academia and industry, and apply the latest design, development, integration, safety and economic guidance to their work and research.- Combines reactor fundamentals with a contemporary look at evolving trends in the design of advanced reactors and their application to both nuclear and non-nuclear uses- Analyses the latest research and uses of hybrid systems which bring together nuclear technology with renewable energy technologies- Presents applications, economic factors and an analysis of sustainability factors in one comprehensive resource

1

Fundamentals of nuclear reactors

Saeed A. Alameri; Ahmed K. Alkaabi Department of Nuclear Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Nuclear power plants produce energy basically through nuclear fission reactions in nuclear fuel. When fission reactions occur in the fuel material, a large amount of heat is produced along with several neutrons and fission fragments, thus leading to a fission chain reaction and energy production. This chapter provides a basic understanding of nuclear reactor principles. The first part begins with a basic concept of nuclear power plants beginning with the fundamentals and practical applications related to the utilization of nuclear energy from fission. It explains the different types of neutron interaction with matter including neutron attenuation, scattering, and fission. The concepts of neutron diffusion and reactor theory are explained starting with equation of continuity and Fick's law approximation in one-energy group, multigroup, and two-group contexts. Then, a brief introduction to nuclear reactor kinetics including reactor reactivity, neutron life, reactor feedback coefficients, and neutron poisons is explained. The second part of the chapter explains the basic principles of nuclear system thermal hydraulics with single-phase fluid mechanics and heat transfer relevant to nuclear systems. This part includes topics ranging from basic thermal hydraulic characteristics of power reactors to the main classification of nuclear power plants, power cycles and reactor designs, and primary coolant system in various reactor designs. The chapter then discusses thermal design principles and reactor heat generation, which leads to a more focused thermal analysis of nuclear fuel elements including a brief description of the single-phase heat transfer for laminar and turbulent flow in both circular and noncircular subchannels.

Keywords

Nuclear systems; Fission; Neutron diffusion equation; Reactor theory; Thermal hydraulics; Single phase flow; Heat transfer; Single channel

Chapter outline

• 1.1 Part 1: Nuclear reactor principles
  • 1.1.1 Neutron interaction
  • 1.1.2 Neutron diffusion
  • 1.1.3 Reactor theory
  • 1.1.4 Reactor kinetics
  • 1.1.5 Summary and conclusions
• 1.2 Part 2: Thermal hydraulics in nuclear systems
  • 1.2.1 Thermal hydraulic characteristics of nuclear power reactors
  • 1.2.2 Reactor heat generation
  • 1.2.3 Thermal analysis of fuel elements
  • 1.2.4 Single-phase heat transfer
  • 1.2.5 Summary and conclusions
• References

1.1 Part 1: Nuclear reactor principles

Nuclear reactors produce energy through nuclear fission reactions. To understand how fission power is produ...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contributors
• About the editors
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• 0: Introduction to nuclear power technology
• 1: Fundamentals of nuclear reactors
• 2: Nuclear fuel cycle and decommissioning
• 3: Nuclear reactor safety
• 4: Economics of nuclear power plants
• 5: Small modular reactors
• 6: Generation IV nuclear reactors
• 7: Nuclear desalination
• 8: Nuclear hydrogen
• 9: Engineering materials in advanced space applications
• 10: Nonpower applications of nuclear technology
• 11: Nuclear hybrid energy system
• 12: Nuclear power plant development
• 13: Nuclear-powered space reactor
• 14: Nuclear power plant systems
• Index