Nuclear Reactor Safety

Catalog Description

• Principles and methods used in the safety evaluation of nuclear power plants. Safety philosophies, design criteria and regulations. Deterministic and probabilistic models, reliability analysis, nuclear and thermal-hydraulic transients, radiological consequences, and risk assessment. Design-basis and severe accident analysis, role of engineered safety systems, siting, and licensing. Case studies of accidents. Offered even-numbered years.

Course Prerequisites

• NE 150
• NE 161

Course Objectives

• To introduce students to the regulatory requirements and the safety issues related to the licensing of a complex engineered facility such as a nuclear (fission or fusion) power plant.
• To give students some experience in preparing safety analyses and presenting their results for use in licensing.
• To introduce students to some of the societal issues surrounding the design, construction and operation of such a plant.

Topics covered

1. Introduction, deterministic vs. probabalistic methods
2. Safety philosophy, safety goals and criteria
3. The regulatory arena
4. Risk assessment & risk management
5. Fire and seismic safety
6. Accident and consequence analysis
7. Dynamics and stability of systems
8. Case studies: Advanced reactors

Class schedule

• Three hours of lecture per week

Assessment of student progress toward course objectives

• The course will consist of lectures and a term project. The term project will focus on the safety analysis  required for siting a large complex engineered facility (e.g. fission  or fusion power plant, chemical process plant, etc.) at a   location in California. Grades will be based on the term projects and a final class presentation, in a hearing format.