Scientific and Regulatory Basis for Environmental Protection in Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Course Number: 
NE 290G
Course Units: 
3
Course Instructor: 
Ahn

Catalog Description

  • This course is intended for graduate students interested in acquiring a foundation in the scientific and regulatory basis for environmental safety for nuclear fuel cycles. As we mark significant progress with nuclear fuel cycles, we need to establish in parallel the technical capability to regulate the fuel-cycle facilities for safety, security, and environmental protection for the public. In particular, the nuclear fuel cycle will require the design, construction and operation of facilities, containing plutonium and minor actinides, for spent fuel reprocessing, for fuel fabrication, for transportation, and for fabrication and storage of nuclear waste packages. As avoidance of environmental contamination is of paramount importance for public safety, it is essential to expose the new generation of nuclear engineers to the environmental safety fundamentals including regulations, and equip them with basic computational capability.

Course Prerequisites

  • Graduate standing or permission of instructor
  • NE 124, NE 224, or NE 225 recommended

Textbook(s) and/or other required material

  • M. Benedict, T. H. Pigford, H. W. Levi, Nuclear Chemical Engineering, 2nd ed., McGraw-Hill, 1981.
  • D. G. Cacuci, “Sensitivity and Uncertainty Analysis” Volume 1, Theory, Chapman & Hall/CRC, 2003.
  • The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
  • 10 CFR 51 – Environmental Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions
  • 10 CFR 70 - Domestic licensing of special nuclear material (fuel cycle facilities)
  • NRC Regulatory Guides - Fuels and Materials Facilities (Division 3)
  • NRC Regulatory Guides - Environmental and Siting (Division 4)
  • Standard Review Plan for the Review of an Application for a Mixed Oxide (MOX) Fuel Fabrication Facility (NUREG-1718)
  • Environmental Review Guidance for Licensing Actions Associated with NMSS Programs. (NUREG-1748)
  • Standard Review Plan for the Review of a License Application for a Fuel Cycle Facility (NUREG-1520)
  • Standard Review Plan for the Review of a Reclamation Plan for Mill Tailings Sites Under Title II of the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act (NUREG-1620)
  • Integrated Safety Analysis Guidance Document (NUREG-1513)
  • Standard Review Plan for In Situ Leach Uranium Extraction License Applications (NUREG 1569)
  • 40CFR 190 - Environmental Radiation Protection Standards for Nuclear Power Operations
  • 40CFR 191 - Environmental Radiation Protection Standards for Management and Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel, High-Level and Transuranic Radioactive Wastes
  • 40CFR 192 - Health and Environmental Protection Standards for Uranium and Thorium Mill Tailings
  • Joonhong Ahn, NE 224, Class Notes
  • Joonhong Ahn, NE 225, Class Notes

Topics Covered

  • The standards and regulations applied for nuclear fuel cycle facilities, and concepts of performance-based, risk-informed design and regulations
  • Technical bases for assessing the environmental impacts of nuclear fuel cycle facilities under normal operation and accidental situations
  • Interpretation of environmental impact assessment results
  • Student mini-projects

Assessment of student progress toward course objectives

  • Homework (5 sets): 35%
  • Midterm exam: 30%
  • Final exam: 35%