NE571 Reactor Theory and Design
Fall semester 2008

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Instructor:       Ronald E. Pevey, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A. 

Office:             213 Pasqua Engineering Building 

Office Hours:   Posted on office door 

Telephone:       974-7573 

Course Description:  This course covers the theory and techniques of nuclear reactor analysis and design.  The principal emphasis will be on giving the student a grounding in the basic principles of the analysis methods and how the methods are used together in the reactor design process. 

Required Text: Stacey, Weston M.   Nuclear-Reactor Physics, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 2007 (Second edition).  [2008: If you have the previous edition of the book, that will be adequate, except for the need to get ahold of a copy of pages 265-275 in the new edition.]

We will be following the first 8 chapters of the text rather closely, with additional material chosen out of the advanced chapters (and a little bit just from my notes).

Course Objectives:  By taking this course, the student should gain a basic understanding of: 

• Basic concepts of reactor physics
• Equations and numerical methods of neutron energy distributions (spectrum)
• The multigroup energy formalism
• Theory and use of diffusion theory spatial techniques
• Special techniques for determining energy-group constants with resonance absorbers
• General effects of burnup
• Reactor kinetics
• Reactor analysis procedures, including safety calculations
  

• Test #1                    30%
• Test #2                    30%
  
• Final                        30%
  
• Class participation   10%
  

Class preparation: To prepare for each class, you should: 

• Review the preview from your notes from the previous classes
  
• Read the class reading assignment from the syllabus and be able to discuss the new material
• Review your notes from previous classes and be able to discuss any previous material.
• Download the PowerPoint slides for the day as they become available

E-mail registration:  Please e-mail me your name and e-mail address by double-clicking on the mailbox below (with the indicated SUBJECT of the e-mail): 

   Subject: Registration 
 

Return to Course Outline                                                                                                                   © 2008 by Ronald E. Pevey.  All rights reserved.