Operation, control and safety of nuclear systems

Operating principles: thermal-hydraulics & neutronics of the nuclear power plants (reactors) [NPP]. Operational bases of tha main technological systems for the operation, the control and the safety; fundamental principles for the plant safety & design ; Design criteria for safety at the global & systems levels; defence in depth, single failure); residual heat extraction, limits of operation in temperature and pressure; Reactivity coefficients affecting safety; Protection and shutdown systems; Design basis accidenst and related criteria.

Technology & safety of the nuclear fuel; principles or the fuel design and of its safe management in the reactor core.

Methodology of the deterministic and probabilistic safety studies. Human reliability.

Teach the basic concepts of the safety of nuclear (pressurized water, power) reactors (NPP-PWR)

Lectures (slides) + visit of a nuclear power plant (if possible) + lab sessions on the SCALDIS simulator (Electrabel ENGIE) and on research reactors (SCK-CEN Mol), with reporting.

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

Supply of additional PDF files of useful documents: varies with possible recent events

Contacts

Pierre-Etienne LABEAU, pierre.etienne.labeau@ulb.be

Campus

Solbosch

Method(s) of evaluation

• Other

Other

Oral exam (Three questions + presentation of a scientific paper from literature)

Reporting on visits / lab sessions.

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

Equal weighting of the three questions for 2/3 of the mark, and 1/3 for the paper presentation; possible adjustment on the basis of the report quality

Language(s) of evaluation

• english