Engineering Physics 4D3/6D3 - Nuclear Reactor Analysis

Announcements

• Lectures for the academic year 2005/2006 began September 8, 2005. The course is now over for this academic year.
• As of the academic year 2006/2007, this course is being taught by Dr. Ben Rouben. See
  • Academic years 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 http://www.nuceng.ca/br_space/ep4d03/4d03_6d03_home.htm.
  • Academic year 2008/2009 http://www.nuceng.ca/br_space/2009-01_6d03/6d03_home.htm

Course Description:

Introduction to nuclear energy; nuclear physics and chain reactions; reactor statics and kinetics; multigroup analysis; core thermalhydraulics; reactor design. Course concept map.

Three lectures per week; first term
Prerequisite: Engineering Physics 3D3
Lecturer: Bill Garland, NRB 117, extension 24925, garlandw@mcmaster.ca, office hours: as needed; don't be shy.
Teaching Assistant: Taesung Ha, JHE A401, extension 24939, hats@mcmaster.ca, office hours: Mondays at 1:00-2:00 for sure but can be reached at other times as well.

Course Administration:

• back to the Course Outline on the official Department course page, pdf version suitable for printing (pdf 66kb)
• Schedule (as of 2014-02-20 )
• Check out the download page for code that you can use for the assignments in this course
• Errata - Duderstadt and Hamilton (pdf 22kb)

Course notes

Note: These course notes, assignments and tests may be purchased from the bookstore as a coursepack . I follow Duderstadt and Hamilton for the most part but the derivation of Fick's Law follows Lamarsh and the numerical methods are my own formulation (simpler to understand and code than D&H). The discussion of the McMaster reactor is obviously not in D&H.

• Course Overview (pdf 120kb) revised 2001.07.09
• Basic Definitions and Perspectives (pdf 457kb) revised 2004.07.17 , addendum (pdf 280kb)
• One Group Diffusion - Fixed Sources (pdf 297kb) revised 2004.07.17 , addendum (pdf 70kb) posted 2003.09.18
• Process Modelling - (pdf 266kb) revised 2004.07.17
• Numerical Methods (pdf 451kb) revised 2004.07.17
• Chain Reactions (pdf 301kb) revised 2004.07.17
• One Group Diffusion - Reactors (pdf 325kb) revised 2005.07.13
• McMaster Nuclear Reactor (pdf 970kb)
• Core Composition Changes (pdf 285kb) revised 2005.07.13
• Multigroup Theory (pdf 394kb) revised 2005.07.13
• Kinetics (pdf 340kb) revised 2005.07.13
• Feedback (pdf 156 kb) revised 2002.08.10, Reactor Selection notes (draft) (pdf 28kb) added 2004.11.23
• Heat Transfer (pdf 403kb) revised 2004.07.17, Nuclear Plant Matrix (pdf 67kb) added 2005.11.22
• General Diffusion Equations Revisited (pdf 221kb) - a summary of sorts
• Additional information:
  • Mathematics (pdf 139 kb) 2002.08.10. There is not much here yet.
• known Errata - none as of 2005.07.13

Class Recordings

• 2005.09.08
  • Introduction - not recorded, but it was similar to last year's Introduction (exe 15Mb)
• 2005.09.12
  • Basic Definitions and Perspectives (start) - (exe 10.6Mb)
• 2005.09.13
  • Basic Definitions and Perspectives (continued) - (exe 12.6Mb)
• 2005.09.15
  • The Diffusion of Neutrons (start) (exe 11.7Mb)
• 2005.09.19
  • The Diffusion of Neutrons (continued) (exe 10.4Mb)
• 2005.09.20
  • The Diffusion of Neutrons (continued) (exe 9.8Mb)
• 2005.09.22
  • The Diffusion of Neutrons (conclusion) (exe 10.2Mb)
• 2005.09.26
  • Numerical Methods - info for Assignment #2 (exe 4.5Mb)
• 2005.09.27
  • Numerical Methods (continued) (exe 10.2Mb)
• 2005.09.29
  • Numerical Methods (conclusion) (exe 11.1Mb)
• 2005.10.03 s
  • Review of Quiz and discussion on learning (exe 6.3Mb)
• 2005.10.04
  • Discussion on Assignment #2 and ChainReactions (start) (exe 12.4Mb)
• 2005.10.06
  • Chain Reactions (conclusion) and One Group Diffusion - Reactors (start) (exe 12.0Mb)
• 2005.10.11
  • One Group Diffusion - Reactors (continued) (exe 13.8Mb)
• 2005.10.13
  • One Group Diffusion - Reactors (continued) (exe 9.8Mb). More complete numerical k discussion (exe 1.9Mb) than that done in class.
• 200510.17
  • One Group Diffusion - Reactors (conclusion) + worked examples (exe 9.4Mb)
• 2005.10.20
  • McMaster Nuclear Reactor (exe 7.9Mb). Assign #4 was also discussed, see assignment section below. The recording will be made visible after the assignment due date.
• 2005.10.24
  • Core Composition Changes (start) (exe 16.7Mb) - Xe poisioning including demo of code.
• 2005.10.25
  • Core Composition Changes (continued) (exe 9.8Mb)
• 2005.10.27
  • Core Composition Changes (continued) (exe 1.8Mb). Break for inclass exercise. Core Composition Changes (conclusion) (exe 1.3Mb). Multigroup Theory (start) (exe 3.7Mb). Aside on Quality in learning (exe 2.9Mb)
• 2005.10.31
  • Multigroup Theory (continued) (exe 11.9Mb)
• 2005.11.01
  • Hints for Assignment #5 (exe 5.3Mb), Multigroup Theory (continued) (exe 9.0Mb)
• 2005.11.03
  • Multigroup Theory (continued) (exe 11.6Mb)
• 2005.11.07
  • Multigroup Theory (conclusion), Point Kinetics (start) (exe 16.7Mb)
• 2005.11.08
  • Point Kinetics (continued) (exe 12.2Mb)
• 2005.11.10
• Pre-quiz workshop (exe 3.5Mb). Actual quiz (pdf 86kb) that will be given on the 2005.11.14.
• 2005.11.14
• Pre-quiz note (exe 3.5Mb). Quiz #2 and course evaluation done today.
• 2005.11.15
• Point Kinetics (continue) (exe 10.3MB)
• 2005.11.17
  • Point Kinetics (conclusion) (exe 8.9Mb)
• 2005.11.21
• Feedback (exe 9.7Mb) - CANDU vs PWR kinetics, cost, design evolution discussion
• 2005.11.22
• Heat Transfer (start) (exe 10.8Mb) - discussion of nuclear plant matrix
• 2005.11.24
• Heat Transfer (conduction in fuel) (exe 6.7Mb), break for class 'think time', Heat Transfer (conduction in gap) (exe 3.4Mb)
• 2005.11.28
• Heat Transfer (conclusion) (exe 13.7Mb)
• 2005.11.29
• Student presentation by Aditi Garg (see below). No in-class recording.
• 2005.12.01
• Course summary (exe 11.2Mb)
• ...

Recordings for 2004/05 term 1

• 2004.09.09
  • Introduction, administration, Learning 101 (exe 15Mb)
• 2004.09.13
  • Basic Definitions and Perspectives (start) - part a (exe 9.1Mb), part b (exe 3.7Mb)
• 2004.09.14
  • Basic Definitions and Perspectives (continued) - part a (7.0Mb exe), part b (5.3Mb exe) [Sorry, there is a dead spot with no audio from minute1 to minute 3 in part a. I will try to edit this out at some point.]
• 2004.09.16 No class
• 2004.09.20
  • Basic Definitions and Perspectives (conclusion) (exe 6.8Mb)
  • The Diffusion of Neutrons (start) (exe 7.0Mb)
• 2004.09.21
  • The Diffusion of Neutrons (continued) (exe 14.4Mb) - derivation of Fick's law.
• 2004.09.23
  • The Diffusion of Neutrons (continued) (exe 5.7Mb) - planar source case
  • The Diffusion of Neutrons (continued) (exe 8.6Mb)- point source case -> end of chapter
• 2004.09.27
  • Process Modelling (part) & Numerical Methods (start) (exe 15.6Mb) - discussion on numerical methods and modelling.
• 2004.09.28
  • Numerical Methods (continued) (exe 9.5Mb) - steady state solutions
  • Numerical Methods (continued) (exe 2.5Mb) - transient solutions
• 2004.09.30
  • Numerical method (conclusion) (exe 5.8Mb) - discussion of implicit method, worked example (Quiz#2, 1997)
  • Chain Reactions (start) (exe 5.8MB)
• 2004.10.05
  • Radiation Safety 101 (exe 5.3Mb) - guest lecture by Dave Tucker, Senior Health Physicists for McMaster. Associated presentation (pdf 723kb).
• 2004.10.07
  • Fuel Depletion and Lattice Reactivity in CANDU (exe 15.3Mb) - guest lecture by Ben Rouben, Manager, Reactor Core Physics, AECL. Associated presentation (pdf 1.2Mb).
• 2004.10.12
  • One Group Diffusion - Reactors (start) (exe 9.4Mb) - adding the fission term to the neutron balance equation
• 2004.10.18
  • One Group Diffusion - Reactors (continued) (exe 9.4Mb) - additional cases
  • One Group Diffusion - Reactors (continued) (exe 10.3Mb) - numerical criticality calcs
• 2004.10.21
  • One Group Diffusion - Reactors (continued) (exe 10.0Mb) - Gauss- Seidel review by student Grant Minor (thanks!), general code disscussion
• 2004.10.25
  • One Group Diffusion - Reactors (continued) (exe 5.0Mb) - Worked examples: going critical and estimating a parameter from a criticality experiment.
• 2004.10.26
  • Core Composition Changes (start) (exe 10.9Mb) - Xe poisioning including demo of code.
• 2004.10.28
• Core Composition Changes (conclusion) (exe 9.6Mb) - Fuel depletion
• 2004.11.01
  • Summary and worked example (exe 8.0Mb)
• 2004.11.04
  • Multigroup Theory (start) (exe 10.8Mb) - Discussion of the midterm solution and the start of multigroup theory.
• 2004.11.08
  • Multigroup Theory (continued) (exe 16.8Mb) - just grinding through the rest of the chapter!
• 2004.11.09
  • Multigroup Theory (conclusion) (exe 7.2Mb) - looking at the 2 group approximation.
• 2004.11.11
  • Kinetics (start) (exe 6.3Mb) - development of the point kinetics equations. Multigroup computer programming discussion was not recorded since the projector was late in arriving.
• 2004.11.15
  • Kinetics (continued) (exe 11.9Mb) - discussion and development of point kinetics, prompt jump, prompt critical, visualization using a computer code PK1 (available from the download page), discussion of rod worth determination.
• 2004.11.16
  • Kinetics (continued) (exe 9.8Mb) - neutron lifetime estimation, discussion on rod worth calibration. Inverse method.
• 2004.11.18
  • Kinetics (conclusion) and Feedback (start) (exe 10.6Mb) - Inverse method, multi-group with delayed precursors. CANDU vs PWR kinetics discussion.
• 2004.11.23
  • Feedback (conclusion) (exe 12.8Mb) - CANDU vs PWR kinetics discussion, safety discussion.
• 2004.11.25
  • Heat Transfer (start) (exe 9.4Mb) - Heat conduction in a fuel pin.
• 2004.11.29
  • Heat Transfer (conclusion) (exe 11.3Mb) - Coolant heat up, heat transfer crisis and ramifications.
• 2004.11.30
  • Summer Co-op Experience at OPG by Aditi Garg, 2004.11.30. Feeder thinning, etc. Not recorded but PowerPoint file is available below.
  • Nuclear Energy in Context (exe 5.2 Mb) - closing lecture. Associated slides (pdf 170kb).

Assignments and Tests

• 2006 [Solutions for the assignments are password protected and are for INSTRUCTORS ONLY. Instructors can contact Bill Garland as needed]
  • - see the notes from your TA re marking the numerical assignments.
  • Assignment # 1 (pdf 68kb) Solution (pdf 134kb)
  • Assignment # 2 (pdf 19kb) Solution (pdf 372kb), including sample C code for questions 2 and 3 , and a Matlab solution to question 3b. See also a solution created using LabWindows/CVI.
  • Assignment # 3 (pdf 3kb) - some hints (BB Flashback exe 2.1Mb) Solution (pdf 230kb)
  • Assignment # 4 (pdf 24kb) Solution (pdf 257kb) Recording of class discussion (exe 2.3Mb)
  • Assignment # 5 (pdf 18kb), Hints for Assignment #5 (exe 5.3Mb) Solution (pdf 486kb)
  • Assignment # 6 (pdf 27kb) Solution (pdf 49kb), much better solution from your TA (pdf 447kb)
  • Assignment # 7 (pdf 40kb) Solution (pdf 95b)
  • Assignment # 8 (pdf 32kb) Solution (pdf 66kb)
  • Assignment # 9 (pdf 15kb) Solution (pdf 86kb)
• 2005
• Quiz #1 with solution (pdf 75kb)
• Midterm 2005 with solution (pdf 167kb)
• Quiz #2 with solution (pdf 149kb), provided by Tony Liang.
• Final Exam - December 2005 (pdf 63kb) - Solution (407 pdf kb)
• 2004
• Quiz #1 2004 - see Quiz #1 2001 below
• Quiz #2 2004 with solution (pdf 109kb), discussion (exe 3.0Mb)
• Midterm 2004 with solution (pdf 95kb)
• Final Exam - December 2004 (pdf 126kb) Solution (pdf 495kb)
• 2003
  • Quiz #1 2003 with solution (pdf 30kb)
  • Midterm 2003 with solution (pdf 180kb)
  • Midterm # 2 2003 with solution (pdf 116kb)
  • Final Exam - December 2003 (pdf 90kb) Solution (pdf 700kb)
• 2002
  • Quiz #1 2002 (pdf 8kb)
  • Quiz #2 2002 (pdf 7kb)
  • Midterm 2002 (pdf 110kb)
  • Final Exam - December 2002 (pdf 110kb)
• 2001
  • Quiz #1 2001 with solution (pdf 54kb)
  • Quiz #2 2001 with solution (pdf 117kb)
  • Midterm 2001 with solution (pdf 277kb)
  • Final Exam - December 2001 (pdf 74kb) Solution (pdf 493kb)
• 2000
  • Quiz #1 2000 with solution (pdf 42kb) revised 2004.11.04
  • Midterm 2000 with solution (pdf 145kb)
  • Final Exam - December 2000 (pdf 171kb) Solution (pdf 475kb)
• 1999
• Quiz #1 1999 with solution (pdf 79kb)
• Quiz #2 1999 with solution (pdf 87kb)
• Midterm 1999 with solution (pdf 368kb)
• Final Exam - December 1999 (pdf 57kb) Solution (pdf 361kb)
• 1998
  • Quiz 1998 (pdf 3kb)
  • Midterm 1998 with solution (pdf 293kb)
  • Midterm #2 1998 with solution (pdf 347kb)
  • Final Exam - December 1998 (pdf 50kb) Solution (pdf 220kb)
• 1997
  • Quiz #1&2 1997 with solution (pdf 117kb)
  • Final Exam - December 1997 (pdf 38kb) Solution (pdf 999kb)
• 1996
  • Midterm 1996 with solution (pdf 82kb)
  • Final Exam - December 1996 (pdf 68kb) Solution (pdf 434kb)
• 1995
  • Final Exam - December 1995 (pdf 67kb) Solution (pdf 413kb)
• 1994
  • Quiz 1994 with solution (pdf 41kb)
  • Midterm 1994 with solution (pdf 146kb) revised 2004.11.08
  • Final Exam - December 1994 (pdf 32kb) Solution to question 8 (pdf 56kb)
• 1993
  • Final Exam - December 1993 (pdf 44kb)
• 1991
  • Final Exam - December 1991 (pdf 53kb) Solution (pdf 381kb)
• 1990
  • Final Exam - December 1990 (pdf 55kb)
• 1988
  • Quiz 1988 with solution (pdf 76kb)
  • Midterm 1988 with solution (pdf 212kb)

Contributions from Guest Lecturers

• CANDU Fuel Management (pdf 514kb) by Ben Rouben, Manager, Reactor Core Physics Branch, AECL, 2003.11.10.

Contributions from Students

• Simple decay of a radioactive species, calculated numerically in C by Miroslav Maklenov, 2003.09.10. (Zip file 45kb)
• Advanced Candu Reactor (ACR) (pdf 342kb)
• Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) (pdf 285kb)
• Summer Co-op Experience at OPG by Aditi Garg, 2004.11.30. Feeder thinning, etc. (ppt 922kb)
• Summer Job Experience at AECL by Aditi Garg, 2005.11.29. Reactor physics codes and computer scripting. (ppt 1.2Mb)

Interesting and Informative Links

• Teaching matters - helpful general information on teaching and learning for the student and the educator.
• Computing tools - some suggestions.
• Reactor physics code downloads.
• See the Downloads page for engineering software and compilers, etc.
• CANNUC Discussion Forum - This site was started in the hope of promoting discussion regarding "all things Nuclear" in general but there is a topic area for this course. Setup by Rob Pasuta of the McMaster Nuclear Reactor, a former student in EP4D3 - Go Rob!
• Suggestions welcome.