University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
 

Nuclear Power Engineering

NPRE 402

Dr. Magdi Ragheb

Fall 2022

 

• Course Information: NPRE 402
• Department: Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering
• Recommended: Textbook  
• Credit: 3 credit hours, undergraduates,
•            4 credit hours, 1 unit for graduate students; with extra term project or paper.

Professor

• Taught by: Professor M. Ragheb, Ph. D.

• Teaching Evaluations: 

1. Incomplete List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students 1998
2. Incomplete List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students 2000
3. Advisor's list 2003.

Assignments, exams and Teaching Assistants

        Assignments will account for 40 percent of the final grade.

Assignments  Policy and Guidelines

In case of "Internet Rationing" or collapse through overload,
1. Final grades will be based on submitted assignments and on tests taken,
2. Reading of web-published lecture notes will substitute for scheduled synchronous online lecture sessions.

List of assignments, Word
List of assignments, pdf
 

LECTURE VIDEOS

Summer 2022 two-hours lectures videos

Lecture 1
Preface
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_v2bjthxa/257568812
Lecture 2
1. First Human Made Reactor and Birth of Nuclear Age
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_v1cfzdc2/257568812
Lecture 3
4. Nuclear World
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_du3nlgus/257568812
Lecture 4
4. Nuclear Processes, The Strong Force
5. Gamma Rays Interaction with Matter
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_3pil9ez0/257568812
Lecture 5
1. Radioactive Transformations Theory, The Weak Force
9. Gamma and X rays Detection
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_anz8txtx/257568812
Lecture 6
3. Radioisotopes Power Production
2. Food Preservation by Radiation
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_4gqid5bc/257568812
Lecture 7
3. Terrestrial Radioactivity and Geothermal Energy
1. Nuclear Reactor Concepts and Thermodynamic Cycles
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_79cat484/257568812
Lecture 8
10. Isotopic Separation and Enrichment
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_jlxpyg6e/257568812
Lecture 9
2. Pressurized Water Reactors
3. Boiling Water Reactors
4. High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_evpreo6f/257568812
Lecture 10
1. Energy Hydrogenation and Decarbonization
5. Heavy Water Reactor
6. Fourth Generation Reactor Concepts
7. Fast Breeder Reactors
8. Autonomous Battery Reactors
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_bk5b63iw/257568812
Lecture 11
3. Neutron Cross Sections
6. Natural  Nuclear Reactors, The Oklo Phenomenon
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_418d36b1/257568812
Lecture 12
5. Neutron Diffusion Theory
6. Neutron Diffusion in Nonmultiplying Media
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_mwgrogf7/257568812
Lecture 13
6. Natural  Nuclear Reactors, The Oklo Phenomenon
7. One-Group Reactor Theory
9. Multidimensional Reactor Systems in Diffusion Theory
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_2gxraq9r/257568812
Lecture 14
2. Ionizing Radiation Units and Standards
3. Nonionizing Radiation
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_wjcu0fi8/257568812
Lecture 15
4. Cosmic and Space Radiation
7. Solar Storms Effects on Nuclear and Electrical Installations
5. Radiation Hormesis
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_peqz2sku/257568812
Lecture 16
1. Plasmas and Fusion Reactions
2. Fusion Concepts
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_v2dbsc1c/257568812
Lecture 17
2. Fusion Concepts
3. Inertial Confinement Fusion
4. Magnetic Confinement Fusion
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_qfw42y4u/257568812
Lecture 18
4. Magnetic Confinement Fusion
5. Fission Fusion Thorium Hybrid
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_blur4qti/257568812
Lecture 19
15. Global Climatic Variation, Change and Energy Use.
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_6kifwhpd/257568812
Lecture 20
1. Nuclear and Plasma Space Propulsion
2. Space Power Reactors
5. Nuclear Defense Against Stellar Objects
https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_1oerfwxa/257568812

EXAMS

NPRE 402 First Midterm.
Friday, September 30

NPRE 402  Second Midterm.
Monday, October 31

NPRE 402 Final Exam
Friday, December 16, 2022, 7-10 pm

Teaching Assistants Information
Course Outline

Tests

Two midterm tests and one final test are scheduled.

Each will account for 20 percent of the final grade for a total of 60 percent of the final grade.

Assignments, quizzes (unannounced), final project, 40 percent.

Prerequisites: Advanced calculus course, consent of instructor.

Undergraduates: 3 units of credit.

Graduates: 3 units, plus 1 unit for advanced term paper or project, for a total of 4 units of credit.
 

Web Text

NUCLEAR, PLASMA  AND RADIATION SCIENCE

Inventing the future

M. Ragheb

Preface

        Part I  Dawn of Nuclear age
1. First Human Made Reactor and Birth of Nuclear Age
2. German Nuclear Program
3. Japanese Nuclear Weapons Program
4. Nuclear World
5. Race for The Super
6. Natural  Nuclear Reactors, The Oklo Phenomenon
7. Sustainable Energy and Resource Management
8. Safeguards, Non-Proliferation and Peaceful Nuclear Energy
9. The Global Status of Nuclear Power

        Part II Modern Nuclear Science
1. The Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiation Universe
2. Constitution of Matter, The Standard Model
3. Elusive Ghostly Neutrinos
4. Nuclear Processes, The Strong Force
5. Gamma Rays Interaction with Matter

        Part III Radioactive Processes
1. Radioactive Transformations Theory, The Weak Force
2. Food Preservation by Radiation
3. Terrestrial Radioactivity and Geothermal Energy
4. Biogenic and Abiogenic Petroleum
5. Management of Radioactive Waste

        Part IV Fission Systems
1. Nuclear Reactor Concepts and Thermodynamic Cycles
2. Pressurized Water Reactors
3. Boiling Water Reactors
4. High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor
5. Heavy Water Reactor
6. Fourth Generation Reactor Concepts
7. Fast Breeder Reactors
8. Autonomous Battery Reactors
9. Inherently Safe Reactor Designs
10. Isotopic Separation and Enrichment
11. Traveling Wave Reactor
12. Modular Integral Compact Underground Reactor
13. Underwater Power Plants
14. Floating Nuclear Barges

        Part V Fusion Systems
1. Plasmas and Fusion Reactions
2. Fusion Concepts
3. Inertial Confinement Fusion
4. Magnetic Confinement Fusion
5. Fission Fusion Thorium Hybrid

        Part VI Space Nuclear Power
1. Nuclear and Plasma Space Propulsion
2. Space Power Reactors
3. Radioisotopes Power Production
4. Cosmic and Space Radiation
5. Nuclear Defense Against Stellar Objects
6. Nuclear Propulsion Choices for Space Exploration
7. Solar Storms Effects on Nuclear and Electrical Installations
8. Nuclear Asteroid Mining
9. Nuclear Ramjet and Scramjet Propulsion

        Part VII Transport and Diffusion Reactor Theory
1. Transport Theory
2. Subcritical Assemblies Theory
3. Neutron Cross Sections
4. Neutron Collision Theory
5. Neutron Diffusion Theory
6. Neutron Diffusion in Nonmultiplying Media
7. One-Group Reactor Theory
8. Point Reactor Kinetics
9. Multidimensional Reactor Systems in Diffusion Theory
10. Numerical Methods for Diffusion Theory Criticality
11. Fermi Age Theory
12. Two Group Diffusion Theory for Bare and Reflected Reactors
13. Analysis of Fast Reactors Systems
14. The Resonance Escape Probability
15. Treatment of Heterogeneous Systems

        Part VIII Radiological Science
1. Radiation Dosimetry
2. Ionizing Radiation Units and Standards
3. Nonionizing Radiation
4. Environmental Radiation
5. Radiation Hormesis
6. Environmental Remediation of Radioactive Contamination
7. Radiobiological Processes
8. Attenuation of Gamma Radiation
9. Gamma and X rays Detection
10. Nuclear Medicine Applications
11. Positron Emission Tomography
12. Nuclear Sterile Insect Technique
13. Depleted Uranium and its Health Physics

       Part IX  Nuclear Safety
1. Three Mile Island Accident
2. The Chernobyl Accident
3. Fukushima Earthquake and Tsunami Station Blackout Accident
4. Tritium, Man Made Hydrogen

        Part X Nuclear Applications
1. Energy Hydrogenation and Decarbonization
2. Nuclear Age Elements
4. Nuclear Marine Propulsion
5. X Ray and Gamma Ray Lasers
6. Zero Point Field Power
7. Fresh Water Augmentation
8. Single and Dual Purpose Nuclear Desalination
9. Pumped  Storage in Association with the Dead Sea to Red Sea Peace Canal
10. Uranium Resources in Phosphate Rocks
11. Thorium Resources in Rare Earth Elements
12. Isotope Methods in Water Resources Management
13. Symbiotic Coupling of Wind Power and  Nuclear Power Generation
14. Restarting the USA Stalled Nuclear Renaissance
15. Global Climatic Variation, Change and Energy Use.

        References

        Appendices
Vector Calculus Relations
List of the Known Elements
Table of Thermal Neutron Cross Sections
Physical Constants and Conversion Factors
Systeme International (SI), Prefixes and Symbols
Greek Alphabet
Natural Nuclides Table
Artificial and Natural Nuclides Table
Procedure for the Generation of a Decay Curve: decay.f90
Procedure for estimating the activity of an irradiated isotope: Isotope_production.f90
One Group Nuclear Criticality Code Listing: criticality.f90
Multigroup Nuclear Criticality Code Listing: multigroup_criticality.f90
Neutron Dosimetry code: neutron_dosimetry.f90
Input data
30 group cross sections: H₂O
30 group cross sections: Na

University of Illinois Visit to the LaSalle County Generating Station
 

Graduate Reserch Papers

Sheng Kao, "Decontaminated water discharge and dilution from the Fukushima accident into the Pacific Ocean"
Bruce Hicks,  Texas Winter Weather Power Failure""

Honors Paper

Kate Konsevicz, "Developments in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scanning"

Data Files on Isotopes and Cross-Sections

• Text file: "isotopes.txt "containing a reduced Nuclides Chart for the known radioactive and naturally occurring isotopes
• Text file: "natural.txt" containing a data base for the naturally occuring isotopes 
• Cross-Sections for Isotopes of interest in nuclear Applications. Part I.
• Cross-Sections for Isotopes of interest in nuclear Applications. Part II.

Computer Programs and Output Data Files

• Procedure for generating decay curves: "decay" in Fortran-90
• Output from program:"decay" for Tritium
• Procedure for generating the flux from a source in an infinite non-multiplying moderator medium in Fortran-90: "source".
• Output from program "source" for H2O
• Output from program "source" for D2O
• Output from program "source" for Beryllium
• Output from program "source" for Graphite 

Internal Links to Bookmarks

• Nuclear Data for Isotopes and Elements

• Nuclear Information Websites

• Radiation Safety and Health Physics

• Nuclear Power Plants and Government Organizations

• Research Nuclear Reactors

• Nuclear Reactor Designs

• Breeder Nuclear Reactor Designs

• Accelerator-Driven Reactors and Waste Transmutation

• Nuclear Fusion

• Laboratories Involved in Fusion Research

• Magnetic and Inertial Confinement for Fusion Reactors

• Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion

• Marine Propulsion

• Elemental Activation Analysis

• Medical Research with Radioisotopes and Radiation

• Industrial Research with Radioisotopes and Radiation

• Cancer Therapies

• Food Irradiation and Sterilization

• References and Resources

• Related Courses Information

External Links

Nuclear Data for Isotopes and Elements

• Periodic Tables of the Elements
•     http://periodic.lanl.gov/
•     http://ccinfo.ims.ac.jp/periodic
•     http://chemicalelements.com
•     http://www.chemicool.com
• Charts of the Nuclides
•     IAEA Chart of the Nuclides  https://www-nds.iaea.org/relnsd/vcharthtml/VChartHTML.html
•     IAEA Atomic Mass Data Center AMDC https://www-nds.iaea.org/amdc/
•     Chart of the Nuclides, KAERI, Korea
•     Chart of the Nuclides, BNL, USA
•     Nucleonica Universal  Nuclides Chart
•     Chart of the Nuclides, JAEA, Japan
•     Lundl/LBNL Nuclear Data Search
•     Universal Nuclides Chart, Karlsruhe, Germany
• Uranium Seek
• Map of the Nuclides, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)
• Radiation Safety Information Computational Center (RSICC)
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) 

Nuclear Information Websites

• European Nuclear Society
• Atomic Energy Insights
• Todd's Atomic homepage
• Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)
• International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA
• USA Department of Energy , DOE
• The Canadian Nuclear FAQ
• American Nuclear Society
• World Centre  for Condensed Matter Science with neutrons and muons, ISIS
• American Physical Society
• Energy Information Administration, EIA
• World  Nuclear Association
• Nuclear Control Institute
• Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility

Radiation Safety and Health Physics

• International Nuclear Safety Center, INSC  at Argonne National Laboratory, ANL
• Radiation and Health Physics (University of Michigan)
• The Radiation Information Network (Idaho State University) 

Nuclear Power Plants and Government Organizations

• USA Nuclear Regulatory Commission , NRC
• Idaho National Laboratory, INL
• Electric Power Research Institute, EPRI 
• NASA's Scientific and Technical Information, STI
• The Virtual Nuclear Tourist. Nuclear power Plants Around the World
• Exelon corporation, parent of PECO and ComEd companies
• British Energy of Edinburgh, Scotlland

Research Nuclear Reactors

• Kansas State University TRIGA Mark II Nuclear Reactor Facility
• The MIT Nuclear Reactor Laboratory
• North Carolina State University (NCSU) Pulstar Reactor
• Oregon State University (OSU) TRIGA Mark II Research Reactor
• General Atomics - Designers of TRIGA
• University of Alberta - Slowpoke Reactor
• University of Toronto - Slowpoke Reactor
• University of Wisconsin Nuclear Reactor

Nuclear Reactor Designs

• Generation IV Technology Nuclear Energy Systems
• General Atomic's Gas Turbine - Modular Helium Reactor 
• Demonstration on the Control of a  Nuclear Power Plant

Breeder Nuclear Reactor Designs

• Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR-I)
• Molten Salt Breeder Reactor (MSBR)- in Bruce Hoglund's Eclectic Interests Home Page
• Light Water Breeder Reactor (LWBR) 

Accelerator-Driven Reactors and Waste Transmutation

• Plutonium (TRU) Transmutation and U233 Production by Single-Fluid Type Accelerator MSBR
• Hot Demonstrations of Nuclear-Waste Processing Technologies
• Accelerator Driven Systems - An Introduction

Nuclear Fusion

• General Atomic's Educational Web Site on Fusion Energy
• Focus on Fusion

Laboratories Involved in Fusion Research

• Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
• University of California - Irvine
• USA Department Of Energy, USDOE
• Fusionscience
• General Atomics Fusion Group Website
• Fusion Power Associates
• National Institute for Fusion Research, Japan

Magnetic and Inertial Confinement Concepts for Fusion Reactors

• International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Tokamak
• Joint European Torus (JET) Tokamak
• University of Washington's Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) Experiment
• Small Tight Aspect Ratio Tokamak (START) Spheromak
• Madison Symmetric Torus (Reversed Field Pinch,  RFP)
• Stellarator Homepage
• Thermonuclear Fusion in a Staged Z-Pinch
• MAGPIE Dense Z-Pinch Experiments
• ZEBRA at the University of Nevada (Z-Pinch)
• Magnetized Target Fusion Experiments at LANL
• Heavy Ion Fusion Accelerator Research Program

Alternative Confinement Concepts for Fusion Reactors

• The Electric Tokamak
• UCI Fusion Energy and Pulsed Power Research
• LLNL Physical Science Directorate
• 1-kW Cold Fusion Reactor Demonstrated

Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion

• Space Exploration, Nuclear Propulsion
• How Do Nuclear Rockets Work?
• U.S Nuclear Rocket Programs
• Nuclear Rockets Online
• Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion -Technology
• Nuclear Space Power in the 1960s
• Innovative Nuclear Space Power and Propulsion Institute (INSPI)
• Russian Space Science Internet (RSSI)
• Space Exploration Initiative Applications
• Pulsed Nuclear Rocket Launcher
• When Isaac Met Albert - Anti-Matter Propulsion
• Project Orion, Pulsed Nuclear Space Propulsion

  Marine Propulsion

• Marine Nuclear Propulsion
• The Website for Defence Industries-Navy
• Naval Technology
• Energy, Propulsion, and Hydrodynamics - Russia
• USS Nautilus - World's First Nuclear Submarine

Elemental Activation Analysis

• Elemental Analysis Laboratory - Texas A&M
• Neutron Activation Analysis at NC State
• General Activation Analysis Inc.
• Archaeometry Laboratory at MURR
• National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST, Center for Neutron Research
• BioPhysics Assay Laboratory Inc.
• INAA at Delft University, The Netherlands
• Reactor Institute, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands

Medical Research with Radioisotopes and Radiation

• Radioisotopes in Medicine
• Alpha-Omega Services, Inc.
• Medical Design Online
• Laboratory for Accelerator BNaed Sciences, South Africa 

Industrial Research with Radioisotopes and Radiation

• Radioisotopes in Industry
• Nuclear Scanning Services

Cancer Therapies

• Boron-Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) Research at MIT

Food Irradiation and Sterilization

• Poultry Irradiation to Control Food-borne Illness

References and Resources

        1.    Edward M. Baum, Harold D. Knox and Thomas R. Miller, "Nuclides and Isotopes, Chart of the N uclides," 16th Edition, Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, KAPL and Lockheed Martin, 2002.

        2.    Lide, David R.,Ed., "CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics," 83rd Edition, CRC Press LLC, 2002.

Related Courses Information

       NPRE402/ME405  Nuclear Power Engineering

       NPRE457/CSE462 Safety Analysis of Nuclear Reactor Systems

       NPRE490MC(NPRE456/CSE416) Monte Carlo Simulations

       NPRE475 Wind Power Systems

       NPRE590SF Nuclear and Radiological Safety

       NPRE459/CSE417 Fuzzy Logic and its Applications

Please contact Prof. M. Ragheb as a Webmaster at (217)333-6569  with  feedback concerning this page.

Last update for this page was on 8/6/2022