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- Catalog Description
- 234 Principles and Practice of Nuclear Reactor Operations. II, Odd Yrs; 4 cr. This course
presents the theoretical and practical information required to understand operation of nuclear
reactors. The course content includes all subjects which must be known by a person seeking an
operating license for the university reactor. Instructors integrate information on similar operations
and systems in a nuclear power plant. P: Cons inst. Open to Fr.
- Course Prerequisite(s)
- Prerequisite knowledge and/or skills
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Students must have the ability to perform basic algebraic manipulations and solve elementary equations
- Textbook(s) and/or other required material
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A student manual is available from a local copy service. This manual includes portions of the license, technical specifications, and Safety Analysis Report as well as text and references for each teaching module.
- Course objectives
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Course objectives: It is the instructor's intention to:
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provide a comprehensive education on all aspects of operations of a University research reactor.
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foster a spirit of professionalism among student operators.
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prepare students to take the NRC-administered reactor licensing exam.
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Course Outcomes: The outcomes below are subdivided into the following categories: Math, Physics, Reactor Physics, Health Physics, Reactor Water Systems, Controls & Instrumentation, Reactor Description, Procedures - Standard and Emergency, or Miscellaneous. Students must...
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Math outcomes:
be able to use and manipulate exponential functions
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be able to convert from half life to decay constant for radioactive decay
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be able to convert from period to doubling time to decades per minute
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be able to calculate the amount of time required for an exponential change in power level and the period required for changing power levels from one power level to another in a given time.
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be familiar with exponential approximations for very small positive and negative arguments.
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be capable of determining whether a plot is log, semi-log or linear, and should be able to read all three types of graphs.
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Physics outcomes:
be able to calculate activity produced by exposure of material in a given flux
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be able to calculate radiation level resulting at a given distance
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Reactor Physics outcomes:
be able to explain the difference between fast and thermal neutrons, and between delayed and prompt neutrons.
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know the characteristics of moderators and how moderation changes with temperature.
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be able to identify the different components that make up K-effective, and to indicate how changes in temperature, control rod position, fuel burnup, and other parameters will change the value of K-effective.
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be familiar with Xenon and Samarium production and burnout in the core to the extent that these provide transients in the UWNR.
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be able to do subcritical multiplication problems and use inverse count rate ratio plots to predict approach to critical.
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be aware of the need for startup source and counter interlock to prevent rod withdrawal on low count rates.
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know the approximations to the inhour equation and be skilled in using the inhour equation tables and spreadsheets in laboratory measurements.
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know the definitions of critical, prompt critical, and reactivity.
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know reactivity units with an emphasis on percent (but dollars and pcm should be understood by the students)
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be able to draw traces for different operating sequences, especially startup and shutdown condition.
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explain why TRIGA-FLIP fuel has a prompt negative temperature coefficient and how this relates to the power coefficient observed during operation of the reactor
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be able to predict how the reactor will respond to changes induced by changes in control materials and the reactor plant system.
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be able to perform control element calibrations using the Standing Operating Instructions.
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be able to measure period and determine reactivity using the console information book.
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be able to explain the concept of stable reactor period.
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Health Physics outcomes:
understand why radiation is hazardous and be able to explain the concepts of dose and maximum permissible dose.
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know the 10 CFR Part 20 limits for whole body, skin and extremities doses.
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be able to find the maximum permissible concentration of a particular isotope in air or water using an appropriate reference.
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be able to explain the university laboratory regulations regarding radiation use
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know the definitions of rads, rems, curie, contamination and radiation.
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be able to explain common practices in handling radioactive material and the requirements for dosimetry during such handling.
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know how to use instruments to measure radiation levels.
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know how time, distance and shielding influence the attenuation of radiation exposure
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know the characteristics of alpha, beta, gamma, fast and thermal neutron radiations
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be able to follow the labeling and posting requirements under 10 CFR Part 20.
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know "ballpark figures" of dose rates likely to be found in posted areas of the reactor laboratory.
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know procedures for cleaning up spills and personnel decontamination.
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know where decontamination supplies are kept and actions they must take in the event they contaminate themselves or spill something.
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know how to use all the standard radiation survey instruments used in the reactor laboratory, including function, range, and type of radiation detected.
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be able to employ standard survey methods in the reactor laboratory, including air sampling, water sampling and swipe tests.
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Reactor Water Systems outcomes:
know how the water softener operates.
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be able to identify the different water systems in the demineralizer area.
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know how to start up and shut down the still.
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know how to transfer water from the tanks to the pool, and the procedures covering these transfers.
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know the flow path through the demineralizer and be capable of using the regeneration procedure to regenerate the demineralizer.
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know how to change filters on the demineralizer inlet.
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know how to sample water for pH and conductivity.
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be able to place and remove the pool skimmer from operation.
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be able to trace out the flow path in the waste disposal system.
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be able to follow procedures governing sampling and dumping of the waste water tank.
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be able to explain the operating principles of the cooling system and to trace the flow paths in the system.
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be able to reproduce from memory the major valves, pumps, and heat exchangers involved in the system.
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know the purpose and operation of the nitrogen-16 diffuser.
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be able to follow procedures for starting and stopping the cooling system.
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Controls & Instrumentation outcomes:
understand the operating principles and operation of: the source range, Log-N, safety channels and console voltage supplies for detector operation.
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understand: how to operate the automatic control system; the signals involved in the Servo amplifier; when the automatic control system may be used; how to select different elements on the automatic control system; operation of fuel temperature indication, alarm, and scram, including setpoint; how the Testlab records and displays pulse information.
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understand the electronic and relay Scram capability on the UWNR and what conditions cause electronic and relay Scrams.
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understand all the interlocks involved with the mode switch for pulse, square wave, and manual and automatic operations.
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understand and be able to explain the operating principles and operation of the Continuous Air Monitor, Stack Air Monitor, and Area Radiation Monitor systems. They must know the indicators, alarms, and annunciator responses associated with each of the instruments, as well as routine operating procedures for verifying proper operation of the equipment. They should know the specific locations monitored by each system.
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understand, as pertaining to the UWNR, process measurements and annunciator for temperature, pressure and flow measurements.
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Reactor Descriptions outcomes:
know the layout of core support, structure, drives, Scram dampers, grid layout numbering system, and control blades layout.
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be able to sketch the fuel element, indicating dimensions and composition of the fuel assemblies.
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be able to indicate the size and composition of: reflector elements, safety blades, regulating blade, transient control rod, neutron source and holder. They should be able to measure scram times by standard procedure.
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be able to explain the operation of the regulating blade, fission counter and transient rod drives, including: operation functions, position indicators and speed. Using established procedures, they must be able to remove the regulating drive from service and inspect and lubricate it.
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understand the operation and construction of the safety blade drive, including speed. They must be able to explain how it is removed, lubricated, and inspected using established procedures.
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know the construction, safety features, use and purpose of all currently used experimental facilities and should be acquainted with those facilities that are currently not in use but may be used in the future. These items include: beam ports, installed beam port experiments, thermal column, tortoise tube, pneumatic tube and support systems and whale tube and support systems.
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be able to locate and identify all ventilation systems and know the purpose of each system. They must know the location of all operating controls and indications. Students must know the region served by each A/C unit.
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Procedures (Standard and Emergency) outcomes:
know the relationships of the Reactor Laboratory to the University Radiation Safety Committee and the University Health Physics office.
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be aware of the existence of the Reactor Safety Committee and its role in approving procedures and modifications to the reactor.
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understand the chain of command of Reactor Director, Reactor Supervisor, other Senior Operators, and Operators.
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know the functions and responsibilities of Operators in accordance with UWNR-001 and the Technical Specifications.
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be capable of using UWNR forms 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 109, 109A, 167, 168, 170, 171, 171A, 172 and 173 to perform the surveillance checks required.
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be thoroughly familiar with procedures UWNR 140, 141, 142, 143, 143A, including the 143A layout for the current core loading.
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be capable of performing a critical experiment, understanding the reason for the readings that are taken during the critical experiment, and when and how predictions are used to select loading increments.
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be familiar with the UWNR 002 requirements on isotope production in the reactor, and performance of other experiments.
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understand the UWNR 130 form when and when it is properly completed.
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be able to operate any of the experimental facilities using the appropriate operating procedures.
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be thoroughly familiar with UWNR 110 and 111, Pre-Startup Checklists, Log forms on the 112, use of the 113 form and the 114 Shutdown form.
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understand the significance of and when the Scram procedure, UWNR 115, has to be used.
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understand operator responsibilities under the Energency Plan and its implementing procedures, including location of the evacuation alarm system readouts nad location of the energency equipment.
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be cognizant of the maintenance and calibration procedures, such as UWNR 020, 120, 166, 175, 176 and 200.
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be aware of the procedures contained in the General Electric Open Pool Reactor Book. (Students are not necessarily expected to have the expertise to perform the maintenance and calibration procedures in this section, but they should be capable of assisting a Senior Operator in carrying them out.)
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Miscellaneous outcomes:
memorize the parameters and relationships stated in the Technical Specifications of the reactor license.
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memorize technical specification definitions, safety limits, and other specifications other than surveillance requirements. They should have a general familiarity with administrative controls.
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understand how time, distance and shielding affect radiation dose. They should be able to perform simple shielding calculations, and calculations of dose rate and dose with variations in shield thickness, distance, and time. They should be familiar with neutron detection processes.
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thoroughly understand production and control of N-16 and Ar-41 in an operating nuclear reactor.
- Topics covered
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Reactor Theory
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Radiation hazards and radiation detection
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Nuclear and process instrumentation
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NRC regulations and regulatory guides
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Standards
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QA requirements
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Basic machine operation principles (pumps, instrumentation, positioners, blowers, etc, as applied to reactor operation)
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Use of written procedures and instructions to assure compliance with regulations and good practices
- Class/laboratory schedule
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Class meets five days a week for 50 minute class/lab sessions. In addition, most students spend three additional hours per week in practical exercises and reactor operation.
- Contribution of course to meeting the professional component
- This course contributes primarily to the students' knowledge of engineering topics, but does not provide design experience.
The following statement indicates which of the following considerations are included in this course: economic, environmental, ethical, political, societal, health and safety, manufacturability, sustainability.
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This course provides invaluable training to those students intending to make a career in the nuclear power industry by instilling "best plant practices" in a non-power facility.
As such, it indirectly contributes to "health and safety." Students must be familiar with all plant systems and adhere to established procedures to pass the NRC-administered licensing exam.
- Relationship of course to undergraduate degree program objectives and outcomes
- This course primarily serves students in the department. The information below describes how the course contributes to the undergraduate program objectives.
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NE234 is focused to help satisfy the NE educational objectives in that the means of providing for safe nuclear reactor operation (proper design, good maintenance practice, well-established procedural guidance, and training of operating personnel) are all included. Much emphasis is placed on understanding how equipment and systems work to provide the desired function.
- Assessment of student progress toward course objectives
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Evaluation of progress by problem sets and written, oral and performance examinations: 50% written exams, 30% problem sets and exercises and 20% oral examination.
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Students may also elect to take the NRC-administered licensing exam, which provides an independent measure of whether students have mastered the course objectives. Historically, about 50% have taken this exam, and 90%
of those students have passed.
- Person(s) who prepared this description
