Reactor Theory

Within this lecture the students are introduced to the basic knowledge on reactor theory. For this purpose, physical basics such as binding energy, nuclear transformation and different kinds of radioactivity are discussed at first. On that basis the process of a nuclear fission, the released energy and neutrons as well as the production of fission products are explained. In the main part of the lecture the theoretical basics of a chain reaction, the criticality of a reactor and the four-factor formula are presented. Finally, the neutron flux density distribution and neutron diffusion in a reactor case are discussed and different transport theories are presented.

The lecture is addressed to students in the Master’s programme.

The students are recommended to combine this lecture with the course power plant technology in the winter semester.

Power Plant Technology

Within this lecture types of reactors are classified according to their characteristics and discussed regarding their economic-technical operational capability as nuclear power plant reactors. International developments as well as evolutionary and innovative reactor concepts are presented. An important section is given to the description of the constructional structure of the reactor core and the -cooling circuit, thermal aspects of the single reactor types are discussed. Plant areas outside of the actual reactor are presented considering the radiological and plant technical aspects. Within the framework of the fuel cycle installations for the changing and storing of the fuel elements are explained. An extensive section consists of the closed presentation of reactor safety and the functions of the different radiation barriers, especially of the containment, which are illustrated. Furthermore, safety claims and measures are discussed.

The lecture is addressed to students in the Master’s programme.

The students are recommended to combine this lecture with the course reactor theory in the summer semester.

CFD in Practice

The practice-oriented lecture is a cooperation event of the chairs HSM, LEAT and TTF as well as the working group PSS and shall give the students first basic insights into the working method with CFD codes. In the course of the lecture the freely available CFD code OpenFOAM as well as the commercial CFD code ANSYS CFX will be used. Steady-state and unsteady, laminar and turbulent, incompressible and compressible, and particle-laden flows and heat conduction processes will be investigated using various examples. The creation, execution and evaluation of the simulations are guided and thus basic insights into the broad and complex field of numerical flow simulation are given.

The lecture is addressed to students in the Bachelor’s programme.

Students are recommended to attend the lecture Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics in the summer semester beforehand.