'Fundamentals of Nuclear Engineering' is a course offered in the B. Tech. in Mechanical Engineering program at School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.
Unit 1
Principles of nuclear energy: Introduction - Atomic structure - Energy from Nuclear reactions - Nuclear Fission and Fusion – radioactivity - Decay rates and Half Lives - Neutron Flux - Reaction rates.
Neutron diffusion theory: Diffusion equation - Solution of Diffusion Equation – Thermal Diffusion Length – Diffusion In Multiplying Systems - Slowing Down of Neutrons - Neutron Transport Equation and its approximation.
Unit 2
Components of nuclear reactors: Nuclear Fuel rod – Coolant-control rod – Moderator - Cladding – Reflectors - Shielding Materials - reprocessing of spent Fuels - Nuclear Waste treatment systems.
Power reactor systems: Pressurised water reactors - Boiling water reactors - Gas cooled and High temperature Gas cooled reactors - Pressurised Heavy water reactors - Fast breeder reactors - LMFBR & GCFBR.
Unit 3
Fuel management and reactor safety: fuel burnup - Core Management - control Management - Conversion ratio - Breeding ratio - Doubling Time - Biological effects of radiation – Radiation Hazards - Nuclear reactor Safety.