Physics of High-Temperature Reactors focuses on the physics of high-temperature reactors (HTRs) and covers topics ranging from fuel cycles and refueling strategies to neutron cross-sections, transport and diffusion theory, and resonance absorption. Spectrum calculations and cross-section averaging are also discussed, along with the temperature coefficient and reactor control. Comprised of 16 chapters, this book begins with a general description of the HTR core as well as its performance limitations. The next chapter deals with general considerations about HTR physics, including quantities to be determined and optimized in the design of nuclear reactors. Potential scattering and resonance reactions between neutrons and atomic nuclei are then considered, together with basic aspects of transport and diffusion theory. Subsequent chapters explore methods for solving the diffusion equation; slowing-down and neutron thermalization in graphite; HTR core design, fuel management, and cost calculations; and core dynamics and accident analysis. The final chapter describes the sequence of reactor design calculations. This monograph is written primarily for students of HTR physics who are preparing to enter the field as well as technologists of other disciplines who are working on the system.

Thermal Design of Nuclear Reactors

Contents: Editors' Foreword (G Medrano & K P Lieb)Introduction (G Violini)Principles of Nuclear Reactor Physics (R Caro)Lectures on Neutron Transport Theory (P Benoist)Reactor Physics in India (B P Rastogi)On the Solution of Some Nuclear and Energy Problems Using Optimal Control Theory (E Rofman)A Teaching, Training and Research Reactor: Argentine Reactor No 6(J Lokch)The Modular High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor: A New Approach in Reactor Design (G Lohnert)A Nuclear Power Reactor Concept for Developing Countries (F Sefidvash)Nuclear Physics with Neutrons (K Schreokenbaoh)Electromagnetic Moments of High-Spin States in Medium-Mass Nuclei (K P Lieb)Hypernuclei (Jr Bevtini)Round Table on Nuclear Reactors and Developing Countries (G Medrano) Readership: Graduate students and researchers in nuclear physics, and nuclear engineers.

This book introduces readers to gas flows and heat transfer in pebble bed reactor cores. It addresses fundamental issues regarding experimental and modeling methods for complex multiphase systems, as well as relevant applications and recent research advances. The numerical methods and experimental measurements/techniques used to solve pebble flows, as well as the content on radiation modeling for high-temperature pebble beds, will be of particular interest. This book is intended for a broad readership, including researchers and practitioners, and is sure to become a key reference resource for students and professionals alike.

Global warming, shortage of low-cost oil resources and the increasing demand for energy are currently controlling the world's economic expansion while often opposing desires for sustainable and peaceful development. In this context, atomic energy satisfactorily fulfills the criteria of low carbon gas production and high overall yield. However, in the absence of industrial fast-breeders the use of nuclear fuel is not optimal, and the production of high activity waste materials is at a maximum. These are the principal reasons for the development of a new, fourth generation of nuclear reactors, minimizing the undesirable side-effects of current nuclear energy production technology while increasing yields by increasing operation temperatures and opening the way for the industrial production of hydrogen through the decomposition of water. The construction and use of such reactors is hindered by several factors, including performance limitations of known structural materials, particularly if the life of the projected systems had to extend over the periods necessary to achieve low costs (at least 60 years). This book collects lectures and seminars presented at the homonymous NATO ASI held in autumn 2007 at the Institut d’Etudes Scientifiques in Cargèse, France. The adopted approach aims at improving and coordinating basic knowledge in materials science and engineering with specific areas of condensed matter physics, the physics of particle/matter interaction and of radiation damage. It is our belief that this methodology is crucially conditioning the development and the industrial production of new structural materials capable of coping with the requirements of these future reactors.

Physics of Nuclear Reactors presents a comprehensive analysis of nuclear reactor physics. Editors P. Mohanakrishnan, Om Pal Singh, and Kannan Umasankari and a team of expert contributors combine their knowledge to guide the reader through a toolkit of methods for solving transport equations, understanding the physics of reactor design principles, and developing reactor safety strategies. The inclusion of experimental and operational reactor physics makes this a unique reference for those working and researching nuclear power and the fuel cycle in existing power generation sites and experimental facilities. The book also includes radiation physics, shielding techniques and an analysis of shield design, neutron monitoring and core operations. Those involved in the development and operation of nuclear reactors and the fuel cycle will gain a thorough understanding of all elements of nuclear reactor physics, thus enabling them to apply the analysis and solution methods provided to their own work and research. This book looks to future reactors in development and analyzes their status and challenges before providing possible worked-through solutions. Cover image: Kaiga Atomic Power Station Units 1 – 4, Karnataka, India. In 2018, Unit 1 of the Kaiga Station surpassed the world record of continuous operation, at 962 days. Image courtesy of DAE, India. - Includes methods for solving neutron transport problems, nuclear cross-section data and solutions of transport theory - Dedicates a chapter to reactor safety that covers mitigation, probabilistic safety assessment and uncertainty analysis - Covers experimental and operational physics with details on noise analysis and failed fuel detection