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The Nuclear Power Plant Operations Fundamentals course provides a detailed explanation of electrical generation and operations of these sophisticated facilities in the rejuvenated nuclear power industry. Nuclear power is having a renaissance due to a confluence of factors including global warming, the cost and supply reliability of oil, issues involving coal and greenhouse gases, and the safety record and superb operational performance of nuclear units. Those factors and improved political climates have resulted in many utilities investigating construction and operation of new nuclear power plants. Additionally, significant attention is being given to improving capacity, increasing efficiency, and extending the operating life of existing nuclear power plants. New technologies improving efficiency and safety are being introduced at a rapid rate. Understanding the technology and operations of a nuclear facility can assist employees and service providers, such as vendors, attorneys, and contractors, in comprehending the nuclear energy system and improve operations and support.
This course will review the status of nuclear power throughout Europe and the world. It addresses the events and forces that have influenced, and continue to influence, commercial nuclear power. To better understand how reactors generate power we will explore the nuclear force and binding energies and fissile vs. fertile nuclear materials. Pressurized and boiling water reactor systems design and operations will be discussed. Additional topics include the nuclear fuel cycle, the uranium enrichment and reprocessing controversies, radioactive wastes including spent nuclear fuel storage, spent fuel transportation, nuclear plant safety, and performance indicators demonstrating excellent operations. This course will help personnel involved in the nuclear energy industry to have a clear understanding of nuclear power plant operations and the challenges of tomorrow.
Topics include:
- Historical survey of nuclear power
- Basic nuclear physics
- Radioactivity and radiation protection
- Basic principle of nuclear reactor core operation
- Nuclear safety
- Designs and functions of PWRs and BWRs
- Generation III reactor designs and operations
- Balance - of - Plant considerations
- Generation IV reactors
- Nuclear power and the environment
- The nuclear fuel cycle: From uranium mining to spent fuel management, including re-processing
- Nuclear fuels storage and transportation
- Nuclear waste management
- Nuclear power in the world: Status and prospects
Who Should Attend - All new employees whose job requires a working knowledge of nuclear power
- Personnel in the energy industry that are newly assigned to nuclear generation
- Employees who need a job-related understanding of the design and operations of nuclear power plants
- Public affairs and public relations personnel who need an understanding of nuclear energy
- Executives and managers who require general instruction in nuclear power including nuclear plant designs, construction, operations, and the nuclear fuel cycle
- Managers and engineers with new responsibilities in nuclear power
- Suppliers and vendors involved in the procurement cycle for new and existing nuclear plants
- Attorneys and paralegals whose work is directly or indirectly involved with nuclear energy
Learning Outcomes - Review the development of nuclear power and facts concerning nuclear commercial power development and non-proliferation
- Describe projected electrical consumption and the necessity of nuclear commercial power plants
- Examine basic nuclear physics and how nuclear reactors function
- Discuss the operations of boiling water and pressurized water reactors
- Identify the components of a nuclear power plant
- Describe the differences in Generation III and Generation IV reactor designs
- List a minimum of five Generation IV reactor types that are under consideration for development
- Recognize the key safety features in modern reactor technology
- Identify and discuss the components that make up the nuclear fuel cycle
- Recognize the critical issues of enrichment, radioactive wastes, spent nuclear fuel transportation, and proliferation concerns
Requirements for Successful Completion of Program Participants must sign in/out each day and be in attendance for the entirety of the course to be eligible for continuing education credit. Instructional Methods PowerPoint presentations with discussion and question and answer sessions will be used in this course. Continuing Education Credits: EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer up to 1.0 CEUs for this program.
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