Module Summaries
Due to unforeseen exceptional circumstances, the N07 - Nuclear Safety Case Development course unit will not be available in 2023-24
Decommissioning
N04 Decommissioning, Radioactive Waste and Environmental Management Syllabus
Examines and explains the process of decommissioning and considers how the related requirements should be taken into account in plant and equipment design. It establishes the requirements of the decontamination and clean-up process. The principles of the disposal and storage of nuclear waste are identified. The module covers the environmental principles underpinning the management of nuclear waste.
N07 Nuclear Safety Case Development Syllabus
This module describes the statutory framework that regulates the nuclear industry and the overriding requirement to demonstrate, through an adequate and appropriate safety case, that all hazards associated with operations are effectively managed and controlled. It examines the fundamental building blocks of a 'modern standards safety case' and the supporting processes and methodologies used in developing them.
N10 Processing, Storage & Disposal of Nuclear Wastes Syllabus
This module reviews the basic approaches of nuclear waste management and gives an introduction to the scientific fundamentals of nuclear waste processing and disposal. A range of topics will be discussed including classification schemes, description of basic techniques of nuclear waste processing, methods of storage, and disposal of different types of nuclear wastes.
N31 Management of the Decommissioning Process Syllabus
Introduces the importance of making a sound case for a particular project to proceed. It covers both the financial and economic evaluation of projects, drawing the distinction between pure financial parameters and the broader economic cost benefit analysis approach. The course module goes on to cover the management of individual projects using modern proven project management techniques with case studies and real examples.
Nuclear Technology
N01* Reactor Physics, Criticality & Design Syllabus
After reviewing the history of the industry, different reactor designs are considered together with an overview of their basic features. Reactor physics are examined in some depth, including nuclear physics, reactor physics, criticality and radioactive decay. Reactor control and safety, accidents and risk assessment, containment and core layout and end of life issues are reviewed, concluding with consideration of advanced reactor design.
* This module is a prerequisite for the N32 module (Experimental Reactor Physics).
N02 Nuclear Fuel Cycle Syllabus
The purpose of this module is to describe the nuclear fuel cycle and examine in detail, the technical, economical, safety and environmental issues involved during each stage. The module covers the entire cycle from the extraction of ore to the disposal of waste. The processes involved in reprocessing of fuel are examined and the consequences reprocessing has, in terms of reactor fuel design and waste disposal, are discussed. Each stage is described on an international scale examining global markets and capacities.
N03 Radiation & Radiological Protection Syllabus
Explains the properties of different types of radiation occurring as a result of nuclear processes and identifies means whereby levels of radiation and dosages can be detected and measured. The principles of radiation protection and shielding are outlined and demonstrated through practical experience with radioactive sources and detection equipment. The module concludes with an overview of ionising radiation regulations and legislation governing the impact of radiation on people and the environment. The safe handling of accidents is illustrated through case studies of real incidents.
N07 Nuclear Safety Case Development Syllabus
The NTEC N07 Nuclear Safety Case Development module examines the fundamental building blocks and the supporting processes and methodologies used in the formulation of a 'Modern standards nuclear safety case'.
Within the statutory framework that regulates the nuclear industry, there is an overriding requirement to demonstrate through an adequate and appropriate safety case that all hazards associated with operations on a Licensed Site are understood, effectively managed and controlled. This Module introduces the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively judge and influence the adequacy of licensees' nuclear safety cases.
N13 Criticality Safety Management Syllabus
This module provides a comprehensive introduction to nuclear criticality safety and the management of nuclear criticality safety in facilities, or situations, where fissile materials are encountered outside a nuclear reactor. It is designed to reflect the core competencies specified by the United Kingdom Working Party on Criticality (WPC), and consists of a basic nuclear reactor physics and fuel cycle pre-course reading component (mandatory for students who have not yet completed the N01 module) and a one-week taught component which includes a presentation from a visiting lecturer from industry/government, and an introduction to the use of Monte-Carlo codes for criticality safety analysis. The taught component is followed by a post-course criticality safety assessment that is designed to consolidate knowledge gained during the course and to enable students to join industry with a solid understanding of the criticality safety process.
N16 Chemical Aspects of Nuclear Technology Syllabus
Chemical phenomena govern many processes in the nuclear fuel cycle, reflecting both the diverse chemistry of the elements involved, and also the chemical effects of ionising radiation. This course unit summarises key aspects of chemistry in the nuclear fuel cycle. It assumes very limited knowledge of chemistry and will begin with a description of key chemical concepts, before exploring their relevance to different aspects of nuclear energy, specifically the chemistry of the fission and fusion fuel cycles; the chemical effects of ionising radiation in solid and solution states; chemistry of radioelements in natural and engineered environments; chemistry of light water reactors; and analytical and forensic radiochemistry. The course unit will comprise pre-learning material, complemented with workshops, Q&A sessions and lectures, demonstrations and lab exercises.
Elective Modules - Suggested Streams
Decommissioning
N08 Particle Engineering in the Nuclear Industry Syllabus
From 2023-24 this unit will be three days on campus and two days blended learning online.
The understanding of particulate systems is of great importance to the modern nuclear industry from fuel manufacture, reactor coolant flows, and waste management. For example, during the clean-up and decommissioning of nuclear sites particle science challenges are often encountered; no greater challenge than the safe processing and long-term storage of legacy wastes (particulate sludges and slurries). Understanding how particles behave in these systems is fundamental to their performance and an ability to control particle interactions creates opportunity to manipulate the rheology (flow), separation and particle consolidation in wet and dry systems. This module introduces methods to characterize particle properties, size, shape, roughness and surface charge to name just a few, and explains how those properties affect the physical response of bulk fluids (slurries) and powders. Lectures will be complemented by problem-based learning activities and laboratory practicals which are designed to validate the theoretical and empirical learning outcomes of the module. The laboratory practicals will be conducted in the new flow facilities at the University of Leeds and will use a range of instruments that are typically deployed on nuclear sites.
N09 Policy, Regulation & Licensing Syllabus
The nuclear industry is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the UK. Regulatory issues necessarily impact upon the development of national policy in environmental and energy areas. This module covers the international and national legal frameworks for nuclear power and radioactive waste management including licensing issues covered by the Nuclear Installations Act, discharge authorisations under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 and planning for new build. The roles of the various regulatory bodies and other players are discussed. The module also addresses the role of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, decommissioning of nuclear facilities and UK radioactive waste management policies and national strategies. Students are introduced to basic legal principles as applied in the nuclear sector and are shown how to read case law and apply their knowledge to legal problems.
Environment & Safety
N09 Policy, Regulation & Licensing Syllabus
The nuclear industry is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the UK. Regulatory issues necessarily impact upon the development of national policy in environmental and energy areas. This module covers the international and national legal frameworks for nuclear power and radioactive waste management including licensing issues covered by the Nuclear Installations Act, discharge authorisations under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 and planning for new build. The roles of the various regulatory bodies and other players are discussed. The module also addresses the role of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, decommissioning of nuclear facilities and UK radioactive waste management policies and national strategies. Students are introduced to basic legal principles as applied in the nuclear sector and are shown how to read case law and apply their knowledge to legal problems.
N10 Processing, Storage & Disposal of Nuclear Wastes Syllabus
This module reviews the basic approaches of nuclear waste management and gives an introduction to the scientific fundamentals of nuclear waste processing and disposal. A range of topics will be discussed including classification schemes, description of basic techniques of nuclear waste processing, methods of storage, and disposal of different types of nuclear wastes.
Nuclear Technology
N06 Reactor Materials & Lifetime Behaviour Syllabus
This module describes the science and engineering of reactor materials, and the factors that influence the lifetime of these materials, including corrosion, environmentally-assisted fracture, and irradiation embrittlement. Other topics covered in this module include fracture mechanics and structural integrity, non-destructive evaluation techniques, as well as plant monitoring and lifetime issues. Also considered are materials specifications and fabrication processes for materials used in nuclear power systems.
N09 Policy, Regulation & Licensing Syllabus
The nuclear industry is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the UK. Regulatory issues necessarily impact upon the development of national policy in environmental and energy areas. This module covers the international and national legal frameworks for nuclear power and radioactive waste management including licensing issues covered by the Nuclear Installations Act, discharge authorisations under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 and planning for new build. The roles of the various regulatory bodies and other players are discussed. The module also addresses the role of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, decommissioning of nuclear facilities and UK radioactive waste management policies and national strategies. Students are introduced to basic legal principles as applied in the nuclear sector and are shown how to read case law and apply their knowledge to legal problems.
N11 Radiation Shielding Syllabus
This module gives an introduction to radiation shielding merging practical problems with industry standard transport codes in order to give a good understanding of the requirements for radiation shielding.
N12 Reactor Thermal Hydraulics Syllabus
Fundamental to the design and safety of a nuclear reactor is the ability to remove energy safely from the core. This module therefore aims to describe the thermal hydraulic processes involved in the transfer of power from the core to the secondary systems of nuclear power plants. The principles of single phase and multiphase fluid dynamics and heat transfer will be studied and applied in the context of a range of different reactor types. The techniques developed will allow you to make assessments of various reactors against thermal limiting criteria.
N15 Severe Accidents Syllabus
This module offers an introduction to nuclear severe accidents for LWRs by first introducing basic safety principles and the history of severe accidents. The module principally focuses on the various phenomena associated with the severe accident transient, covering the thermal-hydraulics of core uncovery through to the chemistry of radionuclides. The consequences of a severe accident are also covered, including the release of fission products into the environment and the emergency response. The module will also include an overview of some of the tools and codes available and widely used within the industry
N16 Chemical Aspects of Nuclear Technology Syllabus
Chemical phenomena govern many processes in the nuclear fuel cycle, reflecting both the diverse chemistry of the elements involved, and also the chemical effects of ionising radiation. This course unit summarises key aspects of chemistry in the nuclear fuel cycle. It assumes very limited knowledge of chemistry and will begin with a description of key chemical concepts, before exploring their relevance to different aspects of nuclear energy, specifically the chemistry of the fission and fusion fuel cycles; the chemical effects of ionising radiation in solid and solution states; chemistry of radioelements in natural and engineered environments; chemistry of light water reactors; and analytical and forensic radiochemistry. The course unit will comprise pre-learning material, complemented with workshops, Q&A sessions and lectures, demonstrations and lab exercises.
N32* Full-Time Experimental Reactor Physics (Vienna, Austria) Syllabus
The module is based at the TRIGA low power research reactor facility of the Vienna University of Technology/Atomic Institute in Vienna. Reactor neutronics and dynamics are demonstrated through experimental measurements of neutron fluxes, control rod calibrations, reactivity measurements and reactor power calibrations. An understanding and appreciation of the instrumentation and controls of a reactor are gained during the experiments and through hands-on operating experience at the reactor control panel. Safety aspects of reactor operation and fuel handling and inspection are emphasised.
* The N01 module (Reactor Physics, Criticality & Design) is a prerequisite for this module.
N32* Part-Time Experimental Reactor Physics (Prague, Czech Republic) Syllabus
The module is held at the training rector VR-1 which is operated by Czech Technical University in Prague. The education and training within the module is oriented to the reactor physics, dosimetry, nuclear safety, and operation of nuclear reactor. The participants actively take part in all experiments, and independently evaluate acquired data. Principles of neutron detection, importance of delayed neutrons and their properties, reactor neutronics and dynamics are studied and demonstrated during various reactor experiments and measurements. An understanding of the reactor I&C and safety aspects of reactor operation are gained through hands-on reactor control.
* The N01 module (Reactor Physics, Criticality & Design) is a prerequisite for this module.