Spring Semester L-3, T-I

COURSE INFORMATION
Course Code : NE 307 Lecture Contact Hours : 3.00
Course Title : Reactor Theory and Netronics Analysis-II Credit Hours : 3.00
PRE-REQUISITE
NE 203
CURRICULUM STRUCTURE
Outcome Based Education (OBE)
SYNOPSIS/RATIONALE
This course is designed to develop understanding on the reactor kinetics and transfer
function in reactor engineering and develop analyzing capability on propagation of a
neutron beam.
OBJECTIVES
1. To understand reactor kinetics and transfer function in nuclear engineering.
2. To understand the propagation of a neutron beam in a passive medium
3. To know the analysis of criticality of heterogeneous and homogeneous reactors and
reactivity worth of partially inserted control rod.
4. To understand the perturbation theory and its application.
5. To calculate multi neutron diffusion equation in passive media with an external
source.
LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Apply reactor kinetics and transfer function in nuclear reactor engineering.

2. Analyze the criticality of heterogeneous and homogeneous reactors and also analyze
reactivity worth of partially inserted control rod.
3. Explain scalar neutron flux and neutron current, perturbation theory and its application.
4. Evaluate multi neutron diffusion equation in passive media with an external source, Fermi
age calculation, and neutron migration length.
COURSE OUTCOMES & GENERIC SKILLS
Corresponding Bloom’s Assessment
No. Course Learning Outcome CP CA KP
POs Taxonomy Methods
Apply reactor kinetics and transfer
CO1 function in nuclear reactor PO1, PO2 C1- C3 - - 3 T, Q, F
engineering.
Analyze the criticality of
heterogeneous and homogeneous
CO2 PO3, PO4 C4 - - 4 ASG, F
reactors and also analyze reactivity
worth of partially inserted control rod.
Explain scalar neutron flux and
CO3 neutron current, perturbation theory PO3 C5 - - 5 MT, F
and its application.
Evaluate multi neutron diffusion
equation in passive media with an
CO4 PO3, PO4 C6 1 - 6 T, F
external source, Fermi age calculation,
and neutron migration length.

(CP- Complex Problems, CA-Complex Activities, KP-Knowledge Profile, T – Test ; PR – Project ; Q –

Quiz; ASG – Assignment; Pr – Presentation; R - Report; F – Final Exam, MT- Mid Term Exam)
 COURSE CONTENT

Reactor kinetics and transfer function, Propagation of a neutron beam in a passive

medium. Scalar neutron flux and neutron current. The multi neutron diffusion equation.
Solution of the neutron diffusion equation for passive media with an external neutron
source. Reactor criticality calculations, criticality analysis of heterogeneous and
homogeneous reactors. Nodal Analysis, Sn method, Dn method, Perturbation Theory
and its applications: Reactivity worth of Partially Inserted Control Rod, Elastic
scattering kinematics, Fermi age calculation, and neutron migration length.

SKILL MAPPING(CO-PO MAPPING)

PROGRAM OUTCOMES (PO)

No. Course Learning Outcome
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Apply reactor kinetics and transfer
CO1 function in nuclear reactor 3 3
engineering.
Analyze the criticality of
heterogeneous and homogeneous
CO2 reactors and also analyze reactivity 2 2
worth of partially inserted control
rod.
Explain scalar neutron flux and
CO3 neutron current, perturbation 3
theory and its application.
Evaluate multi neutron diffusion
equation in passive media with an
CO4 external source, Fermi age 3 2
calculation, and neutron migration
length.
(3 – High, 2- Medium, 1-low)
Justification for CO-PO Mapping:
Corresponding
Mapping Justification
Level of Matching
In order to apply reactor kinetics and transfer function in nuclear reactor
engineering, the knowledge of mathematics, natural science, engineering
CO1-PO1 3
fundamentals and an engineering specialization to the solution of complex
engineering problems is to applied.
In order to apply reactor kinetics and transfer function in nuclear reactor
engineering, identification, formulation, research literature and analysis of
CO1-PO2 3
complex engineering problems reaching substantiated conclusions using first
principles of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering sciences are required.
In order to analyze the criticality of heterogeneous and homogeneous reactors and
also analyze reactivity worth of partially inserted control rod, it is required to
CO2-PO3 2 design solutions for complex engineering problems and design systems,
components or processes that meet specified needs with appropriate consideration
for public health and safety, cultural, societal, and environmental considerations.
In order to analyze the criticality of heterogeneous and homogeneous reactors and
also analyze reactivity worth of partially inserted control rod, it is required to
CO2-PO4 2 conduct investigations of complex problems using research-based knowledge and
research methods including design of experiments, analysis and interpretation of
data, and synthesis of information to provide valid conclusions.
In order to explain scalar neutron flux and neutron current, perturbation theory
and its application, it is required to design solutions for complex engineering
CO3-PO3 3 problems and design systems, components or processes that meet specified needs
with appropriate consideration for public health and safety, cultural, societal, and
environmental considerations.
CO4-PO3 3 In order to evaluate multi neutron diffusion equation in passive media with an
external source, Fermi age calculation, and neutron migration length, it is required
 to design solutions for complex engineering problems and design systems,
components or processes that meet specified needs with appropriate consideration
for public health and safety, cultural, societal, and environmental considerations.
In order to evaluate multi neutron diffusion equation in passive media with an
external source, Fermi age calculation, and neutron migration length, it is required
CO4-PO4 2 to conduct investigations of complex problems using research-based knowledge
and research methods including design of experiments, analysis and interpretation
of data, and synthesis of information to provide valid conclusions.
TEACHING LEARNING STRATEGY
Teaching and Learning Activities Engagement
(hours)
Face-to-Face Learning
Lecture 42
Practical / Tutorial / Studio -
Student-Centred Learning -
Self-Directed Learning
Non-face-to-face learning 84
Revision 21
Formal Assessment
Continuous Assessment 2
Mid-Term 1
Final Examination 3
Total 153
TEACHING METHODOLOGY

Lecture and Discussion, Co-operative and Collaborative Method, Problem Based Method

COURSE SCHEDULE

Weeks Topics Remarks

Week-1 Reactor kinetics and transfer function

Class
Week-2 Propagation of a neutron beam in a passive medium
Test 1
Week-3 Scalar neutron flux and neutron current.

Week-4 The multi neutron diffusion equation

Solution of the neutron diffusion equation for passive media with an external
Week-5 neutron source. Class
Test 2
Week-6 Reactor criticality calculations

Week-7 Criticality analysis of heterogeneous and homogeneous reactors.

Week-8 Reactivity Worth of Partially Inserted Control Rod

Mid
Week-9 Nodal Analysis
Term
Week-10 Sn method

Week-11 Dn method
Class
Week-12 Perturbation Theory and its applications
Test 3
Week-13 Elastic scattering kinematics
 Week-14 Fermi age calculation, and neutron migration length

ASSESSMENT STRATEGY

Components Grading CO Blooms Taxonomy

Class Test/
Assignment 20% CO1, CO4 C3, C5, C6
Continuous (1-3)
Assessment
Class
(40%) 5% CO2 C1-C3
Participation
Mid term 15% CO3 C4
Final Examination 60% CO1-CO4 C1-C6
Total Marks 100%

(CO = Course Outcome, C = Cognitive Domain, P = Psychomotor Domain, A = Affective Domain)

REFERENCE BOOKS

1. E.E. Lewis, Fundamentals of Nuclear Reactor Physics, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2008.

2. A.E. Waltar et al., Fast Spectrum Reactors, Springer, New York, 2012.
3. Nuclear Reactor Analysis by Hamilton
4. Nuclear Reactor Theory by Bell and Glasstone
5. Lamarsh, J.R. and Baratta, A.J., "Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Theory", Prentice Hall, 2001.
REFERENCE SITE

Google classroom