OVERVIEW

The module, starting from nuclear engineering fundamentals, presents an overview of all the modern nuclear technology developments and is structured in such a way as to be accessible to all Master's degree students in the Industrial Engineering area.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module has the aim to deepen the knowledge on to the nuclear fission and fusion applications. Particularly the module contributes to achieve the awareness of the nuclear technology applications in the energy field.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide knowledge relating to the use of nuclear energy obtained through both fusion and fission, starting from the nuclear engineering fundamentals and arriving at the description of the state of the art in the nuclear plant engineering field. The course contributes to the achievement of the training objectives regarding the energy uses of nuclear technology.

PREREQUISITES

Fundamentals of applied thermodynamics, heat transfer and industrial plant engineering common to all students in the Industrial Engineering area.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures and practical exercises developed in classroom.

Students with a certified learning disability (DSA), a disability, or other special educational needs are invited to contact the instructor at the beginning of the lessons to discuss teaching and examination arrangements that, while respecting the learning objectives of the course, take individual learning needs into account and provide appropriate accommodations.
Please also note that requests for exam accommodations or exemptions must be submitted using the form available at this link 
https://modulionline.unige.it/richiesta-adattamenti#no-back, to the teaching professor, the SCUOLA contact person (federico.scarpa@unige.it), and the relevant office (inclusione.studenti@info.unige.it) at least seven working days before the examination, in accordance with the guidelines available at this link: https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/richiesta-servizi

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Recalls on nuclear physics. Elements of thermal-hydraulic and neutronic core balances of nuclear fission reactors. Essential components and operating principles of thermal and fast nuclear reactors. Description of the main nuclear reactors families. Nuclear fission reactors classification. Nuclear fuel cycle. Light water reactors (LWR): “classical” PWR and BWR; Generation III/III+ reactors (EPR, AP-1000, ABWR, etc.). Heavy water reactors (CANDU). High temperature reactors (HTR). Generation-IV. General aspects of fast reactors. Sodium Fast Reactors (SFR), Lead Fast Reactors (LFR) and Gas Fast Reactors (GFR). Nuclear spent fuel and waste treatment. Hints on sub-critical reactors (ADS). Energy scenarios. Hints on the nuclear installations decommissioning. Additional issues on Nuclear Fusion reactors: instabilities, toroidal configurations (Tokamak, Stellarator); the blanket and the related neutronics, heat transfer and tritium generation; materials activation. Applications of the nuclear plants technology.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• G. Milano (2010). “Energia Nucleare; Fissione, Fusione, Sicurezza e Ambiente”. Seconda edizione. Aracne editrice.
• B. Zohuri, S. K. Mousavi Balgehshiri, G. Lomonaco (2025). "Nuclear Reactor Physics and Operation: Neutronic Analysis for Nuclear Reactor Design". 1st edition. CRC Press.
• M. Ciofalo (2022). "Lezioni di Termoidraulica". Prima edizione. Esculapio editrice.

The course handouts, available on Aulaweb, are the reference material for exam preparation, while other suggested texts can be used for in-depth study of specific topics.

Students with learning disabilities and working students can contact the instructor for any clarifications and to arrange for the materials to be used according to their needs, while respecting the course's learning objectives.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral examinations.

Students with a certified learning disability (DSA), a disability, or other special educational needs are invited to contact the instructor at the beginning of the lessons to discuss teaching and examination arrangements that, while respecting the learning objectives of the course, take individual learning needs into account and provide appropriate accommodations.
Please also note that requests for exam accommodations or exemptions must be submitted using the form available at this link 
https://modulionline.unige.it/richiesta-adattamenti#no-back, to the teaching professor, the SCUOLA contact person (federico.scarpa@unige.it), and the relevant office (inclusione.studenti@info.unige.it) at least seven working days before the examination, in accordance with the guidelines available at this link: https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/richiesta-servizi

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The assessment of the content of the course is carried out mainly during the final exam and consists of an oral examination, which is structured in the discussion of several subjects of the course.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For any additional information not included in the unit description, contact the professor.