2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

CAPE5331M Nuclear Operations

15 Credits Class Size: 25

Module manager: Dr X Jia
Email: x.jia@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Mutually Exclusive

CAPE3331 Nuclear Operations

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

At the end of the module, students will:
- have a detailed knowledge of how core nuclear science translates into commercial nuclear power operations;
- understand key organisational and procedural aspects of nuclear power.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Understand the commercial, economic and social context of nuclear processes.
2. Understand the most widely used unit operations and performance.
3. Be aware of the comparison between open and closed fuel cycles against affordability, sustainability and safety/security of supply.
4. Be aware of relevant legal requirements, codes or practice, and industry standards governing nuclear activities, including security, waste and effluent treatment and health and safety, and be aware that these may differ internationally.
5. Be able to find and apply, with judgement, information from technical literature and other sources.

Skills outcomes

- Knowledge attained of commercial nuclear operations
- Ability to apply core engineering and nuclear science to commercial nuclear operations
- Clear understanding of the safety culture and regulatory environment of the nuclear industry and how this is manifested in design/operation/waste management/decommissioning.

Syllabus

- Fundamental chemistry and physics pertaining to nuclear operations
- Principles of reactor operation
- Nuclear safety
- Spent fuel treatment and disposal
- Nuclear waste treatments (compaction, cementation, vitrification, final storage)
- Reactor decommissioning
- Decontamination techniques
- Regulatory aspects of the nuclear industry
- Brief comparison of UK versus international practices.

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Lecture 22 2 44
Tutorial 10 1 10
Private study hours 96
Total Contact hours 54
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 150

Private study

- Completion of assignments
- Independent study of the issues raised by the lectures
- Revision

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Performance in assignments.
- Contributions to discussions in tutorial sessions.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Assignment Assignment (XJ) 20
Assignment Assignment (TNH) 20
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 40

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams
Exam type Exam duration % of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) 2.0 Hrs Mins 60
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) 60

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 4/29/2024

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team