Nuclear Engineering Fundamentals: A Practical Perspective

DescriptionNuclear Engineering Fundamentals is the most modern, up-to-date, and reader friendly nuclear engineering textbook on the market today. It provides a thoroughly modern alternative to classical nuclear engineering textbooks that have not been updated over the last 20 years. Printed in full color, it conveys a sense of awe and wonder to anyone interested in the field of nuclear energy. It discusses nuclear reactor design, nuclear fuel cycles, reactor thermal-hydraulics, reactor operation, reactor safety, radiation detection and protection, and the interaction of radiation with matter. It presents an in-depth introduction to the science of nuclear power, nuclear energy production, the nuclear chain reaction, nuclear cross sections, radioactivity, and radiation transport. All major types of reactors are introduced and discussed, and the role of internet tools in their analysis and design is explored. Reactor safety and reactor containment systems are explored as well.To convey the evolution of nuclear science and engineering, historical figures and their contributions to evolution of the nuclear power industry are explored. Numerous examples are provided throughout the text, and are brought to life through life-like portraits, photographs, and colorful illustrations. The text follows a well-structured pedagogical approach, and provides a wide range of student learning features not available in other textbooks including useful equations, numerous worked examples, and lists of key web resources. As a bonus, a complete Solutions Manual and .PDF slides of all figures are available to qualified instructors who adopt the text. More than any other fundamentals book in a generation, it is student-friendly, and truly impressive in its design and its scope. It can be used for a one semester, a two semester, or a three semester course in the fundamentals of nuclear power. It can also serve as a great reference book for practicing nuclear scientists and engineers. To date, it has achieved the highest overall satisfaction of any mainstream nuclear engineering textbook available on the market today.Key FeaturesPresents the basics of reactor physics and nuclear power engineeringUses an up-to-date approach that covers the newest nuclear reactor designs, computer applications, and safety procedures.Contains full-color text and illustrations to provide a highly visual approach to the topicProvides an accessible approach, style, and level for nuclear engineering students and other readersIncludes biographical, historical, and scientific features to motivate readers, and show the evolution of nuclear science and engineering.Offers a large number of worked examples, short answer questions, examples, and problemsIncludes a complete Solutions Manual and Figure Slides for professors who adopt the text.Table of ContentsUnderstanding the Atom and the NucleusNeutrons and Other Important Nuclear ParticlesFundamental Nuclear Processes – Scattering, Fission, and AbsorptionNuclear Cross Sections and Reaction ProbabilitiesCross Section Libraries and Sources of Nuclear DataRadioactive Materials and Radioactive DecayNuclear Fission and the Nuclear Chain ReactionNeutron Moderators and Reactor CoolantsElements, Isotopes, and their PropertiesUranium Enrichment, Nuclear Fuels, and Fuel CyclesFuel Pins, Fuel Rods, Fuel Assemblies, and Reactor CoresTypes of Reactors and Their Deign ParametersThe Pressurized Water Reactor or PWRThe Boiling Water Reactor or BWRFast Reactors, Gas Reactors, and Military ReactorsContainment Buildings and the Nuclear Steam Supply SystemThe Interaction of Radiation with MatterShielding Systems and Radiation ShieldsProtecting Humans from the Harmful Effects of RadiationAuthor DescriptionRobert E. Masterson (1950-2020) held MS and PhD degrees in nuclear engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and he worked for Westinghouse Nuclear Energy Systems. He was an Affiliate Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia. Dr. Masterson published extensively in the journals of the ANS and had over 20 years of experience in the field of nuclear science and engineering. He had an extensive background in the fields of reactor safety, reactor design and analysis, reactor thermal hydraulics, numerical analysis, reactor physics, reactor dynamics, nuclear medicine, and nuclear particle transport. He was a member of the American Nuclear Society. His first textbook with CRC Press, Nuclear Engineering Fundamentals: A Practical Perspective, was published in 2017.