The Physics of Nuclear Reactors

Description

This comprehensive volume offers readers a progressive and highly detailed introduction to the complex behavior of neutrons in general, and in the context of nuclear power generation. A compendium and handbook for nuclear engineers, a source of teaching material for academic lecturers as well as a graduate text for advanced students and other non-experts wishing to enter this field, it is based on the author’s teaching and research experience and his recognized expertise in nuclear safety. After recapping a number of points in nuclear physics, placing the theoretical notions in their historical context, the book successively reveals the latest quantitative theories concerning: • The slowing-down of neutrons in matter • The charged particles and electromagnetic rays • The calculation scheme, especially the simplification hypothesis • The concept of criticality based on chain reactions • The theory of homogeneous and heterogeneous reactors • The problem of self-shielding • The theory of the nuclear reflector, a subject largely ignored in literature • The computational methods in transport and diffusion theories Complemented by more than 400 bibliographical references, some of which are commented and annotated, and augmented by an appendix on the history of reactor physics at EDF (Electricité De France), this book is the most comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to and reference resource in neutronics and reactor theory. Front Matter ....Pages i-xxxii Front Matter ....Pages 1-1 Fundamentals of Nuclear Physics (Serge Marguet)....Pages 3-87 Interaction Between Neutrons and Matter (Serge Marguet)....Pages 89-151 Interaction of Electromagnetic Radiation and Charged Particles with Matter (Serge Marguet)....Pages 153-210 Neutron Slowing-Down (Serge Marguet)....Pages 211-279 Resonant Absorption (Serge Marguet)....Pages 281-331 Doppler Effect (Serge Marguet)....Pages 333-385 Thermalization of Neutrons (Serge Marguet)....Pages 387-463 The Boltzmann Equation (Serge Marguet)....Pages 465-592 Computational Neutron Transport Methods (Serge Marguet)....Pages 593-727 Front Matter ....Pages 729-729 Diffusion Approximation in Neutron Physics (Serge Marguet)....Pages 731-813 Nuclear Reactor Reactivity (Serge Marguet)....Pages 815-848 Critical Homogeneous Reactor Theory (Serge Marguet)....Pages 849-918 Neutron Reflectors (Serge Marguet)....Pages 919-990 Heterogeneous Reactors (Serge Marguet)....Pages 991-1089 Fuel Cycle Physics (Serge Marguet)....Pages 1091-1152 Neutronic Feedback (Serge Marguet)....Pages 1153-1185 Reactor Kinetics (Serge Marguet)....Pages 1187-1300 Computation Methods in Diffusion Theory (Serge Marguet)....Pages 1301-1366 Back Matter ....Pages 1367-1445