Learning How Nuclear Reactors Work/Are Constructed

[NeoDevin]

Does anyone here know of any books which teach how nuclear reactors work/are constructed?

Thanks in advance.

 

[daveb]

Introduction To Nuclear Engineering by Lamarsh is generally considered the introudtcory for nuclear engineering students. A more advanced book would be Nuclear reactor Analysis by Duderstadt and Hamilton.

 

[Morbius]

Does anyone here know of any books which teach how nuclear reactors work/are constructed?

NeoDevin,

What level of book do you want?

If you are a student of science and engineering, and have a good working knowledge
of physics, engineering, differential equations, calculus... then I would whole-heartedly
second the recommendations of daveb. The texts by Lamarsh and Duderstadt & Hamilton
are excellent.

However, if you are looking for elementary knowledge of how reactors work - more of
a "layman's" view - then Lamarsh and Duderstadt & Hamilton which are textbooks for
nuclear engineering students would not be what you want.

Dr. Gregory Greenman
Physicist

 

[NeoDevin]

Thanks Dave and Dr. Greenman.

I am a math physics major (undergrad), so something of that level is what I'm looking for. They canceled the nuclear physics class next year (lack of enrollment), so I was hoping there would be some suggestions.

I'll go look for those two at the library.

Thanks again.

 

[NeoDevin]

The lamarsh one, my library only has the '75 version.

The other one (Duderstadt & Hamilton) is '76.

Has the field changed much in the time since? Will I be missing anything by using the older versions?

 

[Morbius]

Has the field changed much in the time since? Will I be missing anything by using the older versions?

NeoDevin,

Those will be fine. Those books give you a good foundation in transport theory and its
approximations.

There's nothing new in the "theory" of transport. It's like using Jackson for ElectroMagnetism.

The principles in Jackson haven't really changed since James Clerk Maxwell first
derived his set of equations.

There have been advances in how to solve those equations via computer; but that's
not what is covered in those texts.

Dr. Gregory Greenman
Physicist

 

[NeoDevin]

Ok, I picked up both of them at the library.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Astronuc]

The lamarsh one, my library only has the '75 version.

The other one (Duderstadt & Hamilton) is '76.

Has the field changed much in the time since? Will I be missing anything by using the older versions?

The core designers still use 2-group diffusion theory. The methods are better, but Lamarsh and Duderstadt & Hamilton are the standards.

Also, Weston Stacey (GaTech) has a decent book.

 

[Azael]

Im studying Lamarsh right now and I enjoy it a lot!