Nuclear engineering explained

Nuclear engineering is the engineering discipline concerned with designing and applying systems that utilize the energy released by nuclear processes.[1] [2] The most prominent application of nuclear engineering is the generation of electricity. Worldwide, some 440 nuclear reactors in 32 countries generate 10 percent of the world's energy through nuclear fission.[3] In the future, it is expected that nuclear fusion will add another nuclear means of generating energy.[4] Both reactions make use of the nuclear binding energy released when atomic nucleons are either separated (fission) or brought together (fusion). The energy available is given by the binding energy curve, and the amount generated is much greater than that generated through chemical reactions. Fission of 1 gram of uranium yields as much energy as burning 3 tons of coal or 600 gallons of fuel oil,[5] without adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.[6]

What nuclear engineers do

Nuclear engineers work in such areas as the following:[7] [8] [9]

Many chemical, electrical and mechanical and other types of engineers also work in the nuclear industry, as do many scientists and support staff. In the U.S., nearly 100,000 people directly work in the nuclear industry. Including secondary sector jobs, the number of people supported by the U.S. nuclear industry is 475,000.[15]

History of nuclear engineering

Nuclear engineering was born in 1938, with the discovery of nuclear fission.[16] The first artificial nuclear reactor, CP-1, was designed by a team of physicists who were concerned that Nazi Germany might also be seeking to build a bomb based on nuclear fission. (The earliest known nuclear reaction on Earth occurred naturally, 1.7 billion years ago, in Oklo, Gabon, Africa.) The second artificial nuclear reactor, the X-10 Graphite Reactor, was also a part of the Manhattan Project, as were the plutonium-producing reactors of the Hanford Engineer Works. The first nuclear bomb was code named Gadget which was used in the Trinity Nuclear Test. The weapon was believed to have a yield of around 20 kilotons of TNT.

The first nuclear reactor to generate electricity was Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR-I), which did so near Arco, Idaho, in 1951.[17] EBR-I was a standalone facility, not connected to a grid, but a later Idaho research reactor in the BORAX series did briefly supply power to the town of Arco in 1955.

The first commercial nuclear power plant, built to be connected to an electrical grid, is the Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant, which began operation in 1954. The second appears to be the Shippingport Atomic Power Station, which produced electricity in 1957.

For a brief chronology, from the discovery of uranium to the current era, see Outline History of Nuclear Energy or History of Nuclear Power.

See List of Commercial Nuclear Reactors for a comprehensive listing of nuclear power reactors and IAEA Power Reactor Information System (PRIS) for worldwide and country-level statistics on nuclear power generation.

Where nuclear engineers work

In the United States, nuclear engineers are employed as follows:[18]

Worldwide, job prospects for nuclear engineers are likely best in those countries that are active in or exploring nuclear technologies:

Country Nuclear capabilities
Algeria See Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
Argentina See Nuclear Power in Argentina.
Armenia See Nuclear Power in Armenia.
Australia See nuclear sector and Australia's Uranium.
Austria"Austria operates one central radioactive waste management and interim storage facility –Nuclear Engineering Seibersdorf GmbH (NES) for pre-disposal management includingtreatment, conditioning and interim storage of low- and intermediate level radioactive waste (LILW)."[19] Nuclear Engineering Seibersdorf GmbH (NES) collects, processes, conditions, and stores radioactive waste and does decontamination and decommissioning of nuclear facilities for the Republic of Austria.[20]
Azerbaijan See Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
Bangladesh See WNA:Bangladesh and Nuclear Power in Bangladesh.
Belarus See WNA:Belarus and Nuclear Power in Belarus.
Belgium See Nuclear Power in Belgium and nuclear sector.
Bolivia See Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
Botswana See WNA: Uranium in Africa and Uranium in Africa.
Brazil See nuclear sector and Nuclear Power in Brazil.
Bulgaria See nuclear sector and Nuclear Power in Bulgaria.
Burundi See Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
Cambodia See Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
Canada WNA: Nuclear Power in Canada, nuclear sector, andNuclear Power in Canada.
Central African Republic See WNA: Uranium in Africa and Uranium in Africa.
Chile See Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
China See WNA:Nuclear Power in China, and Nuclear Power in China.
Congo, Democratic Republic See WNA: Uranium in Africa and Uranium in Africa.
Croatia See WNA:Nuclear Power in Slovenia and Nuclear Power in Croatia.
Czech Republic See WNA: Nuclear Power in Czech Republic and Nuclear Power in the Czech Republic.
CubaSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
DenmarkSee WNA:Nuclear Energy in Denmark and Nuclear Power in Denmark.
EcuadorSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
EgyptSee Start of construction of Egypt's first nuclear power plant and El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant.
Equatorial GuineaSee WNA: Uranium in Africa and Uranium in Africa.
EstoniaSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
EthiopiaSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
FinlandSee WPA:Nuclear Power in Finland and Nuclear Power in Finland.
FranceSee WPA:Nuclear Power in France and Nuclear Power in France.
GabonSee WNA: Uranium in Africa and Uranium in Africa.
GeorgiaSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
GermanySee WPA:Nuclear Power in Germany and Nuclear Power in Germany.
GhanaSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
GuineaSee WNA: Uranium in Africa and Uranium in Africa
GuyanaSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
HungarySee WNA:Nuclear Power in Hungary and Nuclear Power in Hungary.
IndiaSee WNA:Nuclear Power in India and Nuclear Power in India.
IndonesiaSee WNPA:Nuclear Power in Indonesia and Nuclear Power in Indonesia.
IranSee WNA:Nuclear Power in Iran and Nuclear Power in Iran.
IsraelSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
ItalySee WNA:Nuclear Power in Italy and Nuclear Power in Italy.
JapanSee WNA:Nuclear Power in Japan and Nuclear Power in Japan.
JordanSee WNA:Nuclear Power in Jordan and Nuclear Power in Jordan.
Kazakhstan See WNA:Uranium and Nuclear Power in Kazakhstan and Nuclear Power in Kazakhstan.
KenyaSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
Korea, NorthSee Nuclear power in North Korea.
Korea, SouthSee WNA:Nuclear Power in South Korea and Nuclear Power in South Korea.
KyrgyzstanSee WNA:Uranium in Kyrgyzstan.
LaosSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
LatviaSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
LithuaniaSee WNA:Nuclear Power in Lithuania and Nuclear Power in Lithuania.
MalawiSee WNA: Uranium in Africa and Uranium in Africa.
MalaysiaSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
MaliSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
MauritaniaSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
MexicoSee WNA:Nuclear Power in Mexico and Nuclear Power in Mexico.
MongoliaSee WNA:Uranium in Mongolia.
MoroccoSee WNA: Uranium in Africa and Uranium in Africa.
MyanmarSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
NamibiaSee WNA:Uranium in Namibia.
NetherlandsSee WNA:Nuclear Power in the Netherlands and Nuclear Power in the Netherlands.
New ZealandSee WNA:Nuclear Energy Prospects in New Zealand.
NigerSee WNA:Uranium in Niger.
NigeriaSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
NorwaySee Nuclear power in Norway.
OmanSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
PakistanSee WNA:Nuclear Power in Pakistan and Nuclear Power in Pakistan.
ParaguaySee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
PeruSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
PhilippinesSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
PolandSee WNA:Nuclear Power in Poland and Nuclear Power in Poland.
RomaniaSee WNA:Nuclear Power in Romania and Nuclear Power in Romania.
RussiaSee WNA:Nuclear Power in Russia and Nuclear Power in Russia.
RwandaSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
Saudi ArabiaSee WNA:Nuclear Power in Saudi Arabia and Nuclear Power in Saudi Arabia.
SenegalSee WNA: Uranium in Africa and Uranium in Africa.
SerbiaSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
SingaporeSee Singapore is considering the nuclear option for its energy transition... again.
SlovakiaSee WNA:Nuclear Power in Slovakia and Nuclear Power in Slovakia.
SloveniaSee WNA:Nuclear Power in Slovenia and Nuclear Power in Slovenia.
South AfricaSee WNA:Nuclear Power in South Africa and Nuclear Power in South Africa.
SpainSee WNA:Nuclear Power in Spain and Nuclear Power in Spain.
Sri LankaSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
SudanSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
SwedenSee WNA:Nuclear Power in Sweden and Nuclear Power in Sweden.
SwitzerlandSee WNA:Nuclear Power in Switzerland and Nuclear Power in Switzerland.
SyriaSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
TaiwanSee WNA:Nuclear Power in Taiwan and Nuclear Power in Taiwan.
TajikistanSee WNA:Uranium in Tajikistan.
TanzaniaSee WNA:Uranium in Africa.
Thailand See Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
TunisiaSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
TurkeySee WNA:Nuclear Power in Turkey and Nuclear Power in Turkey.
UgandaSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
UkraineSee WNA:Nuclear Power in Ukraine and Nuclear Power in Ukraine
United Arab EmiratesSee WNA:Nuclear Power in the United Arab Emirates and Nuclear Power in the United Arab Emirates.
United KingdomSee WNA:Nuclear Power in the United Kingdom and Nuclear Power in the United Kingdom.
United StatesSee WNA:Nuclear Power in the USA and Nuclear Power in the USA.
Uzbekistan See WNA:Uranium in Uzbekistan.
VenezuelaSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
VietnamSee WNA:Nuclear Power in Vietnam and Nuclear Power in Vietnam.
YemenSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
ZambiaSee Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.
ZimbabweSee WNA:Uranium in Africa.

Nuclear engineering schools and training

Organizations that provide study and training in nuclear engineering include the following:

Region/Country Schools and Training
AfricaThe IAEA has 45 Member States in Africa. "The IAEA's technical cooperation (TC) programme is the main mechanism for assisting Member States in the peaceful, safe and secure application of nuclear science and technology."[21] Education in nuclear and radiation safety is a component.
AsiaAsian Network for Education in Nuclear Technology (ANENT).[22]
ArmeniaIAEA Technical Communication Program.[23]
AustraliaUNSW Nuclear Engineering.[24]
AustriaEU Science Hub.[25]
BangladeshUniversity of Dhaka.[26]
BelarusBelarusian State University.[27]
BelgiumEU Science Hub.[28]
BrazilCOPPE UFRJ.
BruneiSee https://www-pub.iaea.org/mtcd/publications/pdf/pub1626web-52229977.pdf
BulgariaEU Science Hub.[29]
CambodiaSee https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50896212/pride-of-cambodia-students-graduate-with-degrees-in-civil-nuclear-science/.
CanadaSee Canadian-Universities.net.
ChinaHarbin Engineering University and Harbin Engineering University.

North China Electric Power University and North China Electric Power University.

Tsinghua University and Tsinghua University.

CroatiaEU Science Hub.[30]
CyprusEU Science Hub.[31]
Czech RepublicEU Science Hub.[32]
DenmarkEU Science Hub.[33]
EstoniaEU Science Hub.[34]
FinlandEU Science Hub.[35]
FranceEU Science Hub.[36]
GermanyEU Science Hub.[37]
GreeceEU Science Hub.[38]
HungaryEU Science Hub.[39]
IAEASTAR-NET: Regional Network for Education and Training in Nuclear Technology, https://www.star-net.online/en/?page_id=16, universities:National Polytechnic University of ArmeniaRepublic of Armenia

Baku State University, Republic of Azerbaijan

Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics, Republic of Belarus

Belarusian National Technical University, Republic of Belarus

Belarusian State University, Republic of Belarus

L.N. Gumilev Eurasian National University, Republic of Kazakhstan

Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan State University, Republic of Kazakhstan

D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU), Republic of Kazakhstan

AGH University of Science and Technology (Akademia Górniczo-Hutnicza im. Stanisława Staszica w Krakowie), Republic of Poland

National Research Nuclear University «MEPhI», Russian Federation

Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University n.a. R.E. Alekseev, Russian Federation

The National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Russian Federation

Odessa National Polytechnic University (OPNU), Ukraine

Samarkand State University, Republic of Uzbekistan

The IAEA also provides guidance for nuclear engineering curricula: https://www-pub.iaea.org/mtcd/publications/pdf/pub1626web-52229977.pdf

Indiahttps://www.iitk.ac.in/net/old/onp.htm and IIT Kanpur.
IndonesiaSee https://tf.ugm.ac.id/2014/04/19/developing-nuclear-education-in-indonesia/
Iran13 atomic energy primary schools /high schools, more schools being built,[40] Isfahan University of Technology,[41] See https://www.nti.org/education-center/facilities/amir-kabir-university-of-technology-2/
IrelandEU Science Hub.[42]
IsraelSee https://in.bgu.ac.il/en/engn/nuclear/Pages/default.aspx
ItalyEU Science Hub.[43]
Japanhttps://www.ne.t.kyoto-u.ac.jp/enhttps://www.nuclear.sci.waseda.ac.jp/index_en.html
Jordanhttps://www.just.edu.jo/FacultiesandDepartments/FacultyofEngineering/Departments/NuclearEngineering/Pages/Nuclear%20Engineering.aspx
Latin AmericaLatin American Network for Education in Nuclear Technology (LANENT) https://www.iaea.org/services/networks/lanent
LatviaEU Science Hub.[44]
LithuaniaEU Science Hub.[45]
LuxembourgEU Science Hub.[46]
MalaysiaUniversiti Teknologi Malaysia[47] [48]
MaltaEU Science Hub.[49]
Mexicohttps://inis.iaea.org/collection/NCLCollectionStore/_Public/41/133/41133846.pdf
NetherlandsEU Scienc Hub.[50]
Norwayhttps://www.ntnu.edu/
Philippineshttps://ansn.iaea.org/Common/topics/OpenTopic.aspx?ID=13280
PolandEU Science Hub.[51]
PortugalEU Science Hub.[52]
RomaniaEU Science Hub.[53]
Russiahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Research_Nuclear_University_MEPhI_(Moscow_Engineering_Physics_Institute)https://tpu.ru/en/about/department_links_and_administration/department/view/?id=7863
Saudi Arabiahttps://ne.kau.edu.sa/Default-135008-EN
Serbiahttps://www.bg.ac.rs/en/members/institutes/Vinca.php
SlovakiaEU Science Hub.[54]
SloveniaEU Science Hub.[55]
South KoreaTBA
SpainEU Science Hub.[56]
SwedenEU Science Hub.[57]
Switzerlandhttps://ethz.ch/en/studies/master/degree-programmes/engineering-sciences/nuclear-engineering.html
Taiwanhttps://www.studyintaiwan.org/university/program/2565
Thailandhttps://www.eng.chula.ac.th/en/department/department-of-nuclear-technology
Turkeyhttps://nuke.hacettepe.edu.tr/en/department-69http://nukbilimler.ankara.edu.tr/en/nuclear-research-and-technologies-department/http://www.nuce.boun.edu.tr/
Ukrainehttps://www.uatom.org/en/training-of-nuclear-specialists
United Arab Emirateshttps://www.ku.ac.ae/academics/college-of-engineering/department/department-of-nuclear-engineering#about
United Kingdom[58] University of Birmingham

University of Bristol

University of Cambridge

University of Central Lancashire

University of Cumbria

Defence Academy of the United Kingdom

University of Dundee

Imperial College London

Lancaster University

University of Leeds

University of Liverpool

The University of Manchester

Nottingham Trent University

Nuclear Technology Education Consortium (NTEC)

The Open University

University of Sheffield

University of Surrey

University of the West of Scotland

United States[59] Air Force Institute of Technology

Abilene Christian University

Clemson University

Colorado School of Mines

Georgia Institute of Technology

Idaho State University

Kansas State University

Louisiana State University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Missouri University of Science and Technology

North Carolina State University

Ohio State University

Oregon State University

Penn State University

Purdue University

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

South Carolina State University

Texas A&M University

United States Military Academy at West Point

University of California, Berkeley

University of Florida

University of Idaho

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Maryland

University of Massachusetts Lowell

University of Michigan

University of Missouri

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

University of New Mexico

University of Pittsburgh

University of South Carolina

University of Tennessee

University of Texas

University of Utah

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Tech

Nuclear engineering organizations

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nuclear engineering, going forward . NuclearNewswire . American Nuclear Society . 21 April 2023.
  2. Web site: Nuclear Engineering . Britannica . 19 April 2023.
  3. Web site: Nuclear Power in the World Today . World Nuclear Association . 6 April 2023.
  4. News: Thompson . Jess . When Can We Expect Nuclear Fusion? . 6 April 2023 . Newsweek.
  5. Web site: Nuclear Fission Energy . Lawrence Livermore . 6 April 2023.
  6. Web site: Nuclear power and the environment . EIA . U.S. Energy Information Administration . 7 April 2023.
  7. News: Martin and Bornstein . Nuclear Engineering . 6 April 2023 . Britannica.
  8. Web site: Nuclear engineer job profile Prospects.ac.uk. www.prospects.ac.uk. 2019-12-13.
  9. Web site: What Nuclear Engineers Do . Occupational Outlook Handbook . U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . 16 April 2023.
  10. Web site: Goldberg and Rosner . The History of Reactor Generations . American Academy of Arts and Sciences . 9 April 2023.
  11. Web site: Operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants . IAEA . 13 April 2016 . 9 April 2023.
  12. Web site: Environmental Detection of Clandestine Nuclear Weapon Programs . MIT . 21 April 2023.
  13. Web site: Nuclear Techniques Help to Solve Crimes . EIA . 23 December 2003 . 7 April 2023.
  14. Web site: 5 Incredible Ways Nuclear Powers Our Lives . Energy.gov . US Department of Energy . 6 April 2023.
  15. Web site: Jobs . NEI . 9 April 2023.
  16. Web site: The Discovery of Fission . The Manhattan Project: an interactive history . US Department of Energy . 7 April 2023.
  17. Web site: The World's First Nuclear Power Plant . Idaho National Engineering Laboratory . US Department of Energy . 7 April 2023.
  18. Nuclear engineering workforce in the United States . 2022 . 9880971 . Townsend . L. W. . Brady . L. . Lindegard . J. . Hall . H. L. . McAndrew-Benavides . E. . Poston . J. W. . Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics . 23 . Suppl 1 . e13808 . 10.1002/acm2.13808 . 36305037 .
  19. Web site: Austria JRC Report . IAEA . 10 April 2023.
  20. Web site: Experience Creates Safety . Nuclear Engineering Siebersdorf . 10 April 2023.
  21. Web site: IAEA Technical Cooperation in Africa . 19 April 2023.
  22. Web site: IAEA Banner Asian Network for Education in Nuclear Technology (ANENT) . IAEA . 18 April 2019 . 19 April 2023.
  23. Web site: IAEA Technical Communication Program . IAEA . 19 April 2023.
  24. Web site: Nuclear Engineering Help create the technologies of the future . UNSW Sydney . 19 April 2023.
  25. Web site: Austria . EU . 19 April 2023.
  26. Web site: Department of Nuclear Engineering . University of Dhaka . 19 April 2023.
  27. Web site: Department of Nuclear Physics . Belarusian University . 19 April 2023.
  28. Web site: Belgium . EU . 19 April 2023.
  29. Web site: Bulgaria . EU . 19 April 2023.
  30. Web site: Croatia . EU . 19 April 2023.
  31. Web site: Cyprus . EU . 19 April 2023.
  32. Web site: Czech Republic . EU . 19 April 2023.
  33. Web site: Denmark . EU . 19 April 2023.
  34. Web site: Estonia . EU . 19 April 2023.
  35. Web site: Finland . EU . 19 April 2023.
  36. Web site: France . EU . 19 April 2023.
  37. Web site: Germany . EU . 19 April 2023.
  38. Web site: Greece . EU . 19 April 2023.
  39. Web site: Hungary . EU . 19 April 2023.
  40. News: 2023-08-02 . ۱۳ مدرسه اتمی در کشور داریم/ برنامه ریزی برای احداث مدارس جدید . 2023-08-02 . خبرگزاری ایلنا . fa.
  41. Web site: 2020-11-22 . طرح محققان دانشگاه صنعتی اصفهان در بزرگترین پروژه علمی دنیا پذیرفته شد . 2023-08-02 . ایمنا . fa.
  42. Web site: Ireland . EU . 19 April 2023.
  43. Web site: Italy . EU . 19 April 2023.
  44. Web site: Latvia . EU . 19 April 2023.
  45. Web site: Lithuania . EU . 19 April 2023.
  46. Web site: Luxembourg . EU . 19 April 2023.
  47. Web site: BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING (NUCLEAR). UTM Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering. 7 June 2017 . 19 May 2023.
  48. Web site: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). Malaysian Qualifications Register. 19 May 2023.
  49. Web site: Malta . EU . 19 April 2023.
  50. Web site: Netherlands . EU . 19 April 2023.
  51. Web site: Poland . EU . 19 April 2023.
  52. Web site: Portugal . EU . 19 April 2023.
  53. Web site: Romania . EU . 19 April 2023.
  54. Web site: Slovakia . EU . 19 April 2023.
  55. Web site: Slovenia . EU . 19 April 2023.
  56. Web site: Spain . EU . 19 April 2023.
  57. Web site: Sweden . EU . 19 April 2023.
  58. Web site: Universities . The Nuclear Institute . 19 April 2023.
  59. Web site: Nuclear Engineering Department Heads . NEDHO . 19 April 2023.