The majority of industrial energy production processes (mechanical or electric) involve the creation of heat from matter.
On completion of the unit the student will know how matter can be transformed into heat, subsequently producing mechanical energy. The two main methods of thermal energy production will thus be reviewed.
The student will study the basics of nuclear physics by considering both radioactivity and nuclear fission and fusion reactions. He will then be able to comprehend the functioning of a nuclear reactor.
At the same time the student will master combustion reactions in gas turbines, piston engines, thermal power plants, both from a fundamental point of view (physical chemistry, reactive turbulent flows, …) and a technological point of view (diesel/fuel injection, pulverized coal…).
| On completion of the unit, the student will be capable of: | Classification level | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Mastering the basics of nuclear physics | 2. Understand | Essential |
| Understanding the functioning of a thermal machine | 2. Understand | Essential |
| Understanding and describing nuclear reactor technology | 4. Analyse | Important |
| Explaining in a reliable manner the two main methods of heat production and its exploitation | 4. Analyse | Important |
| Arguing the case of nuclear energy use and its place in the French and international energy scheme. | 4. Analyse | Essential |
| Percentage ratio of individual assessment | Percentage ratio of group assessment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exam: | 100 | % | Project submission: | 0 | % |
| Individual oral exam: | 0 | % | Group presentation: | 0 | % |
| Individual presentation: | 0 | % | Group practical exercise: | 0 | % |
| Individual practical exercise: | 0 | % | Group report: | 0 | % |
| Individual report: | 0 | % | |||
| Other(s): 0 % | |||||
| Type of teaching activity | Content, sequencing and organisation |
|---|---|
| Course | The first part of the course will deal with nuclear physics: students will study the structure of the atomic nucleus, its stability and then radioactivity phenomena. They will then learn about the phenomena of nuclear fission and fusion. In the second and last part of the unit, students will discover the functioning of a REP type nuclear reactor: the different circuits and safety functions. (12h) Durée 12 h |
| Supervised studies | The student will put into practice the knowledge acquired during the previous course through application exercises. (6h) Durée 6h |
| Course | The student will study combustion reactions in gas turbines, piston engines and thermal power plants, both from a fundamental point of view (physical chemistry, reactive turbulent flows, …) and a technological point of view (diesel/fuel injection, pulverized coal…). |
| Supervised studies | The student will put into practice the knowledge acquired during the previous course through application exercises. |
| Simulation | Students will use ProII software to simulate the behaviour of a thermal machine. |