mahmoud ghavi, ph.d. professor and director of the spsu center for nuclear studies

1Center for Nuclear Studies

Mahmoud Ghavi, Ph.D.Professor and Director of The SPSU Center for Nuclear Studies

The Impact of a PC Based Plant Simulation System on a Newly Established Nuclear Engineering Program

Technical Meeting on Effective Utilization of Nuclear Power Plant Simulators as Introductory Educational ToolsInternational Atomic Energy Agency19-22, May 2014


Development of the Nuclear Engineering Program at SPSU in 2010

• In response to:– A shortage of nuclear workforce– A large concentration of nuclear plants in

the Southeast of US – The construction of four new plants in close

proximity to SPSU in 2013– The USNRC workforce availability concerns

in view of new plant applications


Four New Reactors In the Southeast U.S.

• Approval of four new PWR (AP-1000) reactors within a short distance of SPSU

• First new construction licenses in over 30 years

• First standardized design construction in the US

• NRC applications for building 16 additional nuclear plants across the country

• There is a need for thousands of skilled nuclear personnel


Mission of the SPSU Center for Nuclear Studies

• Prepare students for careers in the nuclear industry by offering a program of high educational standards and applied training

• A disciplined program rooted in a culture of safety and security

• Program in-tune with the nuclear industry requirements

• Offer separate track academic programs, and continuing education workshops

• Conduct basic nuclear research


Nuclear Engineering Programs at SPSU

Academic Undergraduate and

soon Master’sContinuing Education Certificate program

SPSU Nuclear Programs

Tailored for traditional students pursuing a university degree

Designed for retraining of skilled individuals


SPSU’s Academic Nuclear Program

• Undergraduate:– Nuclear engineering minor program open to all engineering

students– Accepts students in their third year of studies– Builds on the completed engineering foundation– Nuclear industry hires more non-nuclear graduates than

nuclear and a hybrid degree offers value to employers and options to graduates

– Students with other majors benefit from the higher level of discipline in nuclear training

– Generally can complete requirements along with a student’s major in four years

• Graduate:– Master’s degree in nuclear engineering to be offered in 2015


SPSU’s Approach to Engineering Education

• Applied learning based on teaching, showing, and doing:– Classroom teaching– Participation in lab sessions and use of

simulation programs to show and do– Encouragement for students to participate

in work-study or internship programs– Partnership with industries to support the

practicum program


An Applied Engineering Education Leads to Deep Learning

– Deep learning: • Critical analysis of new notions• Linking to known concepts• Deep understanding and retention • Ability to apply in unaccustomed contexts• Supports understanding for life

– Surface learning:• Acceptance of information as facts• Memorization as stand alone concepts• Superficial retention to pass tests without long-term

retention of information

Teach so that students adopt a deep approach to learning


Simulation: A Deep Learning Device

• Simulation based teaching in engineering:– Applied teaching approach– Results in understanding vs memorization– Opportunity to reflect and gain deeper

knowledge– Active vs passive learning

Teach me, I forget. Show me, I remember.

Involve me, I understand. (Chinese Proverb)


Simulation: An Effective Tool in Engineering Education

“Seldom have so many independent studies been in such agreement:

Simulation is a key element for achieving progress in engineering and science.”

Report of National Science Foundation onSimulation-Based Engineering Science


Simulation Based Nuclear Engineeringat SPSU

• The Engineering School has adopted an application based teaching across all disciplines

• As part of this applied approach, the Nuclear Engineering Program chose PC based PCTRAN simulation for nuclear teaching

• PCTRAN is used as an integral part of the curriculum in foundational subjects such as; Fundamentals of Nuclear Engineering and Nuclear Power Generation courses.


Objectives of Simulation Based Teaching in Nuclear Engineering:

• Re-enforcement of theory and fundamentals • Familiarization with plant components and systems• Familiarity with plant operations• Demonstration of normal startup, operation, and

shutdown • Response to plant transients, abnormal conditions,

and emergencies; • Concepts in safe and reliable plant operations• Basic knowledge of potential plant malfunctions• Ability to diagnose problems• Teamwork and effective communication


Approach to Simulation Based Teaching

• The following subjects are covered prior to the use of the simulator:– Nuclear energy conversion– Nuclear power plant design and operations– Nuclear plant components– Reactor control systems and feedback– Reactor theory– Reactor thermal hydraulics– Neutron diffusion


Use of Reactor Simulation System

• Use of PC Simulation in four steps:– Introduction: program demonstration while

reinforcing the theoretical concepts– Performance: team based approach to actual

hands on simulation in lab, performing normal and accident based scenarios

– Evaluation: feedback and discussion regarding outcome and performance at team and individual levels

– Reports: students detailed reports


Scripted Hands-on Reactor Simulation

• Simulation sessions are conducted using detailed scripted scenarios covering:

• Ramp up, operation, and ramp down• Normal transient conditions• Accident based transients


Anticipated Transient Without Trip


Anticipated Transient Without Trip [continued]


Rod Position (%) and Thermal Power (%) vs Time


Turbine Trip


Thermal Power & Generator Load vs Time

PCTran 1/9/2013 10:12:11PM


Steam Generator B Tube Rupture


SG B Tube Leak, Pressurizer Level Percent, and Thermal Power Percent vs Time


Loss of Power Natural Circulation


Coolant Loop A and B Flow vs Time


Unscripted, Unexpected Conditions

• Introduction of unscripted abnormal and accident conditions by lab instructor

• Observation and evaluation of students response in terms of:

• Ability to diagnose transients• Ability to mitigate abnormal events• Ability to communicate effectively with team members


Steam Line Break Inside Containment and Loss of Feedwater 1 of 2


Steam Line Break Inside Containment and Loss of Feedwater 2 of 2


Steam Generator A Steam and Pressure vs Time


Cladding Failure (1%)


Cladding Failure (1%), Concentration I-131, and Kr-87 vs Time


Post Simulation Evaluation and analysis

• Post lab session discussions: • What worked and what didn’t work • Students evaluation of their own team

performance and instructor’s critique• Comparison with known reactor accidents

• Individualized detailed reports by students covering plant performance, response to operational and theoretical questions, and evaluation of collected data


Simulation Based Program on Steroids

• Most effective when combined with a plant visit• Fortunate to have had access to the TVA’s Bellefonte Plant• Bellefonte unit one was nearly 90% complete when

construction was suspended in 1988• Students had the opportunity to closely inspect a nearly

completed plant with almost all components intact • Students saw the actual components as installed and their

interrelation in the plant system• Having gone through the theoretical and simulation based

training, students felt as if they were visiting a familiar place and were able to fully understand the plant layout

• Plant personnel were impressed by the level of interest and knowledge shown by students


Evaluation of Simulation Based Program at SPSU:

• Enhanced understanding of theoretical concepts and longer term retention

• Ability to relate theory with operational factors• Appreciation for safety and security• Better understanding of the intricate relationship between

reactor physics concepts and thermal hydraulic principles• Appreciation for system based approach to problem

solving• Appreciation for clear and effective communication• Greater comprehension and appreciation for related

concepts (health physics, fuel cycle, etc.)• Ultimately, better prepared to hit the ground running upon

graduation and employment in the industry.


Conclusions

• Applied and simulation based approach to teaching nuclear engineering works:– Evaluations show considerable improvements in

comprehension and retention of course materials– The program has been a major factor in attracting students to

the nuclear program– Employers have been impressed with the students’

knowledge as employees, interns and co-op students– The program’s discipline has had a positive impact on other

engineering programs– The program has resulted in a higher rate of recruitments– Based on the program’s success the USNRC has continued

the tuition reimbursement scholarships for participating students.

mahmoud ghavi, ph.d. professor and director of the spsu center for nuclear studies

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