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Introduction to Nuclear Power Plant Technology

Nuclear power provides a high potential form of alternative energy, with significant safety constraints. The course centers on the study of a typical US commercial nuclear power plant its design philosophy and analysis of nuclear steam supply system and balance of plant systems (including heat exchangers, pumps, relief valves, etc.) for normal operation and steady state and transient accident analysis, and longer term spent fuel storage. The course utilizes disciplines/methods of thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid flow, and plant drawings and data. Analysis includes Three Mile Island Accident, a small break loss-of-coolant accident. When feasible, this course includes a tour of an operating nuclear power plant.

3 credits. Prerequisites: ESC 330 and ESC 340 or ChE 232 and ChE341

Course Code: ME 432

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.