Nuclear Energy,
Edition 7 An Introduction to the Concepts, Systems, and Applications of Nuclear Processes
By Raymond Murray and Keith E. Holbert, Ph.D.

Publication Date: 07 Feb 2014
Description

Nuclear Energy is one of the most popular texts ever published on basic nuclear physics, systems, and applications of nuclear energy. This newest edition continues the tradition of offering a holistic treatment of everything the undergraduate engineering student needs to know in a clear and accessible way. The book presents a comprehensive overview of radioactivity, radiation protection, nuclear reactors, waste disposal, and nuclear medicine.

The seventh edition is restructured into three parts: Basic Concepts, Nuclear Power (including new chapters on nuclear power plants and introduction to reactor theory), and Radiation and Its Uses. Part Two in particular has been updated with current developments, including a new section on Reactor Safety and Security (with a discussion of the Fukushima Diiachi accident); updated information on naval and space propulsion; and revised and updated information on radioactive waste storage, transportation, and disposal. Part Three features new content on biological effects of radiation, radiation standards, and radiation detection.

Key Features

  • Coverage of energy economics integrated into appropriate chapters
  • More worked examples and end of chapter exercises
  • Updated final chapter on nuclear explosions for current geopolitical developments
About the author
By Raymond Murray, Nuclear Engineering Department, North Carolina State University, USA; Keith E. Holbert, Ph.D., Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University; Senior Member, IEEE and registered Professional (nuclear) Engineer
Table of Contents

About the Authors

Preface

PART I: BASIC CONCEPTS

Chapter 1: Energy

Abstract

1.1 Forces and energy

1.2 Units of measure

1.3 Thermal energy

1.4 Radiant energy

1.5 The equivalence of matter and energy

1.6 Energy and the world

1.7 Summary

Chapter 2: Atoms and nuclei

Abstract

2.1 Atomic theory

2.2 Gases

2.3 The atom and light

2.4 Laser beams

2.5 Nuclear structure

2.6 Sizes and masses of nuclei

2.7 Binding energy

2.8 Summary

Chapter 3: Radioactivity

Abstract

3.1 Nuclear stability

3.2 Radioactive decay

3.3 The decay law

3.4 Radioactive chains

3.5 Measurement of half-life

3.6 Summary

Chapter 4: Nuclear processes

Abstract

4.1 Transmutation of elements

4.2 Energy conservation

4.3 Momentum conservation

4.4 Reaction rates

4.5 Particle attenuation

4.6 Neutron cross sections

4.7 Neutron migration

4.8 Summary

Chapter 5: Radiation and materials

Abstract

5.1 Ionizing radiation

5.2 Light charged particle interactions

5.3 Heavy charged particle stopping by matter

5.4 Gamma-ray interactions with matter

5.5 Neutron reactions

5.6 Radiation effects and damage

5.7 Summary

Chapter 6: Fission

Abstract

6.1 The fission process

6.2 Energy considerations

6.3 By-products of fission

6.4 Energy from nuclear fuels

6.5 Summary

Chapter 7: Fusion*

Abstract

7.1 Fusion reactions

7.2 Electrostatic and nuclear forces

7.3 Thermonuclear reactions in a plasma

7.4 Summary

PART II: RADIATION AND ITS USES

Chapter 8: The history of nuclear energy

Abstract

8.1 The rise of nuclear physics

8.2 The discovery of fission

8.3 The development of nuclear weapons

8.4 The atomic energy acts

8.5 International atomic energy agency

8.6 Reactor research and development

8.7 The nuclear controversy

8.8 Summary

Chapter 9: Particle accelerators

Abstract

9.1 Electric and magnetic forces

9.2 High-voltage machines

9.3 Linear accelerator

9.4 Cyclotron and betatron

9.5 Synchrotron and collider

9.6 Accelerator applications

9.7 Spallation

9.8 Summary

9.9 Exercises

9.10 Computer exercises

Chapter 10: Biological effects of radiation

Abstract

10.1 Physiological effects

10.2 Radiation dose units

10.3 Basis for limits of exposure

10.4 Sources of radiation dosage

10.5 Radiation and terrorism

10.6 Summary

Chapter 11: Radiation protection*

Abstract

11.1 Protective measures

11.2 Calculation of dose

11.3 Effects of distance and shielding

11.4 Internal exposure

11.5 Radionuclides in the environment

11.6 The radon problem

11.7 Environmental radiological assessment§

11.8 Contemporary radiation standards

11.9 summary

Chapter 12: Radiation detectors*

Abstract

12.1 Detector characteristics

12.2 Gas counters

12.3 Neutron detectors

12.4 Scintillation counters

12.5 Personnel dosimetry

12.6 Solid-state detectors

12.7 Statistics of counting

12.8 Pulse height analysis

12.9 Advanced detectors

12.10 Detectors and counterterrorism

12.11 Summary

Chapter 13: Information from isotopes

Abstract

13.1 Stable and radioactive isotopes

13.2 Tracer techniques

13.3 Radiopharmaceuticals

13.4 Medical imaging

13.5 Radioimmunoassay

13.6 Radiometric dating

13.7 Neutron activation analysis

13.8 Radiography

13.9 Radiation gauges

13.10 Summary

Chapter 14: Useful radiation effects

Abstract

14.1 Medical treatment

14.2 Radiation preservation of food

14.3 Sterilization of medical supplies

14.4 Pathogen reduction

14.5 Crop mutations

14.6 Insect control

14.7 Applications in chemistry

14.8 Transmutation doping of semiconductors

14.9 Neutrons in fundamental physics

14.10 Neutrons in biological studies

14.11 Research with synchrotron X-rays

14.12 Summary

PART III: NUCLEAR POWER

Chapter 15: Isotope separators

Abstract

15.1 Mass spectrograph

15.2 Gaseous diffusion separator

15.3 Gas centrifuge

15.4 Uranium enrichment

15.5 Laser isotope separation*

15.6 Separation of deuterium

15.7 Summary

Chapter 16: Neutron chain reactions

Abstract

16.1 Criticality and multiplication

16.2 Multiplication factors

16.3 Fast reactor criticality

16.4 Thermal reactor criticality

16.5 Four factor formula parameters

16.6 Neutron flux and reactor power

16.7 The natural reactor

16.8 Summary

Chapter 17: Nuclear heat energy

Abstract

17.1 Methods of heat transmission

17.2 Fuel element conduction and convection

17.3 Temperature distributions through a reactor

17.4 Steam generation and electrical power production

17.5 Waste heat rejection

17.6 Summary

Chapter 18: Nuclear power plants

Abstract

18.1 Reactor types

18.2 Power reactors

18.3 Power plant economics

18.4 Light water reactors

18.5 Other generation II reactors

18.6 Generation III(+) reactors

18.7 Small modular reactors

18.8 Generation IV reactors

18.9 Summary

Chapter 19: Reactor theory introduction

Abstract

19.1 The diffusion equation

19.2 Diffusion equation solutions

19.3 Reactor criticality

19.4 Heterogeneous reactor

19.5 Multigroup diffusion theory

19.6 Summary

Chapter 20: Time-dependent reactor behavior

Abstract

20.1 Neutron population growth

20.2 Reactor kinetics

20.3 Reactivity feedback

20.4 Reactor control

20.5 Fission product poisons

20.6 Fuel burnup

20.7 Summary

Chapter 21: Reactor safety and security

Abstract

21.1 Safety considerations

21.2 Assurance of safety

21.3 The nuclear regulatory commission

21.4 Emergency core cooling and containment

21.5 Probabilistic risk assessment

21.6 The three mile island accident and lessons learned

21.7 Institute of nuclear power operations§

21.8 The chernobyl accident

21.9 The fukushima daiichi accident

21.10 Philosophy of safety

21.11 Nuclear security

21.12 Summary

Chapter 22: Nuclear propulsion and remote power

Abstract

22.1 Reactors for naval propulsion*

22.2 Space reactors

22.3 Radioisotopic power

22.4 Future nuclear space applications

22.5 Summary

Chapter 23: Radioactive waste disposal

Abstract

23.1 The nuclear fuel cycle

23.2 Waste classification

23.3 Spent fuel storage

23.4 Transportation

23.5 Reprocessing

23.6 High-level waste disposal

23.7 Low-level waste generation, treatment, and disposal

23.8 Environmental restoration of defense sites

23.9 Nuclear power plant decommissioning

23.10 Summary

Chapter 24: Nuclear energy future

Abstract

24.1 Components of electrical power cost

24.2 Nuclear power stagnation

24.3 Nuclear power renaissance

24.4 World energy use

24.5 Nuclear energy and sustainable development

24.6 Greenhouse effect and global climate change

24.7 International nuclear power

24.8 Desalination

24.9 The hydrogen economy

24.10 Summary

Chapter 25: Breeder reactors

Abstract

25.1 The concept of breeding

25.2 Isotope production and consumption

25.3 The fast breeder reactor

25.4 Integral fast reactor

25.5 Breeding and uranium resources

25.6 Recycling and breeding

25.7 Summary

Chapter 26: Fusion reactors

Abstract

26.1 Comparison of fusion reactions

26.2 Requirements for practical fusion reactors

26.3 Magnetic confinement machines

26.4 Inertial confinement machines

26.5 Other fusion concepts

26.6 Prospects for fusion

26.7 Summary

Chapter 27: Nuclear weapons

Abstract

27.1 Nuclear power versus nuclear weapons

27.2 Nuclear explosives

27.3 The prevention of nuclear war

27.4 Nonproliferation and safeguards

27.5 IAEA inspections

27.6 Production of tritium

27.7 Management of weapons uranium and plutonium

27.8 Summary

Appendix A: Reference information and data

Appendix B: Textbook-specific information

B.1 How to use this book effectively

B.2 Computer programs

B.3 Answers to selected exercises

Index

Book details
ISBN: 9780124166547
Page Count: 576
Retail Price : £73.99
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Audience
* Undergraduate Engineering students in Mechanical, Nuclear, Chemical and Materials Engineering.* Undergraduate students in physics and chemistry* Graduate students in Mechanical, Civil, Chemical and Electrical Engineering in need of an introductory text on Nuclear energy* Professional engineers in Mechanical, nuclear and Materials Engineering* Managers and Technicians in the power-generation industriesManagers and Technicians in the medical diagnostics and radiology-related industries* Administrators charged with regulatory and safety issues affecting the nuclear power industry as well as the radioisotope materials industries.