SIMULATOR APPLICATION IN A NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY DEGREE PROGRAM

Abstract

Thames Valley State Technical College in Norwich, Connecticut is in its sixth year of providing an Associate's Degree Program in Nuclear Engineering Technology. A major distinguishing characteristic of this program is the use of a fundamentals nuclear reactor training simulator in the sixth (final) quarter of the curriculum.

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SIMULATOR APPLICATION IN A NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY DEGREE PROGRAM
James R. Sherrard William E. Burchill
ABSTRACT
Thames Valley State Technical College in
Norwich, Connecticut is in its sixth year of
providing an Associate's Degree Program in Nuclear
Engineering Technology. A major distinguishing
characteristic of this program is the use of a
fundamentals nuclear reactor training simulator
in the sixth (final) quarter of the curriculum.
This paper describes the Thames Valley Nuclear
Technology Curriculum, the Nuclear Reactor Simulator
course in this curriculum, and the importance of the
simulator in the application for accreditation of
the Nuclear Engineering Technology Program by the
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.
INTRODUCTION
Thames Valley State Technical College (TVSTC) in Norwich,
Connecticut is in its sixth year of providing an Associate's Degree
Program in Nuclear Engineering Technology. This program, which was
started in December 1983, accepts about 25 students each year. To
date,
72 people have earned a degree from this program; most of the
graduates have been employed by Northeast Utilities. A major
distinguishing characteristic of the TVSTC Nuclear Engineering
Technology Program is the use of a fundamentals nuclear reactor
training simulator in the sixth (final) quarter of the curriculum.
The Nuclear Engineering Technology Program is central to the
TVSTC mission of providing a comprehensive course of study to prepare
men and women for employment in the field of Nuclear Engineering
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Technology. As only one of three institutions of higher learning in
all of New England (and the only one in Southern New England) offering
a degree program in Nuclear Engineering Technology, TVSTC has the
unique and distinct responsibility of providing this academic degree
program to support the state's expanding business and commerce
needs.
In December 1987, Thames Valley State Technical College was
designated a "Center of Excellence" by the Connecticut Department of
Higher Education. Under this program, TVSTC plans to install the
nuclear reactor simulator as a permanent facility; it is presently
leased from Combustion Engineering.
One critical aspect of any technology program is its acceptance
and accreditation by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and
Technology
(ABET).
The formal recognition of the academic worth of a
program certifies to both the graduate and industry that the
curriculum fully meets high, documented standards of academic
excellence and industry relevance. Similarly, formal recognition of
this two-year program insures the smooth continuity of academic growth
when graduates pursue Baccalaureate technology/engineering degree
programs.
TVSTC submitted its application to ABET for accreditation of the
Nuclear Engineering Technology Program in June 1988. ABET conducted
its accreditation visit to TVSTC in January 1989. Accreditation is
expected before the Fall 1989 term begins.
NUCLEAR ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
The Nuclear Engineering Technology (NET) Program is designed to
give students a broad background in the basic sciences with specific
nuclear applications to prepare them for careers in the nuclear power
industry. Possible positions include health physics technician,
fI-B.5.2

chemistry technician, reactor engineering technician, and nuclear
power plant maintenance technician. The program is also good academic
preparation for the reactor operator career path which requires
further training and successful completion of a licensing examination
administered by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Thames Valley
State Technical College also encourages part-time students to attend.
NET Course Categories
The NET courses can be broadly grouped into the following four
categories: math and science, humanities, nuclear technology
specialties, and support technical specialties. Course titles and
weekly contact hours in each category are listed in Table 1.
The math and science courses are provided by the TVSTC
Departments of Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. Nuclear
Engineering Technology students take these courses along with students
enrolled in other technology programs. The same is true of the
humanities courses which are all taught by the Arts and Sciences
Department.
The support technical specialties are available in the areas of
Data Processing, Electrical Technology and Electronics, Manufacturing
Technology, and Mechanical Technology. In each case, NET students are
enrolled with students from other technology programs and are provided
a broad foundation for application in their major program.
All nuclear technology specialties are taught by the Nuclear
Engineering Technology faculty. Although these courses may be
selected and attended by students from other technology programs as
support technical specialties, their enrollment has been exclusively
NET students.
VI-B.5.5

Table 1. Nuclear Engineering Technology Course Categories
Math and Science
Technical Mathematics I
Technical Mathematics II
Calculus I
Calculus II
Physics (Mechanics)
Physics (Heat, Sound, Light)
Principles of Chemistry
Humanities
Introduction to Literature
Basic Communication
Technical Communication
Economics
Psychology & Human Relations
Sociology
Nuclear Technology Specialties
Atomic Physics
Reactor Theory I
Reactor Chemistry
Reactor Theory II
Nuclear Materials
Introduction to Nuclear Systems
Nuclear Radiation Health & Safety
Topics of Nuclear Power Generation
Nuclear Reactor Simulator
Support Technical Specialties
Introduction to Application Software
AC/DC Machinery
Automated Process Control Systems
Materials of Engineering
Applied Mechanics
Power Systems Thermodynamics
Fluid Mechanics
Heat Transfer
Electricity and Electronics
Class
Hours
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
4
4
3
3
4
3
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
1
2
3
3
3
4
4
3
3
3
Lab
Hours
0
0
0
0
2
2
2
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
2
0
2
2
2
2
3
0
0
2
2
2
Qtr Hour
Credits
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
3
2
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
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NET Curriculum
The Nuclear Engineering Technology curriculum is structured to
serve two major expected job classifications: non-reactor operators
(NROs) and reactor operators
(ROs).
In addition, the program is
intended to provide a solid two-year foundation for coordinated
opportunities to continue toward a Baccalaureate degree at a four-
year college.
The NET curriculum is listed in Table 2. The Nuclear Reactor
Simulator course is taken in the final (sixth) quarter by students
enrolled in the NRO option. It is omitted in the RO option because
licensed reactor operators are required to undergo training on a
nuclear reactor simulator at the plant site as part of their licensing
program.
Nuclear Reactor Simulator
The nuclear reactor simulator is a classroom-sized, digital/
analog simulator designed for use in education and training programs
on the concepts and fundamentals of nuclear power plant operations.
The simulator models the nuclear reactor, steam generator, and turbine
generator systems of a pressurized water reactor
(PWR),
along with
many of the associated support and auxiliary systems. The simulator
consists of a students' primary and secondary plant control console, a
computer, and an instructor's interface console. Major plant
parameters are displayed in both digital and analog form.
The simulator represents a functionally complete nuclear power
plant,
but without auxiliary systems that have a minor impact on basic
plant operation. The students' control console allows the students to
manipulate the plant controls and practice operating the plant. By
demonstrating plant operation through manipulating the controls, the
important operating characteristics are reinforced and this knowledge
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Table 2. Nuclear Engineering Technology Curriculum
FIRST YEAR SECOND YEAR
First Quarter C
Tech Math 1 4
Physics (Mech) 3
Princ of Chem 3
Intro to App Software 2
NET P01*
Second Quarter
Basic Comm 4
Tech Math II 4
Physics (HSL) 3
Elec & Electr 3
Atomic Physics 4
Third Quarter
Tech.
Comm 3
Calculus I 4
Reactor Chem 4
Mat of Engr 3
Nucl Rad Health
& Safety 3
Reactor Operator (RO)
L Q Fourth Quarter
0 4 Calculus II
2 4 Psych & Hum Rel
2 4 Reactor Theory I
2 3 Power Systems Thermo
4/3 0/0 4/3 Fluid Mechanics
Fifth Quarter
0 4 Economics
0 4 AC/DC Mach
2 4 Appl Mechanics
2 4 Heat Transfer
0 4 Reactor Theory II
Sixth Quarter
2 4 NET
PO2*
0 4 Sociology
0 4 Nuclear Matls
3 4 Topics of Nuclear
Power Gen
2 4 Auto Proc Cont
NET
P03*
Program Options (P0)
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
4
3
4
0
0
0
0
2
0
2
0
2
0
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
4
4
3/4 0/0 3/4
3 0 3
3 2 4
3 0 3
3 2 4
3/1 0/2 3/2
Non-Reactor Operator (NRO)
P01
P03
P02
Hum
Prin
NDT
Res
of
1
Mgmt
Supv4
3
3
0
0
0
4
3
3
P01
P02
P03
Nuc Systems
Intro to Lit
Nuc Reac Sim
3
4
1
0
0
2
3
4
2
C - Class Hours L = Laboratory Hours Q = Quarter Hours Credit
TOTAL CURRICULUM* Quarter Credits - 118/117 Contact Hours - 132/132
*First digit - RO credit; second digit - NRO credit.
VJ-B.5.6

is better retained. Dynamic color CRT displays allow graphical, clear
demonstration of cause and effect relationships.
The students' console is set up to allow from 2 to 4 students to
operate the plant simultaneously. Students can perform such routine
activities as plant startup from cold shutdown conditions, approach to
critical, and power range maneuvering using either control rod
assemblies or boration and dilution by means of the chemical and
volume control system
(CVCS).
Reactivity feedback due to fuel and
moderator temperature can also be studied and observed on three cathode
ray tube (CRT) displays.
The simulator models axial xenon concentration, axial core flux
shape, and axial fuel and coolant temperature profiles at several
radial locations in the reactor core. These axial profiles may be
visually displayed on the CRTs. This allows students to observe the
axial redistribution of these parameters during operational
transients, plant maneuvering, equipment malfunctions, or accident
conditions. The instructor can initiate axial xenon oscillations to
demonstrate their effect on axial power shape and routine reactor
operation.
The simulator can also be used to study plant operating and
transient characteristics at various times throughout plant lifetime,
i.e., at beginning-of-cycle, middle-of-cycle, or end-of-cycle.
Specific capabilities of the simulation program are listed in Table 3.
Malfunctions which can be introduced by the instructor are listed in
Table 4.
The simulator includes the usual capabilities of creating and
storing snapshots for future use as initial conditions, freeze and
restart of the simulation, backtrack to up to thirty automatically
stored snapshots, slow time (factor of 10), fast time (factors of 5,
50,
and 150), and replay.
I/I-B.5.7

Table 3. Nuclear Reactor Simulator Simulation Capabilities
o decay heat
o natural circulation
o residual heat removal
o charging and let-down
o reactor coolant pump heat
o pressurizer to form (or collapse) pressurizer bubble and
control
o pressure
o dilution or boration
o control rod withdrawal/insertion
o criticality and power escalation to heating range
o nuclear heat to normal operating temperature and pressure
o temperature control using atmospheric steam dump valves or
condenser steam dump valves
o steam generator level control
o roll turbine to synchronous speed
o synchronize generator to grid and close breaker
o load generator and increase reactor power
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Table 4. Nuclear Reactor Simulator Malfunction Capabilities
o Drop of a single control rod
o Fault in automatic rod control system
Rod bank uncontrolled out
Rod bank uncontrolled in
Operation blocked
o Trip of one or more reactor coolant pumps
o Failure in pressurizer pressure controller
(to maximum or minimum)
o Failure in pressurizer spray valve
(open,
jammed shut)
o Proportional heaters in pressurizer non-operating
o Failure in the automatic pressurizer level controller
(to maximum or minimum)
o CVCS: leak from primary system
o CVCS: fault in auto-mode
o Turbine trip/reactor trip
o Load rejection
o Opening of a dump valve (excess steam demand)
o Dump valve stuck
o Loss of condenser circulating water pumps
o Fault in feedwater controller (loss of steam
flow signal)
o Feedwater control valve failure
o Bypass of feedwater preheaters
o Loss of offsite power
o Steam generator tube rupture
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Nuclear Reactor Simulator Course Description
The TVSTC Nuclear Reactor Simulator course provides the first
opportunity for Nuclear Engineering Technology students to experience
integrated PWR plant operation. The course is organized in both
classroom and laboratory sessions structured to illustrate major
operating characteristics of various plant systems: primary,
secondary, control, rod drive mechanism control, nuclear instrumen-
tation, and plant protection. In addition, the laboratory sessions
include general plant operating characteristics, estimated critical
position calculation, plant startup, plant shutdown, plant abnormal
conditions, and selected accidents.
Each class meeting consists of tandem classroom and laboratory
sessions. The classroom session, lasting one hour, provides students
with a description of the system or operating characteristics being
studied. Fundamentals from earlier courses are recalled, and their
applications are illustrated. This is followed by a two-hour
laboratory session in which each student is given the opportunity to
operate the simulator while others observe, take notes, and perform
calculations.
The course concludes with a comprehensive written examination.
The objective is for each student to demonstrate the ability to apply
fundamental concepts to understanding integrated plant operation.
There is no examination on the simulator, itself, since development of
operating skills is not an objective of the course.
Assessment of Effectiveness
Thames Valley State Technical College has found the Nuclear
Reactor Simulator course to be perhaps the most important course
offering in its Nuclear Engineering Technology Program. It combines
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all of the earlier technical course work into a practical, hands-on
simulator course by which students can develop and demonstrate their
total knowledge of nuclear engineering technology.
Benefits which are provided by the Nuclear Reactor Simulator
course include:
Classroom knowledge is retained more completely when students
understand the application in the plant and, therefore, can relate the
fundamentals to plant operation.
Students become more effective on the job when they acquire
greater knowledge of and better understand the importance of their
knowledge to overall plant operation.
Students are brought to a higher point on the learning curve, and
are better prepared for advanced courses beyond the NET Program.
Students are more aware of the safety issues in nuclear power
technology.
Simulated transients help students recognize that abnormal
operating situations must be routinely managed in nuclear power
reactor operation.
An additional benefit of the Nuclear Reactor Simulator course is
its positive influence on the ABET accreditation process. As would be
expected, ABET accreditation actions are both rigorous and demanding
to ensure the academic excellence of a degree program. While every
facet of the program is fully evaluated, special emphasis is devoted
to final project or laboratory coursework which ties earlier acquired
academic knowledge to the pragmatic realities of the real world appli-
cation of this knowledge. In a Nuclear Engineering Technology
I/I-8. 5.1

Program, the recognized culmination of this academic education is the
actual operational control of a nuclear reactor or the utilization of
a sophisticated, state-of-the-art nuclear reactor simulator.
The use of an actual nuclear reactor would require significant
capital funding, substantial physical space requirements, burdensome
security
needs,
and be more conducive to a research-oriented academic
institution. A nuclear reactor simulator, however, is relatively
inexpensive, portable, readily adaptable to changing nuclear industry
environment requirements, and well-suited to the needs of a two-year
academic degree program.
1/1-8.5.72