The core melt accidents of light water reactor are also termed severe accidents or, in US Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s accident classification, Class 9 accidents.  In a core melt accident, large amount of radionuclides embedded in the fuel matrix may release into the reactor coolant system and into the containment subsequently. If the containment also fails in the accident, the released radionuclides may escape to the environment, which is termed source sources.  The dispersion of these radionuclides in the atmosphere of environment results in contamination and dose to the public.  Plant specific Severe Accident Management Guidelines (SAMGs) are developed to help the plant operators to cope with the accidents. To protect the public in the vicinity of nuclear power plant (NPP), emergency planning of NPP is part of regulatory requirement.  The emergency preparedness of NPP is considered as part of the Defense in Depth safety concepts of NPPs.

The course aims to introduce the fundamental of phenomena involved in a severe accident of light water reactors, the phenomena in containment, the characterization of accident sources terms, dispersion of radionuclides in the environment, the elements in a emergency preparedness of NPP.  Finally, the severe accident mitigation features in Generation III and III+ reactor are introduced.

Four homework: 25%
Quiz during the regulatory classes: 15%
One term paper (submitted at the end of semester): 25%
One examination (Final Examination): 35%

Examination Duration: 2 hours