Horst-Michael Prasser: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2020

Name Prof. em. Dr. Horst-Michael Prasser
FieldKernenergiesysteme
E-mailprasser@lke.mavt.ethz.ch
DepartmentMechanical and Process Engineering
RelationshipProfessor emeritus

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
151-0156-00LSafety of Nuclear Power Plants Information 4 credits2V + 1UH.‑M. Prasser, V. Dang, L. Podofillini
AbstractKnowledge about safety concepts and requirements of nuclear power plants and their implementation in deterministic safety concepts and safety systems. Knowledge about behavior under accident conditions and about the methods of probabilistic risk analysis and how to handle results. Introduction into key elements of the enhanced safety of nuclear systems for the future.
Learning objectiveDeep understanding of safety requirements, concepts and system of nuclear power plants, knowledge of deterministic and probabilistic methods for safety analysis, aspects of nuclear safety research, licensing of nuclear power plant operation. Overview on key elements of the enhanced safety of nuclear systems for the future.
Content(1) Introduction into the specific safety issues of nuclear power plants, main facts of health effects of ionizing radiation, defense in depth approach. (2) Reactor protection and reactivity control, reactivity induced accidents (RIA). (3) Loss-of-coolant accidents (LOCA), emergency core cooling systems. (4) Short introduction into severe accidents (Beyond Design Base Accidents, BDBA). (5) Probabilistic risk analysis (PRA level 1,2,3). (6) Passive safety systems. (7) Safety of innovative reactor concepts.
Lecture notesScript:
Hand-outs of lecture slides will be distributed
Audio recording of lectures will be provided
Script "Short introduction into basics of nuclear power"
LiteratureS. Glasston & A. Sesonke: Nuclear Reactor Engineering, Reactor System Engineering, Ed. 4, Vol. 2., Chapman & Hall, NY, 1994
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisites:
Recommended in advance (not binding): 151-0163-00L Nuclear Energy Conversion
151-0160-00LNuclear Energy Systems4 credits2V + 1UH.‑M. Prasser, P. Burgherr, I. Günther-Leopold, W. Hummel, T. Kämpfer, T. Kober, X. Zhang
AbstractNuclear energy and sustainability, uranium production, uranium enrichment, nuclear fuel production, reprocessing of spent fuel, nuclear waste disposal, Life Cycle Analysis, energy and materials balance of Nuclear Power Plants.
Learning objectiveStudents get an overview on the physical and chemical fundamentals, the technological processes and the environmental impact of the full energy conversion chain of nuclear power generation. The are enabled to assess to potentials and risks arising from embedding nuclear power in a complex energy system.
Content(1) survey on the cosmic and geological origin of uranium, methods of uranium mining, separation of uranium from the ore, (2) enrichment of uranium (diffusion cells, ultra-centrifuges, alternative methods), chemical conversion uranium oxid - fluorid - oxid, fuel rod fabrication processes, (3) fuel reprocessing (hydrochemical, pyrochemical) including modern developments of deep partitioning as well as methods to treat and minimize the amount and radiotoxicity of nuclear waste. (4) nuclear waste disposal, waste categories and origin, geological and engineered barriers in deep geological repositories, the project of a deep geological disposal for radioactive waste in Switzerland, (5) methods to measure the sustainability of energy systems, comparison of nuclear energy with other energy sources, environmental impact of the nuclear energy system as a whole, including the question of CO2 emissions, CO2 reduction costs, radioactive releases from the power plant, the fuel chain and the final disposal. The material balance of different fuel cycles with thermal and fast reactors isdiscussed.
Lecture notesLecture slides will be distributed as handouts and in digital form
151-0170-00LComputational Multiphase Thermal Fluid Dynamics4 credits2V + 1UH.‑M. Prasser, A. Dehbi, B. Niceno
AbstractThe course deals with fundamentals of the application of Computational Fluid Dynamics to gas-liquid flows as well as particle laden gas flows including aerosols. The course will present the current state of art in the field. Challenging examples, mainly from the field of nuclear reactor safety, are discussed in detail.
Learning objectiveFundamentals of 3D multiphase flows (Definitions, Averages, Flow regimes), mathematical models (two-fluid model, Euler-Euler and Euler-Lagrange techniques), modeling of dispersed bubble flows (inter-phase forces, population balance and multi-bubble size class models), turbulence modeling, stratified and free-surface flows (interface tracking techniques such as VOF, level-sets and variants, modeling of surface tension), particulate and aerosol flows, particle tracking, one and two way coupling, random walk techniques to couple particle tracking with turbulence models, numerical methods and tools, industrial applications.
151-1053-00LThermo- and Fluid Dynamics0 credits2KP. Jenny, R. S. Abhari, K. Boulouchos, G. Haller, C. Müller, N. Noiray, D. Poulikakos, H.‑M. Prasser, T. Rösgen, A. Steinfeld
AbstractCurrent advanced research activities in the areas of thermo- and fluid dynamics are presented and discussed, mostly by external speakers.

The talks are public and open also for interested students.
Learning objectiveKnowledge of advanced research in the areas of thermo- and fluid dynamics
ContentCurrent advanced research activities in the areas of thermo- and fluid dynamics are presented and discussed, mostly by external speakers.
151-1906-00LMultiphase Flow4 credits3GH.‑M. Prasser
AbstractBasics in multiphase flow systems,, mainly gas-liquid, is presented in this course. An introduction summarizes the characteristics of multi phase flows, some theoretical models are discussed. Following we focus on pipe flow, film and bubbly/droplet flow. Finally specific measuring methods are shown and a summary of the CFD models for multiphases is presented.
Learning objectiveThis course contributes to a deep understanding of complex multiphase systems and allows to predict multiphase conditions to design appropriate systems/apparatus. Actual examples and new developments are presented.
ContentThe course gives an overview on following subjects: Basics in multiphase systems, pipeflow, films, bubbles and bubble columns, droplets, measuring techniques, multiphase flow in microsystems, numerical procedures with multiphase flows.
Lecture notesLecturing notes are available (copy of slides or a german script) partly in english
LiteratureSpecial literature is recommended for each chapter.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe course builds on the basics in fluidmechanics.
151-2016-00LRadiation Imaging for Industrial Applications4 credits2V + 1UH.‑M. Prasser, R. Adams
AbstractThe course gives an overview of the physics and practical principles of imaging techniques using ionizing radiation such as X-rays, gamma photons, and neutrons in the context of various industrial (non-medical) challenges. This includes the interaction of radiation with matter, parameters affecting imaging performance, source and detector technology, image processing, and tomographic techniques.
Learning objectiveUnderstanding of the principles and applicability of various radiation-based imaging techniques including radiography and tomography to various industrial challenges.
Contentprinciples of radiation imaging; physics of interaction of radiation with matter (X-ray, gamma, neutron); X-ray source physics and technology; neutron source physics and technology; radiation detection principles; radiation detection as applied to imaging; radiography (image quality parameters, image processing); computed tomography (image reconstruction techniques, artifacts, image processing); overview of more exotic techniques (e.g. dual modality, fast neutrons, time of flight); general industrial applications, security applications; special issues in dynamic imaging and example applications; PET/PEPT imaging; nuclear energy applications
Lecture notesLecture slides will be provided, as well as references for further reading
Literature- Wang, Industrial Tomography: Systems and Applications
- Knoll, Radiation Detection and Measurement
- Kak & Slaney, Principles of Computerized Tomographic Imaging
Prerequisites / NoticeRecommended courses (not binding): 151-0163-00L Nuclear Energy Conversion, 151-2035-00L, Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, 151-0123-00L, Experimental Methods for Engineers, MATLAB skills for exercises.