Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: random_soldier1337 on 22/09/2019 23:24:14

Title: What are some Nuclear Engineering must reads?
Post by: random_soldier1337 on 22/09/2019 23:24:14

I'm asking for suggestions in various categories as some of them might be more important for coursework whereas others might be more recreational and to expand knowledge.

I know for example that Knoll is the go to for radiation detection and Lamarsh and Baratta is the most important for intro to nuclear engineering (of course some disagree with dumbing down in it, which is why I ask). Any books that anyone would like to recommend as a must have for core nuclear courses?

Other books that I'm looking for are more for my knowledge. For example, I found introductory nuclear physics by krane really helpful in explaining some of the concepts and bridging the gap between quantum/particle physics and nuclear for someone who hasn't had a rigorous physics background in those. Not to mention a fun read. But despite all that, it has been not useful for coursework and has been more recreational for me. Point is, I enjoy it for knowledge and recreation and I would like other suggestions for these as well so that I may expand my understanding of nuclear even if I don't formally take a course, please?

There is one pet peeve that I would like to address specifically, however. I'm unable to find much information on books that detail nuclear engineering from a fusion perspective. For example, materials and neutronics usually detail everything from fission reactor standpoints with a very minor aside, if at all, towards fusion. Any suggestions for those as well?

Title: Re: What are some Nuclear Engineering must reads?
Post by: evan_au on 23/09/2019 11:46:04

Quote from: random_soldier1337

I'm unable to find much information on books that detail nuclear engineering from a fusion perspective.

The scientific research into nuclear fission reactors occurred in the Manhattan project.
- There has been 70 years of Engineering on how to turn this into a family safe, dependable power-generation technology.

The scientific research into nuclear fusion power is still underway.
- The latest iteration of magnetic confinement is ITER.
- Other approaches exist, like laser/inertial confinement, but this seems even less likely to be scalable for electricity production
- Assuming ITER (or some other approach) works by 2025, come back 70 years later

For an overview of some of the design challenges, listen to a discussion of a fusion research project (the same site has some episodes on ITER, too):
https://omegataupodcast.net/312-the-wendelstein-7-x-fusion-experiment/

Also see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Ignition_Facility

Title: Re: What are some Nuclear Engineering must reads?
Post by: random_soldier1337 on 23/09/2019 12:39:16

Ah thanks for that. Any suggestions to the rest? Must learns as a nuclear engineer or just good to know as a nuclear engineer/physicist?