Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title PHYSICS OF ENERGY SOURCES
Code PHYS388
Coordinator Prof K Durose
Physics
Ken.Durose@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2019-20 Level 6 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Aims

To develop an ability which allows educated and well informed opinions to be formed by the next generation of physicists on a wide range of issues in the context of the future energy needs of man To describe and understand methods of utilising renewable energy sources such as hydropower, tidal power, wave power, wind power and solar power. To give knowledge and understanding of the design and operation of nuclear reactors To give knowledge and understanding of nuclear fusion as a source of power To give knowledge and understanding relevant to overall safety in the nuclear power industry To describe the origin of environmental radioactivity and understand the effects of radiation on humans


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) At the end of the module the student should have: Learned the fundamental physical principles underlying energy production using conventional and renewable energy sources Learned the fundamental physical principles underlying nuclear fission and fusion reactors Studied the applications of these principles in the design issues power generation An appreciation of the role of mathematics in modelling power generation Learned the fundamental physical principles concerning the origin and consequences of environmental radioactivity Developed an awareness of the safety issues involved in exposure to radiation Developed problem solving skills based on the material presented Developed an appreciation of the problems of supplying the required future energy needs and the scope and issues associated with the different possible methods


Syllabus

 

Energy, global development and the Earth (3 Lectures) Energy and societaldevelopment, CO 2 emission, optical absorption, black body radiation,greenhouse effect, radiative forcing. Heat transfer mechanisms. Thermodynamics, energy cycles, heat conversion (3 Lectures) Revisionof thermodynamic concepts. The thermal properties of water and steam. Carnot,Rankine and Brayton thermodynamic cycles. Fluid mechanics and turbines (3 lectures) Bernoulli'sequation, Mass continuity equation, Euler's turbine equation.  Principlesof turbine operation and energy extraction. Hydropower, Tidal Power and Wave Power (3 Lectures) Resources.Power output from a dam and flow rate using a weir. Turbines, the Fourneyronturbine, impulse, efficiency. Tidal Power - Cause of tides estimate of tidalheight, Tidal waves, Power from a tidal barrage, Tidal resonance. Wave Power - Wave energy derivations, WavePower devices. Wind Power (3 Lectures) Sourceof Wind Energy and Global Patterns. Modern Wind turb ines. Kinetic Energy ofwind. Principles of maximum extraction efficiency. Blade design. HorizontalWind Turbine Design and Fatigue. Turbine control and operation. WindCharacteristics. Power of a Wind Turbine. Wind farms and the environment. Solar Energy (3 Lectures) Introduction- overall power - comparison. Solar Spectrum. Semiconductor junctions andphotovoltaic devcies. Efficiency limiting mechanisms. Commercial devicetechnologies. Developing technologies. Solar modules. Economics, environmentaloutlook for photovoltaic cells.    Basics of Nuclear Physics (3 Lectures) Nuclearbinding energy, nuclear reactions, cross sections. Interaction probability.Attenuation, mean free path. Radioactive decay (various forms), decay chains,secular equilibrium. Stability curve, neutrons and their interactions, fission- energy release, mass distribution, neutron emission. Principles of Nuclear Fission Reactors (3 Lectures) Chainreactions, reproduction constant, moderation, thermal reactors. Kin ematics ofmoderators, neutron cycle in infinite reactors, energy production, consumptionof 235U. Fast reactors, breeder reactors, breeder cycle. Reactor Theory (3 Lectures) Neutrondiffusion theory and the diffusion equation. The reactor equation. Bucklingparameter. Boundary conditions and solutions of the reactor equation. Migrationlength. Improvements to the model. Boundary extrapolation. Reactor Operations (2 Lectures) Realreactors - layout, thermodynamics, Magnox, AGR, PWR and accelerator drivenfission. Operating characteristics, delayed neutrons, control systems, reactorkinematics and reactor poisons.   Energy from Fusion (3 Lectures) Advantagesover fission, thermonuclear approach, amplification factor, conditions forfusion. Energy production in a plasma, energy losses, break even temperature,Lawson condition. Magnetic confinement, tokomak, pinch effect, heating ofplasma, present status and outlook.   Radiation Issues (2 Lectures) Interactionof radiation with matter, unit s, biological effects, radiation weightingfactors. Effects on humans, calculation of doses, monitoring radiation.radiation protection. Shielding nuclear reactors. Reactor accidents.Radioactive fission products and their effects. Sources of environmentalradiation - decay chains of uranium and thorium - Radon - 40K - cosmic rays.Recommended limits above the natural level.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Self-Directed Learning Description: Reading, practice calculations, preparing for tutorials.


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 32

  4

      36
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 114
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Assessment 1 This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :2  3 hours    100       
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.