Thermodynamics in Nuclear Power Plant Systems

This book covers the fundamentals of thermodynamics required to understand electrical power generation systems, honing in on the application of these principles to nuclear reactor powersystems. It includes all the necessary information regarding the fundamental laws to gain a complete understanding and apply them specifically to the challenges of operating nuclear plants. Beginning with definitions of thermodynamic variables such as temperature, pressure and specific volume, the book then explains the laws in detail, focusing on pivotal concepts such as enthalpy and entropy, irreversibility, availability, and Maxwell relations. Specific applications of the fundamentals to Brayton and Rankine cycles for power generation are considered in-depth, in support of the book’s core goal- providing an examination of how the thermodynamic principles are applied to the design, operation and safety analysis of current and projected reactor systems. Detailed appendices cover metric and English system units and conversions, detailed steam and gas tables, heat transfer properties, and nuclear reactor system descriptions.

Preface
Acknowledgments

Chapter 1 : Definitions and Basic Principles
Chapter 2 : Properties of Pure Substances
Chapter 3 : Mixture
Chapter 4 : Work and Heat
Chapter 5 : First Law of Thermodynamics
Chapter 6 : The Kinetic Theory of Gases
Chapter 7 : Second Law of Thermodynamics
Chapter 8 : Reversible Work, Irreversibility, and Energy (Availability)
Chapter 9 : Gas Kinetic Theory of Entropy
Chapter 10 : Thermodynamic Relations
Chapter 11 : Combustion
Chapter 12 : Heat Transfer
Chapter 13 : Heat Exchangers
Chapter 14 : Gas Power Cycles
Chapter 15 : Vapor Power Cycles
Chapter 16 : Circulating Water Systems
Chapter 17 : Electrical System
Chapter 18 : Nuclear Power Plants
Chapter 19 : Nuclear Fuel Cycle
Chapter 20 : The Economic Future of Nuclear Power
Chapter 21 : Safety, Waste Disposal, Containment, and Accidents

Erratum
Appendix A : Table and Graphs Compilations
Index