Nuclear Engineering: A Conceptual Introduction to Nuclear Power, Second Edition provides coverage of the introductory, salient principles of nuclear engineering in a comprehensive manner for those entering the profession at the end of their degree. The nuclear power industry is undergoing a renaissance because of the desire for low-carbon baseload electricity, the growing population, and environmental concerns about shale gas, so this book is a welcome addition to the science. In addition, users will find a great deal of information on the change in the industry, along with other topical areas of interest that are uniquely covered.

This updated edition reflects the most recent developments, with new or expanded coverage of such topics as small modular and advanced modular reactors, nuclear fuel cycle and waste disposal developments, and the role of nuclear energy in climate change abatement. Intended for undergraduate students or early postgraduate students studying nuclear engineering, this new text will also be appealing to scientifically literate non-experts wishing to be better informed about the ‘nuclear option'.

Key Features

• Presents a succinct and clear explanation of the key facts and concepts on how nuclear engineering power systems function and how their related fuel supply cycles operate
• Provides full coverage of the nuclear fuel cycle, including its scientific and historical basis
• Describes a comprehensive range of relevant reactor designs, from those that are defunct, current, and in plan/construction for the future, including SMRs and GenIV
• Summarizes all major accidents and their impact on the industry and society

New Features

• Chapter 2 on historical context revised to reflect better diversity and equality in terms of examples given
• Chapter 10 on Mainstream Power Reactor Systems has been revised to include a more detailed summary of operational concepts, including burn-up, reload cycle, capacity, availability etc.
• Chapter 11 on Advanced Reactors and Future Concepts includes more detailed sections on small modular reactors and advanced modular reactors • Chapter 12 on Nuclear Fuel Manufacture has been revised to include developments in the nuclear fuel cycle, including alternative accident-tolerant fuels and their fuel fabrication techniques
• Chapter 15 on Radioactive Waste Management and Disposal contains a new summary of research into improved methods for the disposal, i.e., thermal processing, and management of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste
• Chapter 16 on Public Acceptability, Cost and Nuclear Energy in the Future has been updated with information concerning the role of nuclear in climate change abatement and security of supply