Nuclear power plants are systems whose safe and reliable operation requires a thorough understanding of plant dynamics under both normal operating conditions and postulated accident scenarios. This course provides participants with fundamental and advanced knowledge of reactor and plant transient behaviour, with particular emphasis on the physical phenomena, engineering principles, and safety considerations governing nuclear power plant operation.
The course combines theoretical studies with practical simulation exercises using APROS, a state-of-the-art simulation platform widely applied for the analysis of nuclear and thermal power plants. Participants will develop skills in modelling and simulating plant responses to operational disturbances, system malfunctions, and accident conditions, thereby gaining insight into thermal-hydraulic processes, control system performance, and plant safety functions.
Special attention is given to nuclear safety-related concepts, including the principles of defence-in-depth, safety barriers, deterministic safety analysis, and the role of safety systems in mitigating abnormal events. The course also includes a review of significant historical events and operational experiences from the Swedish nuclear power programme, with discussions on lessons learned and their impact on current safety practices and regulatory frameworks.
Furthermore, the course introduces the regulatory and methodological basis for Safety Analysis. Participants will gain an understanding of safety requirements, accident classification, acceptance criteria, and analytical approaches used to demonstrate compliance with national and international nuclear safety standards.
Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to analyse and interpret nuclear power plant transients, apply simulation tools to safety-related studies, and understand the engineering and regulatory foundations of reactor safety analysis.