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4U04 Nuclear Laboratories
TERM I & II 2011-2012
Faculty member:
Dr.
D. Novog
Lab Supervisor:
Barry
Diacon
Teaching Assistants:
Term 1:
David Hummel: hummeld@mcmaster.ca
Curtis McEwan: mcewac2@mcmaster.ca
Dinusha Lokuliyana: lokulidw@mcmaster.ca
Term 2:
David Hummel: hummeld@mcmaster.ca
Jaleh Solanlou : solanj@mcmaster.ca
Dinusha Lokuliyana: lokulidw@mcmaster.ca
Laboratories:
MNR, NRB-B116
Announcements:
A Health Physics Radiation Safety seminar is required in early September for all students taking the nuclear labs in terms I (or term II if that were the case).Course Outline:
Students choosing the Nuclear option in 4U04 will complete five labs. Three of these are required of all students and are worth a total of 24% of the 4U04 mark. The two remaining are selected from a varying list of optional labs (note in any one term not all optional labs may be available) and are worth a total of 26% of the 4U04 mark.
Two labs which used to be done in 4U4-Nuclear were moved to 3D03 in the spring of 2006:• Introduction to Gamma Detection & Pulse Height Analysis (pdf) is a prerequisite for doing Lab #1 - "Neutron Activation Analysis" below. (This same lab is done in 3D03). Those students who have yet to do "Introduction to Gamma Detection" must do this lab experiment before doing lab #1. The students will write a single page on "Intro to Gamma Detection", this forming part of the report for lab #1.
• Material Attenuation of Gamma-rays and Neutrons (pdf) should be performed before doing "Neutron Radiography" below. (This same lab is done in 3D03). The traditional setup for neutron attenuation was Beam Port #6 in the McMaster Nuclear Reactor, however this is being renovated for new research during 2006-08. Students doing this for the first time will write a single page on neutron attenuation to form part of the report for lab #3.
The mandatory labs:
1. Neutron Activation Analysis (pdf)
2. Spatial Distribution of Reactor Neutron Flux (pdf) For background information on this, see the on-line course notes for EP4D03, especially chapters "One Speed/Group Diffusion" and "Multigroup". This may be more than you need to know, but skim the notes at least to get some ideas.
3. Neutron Radiography (pdf)
Photos:
October 25th (jpg) Image 1 Image 2
October 27th (jpg) Image 1 Image 2
October 28th (jpg) Image 1 Image 2
November 3rd (jpg) Image 1 Image 2
November 4th (jpg) Image 1 top Image 1 bottom Image 2
Elective labs:
4. Control Rod Reactivity Worth Measurements (pdf) For background information on this, see the on-line course notes for EP4D03, especially the chapter on "Kinetics". This may be more than you need to know, but skim the notes at least to get some ideas.
5. Neutron Moderation (pdf)
6. Approach to Reactor Criticality (pdf)
7. Reactor Xenon Transients (pdf)
In the course of performing these labs, students have the opportunity to conduct experimental analysis of reactor physics phenomena using the McMaster Nuclear Reactor, conduct diagnostic imaging with a neutron beam, basic power reactor control and flux mapping, and reactivity studies.
Lab Reference Material:
• Some helpful hints from a former TA
HEALTH PHYSICS RADIATION TRAINING:
Students are required to attend Health Physics radiation safety training. All students desiring to take 4U04-Nuclear must attend the special Health Physics training for 4U04. Training will be held on Friday, Jan 15th from 10:00-11:30am in NRB 110. This training session is shorter than the standard Health Physics session, as it is optimized for topics dealt with in the nuclear labs. It only occurs once per semester, so attendance is mandatory.
The Health Physics radiation training provides facts about the relative types of radiation hazards likely to occur in the labs. The information is for students' protection as well as reassurance. Provided that students follow the directions of their TA and the Undergraduate Lab Supervisor, the labs do not represent a significant hazard.
REPORT REQUIREMENTS:
Each of the experimental reports is due exactly two weeks after the completion of the individual experiment. Reports are to be deposited in the 4U04-Nuclear box on the 3rd floor of JHE/A. Five per cent (5%) is deducted for lateness for each working day. No extensions are granted for any reason except medical, when supported by a doctor's note.
In addition to the pursuit of knowledge, all labs have the goal of teaching students the craft of properly writing an experimental lab report. The first three required labs will require simplified technical reports worth a total of 21%. The marking breakdown will be:
• Experimental Results and Analysis (40%)
• Assessment of Uncertainty (20%)
• Conclusions (20%)
• Presentation and Quality (20%)
In addition to the pursuit of knowledge, the objectives of the laboratories are to ensure the quality of technical reports. Therefore, the remaining two optional labs will require extensive written reports worth a total of 29%. The nuclear section lab manual contains extensive guidelines on what is expected in the report. Specifically,
Content:
• Abstract (5%)
• Introduction (10%)
• Experiment & Results (20%)
• Interpretational Discussion (25%)
• Conclusion & Extensions (10%)
• References (5%)
Presentation:
• English and technical writing (spelling, grammar, clarity) 20%
• Visual Quality (figures and tables, neatness) 5%
Interesting and Informative Links:
Nuclear Engineering (Bill Garland) - general nuclear information including links and career information
back to EP 4U04 general web page.
The instructor and university reserve the right to modify elements of the course during the term. The university may change the dates and deadlines for any or all courses in extreme circumstances. If either type of modification becomes necessary, reasonable notice and communication with the students will be given with explanation and the opportunity to comment on changes. It is the responsibility of the student to check their McMaster email and course websites weekly during the term and to note any changes.
POLICY REMINDERS:
Academic dishonesty consists of misrepresentation by deception or by other fraudulent means and can result in serious consequences, e.g. the grade of zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads: "Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty"), and/or suspension or expulsion from the university.
It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. For information on the various kinds of academic dishonesty please refer to the Academic Integrity Policy, specifically Appendix 3, located at http://www.mcmaster.ca/senate/academic/ac_integrity.htm
The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:
1. Plagiarism, e.g. the submission of work that is not one's own or for which other credit has been obtained.
2. Improper collaboration in group work.
3. Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations.
The Faculty of Engineering is concerned with ensuring an environment that is free of all adverse discrimination. If there is a problem that cannot be resolved by discussion among the persons concerned, individuals are reminded that they should contact their Department Chair, the Sexual Harassment Officer or the Human Rights Consultant, as soon as possible.