Nuclear Engineering and Design

Nuclear Engineering and Design
Title	Nuclear Engineering and Design
Abbreviation	Nucl. Eng. Des.
Discipline	Nuclear engineering, Nuclear reactor physics, Nuclear safety
Editor	Jovica R. Riznic
Publisher	Elsevier
Country	Netherlands
History	1965–present
Frequency	Monthly
Openaccess	Hybrid
Impact	2.7
Impact-year	2022
Website	https://www.journals.elsevier.com/nuclear-engineering-and-design
Issn	0029-5493
Eissn	1872-759X
Oclc	01771243

Nuclear Engineering and Design is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Elsevier that serves as a primary international forum for research in the field of nuclear engineering. Established in 1965, it covers a broad spectrum of topics related to the design, safety, analysis, and materials of nuclear reactors and associated systems. The journal publishes original research articles, reviews, and technical notes, contributing significantly to the advancement of nuclear technology and its safe application for nuclear power generation and other uses.

Overview and Scope

The journal's scope encompasses the entire engineering lifecycle of nuclear facilities, from conceptual design to decommissioning. It provides a platform for disseminating research on the engineering science behind fission reactors, fusion reactors, and related nuclear fuel cycle facilities. Key areas of focus include thermal-hydraulics, structural mechanics, neutronics, and the integration of these disciplines into coherent reactor design solutions. The editorial board, led by Editor-in-Chief Jovica R. Riznic, includes experts from leading institutions like the International Atomic Energy Agency, Argonne National Laboratory, and the Paul Scherrer Institute.

Fundamental Principles and Disciplines

Research published in the journal is grounded in core principles of nuclear physics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and radiation protection. A significant portion of the work involves computational fluid dynamics and finite element analysis to model complex phenomena within reactor cores. Studies often leverage major simulation codes like RELAP5, TRACE, and ANSYS Fluent, which are benchmarked against experimental data from facilities such as the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency's projects. The discipline of probabilistic risk assessment, pioneered by organizations like the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, is also a fundamental pillar.

Reactor Design and Components

Detailed analyses of specific reactor components are a staple, including pressurized water reactor steam generators, boiling water reactor pressure vessels, and CANDU reactor calandria tubes. Research addresses the performance and integrity of control rod drive mechanisms, reactor coolant pumps, and containment building structures. Designs for Generation IV reactor concepts, such as the sodium-cooled fast reactor and the very-high-temperature reactor, are frequently explored. Component testing in loops like the Integral System Test facility at the Idaho National Laboratory provides critical validation data.

Safety Analysis and Regulation

Safety is a paramount theme, with papers covering loss-of-coolant accident scenarios, severe accident management, and passive nuclear safety systems. Research supports regulatory frameworks developed by bodies like the U.S. NRC, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, and the Japanese Nuclear Regulation Authority. Topics include fracture mechanics of reactor pressure vessels, hydrogen combustion risks during accidents like those studied post-Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, and fire protection engineering. Methodologies for deterministic safety analysis and probabilistic safety assessment are rigorously developed and compared.

Materials and Fuel Cycle

The journal features extensive research on material behavior under extreme conditions of neutron irradiation, high temperature, and corrosive coolants. Studies focus on zirconium alloy cladding, stainless steel piping, and advanced materials like silicon carbide composites for accident-tolerant fuel. The nuclear fuel cycle is examined from uranium mining and uranium enrichment to spent nuclear fuel management and geological repository design, referencing projects like Yucca Mountain and Onkalo spent nuclear fuel repository. Research on fuel rod performance and plutonium recycling in mixed oxide fuel is also prominent.

Advanced Reactor Concepts

A growing segment of the publication is dedicated to innovative designs beyond conventional light-water reactors. This includes small modular reactors like those from NuScale Power and TerraPower, as well as molten salt reactors researched by institutions like the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Fusion engineering topics, such as blanket (fusion) design for ITER and materials for DEMO (fusion reactor), are increasingly featured. The integration of nuclear-renewable hybrid energy systems and the use of thorium fuel cycle are also active areas of investigation.

Applications and Future Directions

Beyond electricity generation, the journal explores applications in nuclear marine propulsion, radioisotope thermoelectric generators for space missions like those by NASA, and neutron scattering facilities such as the Spallation Neutron Source. Future-oriented research addresses nuclear hydrogen production, desalination, and process heat for industrial applications. The role of nuclear energy in achieving climate change mitigation goals, as assessed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and its synergy with renewable energy sources are critical discussion points for the field's evolution.

Category:Elsevier academic journals Category:Nuclear engineering journals Category:English-language journals Category:Publications established in 1965 Category:Monthly journals