Small But Strong Outstanding University

Professor’s Profile

Robert M. Field

  • Major : Nuclear Engineering
  • Professor Professor
  • Office : Room 310, Main Bldg
  • Phone : +82-52-712-7308
  • Email : rmfield@kings.ac.kr

Educational Background

M.S., Nuclear Engineering, State Univ. of New York, Buffalo (1979.02)
B.S., Nuclear Engineering, State Univ. of New York, Buffalo (1976.06)

Professional Experience

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Research

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Lab Members

  • Andrew Tetteh Ashong
  • Anna Maria Kluba
  • Kafilat Funmilola Amuda

Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management

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Introduction To the Courses

The Nuclear Steam Cycle

- Course Description:

The nuclear steam cycle takes thermodynamic energy in the form of pressurized steam provided by the Steam Generators (S/Gs) and converts it to electrical energy supplied
to the grid. The condensed steam is then returned to the S/G in the form of hot, pressurized water to repeat the cycle. The Turbine-Generator (T/G) and supporting
systems and components ensure that this conversion is performed safely, reliably, and efficiently.
Although first patented and developed in the 1880s, the steam turbine has seen considerable advances since that time. Starting in the 1950s, early designers in nuclear
power did not fully recognize the special design considerations demanded by wet nuclear steam as supplied by light water reactor plants. This lead to a number of
equipment failures, some of them rather spectacular.
This course will examine the various design requirements for nuclear steam conversion systems with special emphasis on the most critical component, the T/G sets. These
components have the most fundamental duty and also face the greatest design and operational challenges.
First, the thermodynamic design duty of the main turbine will be examined by a review of the turbine cycle heat balance diagram. Analysis of the turbine cycle heat balance
will then be performed. This will include an examination of the contributions to efficient operations from the T/G and supporting systems and components, including
heat exchangers, pumps, and valves. Next the mechanical design of the T/G set will be examined including an overview of material selection and design stress considerations.
Finally, operating experience in the nuclear fleet will be examined to understand how past failures are driving current research and designs.

Nuclear Heat Storage and Recovery

- OBJECTIVE OF PROJECT COURSE

Inherent in the design and operation of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) is high upfront capital costs and low operating, maintenance, and fuel costs. Recovery of the upfront investment then necessitates that NPPs operate in a baseload mode without consideration of load following. For many markets, increased penetration of ‘green energy’ sources (wind and solar) with essentially no associated fuel cost has resulted in replacing NPPs at the bottom end of the dispatch hierarchy. This changes the economics of nuclear power and has resulted in the examination of diurnal energy storage and recovery options.
Historically, electricity supply planning considered a mix of technologies to balance capital cost, operation and fuel cost, planning horizons, and load following capability, along with a respect for diversity of supply. As a first source, hydroelectric power was maximized within the constraints of commercial, environmental and esthetic considerations. Next, baseload power with low overall costs was considered. However, such sources are typically high in capital investment, necessitating high capacity factors.
To optimize system cost, peaking units, with low capital cost (but typically high fuel cost) were included in the energy mix to address seasonal and daily peak loads. In the U.S. from the 1960s through the 1980s, this resulted in systems designed with a mix of nuclear and coal units for baseload operation and with peaking units using bunker fuel to address variable demand. Over the next few decades, increased oil prices and improvement in refinery technology eliminated residual fuel oil as a choice for peakers.
Development of combined cycle technology coupled with the horizontal drilling and fracking revolution (which increased the supply of natural gas) reduced the cost this technology to the point where such units can be used not only for peaking duty but also for baseload in U.S. markets. Thus NPPs face challenges both from green and brown
technologies.

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Publications, Projects and Awards

- 2015

International Grade B, Considered as two co-authors (since KINGSstudents are excluded.)- Thermodynamic Evaluation of Coupling APR1400 with a Thermal Desalination Plant(International Journal of Chemical, Molecular, Nuclear, Materials and MetallurgicalEngineering, November 2015)

 

- 2016

ㆍDomestic Grade B, Considered as two co-authors (since KINGS studentsare excluded.)- Economic Evaluation of Coupling APR1400 with a Desalination Plant in Saudi Arabia(Journal of KOSSE, June 2016)
* Achievement submitted is accepted. - 2 points per Domestic A paper × 0.7 (2 co-authors) × 1 paper = 1.4points
ㆍInternational Grade A (SCIE) Sole Author- AM600 – A New Look at the Nuclear Steam Cycle (Nuclear Engineering andTechnology of KNS, To be published in April 2017)

ㆍInternational Grade B, Considered as a sole author (since KINGS studentsare excluded.)- Small Modular Reactor Site Considerations for Uganda (Journal of Energy andPower Engineering, Accepted for Publication)

ㆍInternational Grade B, Considered as a sole author (since KINGS studentsare excluded)- Combined Heat and Power Design Considerations for the APR1400 (Journal ofEnergy and Power Engineering, To be published in March 2017)

ㆍInternational Grade B, Considered as a sole author (since KINGS studentsare excluded.)- Developing Installed DC Power Backup System for the APR1400 for Station Black-Out (SBO) Coping (International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology,November 2016)

Projects

- Technical Report

[AY2016] Report, Lead AuthorDevelopment of PEP Project Module for the KINGS Specialization Program('16.10.31)

[AY2016] Report, Sole AuthorCogen Design Considerations for the APR1400 ('16.10.31)

Galleries