Nuclear Reactor Systems and Safety
The next presentation in the Texas A&M Energy Institute Lecture Series: Master of Science in Energy Webinars, featuring Dr. Karen Kirkland, a Professor and Associate Department Head in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Texas A&M University, will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CDT (GMT -5:00) through an online Zoom meeting. The topic will be “Nuclear Reactor Systems and Safety.”
Abstract
Dr. Kirkland will discuss the safety features and safety level of US nuclear power reactors. With a 70-year history, the nuclear industry has established an impressive safety record for our commercial fleet. However, the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi accident may cause that record to be questioned. Dr. Kirkland’s presentation will introduce the topic of nuclear safety, addressing the questions of what is it and how is it achieved? New developments in reactor design to enhance reactor safety will be introduced. The presentation will conclude with a summary of reactor safety research in Dr. Kirkland’s lab.
Biography
Dr. Karen Kirkland is a Professor in Texas A&M University’s Department of Nuclear Engineering and the Associate Department Head. Her research interests are in experimental two-phase flow and heat transfer, nuclear reactor safety, and severe accident analysis.