E3 Symposium 2008

Willie Smith, IPC – PHYSICSTidehaven ISD,

Tidehaven High School

Mentor: Prof. Karen VierowNuclear Engineering Department

Content• Background• Project Core Elements• STPNOC Plant Operations• Classroom Project• Lesson Requirements• Lesson Objectives• Reactor Pressure Vessel (E3)• Lab Activity Procedure• Properties of a substance• Data Table• Acknowledgements

Background

• To bring the research experience into the classroom

• To share with my school district the benefits of the E3 Teacher Research Program

• To promote quality education in STEM• To provide information to the community on

the employment opportunities that will be offered by STP

PROJECT CORE ELEMENTSBridging the Gap

• Determine the effect of pressure on the temperature of the coolant in the primary loop of a Pressurize Water Reactor

• What makes water an excellent choice for coolant in a Nuclear Power Plant?

• Identify some everyday items that exhibit the similar characteristics.

                                                                  

         

 

Nuclear Power PlantElectric Generating Station

Pressurized Water Reactor

Classroom ProjectInvestigate the Heat Transfer Property of Water under

Pressure

• Demonstrate the effect that an increase in pressure has on the boiling point of water.

• Use charts and graphs to qualify the results.

Lesson Requirements

TAKS OBJECTIVE 1: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the nature of scienceTEKS 1(A) demonstrate safe practices during field and laboratory investigations, and selecting equipment and technologyTEKS 2(A) plan and implement investigative procedures including asking questions, formulating testable hypotheses,TEKS 2(B) collect data and make measurements with precision TEKS 2(C) organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends from dataTEKS 2(D) communicate valid conclusions

Lesson Requirements

Objective 4 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the structures and properties of matter.

TEKS 7 The student knows relationships exist between properties of matter and its components.TEKS 9 The student knows how solution chemistry is a part of everyday life.

(D) demonstrate how various factors influence solubility including temperature, pressure, and nature of the solute and solvent

(A) investigate and identify properties of fluids including density, viscosity, and buoyancy

Lesson Objectives

Objective 5 The student will demonstrate an understanding of motion, forces, and energy

TEKS 6 The student knows the impact of energy transformation in everyday life.

(A) describe the law of conservation of energy(B) investigate and demonstrate the movement of heat through

solids, liquids, and gases by convection, conduction, and radiation

Reactor Pressure Vessel• This paint cylinder

has been converted to a pressure cooker used to control the pressure environment of the water.

Laboratory Activity

• Purpose: This Laboratory activity will demonstrate the effects of different pressures on the boiling point temperature of water.

• The water coolant at a Nuclear Power Plant is maintained at a specific pressure.

• When there is a loss of coolant, the pressure in the reactor decreases and the water turns to steam.

Latent Heat

Activity ProcedureEquipment Required:

– Pressure Cooker Assembly with Pressure Gage and Thermocouple, Heater, Safety Glasses, Gloves, Timer

Procedure:1. Fill the test chamber with 500 ml of water 2. Attach the pressure gage, thermocouple, and compressor hose to the top

of the pressure cooker.3. Adjust the heater temperature so that the water comes to boiling at

atmospheric pressure.4. Record the temperature and atmospheric pressure in the data table.

(Record data every minute for five(5) minutes.)5. Increase the pressure to 2 atmospheres. The water should cease to boil

and the temperature will begin to increase.6. Record the pressure, and temperature reading at a stable temperature.

(Record data every minute for five (5) minutes.7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 at 3 atmospheres.

DATA TABLETime

min

Pressure

psig

Temperature

C

Analyze Data

1. Plot the data on graph paper.2. What does the graph indicate?3. Give a brief explanation of your findings.

STP/A&M Partnership

• Building the scaffolding– “Core Cadre” for program development – Recruit new teachers for E3– Attracting youth to academic programs

• High School Nuclear Science and Engineering Laboratory

Summary

• The E3 RET Experience• Texas A&M/STP Partnership• Providing an educated work force• Improving the quality of life

Acknowledgements

A special thanks to:Texas A&M University SystemNuclear Engineering DepartmentDr. K. L. Peddicord, P.E.Professor Karen Vierow Dr. Isaac ChoutapalliGraduate Student Niki WilliamsNSF E3 RET for fundingSouth Texas Project