Course on Primary and Secondary Cooling Systems
Online 300-hour course on primary and secondary cooling systems. 6 modules covering ASME BPVC Section III (nuclear components), ASME BPVC Section XI (in-service inspection) and RELAP5. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Describe the configuration of the primary and secondary circuits.
Size pumps, steam generators and pressurisers at a conceptual level.
Carry out thermal balances of the steam cycle.
Analyse water chemistry and corrosion in the circuits.
Simulate operational transients with system codes.
Apply ASME III and IAEA design requirements.
Evaluate emergency cooling systems.
Who it's for
- Nuclear cooling systems engineer looking to specialise in Primary and Secondary Cooling Systems.
- Plant process engineer looking to specialise in Primary and Secondary Cooling Systems.
- Operations engineer looking to specialise in Primary and Secondary Cooling Systems.
- Component design engineer looking to specialise in Primary and Secondary Cooling Systems.
- Transient analyst looking to specialise in Primary and Secondary Cooling Systems.
- Water chemistry engineer looking to specialise in Primary and Secondary Cooling Systems.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the nuclear industry.
What you'll work with
- ASME BPVC Section III (nuclear components)
- ASME BPVC Section XI (in-service inspection)
- IAEA SSG-56 (reactor cooling system design)
- IAEA SSR-2/1 Rev. 1 (safety in design)
- 10 CFR 50 Appendix A (general design criteria)
- ASME OM Code (plant operation and maintenance)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Function of the primary and secondary circuits1.2Barriers between circuits and their importance1.3Reactor vessel, pumps, pipework and steam generators1.4Pressuriser and pressure control1.5Secondary circuit: steam, turbine and condenser1.6Feedwater and feedwater heaters1.7Circulating water circuit and heat sink1.8Auxiliary circuits and component cooling1.9Process and instrumentation diagrams1.10Exercise: following the path of energy
2.1Energy and mass balance of the circuit2.2Heat transfer by forced convection2.3Subcooled boiling and boiling crisis2.4Margin to critical heat flux2.5Pressure losses and system curve2.6Pump curves and operating point2.7Cavitation and net positive suction head2.8Two-phase flow and basic models2.9Natural circulation and its capacity2.10Practice: calculating the operating point of a loop
3.1Types of steam generator and their geometry3.2Moisture separation and steam quality3.3Heat transfer in the tube bundle3.4Scaling, sludge and fouling3.5Flow-induced vibration and wear3.6Leaks and detection of defective tubes3.7Eddy current inspection and plugging3.8Secondary-side chemistry and its control3.9Service life and component replacement3.10Practice: assessing the degradation of a tube bundle
4.1Start-up and shutdown of the circuits4.2Level and pressure control4.3Loss of flow transients4.4Loss of feedwater and response4.5Water hammer and pressure transients4.6Overpressure protection and relief valves4.7Removal of residual heat after shutdown4.8Cooling under degraded conditions4.9Emergency alignments4.10Practice: analysing the response to a pump trip
5.1In-service inspection programme5.2Applicable non-destructive testing5.3Corrosion and erosion degradation5.4Flow-accelerated corrosion in the secondary circuit5.5Management of pipework ageing5.6Thermal insulation and losses5.7Improving circuit efficiency5.8Management of leaks and treated water5.9Circuit performance indicators5.10Practice: inspection plan for a critical section
6.1Selection of the plant and circuits6.2Thermal and flow balance6.3Sizing of a heat exchanger or pump6.4Analysis of thermal margins6.5Analysis of two transients6.6Chemistry and surveillance programme6.7Inspection and maintenance plan6.8Efficiency improvement proposals6.9Technical report6.10Project defence
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it easy to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is RELAP5, TRACE, Flownex, EES (Engineering Equation Solver), ANSYS Fluent, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practicals are based on real plant thermal balance procedures, circuit transient simulation and water chemistry analysis. Assessment is continuous across each module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe the configuration of the primary and secondary circuits.
Size pumps, steam generators and pressurisers at a conceptual level.
Carry out thermal balances of the steam cycle.
Analyse water chemistry and corrosion in the circuits.
Simulate operational transients with system codes.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient command of Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme consists of 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with RELAP5, TRACE, Flownex, EES (Engineering Equation Solver), ANSYS Fluent. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is SEIUM's own training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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