2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Engineering Department of Mechanical Engineering Graduate major in Nuclear Engineering
Nuclear Chemical Engineering
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Nuclear Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Masahiko Nakase
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Class
- -
- Course Code
- NCL.C403
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2026
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 5, 2026
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course systematically studies the major processes constituting the nuclear fuel cycle—an integrated engineering system—from a chemical engineering perspective. Students will deepen their understanding of cascade theory used in uranium isotope separation (front end) and the design of solvent extraction processes (back end), a core technology in reprocessing. They will then conduct nuclear fuel cycle simulations (e.g., material balance using NMB4, nuclear utilization scenario analysis). The goal is to quantitatively grasp the material flows and cycle challenges from fuel fabrication through reprocessing and waste management, thereby developing the analytical skills necessary for actual nuclear fuel cycle design. The NMB code will be distributed, and students will deepen their understanding by using it practically.
Course description and aims
1. Gain a systematic understanding of the major processes constituting the nuclear fuel cycle from a chemical engineering perspective.
2. Acquire the cascade theory used in uranium isotope separation and the design theory of solvent extraction processes central to reprocessing, and be able to explain their fundamentals independently.
3. Acquire the ability to conduct nuclear fuel cycle simulations (material balance calculations and nuclear utilization scenario analysis) using the NMB code, and quantitatively evaluate material flows in each process and challenges across the entire cycle.
4. Develop practical analytical skills necessary for designing and evaluating the nuclear fuel cycle by gaining an overview of processes from fuel fabrication through reprocessing and waste management.
Student learning outcomes
実務経験と講義内容との関連 (又は実践的教育内容)
The teachers have been engaged in research using actual radioactive isotopes and nuclear fuel. In addition, we plan to invite external practitioners from time to time to give valuable talks.
Keywords
Nuclear Chemical Engineering, Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing, Wet Reprocessing, Pyroprocessing, Extraction Process Theory, Nuclear Fuel Cycle Simulation, Nuclear Policy
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
- Through this course, students will gain a chemical engineering understanding of the key processes constituting the nuclear fuel cycle and develop the ability to apply cascade theory and the design principles of solvent extraction processes. They will also learn to independently execute nuclear fuel cycle simulations using the NMB code, cultivating the ability to quantitatively evaluate the overall cycle's material quantities and challenges through material balances and scenario analysis.
Class flow
Lecture of 100 minutes and the assignment after the lecture.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction of this course, structure and characteristics of the nuclear fuel cycle |
Understand the structure and characteristics of the current nuclear fuel cycle from the chemical engineering perspective. The first lecture will provide an overview of the entire course and the importance of nuclear chemical engineering. |
| Class 2 | Uranium isotope separation and isolation cascade |
Understand the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant, as well as its current status from the perspective of chemical engineering. |
| Class 3 | Pyroprocessing and chemical engineering - 1 |
In addition to the initial wet reprocessing, students will deepen their understanding of dry reprocessing and metal fuel-based cycles from the chemical engineering perspective. |
| Class 4 | Solvent extraction and chemical engineering |
Understand nuclear fuel reprocessing, solvent extraction, and process analysis methods using chemical engineering techniques, etc. |
| Class 5 | Overview and theory of nuclear fuel cycle simulation |
This lecture provides an overview of global nuclear fuel cycle simulators, covering their fundamentals and theoretical principles. Through presented analysis examples, students will understand the importance of quantitatively examining the nuclear fuel cycle from a chemical engineering perspective. |
| Class 6 | Implementation of nuclear fuel cycle simulation |
Students will conduct nuclear fuel cycle simulations using the NMB code jointly developed by the Institute of Science Tokyo and JAEA, and work for assignment. |
| Class 7 | Comprehensive discussion based on nuclear fuel cycle simulation results |
Present the analysis results of assigned topics or student-proposed scenarios, followed by a comprehensive discussion. While presenting the latest analysis examples as appropriate, deepen quantitative understanding of the challenges facing the entire nuclear fuel cycle and the future utilization of nuclear energy. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
The lecture will cover a number of topics. In order to improve your learning, we recommend that you look up any points you don't understand after the lecture, and that you spend around 100 minutes on each of the assignments and review.
Textbook(s)
Benedict、Pigford and Levi : Nuclear Chemical Engineering, McGraw Hill
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Nothing special
Evaluation methods and criteria
Participation in lectures and the level of understanding will be assessed. Grades will generally be assessed based on reports.
Related courses
- CAP.E362 ： Nuclear Chemical Engineering
Prerequisites
Nothing special
Other
The order of the lecture content may change.