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Diploma in CFD Applied to Nuclear Thermal-Hydraulics

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in CFD applied to nuclear thermal-hydraulics. 8 modules covering reactor thermal-hydraulics, numerical methods, turbulence modelling, two-phase flow, component applications, multiscale coupling and verification, validation and uncertainty, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration800 hours · 6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Identify thermal-hydraulic phenomena that require three-dimensional analysis.

02

Apply finite volume numerical methods to nuclear problems.

03

Select turbulence models suited to each application.

04

Model two-phase flows with boiling and condensation.

05

Simulate reactor components with CFD tools.

06

Verify, validate and quantify the uncertainty of simulations.

07

Develop a nuclear CFD simulation project.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Nuclear CFD engineers.
  • Thermal-hydraulics analysts.
  • Nuclear safety engineers.
  • Fluid mechanics researchers.
  • Simulation and analysis engineers.
  • Licensing consultants.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the nuclear energy sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ASME V&V 20-2009 (verification and validation in CFD and heat transfer)
  • NEA/CSNI/R(2014)11 (best practice guidelines for CFD in nuclear reactor safety)
  • IAEA SSG-2 (Rev. 1) (deterministic safety analysis for nuclear power plants)
  • ASME NQA-1 (quality assurance for nuclear facilities)
  • IAEA SSR-2/1 (Rev. 1) (safety of nuclear power plants: design)
  • 10 CFR 50.46 (ECCS acceptance criteria)
  • ANSYS Fluent
  • Simcenter STAR-CCM+
  • OpenFOAM
  • code_saturne
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Heat generation and removal in the core
  2. 1.2Single-phase and two-phase flow
  3. 1.3Nucleate boiling and boiling crisis
  4. 1.4PWR and BWR primary circuits
  5. 1.5Natural circulation
  6. 1.6Relevant three-dimensional phenomena
  7. 1.7Limitations of system codes
  8. 1.8The role of CFD in nuclear safety
  9. 1.9NEA best practice guidelines
  10. 1.10Case study: identifying phenomena for CFD
  1. 2.1Navier-Stokes equations
  2. 2.2Finite volume method
  3. 2.3Discretisation schemes
  4. 2.4Pressure-velocity coupling
  5. 2.5Boundary conditions
  6. 2.6Structured and unstructured meshing
  7. 2.7Mesh quality
  8. 2.8Convergence criteria
  9. 2.9Parallel computing
  10. 2.10Lab: first case in OpenFOAM
  1. 3.1RANS k-epsilon and k-omega SST models
  2. 3.2Reynolds stress models
  3. 3.3LES and DES
  4. 3.4Near-wall treatment
  5. 3.5Turbulent heat transfer
  6. 3.6Turbulent Prandtl number
  7. 3.7Buoyancy-driven flows
  8. 3.8Thermal mixing
  9. 3.9Model selection criteria
  10. 3.10Exercise: thermal mixing in a T-junction
  1. 4.1Mixture models
  2. 4.2Euler-Euler approach
  3. 4.3Interface tracking with VOF
  4. 4.4Wall boiling with the RPI model
  5. 4.5Condensation
  6. 4.6Interfacial transfer
  7. 4.7Void fraction distribution
  8. 4.8Validation with the PSBT benchmark
  9. 4.9Current limitations
  10. 4.10Workshop: subcooled boiling in a channel
  1. 5.1Rod bundles and mixing grids
  2. 5.2Mixing in the lower plenum
  3. 5.3Thermal fatigue in T-junctions
  4. 5.4Thermal stratification
  5. 5.5Boron dilution
  6. 5.6Pressurised thermal shock
  7. 5.7Spent fuel pools
  8. 5.8Hydrogen distribution in containment
  9. 5.9Steam generators
  10. 5.10Case study: mixing in the inlet nozzle
  1. 6.1Coupling with system codes
  2. 6.2Coupling with neutronics
  3. 6.3Fluid-structure interaction
  4. 6.4Subchannel codes and CFD
  5. 6.5Conjugate heat transfer
  6. 6.6Inter-code communication with MPI
  7. 6.7Validation of couplings
  8. 6.8Computational cost
  9. 6.9International coupling projects
  10. 6.10Lab: conjugate heat transfer calculation
  1. 7.1NEA/CSNI best practices
  2. 7.2ASME V&V 20 standard
  3. 7.3Mesh independence
  4. 7.4Grid Convergence Index (GCI)
  5. 7.5OECD/NEA benchmarks
  6. 7.6Uncertainty quantification
  7. 7.7Documentation for licensing
  8. 7.8Software quality assurance
  9. 7.9Peer review
  10. 7.10Exercise: GCI study of a case
  1. 8.1Selection of the phenomenon to study
  2. 8.2Review of experimental data
  3. 8.3Geometry and meshing
  4. 8.4Selected physical models
  5. 8.5Simulations and analysis
  6. 8.6Verification and validation
  7. 8.7Uncertainty of results
  8. 8.8Conclusions
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on SEIUM's campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ANSYS Fluent, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM and code_saturne, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: thermal mixing simulations in T-junctions, mesh independence studies and validation against OECD/NEA benchmarks. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: ASME V&V 20-2009, NEA/CSNI/R(2014)11, IAEA SSG-2 (Rev. 1), ASME NQA-1, IAEA SSR-2/1 (Rev. 1) and 10 CFR 50.46.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ASME V&V 20-2009, NEA/CSNI/R(2014)11 and IAEA SSG-2 (Rev. 1) applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:ANSYS Fluent, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM and code_saturne, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete nuclear CFD simulation of a selected phenomenon, with verification, validation and uncertainty analysis, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Phenomenon identification
Identify the three-dimensional phenomena that justify a CFD analysis.
Thermal mixing simulation
Simulate thermal mixing in a T-junction with a suitable turbulence model.
Two-phase modelling
Model subcooled boiling in a heated channel.
GCI verification study
Carry out a mesh independence and GCI study.
Final project
A complete nuclear CFD simulation with V&V and uncertainty, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Nuclear CFD engineerThermal-hydraulics analystNuclear safety engineerFluid mechanics researcherSimulation engineerLicensing consultant
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
  • Internet connection and a computer able to run the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with ANSYS Fluent, Simcenter STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM and code_saturne, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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