Course in Swelling Analysis of Irradiated Fuels
Online 300-hour course in swelling analysis of irradiated fuels. 6 modules covering IAEA SSG-52 (reactor core design), 10 CFR 50.46 (ECCS acceptance criteria) and FRAPCON/FRAPTRAN. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Swelling Analysis of Irradiated Fuels — studying from Ireland
Ireland has no nuclear power generation, and its nuclear engagement is centred on radiation protection, research, medical applications and international policy. The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, now part of the Environmental Protection Agency, regulates radiation sources and monitors radiation exposure. Engineers and scientists in this area typically work in research, healthcare, environmental monitoring, decommissioning oversight and nuclear safeguards. Professional standards and expertise are coordinated through national and international bodies, with Ireland participating in European and international nuclear safety frameworks.
Fees for Ireland: €546 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Is Ireland a country with a nuclear power industry, and how is nuclear engineering professionally recognised here?
Ireland has no operating nuclear power plants, so nuclear engineering careers here are mainly in regulation, research, decommissioning oversight and international projects. The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland is the national regulator for radiation protection. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by this or any national body, so recognition depends on employers or the relevant body.
How might employers in Ireland view this training for nuclear-related roles?
Given Ireland's limited domestic nuclear industry, relevant roles are often with regulators, research institutions or multinational employers. Those employers decide how much weight to give a private online qualification and will usually look for specific radiation protection or regulatory credentials. There is no guarantee of any role or outcome.
What should I consider about workload and language before enrolling?
The programme is fully online and taught in English, so you can study from Ireland at your own pace. Study durations are 300, 800 or 1,900 hours depending on the course, so plan your time carefully. Fees can be paid in instalments, employer sponsorship is possible, and an assigned technical tutor supports your progress.
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
Explain the physical mechanisms that cause swelling in irradiated fuel.
Analyse the generation, diffusion and release of fission gases in UO2.
Describe the formation and effects of the high burnup structure (HBS).
Interpret post-irradiation examination results such as profilometry and metallography.
Model swelling and pellet-cladding interaction with fuel performance codes.
Evaluate the impact of swelling on design and licensing limits.
Propose design criteria that mitigate swelling at high burnup.
Who it's for
- Nuclear fuel design engineer who wants to specialise in swelling analysis of irradiated fuels.
- Fuel thermomechanical behaviour specialist who wants to specialise in swelling analysis of irradiated fuels.
- Post-irradiation examination researcher who wants to specialise in swelling analysis of irradiated fuels.
- Core safety analyst who wants to specialise in swelling analysis of irradiated fuels.
- Fuel licensing engineer who wants to specialise in swelling analysis of irradiated fuels.
- Hot cell laboratory technician who wants to specialise in swelling analysis of irradiated fuels.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter nuclear fuel manufacturing.
What you'll work with
- IAEA SSG-52 (reactor core design)
- 10 CFR 50.46 (ECCS acceptance criteria)
- NUREG-0800, Section 4.2 (fuel system design)
- IAEA SSR-2/1 (safety of nuclear power plants: design)
- CSN Instruction IS-27 (general design criteria)
- ISO 19443 (quality management in the nuclear supply chain)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1What is meant by fuel swelling1.2Pellet swelling and cladding deformation1.3Solid fission products and their volume1.4Gas bubbles and induced porosity1.5Initial densification versus later swelling1.6Relationship with the burnup reached1.7Consequences for gap and temperature1.8Mechanical interaction between pellet and cladding1.9Associated design limits1.10Exercise: separating densification and swelling on a curve
2.1Generation of xenon and krypton2.2Intragranular diffusion and trapping2.3Intragranular and intergranular bubbles2.4Porosity interconnection and release2.5Release threshold as a function of temperature2.6Effect of grain size2.7Release during power transients2.8Internal pressure and its calculation2.9Release models used in design2.10Practice: calculating end-of-life internal pressure
3.1Formation of the rim structure of the pellet3.2Grain subdivision and fine porosity3.3Gas retention in the restructured zone3.4Effect on thermal conductivity3.5Effect on mechanical properties3.6Transient behaviour of the outer zone3.7Differences in mixed oxide fuel3.8Burnup limits and their justification3.9Available experimental data3.10Practice: interpreting high burnup micrographs
4.1Planning a post-irradiation examination4.2Measurement of dimensions and curvature4.3Profilometry and rod metrology4.4Puncturing and measurement of released gas4.5Gamma tomography and burnup maps4.6Metallography of sections4.7Electron probe microanalysis and local analysis4.8Scanning and transmission electron microscopy4.9Measurement of local density4.10Practice: defining an examination plan
5.1Rod behaviour codes5.2Swelling and release models5.3Thermal and mechanical coupling5.4Calibration with experimental data5.5Model verification and validation5.6Uncertainty analysis of predictions5.7Affected design criteria5.8Justification of burnup extension5.9Regulator requirements5.10Practice: comparing prediction and measurement
6.1Choice of fuel and irradiation history6.2Estimation of burnup and thermal profile6.3Calculation of expected swelling6.4Calculation of gas release and pressure6.5Assessment of cladding deformation6.6Proposed post-irradiation examination programme6.7Comparison with literature data6.8Verification against design criteria6.9Technical report6.10Project defence
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is FRAPCON/FRAPTRAN, TRANSURANUS, BISON (MOOSE), MATLAB, Python (SciPy), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real post-irradiation examination hot cell procedures, rod profilometry and gamma scanning, and electron microscopy of irradiated fuel. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the physical mechanisms that cause swelling in irradiated fuel.
Analyse the generation, diffusion and release of fission gases in UO2.
Describe the formation and effects of the high burnup structure (HBS).
Interpret post-irradiation examination results such as profilometry and metallography.
Model swelling and pellet-cladding interaction with fuel performance codes.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
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 is 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 FRAPCON/FRAPTRAN, TRANSURANUS, BISON (MOOSE), MATLAB and Python (SciPy). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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