CANDU Design Short Course
Short Course
CANDU Reactor Design
Date
September 5-6, 2026
Time
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM ET
Location
Delivered live online via Zoom
Cost
Members – $600
Non-Members – $1,200
Course Description
This short course covers the high-level information on the reactor core and fuel design, safety approaches and design, and thermal-hydraulics design.
The course is designed for attendees with engineering or science degrees, who are newly hired in the nuclear industry, or did not work in the nuclear industry, or have limited knowledge about CANDU design.
Instructor
Dr. Markus Piro
Dr. Benjamin Rouben, Adjunct Professor, McMaster Univ., Engineering Physics
(Fuel presentations originally developed by Dr. Markus Piro, McMaster University)
Who Can Join
This course is available for industry members.
What to Expect
COURSE OUTCOME
On the successful completion of the course, students will be introduced/refreshed on the following:
- Understand the basic science concepts related to the fission chain reaction, and how it is applied in the design of reactors.
- Learn about the various materials used in CANDU design, and the reason fot this.
- Learn the various major equipment used in CANDU design.
- Learn about CANDU fuel bundle design, manufacturing, and failure modes.
- Learn about CANDU thermal-hydrauylics design of the heat transport systems, including key phenomena and processes during relevant reactor states.
- Learn about CANDU nuclear safety principles, and design and operation of the special safety systems.
LITERATURE (for reference)
- “The Essential CANDU”, which can be accessed via https://unene.ca/education/the-essential-candu-textbook-summary/
TOPICS COVERED:
1. Introduction
a. Brief evolution of the CANDU design
b. Overview of currently operating CANDUs in Canada and internationally.
2. CANDU Core Physics
a. Fission nuclear reactors
b. Elements of nuclear reactor physics, k-eff and reactivity
c. Physics characteristics of CANDU design:
i. Natural uranium fuel
ii. D2O moderator
iii. Pressure-tube design
d. The CANDU lattice
e. Bidirectional fuelling and bidirectional flow
f. Delayed neutrons and significance
g. CANDU reactivity devices for control and for safety systems, their materials and their uses
h. Burnup and the advantages of on-power fueling
I. Xenon effects
3. Heat transport system design
a. Key concepts of heat generation and distribution in the primary heat transport system
b. Design and operation of the reactor fuel channels, steam generator, headers, feeders, pressurizer, and end fittings.
c. Brief overview of the design and operation of the secondary and tertiary heat transport systems.
d. Overview of the impact of certain aging processes in the primary heat transport system.
e. Overview of various phenomena and processes that can occur in postulated accidents.
4. Fuel design
a. Overview of CANDU fuel cycle
b. CANDU fuel bundle design
c. Fuel bundle manufacturing
d. Common failure modes
5. Safety approach and systems
a. Elements and concepts of nuclear safety in the CANDU design.
b. Reactor shutdown systems design and operation.
c. Reactor emergency cooling system design and operation.
d. Containment design and operation.
6. Course overview and summary.
Evaluation
1. Certificate of Participation
2. Certificate of Completion
Option A simply requires participation in this two-day course, while Option B also requires an evaluation in the form of a test. The test will be issued the following weekend to students opting for Option B, which will involve a series of questions based on content covered in this short course and will be returned to the instructor via e-mail at the end of the exam (i.e., no later than 15 min following the end of the exam). The instructor will be in attendance on Zoom during the exam in case if any students have clarification questions. Student questions will be posted using chat messaging.
How to Register
Need help with anything? Reach out anytime at info@unene.ca.
Course Fees
Standard Rate – Non-Member Organizations
Member Organizations: AECL, Atkins-Réalis, Bruce Power, Clean Core Thorium Energy, CNL, CNSC, COG, Ecole Polytechique Montreal, Kinectrics, McMaster University, NBPower, NRCan, NWMO, Ontario Tech University, OPG, Queen’s University, Royal Military College of Canada, University of Guelph, University of Manitoba, University of New Brunswick, University of Ottawa, University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, University of Windsor, Western University, University of Calgary, University of Alberta.
Non-Member Organizations: All other organizations
Refunds & Cancellations
Life happens—we get it. You can cancel up to 2 days before the course for a full refund. After that, we’re unable to offer refunds or provide materials to no-shows.
📧 To request a refund or ask a question, email info@unene.ca.
For more information or any further assistance regarding course or admission, you can visit us at info@unene.ca.