E3 Symposium 2008 Willie Smith, IPC – PHYSICS Tidehaven ISD, Tidehaven High School Mentor: Prof. Karen Vierow Nuclear Engineering Department

Content Background Project Core Elements STPNOC Plant Operations Classroom Project Lesson Requirements Lesson Objectives Reactor Pressure Vessel (E3) Lab Activity Procedure Properties of a substance Data Table Acknowledgements

Background To bring the research experience into the classroom To share with my school district the benefits of the E3 Teacher Research Program To promote quality education in STEM To provide information to the community on the employment opportunities that will be offered by STP

PROJECT CORE ELEMENTS Bridging the Gap Determine the effect of pressure on the temperature of the coolant in the primary loop of a Pressurize Water Reactor What makes water an excellent choice for coolant in a Nuclear Power Plant? Identify some everyday items that exhibit the similar characteristics.

Nuclear Power Plant Electric Generating Station Pressurized Water Reactor

Classroom Project Investigate the Heat Transfer Property of Water under Pressure Demonstrate the effect that an increase in pressure has on the boiling point of water. Use charts and graphs to qualify the results.

Lesson Requirements TAKS OBJECTIVE 1: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the nature of science TEKS 1(A) demonstrate safe practices during field and laboratory investigations, and selecting equipment and technology TEKS 2(A) plan and implement investigative procedures including asking questions, formulating testable hypotheses, TEKS 2(B) collect data and make measurements with precision TEKS 2(C) organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends from data TEKS 2(D) communicate valid conclusions

Lesson Requirements Objective 4 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the structures and properties of matter. TEKS 7 The student knows relationships exist between properties of matter and its components. TEKS 9 The student knows how solution chemistry is a part of everyday life. (D) demonstrate how various factors influence solubility including temperature, pressure, and nature of the solute and solvent (A)investigate and identify properties of fluids including density, viscosity, and buoyancy

Lesson Objectives Objective 5 The student will demonstrate an understanding of motion, forces, and energy TEKS 6 The student knows the impact of energy transformation in everyday life. (A) describe the law of conservation of energy (B) investigate and demonstrate the movement of heat through solids, liquids, and gases by convection, conduction, and radiation

Reactor Pressure Vessel This paint cylinder has been converted to a pressure cooker used to control the pressure environment of the water.

Laboratory Activity Purpose: This Laboratory activity will demonstrate the effects of different pressures on the boiling point temperature of water. The water coolant at a Nuclear Power Plant is maintained at a specific pressure. When there is a loss of coolant, the pressure in the reactor decreases and the water turns to steam.

Latent Heat

Activity Procedure Equipment Required: – Pressure Cooker Assembly with Pressure Gage and Thermocouple, Heater, Safety Glasses, Gloves, Timer Procedure: 1.Fill the test chamber with 500 ml of water 2.Attach the pressure gage, thermocouple, and compressor hose to the top of the pressure cooker. 3.Adjust the heater temperature so that the water comes to boiling at atmospheric pressure. 4.Record the temperature and atmospheric pressure in the data table. (Record data every minute for five(5) minutes.) 5.Increase the pressure to 2 atmospheres. The water should cease to boil and the temperature will begin to increase. 6.Record the pressure, and temperature reading at a stable temperature. (Record data every minute for five (5) minutes. 7.Repeat steps 5 and 6 at 3 atmospheres.

DATA TABLE Time min Pressure psig Temperature C

Analyze Data 1.Plot the data on graph paper. 2.What does the graph indicate? 3.Give a brief explanation of your findings.

STP/A&M Partnership Building the scaffolding – “Core Cadre” for program development – Recruit new teachers for E3 – Attracting youth to academic programs High School Nuclear Science and Engineering Laboratory

Summary The E3 RET Experience Texas A&M/STP Partnership Providing an educated work force Improving the quality of life

Acknowledgements A special thanks to: Texas A&M University System Nuclear Engineering Department Dr. K. L. Peddicord, P.E. Professor Karen Vierow Dr. Isaac Choutapalli Graduate Student Niki Williams NSF E3 RET for funding South Texas Project