Nuclear fuel cycle and applied radiochemistry

Objectives:
  • To familiarise students with the basic aspects of materials science as they apply to design of nuclear fuel elements.
  • To provide students with overall view of the radioactive waste management, ranging from waste characteristics, waste treatment technologies, disposal technologies, to safety assessment of geologic disposal.
  • To be familiarised with the nuclear chemistry of the plant circuits.

List of topics:
  • upstream: fuel conversion; enrichment; fuel elements
  • downstream: reprocessing; MOX
  • downstream: waste management; waste disposal
  • thermo-mechanical properties of the fuel
  • nuclear chemistry of the primary and secondary circuits.

Reference:
Olander, D., Fundamental Aspects of Nuclear Reactor Fuel Elements, Techn. Inf. Cent. Erda, 1976.
Benedict, M., Pigford, Th., & Levi, H.W., Nuclear Chemical Engineering,, 2nd Ed, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1981,ISBN 0-07-004531-3
Amplitude and teaching methods:
  • 1 t.m.
  • Visits including SCK•CEN underground lab.