Advanced courses on the nuclear fuel cycle

Prof. Christophe Bruggeman – Université de Liège
Prof. Kevin Govers – Université de Liège

3 ECTS

81 hours study time

  • 30 contact hours theory
  • 0 contact hours exercises/laboratory sessions/visits
  • 0 hours additional personal work (reading etc.)

  • These advanced courses are complementary to the compulsory courses on the Nuclear fuel cycle, and will either deepen certain topics, or treat specific topics of high importance.

  • Reprocessed U, MOX and Th fuel

    To get a global understanding of the utilization of reprocessed U, Pu and Th based fuel in light water reactors:

    • The challenges of the U-Pu-MOX fuel regarding the fuel fabrication, the core and fuel neutronic aspects and fuel behaviour
    • The Th-Pu-MOX used in LWR for its breeding capabilities, or as matrix for Pu utilization.
    • The way towards multi-recycling
    • High-level considerations for spent fuel management policies

    Decommissioning and Dismantling

    • To understand the different aspects which come into play during decommissioning of nuclear installations: general context, licensing and safety aspects, radiological characterization, material management 
    • To get acquainted with the principles and practice of dismantling and decommissioning of nuclear materials through various case studies

    Waste management and disposal

    • To get an understanding of radiochemistry, as it is a basic discipline to understand the various stages and activities in the nuclear fuel cycle, including the safe disposal of the radioactive waste.
    • To learn about the interaction between societal and technical aspects of decommissioning & waste disposal
    • To become informed on the safety strategy as a bridge between international nuclear law and civil society, and on the safety case and safety assessment of a geological disposal system

  • Reprocessed U, MOX and Th fuel

    • Use of reprocessed uranium as nuclear fuel: uranium quality and challenges
    • Use of Pu as Mixed OXide fuel (MOX):
      • Quality of the Pu coming from the reprocessing
      • Equivalence principle
      • Fuel fabrication challenges and solutions (MIMAS)
    • In-pile behavior of MOX fuel
      • Thermo-mechanical specificities of MOX fuel
      • Consequence on behavior under irradiation and fuel design
    • MOX fuel neutronic properties
      • Impact of MOX on neutronic properties
      • Consequence on safety
    • Towards multiple reprocessing cycles
      • MOX multi-recycling in LWR
      • Advanced reprocessing schemes
      • Th cycle
      • Physical specificities and thermal-mechanical behavior under irradiation
      • Main neutronic aspects in light water reactors
      • Main options in light water reactors
      • Radiotoxicity issues of spent fuel
      • Use of Th in molten salt reactors
    • High-level considerations for spent fuel management policies

    Radiochemistry and geochemistry

    • Applied radiochemistry: chemical process technology: radiochemical separation techniques, radiochemical analysis, production of radionuclides.
    • Radionuclide migration through a clay host rock – geochemistry and underlying phenomena: impact on the Safety Case;
      geochemistry in Boom Clay; role of organic matter; radionuclide speciation, sorption and transport; modelling.

    Dismantling, decommissioning

    • Introduction: definitions, objectives, levels, regulatory aspects, radioprotection, ALARA
    • Radionuclide inventory, characterization and measurements
    • Strategy for decontamination of buildings, concrete pieces and structures, metals
    • Dismantling of a nuclear reactor (the BR3 case): the experience, materials management
    • Other types of installations to be decommissioned, REX from other projects
    • Strategies and planning of decommissioning
    • Safety aspects

  • The PowerPoint presentations are available on the BNEN website.

  • Courses in the following field

    • Nuclear energy: introduction
    • Nuclear fuel cycle (compulsory courses)

  • MOX and Th fuel

    First and second session: written examination; own 1-page summary notes + nuclide chart allowed for entire duration; 15 min open
    book authorized before submitting the questionnaire.

    Radiochemistry and Dismantling

    First and second session, closed book, written examination

    • The grade will be determined by weighing the grades on the two parts, in proportion to the number of ECTS per part. In case of a failure for one of the two parts, the examination committee can decide to penalize by lowering the final grade. 
    • The examination of the two parts of this course can take place on two separate days.

Share this page