Fuel cycle: from mining to waste management

This teaching unit covers the various aspects of the current fuel cycle and future nuclear cycles. Concepts relating to the upstream part of the cycle (mineral resources, uranium extraction and purification, isotopic enrichment), the passage of fuel through nuclear reactors and then the downstream part of the cycle (reprocessing of spent fuel, recycling of recoverable materials and remanufacturing of fuel, management of ultimate nuclear waste) will be covered. This will be followed by several aspects of future nuclear fuel cycles, including the use of non-conventional resources, advanced separation concepts and the development of fourth-generation reactors.

Hourly volumes* :

            CM: 15h

            TD: 5h

The objective of this teaching unit is to present the energy issues, the place of nuclear power in the global energy mix as well as the associated scientific questions. It will cover all the knowledge necessary to understand the current nuclear fuel cycle in its entirety, from resource management and recycling of recoverable nuclear materials to the ultimate management of the different categories of nuclear waste. It will also allow us to project ourselves through several future directions: use of unconventional resources, advanced separation concepts and development of fourth generation reactors.

Basics of radioactivity

Solution chemistry applied to actinides

Full continuous assessment

• Reminders on radioactivity.
• Energy issues - role of nuclear power - future directions
• Demand and development prospects, supply and resources in fissile and fertile materials
• Place of nuclear power
• Operating principle of reactors: sectors, developments for future systems
• Description of current and future nuclear fuel cycles
• Upstream of the fuel cycle:
• Natural resources
• Extraction and purification of uranium
• Uranium enrichment
• Passage in reactor:
• Definition of reactor lines and operating conditions
• Downstream of the fuel cycle:
• End of cycle options (reprocessing or direct storage)
• Recycling of valuable materials: current PUREX process
• Advanced separation concepts considered
• Nuclear waste management:
• Inventory and typology of nuclear waste
• Short, medium and long term means of management of ultimate waste
• Safety and radiological consequences
• Generation IV reactors
• Description of the different concepts of ^4th generation nuclear reactors
• Future energy challenges and evolution towards future generations of reactors