M2 - Separative Chemistry, Materials, and Processes (MAT P2)

This course covers the concepts necessary to understand the effects of irradiation on ceramic materials (fuels, specific containment matrices). In the case of nuclear fuel materials, the focus will be on analyzing degradation phenomena within the materials (localized defects, extended defects) as well as the associated effects on long-term behavior under storage or interim storage conditions. In this context, the interaction between irradiation and leaching will also be addressed.

Hourly volumes*:

            CM: 12:00 p.m.

            TD: 8:00 a.m.

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The curriculum for this course unit focuses on a hands-on approach to the fundamental concepts of radiochemistry, separative chemistry, and conversion processes. These concepts will be applied through specific examples.

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A general overview of the supramolecular chemistry of f-block elements will be presented, covering concepts such as molecular recognition, the specific physicochemical properties of the lanthanides and actinides, and supramolecular materials.

Hourly volumes*:

            CM: 12:00 p.m.

            TD: 8:00 a.m.

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This course covers various aspects related to the measurement of radionuclides in solution, as well as the analytical strategy required to achieve a reliable measurement. All radiochemical techniques will be introduced, including isotopic labeling and dilution, as well as separation and purification methods performed prior to radioactive measurement. A significant part of this course will also focus on selecting instrumental techniques based on the radionuclide in question, expressing measurement results while accounting for measurement uncertainties, and the statistical approach associated with nuclear counting.

Hourly volumes*:

            CM: 12:00 p.m.

            TD: 8:00 a.m.

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The purpose of this modeling course is to introduce modern methods of modeling matter that can be used to study separative chemistry and complex systems. The goal is to present the various scales of description used to describe chemistry, ranging from molecular simulations to thermodynamic models such as those used in chemical engineering. Particular emphasis is placed on statistical thermodynamics, which serves as a bridge between these scales of description.

Hourly volumes*:

CM: 12:00 p.m.

TD: 8 H

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This course covers various aspects related to the synthesis and remanufacturing of nuclear fuels. Following a description of the different categories of nuclear fuels, the manufacturing processes used on an industrial scale will be discussed. The various methods of reprocessing (recycling), conversion, and remanufacturing of fuels will be described. The constraints associated with optimizing new fuel materials for Generation III and IV reactors will be discussed, with an emphasis on how these constraints on the materials and their environment have evolved.

Hourly volumes*:

            CM: 12:00 p.m.

            TD: 8:00 a.m.

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This course covers the concepts necessary for understanding the dissolution, leaching, or weathering of ceramic materials. In the case of nuclear fuel materials, the focus will be on analyzing degradation phenomena under aggressive conditions representative of a recycling or reprocessing stage, as well as those related to their weathering under “milder” conditions representative of direct storage in deep geological formations.

Hourly volumes*:

            CM: 12:00 p.m.

            TD: 8:00 a.m.

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This course covers the essential concepts needed to understand the upstream portion of the nuclear fuel cycle and sheds light on the role of nuclear energy in the current energy mix. The topics covered range from the extraction and concentration of uranium in conventional and unconventional mines to the fabrication of nuclear fuel, including isotopic conversion and enrichment techniques.

Hourly volumes*:

            CM: 12:00 p.m.

            TD: 8:00 a.m.

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The purpose of this course in separation chemistry is to introduce the various concepts necessary for the study of separation chemistry. The goal is to present the role of the different interactions present in complex systems, as well as their role in separation. The experimental measurement of these various effects, their practical representation, and their connection to interfacial phenomena are also covered.

Hourly volumes*:

CM: 12:00 p.m.

TD: 8 H

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This course covers various aspects related to the synthesis, characterization, and long-term behavior of glass matrices. The first topic, concerning the methodology for studying the long-term behavior of glass matrices under aging conditions, will be explored in detail, with particular emphasis on the initial characteristics of the materials, the key phenomena governing their behavior, and the appropriate predictive models. Subsequently, the phenomena of leaching and radiation-induced aging of glass materials will be discussed. These concepts will be illustrated through a case study on the long-term behavior of nuclear glasses.

Hourly volumes*:

            CM: 12:00 p.m.

            TD: 8:00 a.m.

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This course will cover the various techniques available for the decommissioning and decontamination of nuclear facilities. After describing the challenges and operations involved in facility decommissioning, as well as the available measurement tools (imagers, gamma spectrometers, etc.), the available decontamination methods will be presented based on the nature of the objects to be decontaminated (conventional decontamination methods or methods using complex fluids). Several innovative techniques for decontaminating contaminated surfaces will be discussed (conventional decontamination methods, micellar solutions, gels, foams, and supercritical fluids).

Hourly volumes*:

            CM: 12:00 p.m.

            TD: 8:00 a.m.

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This course focuses on membrane separation processes and liquid-liquid extraction. The section on membrane separation processes will first cover conventional liquid-phase separation processes (microfiltration, ultrafiltration, etc.) and gas treatment. More innovative processes, such as membrane contactors and membrane reactors, will be covered in a second section. The section on liquid-liquid extraction processes will begin with a general overview, which will then provide the foundation for understanding the PUREX process used in spent fuel reprocessing. A final section will cover methods for modeling liquid-liquid extraction operations.

Hourly volumes*:

            CM: 12:00 p.m.

            TD: 8:00 a.m.

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This course aims to provide a better understanding of the chemical behavior of radionuclides under environmental conditions. To this end, the concept of speciation in various environmental compartments will be introduced, as well as the various techniques that contribute to the overall analysis. The focus will be on X-ray absorption, X-ray fluorescence imaging, transmission electron microscopy, and SIMS. The speciation results will then be correlated with potential environmental impacts.

Hourly volumes*:

            CM: 12:00 p.m.

            TD: 8:00 a.m.

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Scientific Information: This course aims to familiarize students with scientific research and information management. As part of this, recent bibliographic search tools will be explained and used during lectures and tutorials (Electronic resources: SciFinder / ISIS / Beilstein). Training on the features of Zotero and the use of the electronic lab notebook will also be provided. The writing and analysis of scientific publications will be covered.

Bibliographic Project: Tools for researching scientific information will be applied to a real-world scenario. The teaching team will assign each student a bibliographic topic related to the specialization they have chosen. If necessary, this bibliographic topic may be defined in consultation with the host organization where the internship will take place.

For this personal project, the student will have access to all the bibliographic resources available at the university or the host company. The bibliographic research may be combined with the English course to prepare for an oral presentation similar to one given at an international conference.

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The internship, lasting 4 to 6 months, must be completed in a research laboratory or a company specializing in extractive or separative chemistry, recycling chemistry, radiochemistry, materials chemistry, or process chemistry. Students will thus have the opportunity to complete this end-of-program internship in academic research laboratories or industrial facilities. Subject to prior approval by the academic staff (internship topic must be related to the master’s program curriculum and the environment/resources must be adequate), students may seek a host team in an academic setting at the institutes of the Chemistry Cluster at the University of Montpellier, in academic laboratories outside the University of Montpellier (in France or abroad), or in the private sector (in France or abroad). 

This 4- to 6-month internship may begin in early March and will be preceded by the submission of a bibliographic report related to the internship topic and an oral defense before a panel.

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