Reprocessing and Direct Storage of Nuclear Fuel

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.

The objective of this course is to address issues related to the behavior of ceramic materials under chemical stress (dissolution, leaching, weathering). The focus will be on identifying the driving forces behind dissolution (conditions representative of a reprocessing operation) or leaching (conditions representative of direct storage) of a ceramic material, considering not only the solid (microstructure, densification, texture, topology, composition) but also the species in solution (acid-base, redox, or complexation mechanisms).

The Fuel Cycle: From Mine to Waste Management

Synthesis and Remanufacturing of Fuel Materials

Ongoing Assessment

• Dissolution/leaching of ceramic materials for the purpose of reprocessing or medium- or long-term storage:
• Description of the experimental protocols:
• Analytical strategy for evaluating elementary relaxations
• Tools for Characterizing Evolving Interfaces
• Kinetic approach:
• Effect of Structural, Microstructural, and Textural Parameters
• Correlations: Synthesis – Sintering – Dissolution
• Effects of chemical “stresses” (acid-base, redox, complexation, etc.)
• Thermodynamic approach:
• Description of Interface-Modifying Phenomena
• Identification and Control of Saturation Phenomena (Newly Formed Phases, Undissolved Solutes) — Impact on Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term Behavior
• Interactions between irradiation and dissolution or leaching: radiolytic effects.

Lectures and tutorials will be supplemented by bibliographic tutorials as well as several case studies on the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel or its long-term behavior in the context of direct disposal in deep geological formations.

Administrative contact(s): Chemistry Master's Program Office

Master's in Chemistry @ umontpellier.fr