Synthesis and remanufacturing of combustible materials

This teaching unit deals with various aspects related to the synthesis and remanufacturing of nuclear fuels. After a description of the different categories of nuclear fuels, the manufacturing processes used on an industrial scale will be discussed. The different methods of reprocessing (recycling), conversion and remanufacturing of fuels will be described. The constraints related to the optimization of new fuel materials for Generation III and IV reactors will be discussed, emphasizing the evolution of constraints on materials and their environment.

Hourly volumes* :

            CM : 12h

            TD : 8h

The objective of this teaching unit is to draw up an inventory of knowledge on fuel and its life cycle. It will list the constraints and solicitations associated with the passage in the reactor and detail the issues related to the synthesis and remanufacturing of fuel materials. An inventory of the different synthesis and densification methods applied (or applicable) in a nuclear environment will also be carried out. In a second step, studies aiming at the control of the physico-chemistry of ceramics in order to optimize them in conditions of use will be presented.

Basic elements in radioactivity

Fuel cycle: from mining to waste management

Continuous control

Fuel materials for second generation reactors :

• Description of the combustible material and its direct environment
• Expression of the specifications in the perspective of a passage in reactor
• Life cycle of combustible materials and external stresses
• Methods of preparing ceramic materials
• Dry synthesis: reactivity, homogeneity ..., wet synthesis, hydrothermal synthesis
• Preparation of dedicated precursors and precursor/cohesive material correlations
• Densification of nuclear materials / Transformation into finished material
• Theoretical principles of sintering and diffusion processes involved
• Tools for characterizing and monitoring densification
• Sintering processes for actinide compounds and associated constraints
• Fuel processing and remanufacturing: from actinide solution to material
• Actinide conversion processes - Actinide recycling and remanufacturing
• Industrial conversion operations
• New fuel materials for Generation III and IV reactors
• Presentations of the main Generation IV reactor concepts
• Consequences on the evolution of stresses on the fuel material
• Categories of materials, methods of manufacture and realization of objects
• Case studies associated with the synthesis and densification of fuel materials optimized in terms of composition and microstructure

Administrative contact(s): Secretariat Master Chemistry

master-chimie @ umontpellier.fr (master-chimie @ umontpellier.fr)