Synthesis and remanufacture of combustible materials

This teaching unit covers various aspects of nuclear fuel synthesis and remanufacturing. Following a description of the different categories of nuclear fuel, the manufacturing processes used on an industrial scale will be discussed. The various methods of fuel reprocessing (recycling), conversion and remanufacturing will be described. The constraints involved in optimizing new fuel materials for Generation III and IV reactors will be discussed, highlighting the changing 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 involve drawing up a list of constraints and stresses associated with the passage in a reactor and detailing the issues related to the synthesis and remanufacturing of combustible 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 aimed at controlling the physico-chemistry of ceramics with the aim of optimizing them in usage conditions will be presented.

Basics of radioactivity

Fuel cycle: from mining to waste management

Continuous control

Combustible materials for second generation reactors:

• Description of the combustible material and its direct environment
• Expression of the specifications with a view to a passage in a reactor
• Life cycle of combustible materials and external stresses
• Methods of preparation of ceramic materials
• Dry synthesis: reactivity, homogeneity, etc., wet synthesis, hydrothermal synthesis
• Preparation of dedicated precursors and precursor/cohesive materials correlations
• Densification of nuclear materials / Transformation into finished material
• Theoretical principles of sintering and diffusion processes involved
• Densification characterization and monitoring tools
• 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 related to generation III and IV reactors
• Presentations of the main concepts of generation IV reactors
• Consequences on the evolution of constraints on the combustible material
• Categories of materials, methods of manufacturing and creation of objects
• Case studies associated with the synthesis and densification of fuel materials optimized in terms of composition and microstructure

Administrative contact(s): Master of Chemistry secretariat

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