• Level of study

    BAC +5

  • ECTS

    2 credits

  • Component

    Faculty of Science

Description

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

Hourly volumes* :

            CM : 15h

            TD : 5h

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Objectives

The objective of this teaching unit is to present the energy stakes, the place of nuclear energy 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 the management of resources and the recycling of reusable nuclear materials to the ultimate management of the various categories of nuclear waste. It will also provide an insight into several future directions: use of non-conventional resources, advanced separation concepts and development of fourth generation reactors.

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Necessary pre-requisites

Basic elements in radioactivity

Solution chemistry applied to actinides

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Knowledge control

Continuous control

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Syllabus

  • Reminders on radioactivity.
  • Energy issues - role of nuclear power - future directions
  • Demands and prospects for evolution, supply and resources of fissile and fertile materials
  • The place of nuclear power
  • Reactor operating principles: systems, developments for future systems
  • Description of current and future nuclear fuel cycles
  • Front end of the fuel cycle :
  • Natural resources
  • Extraction and purification of uranium
  • Uranium enrichment
  • Passage to reactor :
  • Definition of reactor systems and operating conditions
  • Back end of the fuel cycle :
  • End of cycle options (reprocessing or direct storage)
  • Recycling of recoverable materials: current PUREX process
  • Advanced separation concepts considered
  • Nuclear waste management :
  • Inventory and typology of nuclear waste
  • Short, medium and long term management of final waste
  • Safety and radiological consequences
  • Generation IV reactors
  • Description of the different concepts of4th generation nuclear reactors
  • Future energy issues and evolution towards future generations of reactors

 

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