Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | EP/I002952/1 | |
| Title | MBase: The Molecular Basis of Advanced Nuclear Fuel Separations | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Nuclear Fission and Fusion(Nuclear Fission, Fuel cycle) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Basic and strategic applied research 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Professor LM Harwood No email address given Chemistry University of Reading |
|
| Award Type | Standard | |
| Funding Source | EPSRC | |
| Start Date | 01 April 2010 | |
| End Date | 30 September 2013 | |
| Duration | 42 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £212,039 | |
| Industrial Sectors | No relevance to Underpinning Sectors | |
| Region | South East | |
| Programme | Energy Research Capacity | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Professor LM Harwood , Chemistry, University of Reading (99.999%) |
| Other Investigator | Dr MJ Hudson , Chemistry, University of Reading (0.001%) |
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| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | The following grants are linked : EP/I002855/1, EP/I002928/1, EP/I002952/1, and EP/I003002/1 | |
| Abstract | Over 95% of used nuclear fuel is uranium and plutonium, which can be recovered and reused. However, because used fuel is intensely radioactive, this requires very complex processes. These processes can also be adapted to the separation of high hazard materials from the residual radioactive wastes, to simplify radioactive waste management. However, industrial reprocessing of used fuel primarily relies on a 50 year old solvent extraction process (Purex), which was originally developed for much simpler fuels. As a result, modern fuels can prove difficult to reprocess. We will therefore explore two different approaches to nuclear fuel separation in parallel, one based on the established Purex technology and the other on a much more recent development, ion selective membranes (ISMs). ISMsareporous, chemically reactive membranes which can bind metals from solutions then release them again, depending on conditions, thus allowing highly selective separations.In the solvent extractionsystem, we will focus on a common problem in solvent extraction, third phase formation, and on separation of a group of long lived, high hazard waste isotopes (the fission product technetium and the minoractinides). With the ISMs, we will first prove their utility in uranium/plutonium separation, then extend these studies to the minor actinides. Throughout, we will work with the elements of interest, rather than analogues or low activity models and in realistic radiation environments. In both strands of the project, we will explore the underlying physical and chemical processes then, building onthis understanding, we will develop a series of quantitative models, building from phase behaviour to unit operations and finally to process flowsheet models. We wil use the resulting models to explore different options for fuel reprocessing, based on scenarios defined with our industrial partners | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 12/08/10 | |
