Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | EP/I036354/1 | |
| Title | The Post-Disposal Behaviour of C-14 and Irradiated Graphite | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Nuclear Fission and Fusion(Nuclear Fission, Nuclear supporting technologies) 75%; Nuclear Fission and Fusion(Nuclear Fission, Fuel cycle) 25%; |
|
| Research Types | Basic and strategic applied research 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry) 25%; PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials) 75%; |
|
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Dr PN Humphreys No email address given Sch of Applied Sciences University of Huddersfield |
|
| Award Type | Standard | |
| Funding Source | EPSRC | |
| Start Date | 01 November 2011 | |
| End Date | 31 October 2015 | |
| Duration | 48 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £728,414 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Energy | |
| Region | Yorkshire & Humberside | |
| Programme | Energy : Energy | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Dr PN Humphreys , Sch of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield (99.995%) |
| Other Investigator | Dr TB Scott , Interface Analysis Centre, University of Bristol (0.001%) Dr PJ Heard , Interface Analysis Centre, University of Bristol (0.001%) Dr DJ Cooke , Sch of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield (0.001%) Professor H Eccles , Sci and Tech Faculty Office, University of Central Lancashire (0.001%) Dr G Bond , Forensic and Investigative Science, University of Central Lancashire (0.001%) |
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| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | ||
| Abstract | Graphite is a key waste form arising from the decommissioning of nuclear reactors such as the UK's Magnox and AGR nuclear power stations. This graphite contains a range of radioactive contaminants generated during its time in the reactor core. The safe disposal of this graphite is dependent on an understanding of how these contaminants behave in a disposal site. One of the most important contaminant associated with reactor graphite is carbon-14, a radioactive variant of the carbon naturally found in the environment. Carbon-14 is important from a risk point of view since it persists in the environment and can become incorporated into food through interaction with plants of microorganisms. Graphite arising from the decommissioning of nuclear reactors is currently destined for deep geological disposal, which involves burying deep underground which is very expensive. The aim of this project is to get a better understanding of how carbon-14 is incorporated into graphite, how it will be released from graphite under deep geological conditions and how the chemistry and microbiology of carbon-14 influence its transport out of a disposal site and its ultimate contact with people. It is hoped that this improved understanding may result in some graphite being disposed of safely to near-surface facilities and that more realistic estimates of the risks associated with graphite disposal can be made | |
| Publications | (none) |
|
| Final Report | (none) |
|
| Added to Database | 06/12/11 | |
