University of Liege | Version française
Study programmes 2010-2011Last update : 11/04/2011
GENU0030-1  Nuclear fuel cycle and applied radiochemistry : from the front to the back end
Duration :  20h Th, 10h Vis.
Credits/ECTS :  
Advanced Master in Nuclear EngineeringFirst semester3
Holder(s) :  Hubert Druenne, Pierre Van Iseghem
Language :  English language
Course contents :  
  • Uranium extraction and treatment of ores; worldwide sources and needs; costs.
  • Conversion of concentrated ores
  • U enrichment: Basic principles of isotopic separation.Various techniques (gaseous
    diffusion, ultra-centrifugation, photo-excitation and ionisation with lasers, chemical
    exchange process, others). Theory of the cascade in gaseous diffusion. Cost of enriched U
  • Fabrication of the fuel element
  • Transport of irradiated fuel
  • Reprocessing of UO2 fuel elements: Technology of the PUREX process and dry process. Recycling of U and Pu: technology and economy. Management and conditioning of wastes. Effluents and impact on the environment. Costs. Advanced reprocessing: partitioning,
    separation, transmutation
  • MOX fuel: design; emission of radiations; use of military Pu; proliferation
  • Waste management:
    o Different conditioning processes and waste forms
    o Characterization of radioactive waste
    o Geological disposal concepts
    o Performance assessment
Course objective :  
  • Training of engineers in nuclear engineering
  • To provide students with overall view of the fuel cycle from cradle to grave. The radioactive waste management, ranging from waste characteristics, waste treatment technologies, disposal technologies, safety assessment of geologic disposal, will be studied in details
  • Visits of the installations in Mol/Dessel will be organised.
Prerequisites :  Basic chemistry

REFERENCE BOOKS ON PREREQUISITE
See website www.sckcen.be/bnen (http://www.sckcen.be/bnen, Brochures and Info, Background books W. D'haeseleer)
Workshops :  //
Organization :  
  • 3ECTS = 30h; 1 t.m. - one week at CEN/SCK, Mol, in English, in February
  • Visits of half a day:
    o Visit of the Praclay/Hades underground storage of the SCK*CEN
    o Visit of the facilities of Belgoprocess (CILVA, Isotopolis, decommissioning and
    decontamination)
Written notes :  Benedict, M., Pigford, Th., & Levi, H.W., Nuclear Chemical Engineering, 2nd Ed, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1981, ISBN 0-07-004531-3

Slides are available
Assessment :  Oral examination; written preparation
Contacts :  Frans Moons c/o SCK/CEN Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol
fmoons@sckcen.be
Remarks :  "Nuclear wastes management" part is given in collaboration with researchers from the CEN/SCK


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