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Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division |
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Nuclear TechnologyThe Nuclear Technology Department is interested in pyrochemical process research and its development and demonstration for the Generation IV (GEN IV) and Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI) programs. There is a growing consensus in the United States and abroad that a significant growth in nuclear energy must occur and that it must be accompanied by the development of advanced fuel cycles that are sustainable and decrease the amount and long-term hazards of nuclear waste. The U.S. Department of Energy, through its integrated Gen IV and AFCI programs, will develop and demonstrate the next generation of advanced nuclear systems, to meet future needs for safe, economic, proliferation-resistant and environmentally responsible fuel cycles and energy production. The focus of our work is on the treatment of spent nuclear fuel to recover actinides for use in advanced reactor systems and to encapsulate fission products in durable waste forms for storage in a low-level waste facility or geologic repository. Besides the traditional oxide and metal fuels, our research explores treatment of carbide, nitride and specialty fuels, such as TRISO, proposed for use in advanced nuclear systems. Throughout our work, we stress the development of commercially viable technologies - technologies that produce a high-quality product, can be scaled up, integrate seamlessly with other fuel processing steps and facilities, and are economic. Our approach to pyrochemical process research and development is multifaceted. We have a strong core of expertise in electrochemistry, thermodynamics and actinide chemistry, which we use to design and experimentally test new separations concepts. Combining this capability with our process engineering expertise allows for translation of the separations concepts into engineering systems that can be evaluated using Argonne’s laboratory facilities. With this approach, we developed a novel electrochemical method for the conversion of spent oxide nuclear fuel to its metallic form for subsequent treatment by pyrochemical methods and an innovative method for recovering a mixed uranium – transuranic element product from molten salts for recycle to fresh fuel. We often develop advanced equipment concepts that address inefficiencies in current systems for example, we completed design and testing of an advanced uranium electrorefiner that provides more effective uranium recovery and promises very efficient operation in a remote environment. In addition to process research and development, we create design concepts for commercial processing facilities and evaluate those concepts through computer modeling and simulation. Contact Mark A. Williamson, Manager |
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