Nuclear & Environmental Processes
The Nuclear and Environmental Processes department encompasses a large scope of research that ranges from fundamental to applied science of the actinides and fission products as well as engineering-scale process development and demonstrations. Researchers are at the forefront of developing technologies for nuclear separations, waste management, and non-proliferation to achieve sustainable nuclear energy systems.
Argonne's nuclear and environmental process programs are organized into these areas:
Heavy Element and Separations Science
Basic science research of heavy element and fission product atomic and molecular-scale chemistry with focus on actinide aggregation in solution and precipitates, metal-ligand interactions, and electronic properties.
Interfacial Processes
Basic science research of mineral/water interactions to advance the fundamental understanding of geochemical processes important to predicting the performance of geological repositories.
Radiochemistry
Experimental work in the group is focused on the separation of actinides from fission products using novel solvent extraction and ion exchange processes. Significant effort is dedicated to improve the separation methods of medical radioisotopes including 99Mo/99mTc.
Process Simulation and Equipment Design
Application of integrated chemical engineering and separations chemistry to develop, model, design, and demonstrate processes and equipment for treatment of used nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, and to advance nuclear nonproliferation.
Pyroprocess Development
Application of its skills and facilities to study, develop, and engineer innovative yet commercially viable electrochemical processes for nuclear separations.
Process Safeguards
Application of chemical and engineering expertise to improve safeguards and nonproliferation of nuclear materials in complex facilities.
Environmental Science
Use of applied science and engineering to develop and evaluate options for disposition of used nuclear fuels and the wastes that may be produced by future aqueous and electrochemical processing of these fuels.
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June 2012
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