Required in stage
Optional in stage
First term
Second term
Both terms
Not organised
This year
Next year
Alternating years
External
Prerequisites
Language of instruction
Duration
Identical coursesAdvanced Courses of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle (B-KUL-H0S31A)
Cannot be taken as part of an examination contract
N. Aims
MOX and Thorium fuel
To get a global understanding of the utilization of Pu and Th based fuel in light water reactors:
• The challenges of the U-Pu-MOX fuel regarding the fuel fabrication, the core and fuel neutronic aspects and fuel behaviour
• The Th-Pu-MOX used in LWR for its breeding capabilities, or more realistically as matrix for Pu utilization.
Radiochemistry and Dismantling
• To get an understanding of radiochemistry, as it is a basic discipline to understand the various stages and activities in the nuclear fuel cycle, including the safe disposal of the radioactive waste.
• To get acquainted with the principles and practice of dismantling and decommissioining of nuclear materials, as this is becoming an activity of increasing importance in nuclear engineering.
Order of Enrolment
Mixed prerequisite:
You may only take this course if you comply with the prerequisites. Prerequisites can be strict or flexible, or can imply simultaneity. A degree level can be also be a prerequisite.
Explanation:
STRICT: You may only take this course if you have passed or applied tolerance for the courses for which this condition is set.
FLEXIBLE: You may only take this course if you have previously taken the courses for which this condition is set.
SIMULTANEOUS: You may only take this course if you also take the courses for which this condition is set (or have taken them previously).
DEGREE: You may only take this course if you have obtained this degree level.
SIMULTANEOUS( H02G8A ) AND FLEXIBLE( H02G9A )
The codes of the course units mentioned above correspond to the following course descriptions:
H02G9A : Nuclear Materials
H02G8A : Nuclear Fuel Cycle
Is included in these courses of study
Activities
3 ects. Advanced Courses of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle (B-KUL-H0S31a)
Content
MOX and Th fuel
• Comparison of the physical properties of Pu and Th
• Possible core designs with Th based fuel with high conversion factors
• Pu-MOX fuel fabrication (MIMAS process) and fuel rod thermal-mechanical behaviour under irradiation
• Pu-MOX impact on reactivity coefficients and safety issues
• Th-MOX impact on reactivity coefficients and overview of the possible safety issues
Radiochemistry
• Applied radiochemistry (complementary to the course under "Nuclear Fuel cycle"): chemical process technology: radiochemical separation techniques, radiochemical analysis, production of radionuclides
• Radionuclide migration through a clay host rock – geochemistry and underlying phenomena: impact on the Safety Case; geochemistry in Boom Clay; role of organic matter; radionuclide speciation, sorption and transport; modelling.
Dismantling, decommissioning
• Introduction: definitions, objectives, levels, regulatory aspects, radioprotection, ALARA
• Radionuclide inventory, characterization and measurements
• Strategy for decontamination of buildings, concrete pieces and structures, metals
• Dismantling of a nuclear reactor (the BR3 case): the experience, materials management
• Other types of installations to be decommissioned, REX from other projects
• Strategies and planning of decommissioning
The course will be completed with exercises.
Evaluation
Evaluation: Advanced Courses of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle (B-KUL-H2S31a)
Explanation
Oral examination, written preparation.