The DISTINCTIVE University Consortium: Transforming High Activity Materials Research in the UK
Year: 2018
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: The EPSRC-supported DISTINCTIVE (Decommissioning, Immobilisation and Storage Solutions for Nuclear Waste Inventories) consortium is a partnership of 11 research universities, working to decommission and clean up the legacy of civil nuclear energy generation.An important component of the research programme is to develop the skills and facilities to address key research questions, requiring the use of highly radioactive materials.Here we highlight the outcomes of four research projects in which access to state of the art research facilities for working with radioactive materials, supported by international partnerships, has advanced research in plutonium storage and immobilisation, and the disposal of spent nuclear fuels.First, we have developed a viable formulation and process for immobilisation of the UK plutonium stockpile, including commissioning of a radiological hot isostatic press and validation studies using plutonium-239.Second, we have further underpinned the interim storage of PuO2, through understanding of water and chlorine sorption / desorption, pertinent to the historic practice of containment within, and degradation of PVC bags.Third, we have developed a novel methodology to investigate the in situ radiolysis induced dissolution of actinide oxide thin films, using synchrotron radiation, to underpin the geological disposal of spent nuclear fuel.Fourth we monitored in situ the oxidation and self-ignition mechanism of uranium carbide, a legacy fuel from the Dounreay Prototype Fast Reactor that is waiting for oxidation treatment prior to permanent storage and/or disposal.Through this programme of research, the DISTINCTIVE consortium is rebuilding the UK capability for research with transuranic materials, which, hitherto, was eroded over decades of disinvestment.
Authors: Nigel Hyatt, S Thornber, Nikolas Kaltsoyannis, S Sutherland-Harper, S Pimblott, T Scott, R. Springell, Stuart Rennie, M Fairweather, L Tovey, Colin Boxall, J Hriljac, W Lee, C Gasparrini, Ruth M. Lunn, David T. Read, Doris Ann Gregg, Elizabeth D. Vance, S Moricca, Randolph B. Persaud, Joergen Oerstroem Moeller, Paul G. Heath
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2889666276