Work Packages

The research programme is divided into 5 interconnected work packages:

WP1 Fuel-Separations Interface – led by Colin Boxall, Lancaster University

This work package aims to answer a number of research questions concerning the balance between recyclability and accident tolerance. Projects within this theme include:

  • The effect of scale up on dissolution kinetics 
  • Voloxidation as a pretreatment for accident tolerant fuels
  • Corrosion and Dissolution of Accident Tolerant Fuels Relevant to Head End
  • Molecular simulation of the corrosion of Accident Tolerant Fuels: A modelling study

WP2 Effects of Contaminants on Separations – led by Laurence Harwood, University of Reading

The aim of this work package is to investigate the effects of contaminants on speciation specifically targeting the GANEX AND I-SANEX process. Projects within this theme include:

  • Design and Synthesis of soluble and immobilized ligands for speciation studies
  • Determining the speciation and the effect of contaminants on elemental separations (Ln/Ac) using the BTPhen family of ligands
  • Development of new tools to analyse speciation

WP3 Investigation and Optimisation of Accident Tolerant Fuels – led by Karl Whittle, University of Liverpool

This work package is focussed on the optimisation and manufacture of accident tolerant fuel materials. Projects within this theme include:

  • Radiation Effects in Novel Accident Tolerant Fuels
  • Accident Tolerant Nuclear Fuels – Options and Designs
  • The manufacture, characterisation and testing of U3Si2 fuel pellets
  • Synthesis and characterisation of uranium nitrides

WP4 Fuel behaviour: non-stoichiometry and the fuel-water interface – led by Ian Farnan, University of Cambridge

The aim of this work package is to build an understanding of how accident tolerant fuels will react in aqueous environments. Projects within this theme include:

  • Understanding non-stoichiometry, inhomogeneity and durability in U-Si and U-N systems and its effect on fuel properties
  • Ab initio random structure searching to improve fabrication routes for U3Si2 and UN fuels
  • The Accident Tolerant Fuel-Water interface; the corrosion of U3Si2 and UN in radiolytic conditions
  • Improving the corrosion resistance of accident tolerant fission fuels
  • Modelling of water-fuel interfaces and non-stoichiometry

WP5 Integrated management of accident tolerant fuels – led by Panagiota Angeli, University College, London

The aim of this work package is to develop integrated separation technologies which can be used in the recycling and reprocessing of metals and the production of nuclear fuels. Projects within this theme include:

  • Recycling potential of accident tolerant fuels in integrated separation technologies
  • Development, characterization and utilisation of integrated enhanced electrochemical sensing and monitoring