The research activities will be carried out in the Radiochemistry (RCA) expert group of the Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK•CEN) in Mol, Belgium. The Radiochemistry expert group investigates the chemical and radiochemical composition of different types of nuclear materials. Our analytical services play a key role in many research projects at SCK•CEN and are also offered to external clients. Via continuous R&D, radiochemical analytical methods are developed to anticipate future analytical needs. In addition to our analysis activities, we develop innovative radiochemical processes for the production of radio-isotopes, the partitioning of minor actinides and the production of nuclear fuels and transmutation targets. More information on the Radiochemistry expert group can be found on the following website: http://science.sckcen.be/en/Institutes/NMS/RCA
ProjectRecycling americium from spent nuclear fuels is considered as an important option for a future sustainable nuclear fuel cycle. Indeed, americium is the main contributor to the long-term radiotoxicity and heat-load of the remaining waste. To reduce the footprint and lifetime of a final disposal facility it is possible to separate americium and then transmute it into shorter lived radionuclides (which requires high flux neutron irradiation). The PUREX solvent extraction process allows to separate uranium and plutonium from a solution of spent fuel dissolved in nitric acid. In a second step, it would be desirable to separate americium from fission products, and especially lanthanides, but also from curium. As those elements have very close physicochemical properties, their mutual separation remains a scientific challenge. Separation processes based on solvent extraction have already been developed to achieve this arduous separation like EXAm developed at CEA, EURO-EXAm and AMSEL processes, both developed within European collaboration projects (SACSESS and GENIORS). New selective molecules (ADAAM) were also designed at JAEA showing high Am/Cm selectivity. All processes developed in the past show some limitations (high number of extraction stages, low solubility of the complexing agent, non-CHON molecules, low resistance of the complexing agent towards radiolysis, etc…). The objective of this new PhD subject is to develop a new extracting system based on a diglycolamide extractant to co-extract An(III) and Ln(III) in a first extraction step selectively from fission products present in the PUREX raffinate. For the second step, the selective stripping of Am from a loaded diglycolamide-based organic phase, new aqueous soluble complexants will be designed, tested, and a new extraction system based on this molecule will be elaborated. The new molecule(s) should be CHON compliant to ensure facile waste evacuation, and will impose sufficient selectivity to reduce the number of required separation stages. Furthermore, the impact of radiation on the performance of the new solvent extraction system will be investigated. Profile
Offer4 year PhD position funded by the SCK-CEN. The student will also be affiliated to the KU Leuven (Belgium). This PhD project concerns a collaboration between SCK CEN, KU Leuven and CEA (“Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives“). Research stays at the ATALANTE facility of CEA are envisaged to perform experiments and analysis complementary to those at SCK CEN. Interested?For more information please contact the SCK-CEN mentor Dr. Karen Van Hecke (Email: kvhecke@sckcen.be). Interested candidates must apply via the website of the SCK-CEN: https://academy.sckcen.be/en/Your_thesis_internship/AllTopics/Development-of-a-new-extraction-system-for-selective-americium-separation-from-spent-nuclear-fuels-2612 Applications submitted via this KU Leuven website will not be considered. More information on the selection procedure can be found on: https://academy.sckcen.be/en/Your_thesis_internship/PhD_thesis You can apply for this job no later than March 15, 2021 via the
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