A new photochemical reactor for the rapid reduction of U(VI) in the development of mixed metal oxide fuel fabrication processes : 14th International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Conference, GLOBAL 2019 and Light Water Reactor Fuel Performance Conference, TOP FUEL 2019

Bromley, M.A. and Boxall, C. and Taylor, R. and Sarsfield, M. (2020) A new photochemical reactor for the rapid reduction of U(VI) in the development of mixed metal oxide fuel fabrication processes : 14th International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Conference, GLOBAL 2019 and Light Water Reactor Fuel Performance Conference, TOP FUEL 2019. In: 14th International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Conference, GLOBAL 2019 and Light Water Reactor Fuel Performance Conference, TOP FUEL 2019, 2019-09-22 - 2021-06-27, The Westin.

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Abstract

Within the UK National Nuclear Innovation Programme, work has begun on the development of a high Pu-content MOx fuel fabrication process which aims to reduce the heavy metal throughput of reprocessing plants. As a contribution to this, a rapid and clean photochemical technique for the reduction of U(VI) and co-reduction of U(VI)/Ce(IV) (as a Pu surrogate) is under development in our laboratories. By directly utilizing the advantageous photochemistry of U, with isopropanol as a reductant, we report the convenient photo-excitation and chemical reduction of U(VI) upon exposure to 407 nm light energy. Using a purpose built laboratory scale photo reactor, light is delivered by an ultra-bright 6,000 mW LED array within an integrating sphere for highly efficient energy transfer to the U solution. The effect of illumination is immediate with the successful conversion of 12 g/dm3 U(VI) in 2 mol/dm3 nitric acid demonstrated within 90 seconds. With the addition of hydroxylamine nitrate as a stabilizing agent / nitrous acid scavenger, this results in the rapid generation of a stable U(IV) product solution, indicating that the process is promising as a viable co-reduction method for use in MOx fuel fabrication. Copyright © GLOBAL 2019 - International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Conference and TOP FUEL 2019 - Light Water Reactor Fuel Performance Conference.All rights reserved.

Item Type:
Contribution to Conference (Paper)
Journal or Publication Title:
14th International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Conference, GLOBAL 2019 and Light Water Reactor Fuel Performance Conference, TOP FUEL 2019
Additional Information:
Conference code: 157481 Export Date: 19 March 2020 Correspondence Address: Boxall, C.; Lancaster University, Engineering, Gillow Avenue, United Kingdom; email: c.boxall@lancaster.ac.uk Funding details: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, EPSRC Funding details: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, UK Government, BEIS Funding text 1: The authors thank the UK Government Department for Business, Enterprise and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) for providing research funding through the UK Nuclear Innovation Programme (NIP). The Lancaster University UTGARD Lab (Uranium / Thorium beta-Gamma Active R&D Lab) is a National Nuclear User Facility supported by the UK Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). CB is supported by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation (LRF) – The LRF supports the advancement of engineering-related education, and funds research and development that enhances safety of life at sea, on land and in the air. 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Subjects:
?? aminesenergy transferfabricationfuelsheavy metalslightlight water reactorschemical reductionefficient energy transferintegrating spheresmixed metal oxidephoto-excitationsphotochemical reactorreprocessing plantstabilizing agentsnuclear fuel reprocessing ??
ID Code:
142567
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
09 Jun 2021 17:50
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
16 Jul 2024 08:04