Nuclear fuel bearing minor actinides for the minimization of long-term radiotoxicity of high-level waste
At the end of the irradiation in a nuclear reactor, the fuel has undergone significant transformations with respect to its initial state. The accumulation of radiation damage due to neutron irradiation and to the consequences of fission and nuclear decay processes, combined with the effects of temperature and power gradients experienced by the fuel, results in a highly heterogeneous and restructured material. Moreover, the composition of the fuel has changed due to the accumulation of fission products and to the formation of transuranic elements through nuclear reactions. In particular, the formation of plutonium and of the so-called minor actinides (neptunium, americium and curium), which have long radioactive half-lives, accounts for most of the long-term radiotoxicity of spent nuclear fuel. Plutonium can be recycled and used as fuel. Extracting neptunium and americium from spent fuel and burning them in dedicated reactor systems (Partitioning and Transmutation, or P&T) can significantly reduce the long-term radiotoxicity of the high-level nuclear waste that must be disposed in a geological repository.
Many European and international projects and initiatives have explored effectiveness and safety of different P&T options. This talk provides a schematic overview and some highlights of challenges and their possible solutions as investigated in past and ongoing R&D programs, with particular emphasis on the experience gained through European projects and activities focused on oxide fuel compounds containing minor actinides.
Timing
18:30: Introduction of the EVL
18:35: Presentation
19:25: Q&A
19:45: Drink
20:30: End
Presentation material
Speaker
-
Vincenzo V. RondinellaCurrent position: Head of the Nuclear Safety Department, in the Nuclear Safety and Security Directorate, Joint Research Centre (JRC), European Commission (EC).
He is based at the JRC Karlsruhe site (Germany).The Department performs research activities on nuclear reactor and fuel safety, radioactive waste management, closed fuel cycle, SMR and innovative applications of nuclear technologies, as defined in the EURATOM Research and Training Programme. The research activities are carried out at the JRC sites of Karlsruhe (Germany) and Petten (The Netherlands).
Main scientific/technical areas of expertise:
– safety-relevant properties and behaviour of nuclear fuel under normal and accident conditions
– back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle; minimization of long term radiotoxicity of high level waste
– radioactive waste management and nuclear decommissioning
– post-irradiation examination.He is involved in international projects and initiatives, member of expert groups, scientific advisory boards, supervisor of students, visiting lecturer, and co-author of numerous scientific publications.
Educational background:
* Nuclear Engineering Degree (1987), University of Bologna, Italy;
* MSc (1991), PhD (1994), Ceramics Science & Engineering, Rutgers University, USA.