PhD Studentship: Preparing Corroded Magnox Fuel Waste for Long Term Storage: Rheology Mapping of Complex Fluids

Lead Supervisor’s full name & email address

Professor David Harbottle – d.harbottle@leeds.ac.uk

Co-supervisor name(s) & email address(s)

Professor Timothy Hunter – t.n.hunter@leeds.ac.uk

Martyn Barnes, Sellafield Ltd.

Project summary

The UK’s nuclear sector is actively undertaking substantial decommissioning projects of its legacy facilities. One key challenge is the safe recovery and processing of waste for long term storage. A particular waste is corroded magnesium alloy clad uranium metal fuel that has formed sludge and is currently contained in open and closed facilities on the Sellafield site.  Encapsulating the sludge for long term storage is a high priority for the industry. To mobilize and process the material it is important to understand its rheological properties and how rheology is modified when adding secondary chemicals. Flow modifiers (colloidal silica) have been shown to significantly lower yield stress of concentrated sludges making them easier to process. However, there is limited understanding on modifying the rheology using geo-polymers, an additive that is used to eventually solidify the waste when activated.  This project will map the rheological space of these complex fluids containing waste simulants, flow enhancers and geo-polymers. By fundamentally understanding the nature of the interactions between the different chemical species, and determining how those interactions modify sludge rheology, it will be possible to design processes that can handle variable waste streams and produce encapsulated wastes that are safe for long term storage.

The project will contribute to the clean-up of the UK’s nuclear waste legacy. The clean-up of legacy nuclear facilities, as well as waste clean-up and disposal, stand as matters of increasing urgency throughout the nuclear industry, with UK Government recognising decommissioning of these facilities and waste management as a national priority. UK government remains committed to nuclear energy’s role in delivering a secure, low-carbon and affordable energy future, with nuclear power also helping to ensure diversity of supply, contributing to the UK’s energy security and growth.

Please state your entry requirements plus any necessary or desired background

Candidates will have, or be due to obtain, a Master’s Degree or equivalent from a reputable university in an appropriate field of Engineering. Exceptional candidates with a First Class Bachelor’s Degree in an appropriate field will also be considered.

Subject Area

Applied Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Fluid Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering

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