About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
MS&T25: Materials Science & Technology
|
| Symposium
|
Ceramic Materials for Nuclear Energy System
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| Presentation Title |
Stabilization of Research Reactor Spent Nuclear Fuel to Ceramic Form for
Potential Disposal in a Deep Geological Repository
|
| Author(s) |
Anil Prasad, Aaron Barry, Ernesto Geiger, James Crigger, Madalena Spencer, Ray Dickson |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Anil Prasad |
| Abstract Scope |
Research Reactor Spent Nuclear Fuel (RRSNF) in Canada includes non-oxide forms such as uranium metal, uranium alloys and compounds. These materials are reactive in groundwater and are likely unsuitable for direct disposal in a Deep Geological Repository (DGR), unlike CANDU fuel, which is a relatively stable ceramic uranium dioxide. Hence, RRSNF may need to be converted into durable, oxide-based waste forms for acceptance into a DGR. At Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, ongoing research focuses on oxidation followed by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) to densify converted materials into corrosion-resistant ceramics. SPS enables rapid consolidation at relatively low temperatures, producing dense pellets with improved DGR characteristics compared to their original form. This work outlines a path to stabilizing RRSNF for long-term containment, supporting Canada’s strategy for the safe disposal of all spent nuclear fuel types. The SPS-processed materials demonstrate the potential to achieve characteristics equivalent to CANDU fuel within a multi-barrier repository system. |