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New cyclic extractant molecules for uranium/plutonium separation


Thesis topic details

General information

Organisation

The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas :
• defence and security,
• nuclear energy (fission and fusion),
• technological research for industry,
• fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.

Drawing on its widely acknowledged expertise, and thanks to its 16000 technicians, engineers, researchers and staff, the CEA actively participates in collaborative projects with a large number of academic and industrial partners.

The CEA is established in ten centers spread throughout France
  

Reference

SL-DES-24-0049  

Thesis topic details

Category

Condensed Matter Physics, chemistry, nanosciences

Thesis topics

New cyclic extractant molecules for uranium/plutonium separation

Contract

Thèse

Job description

This thesis subject is dedicated to the optimization of the uranium/plutonium separation process (PUREX) for spent nuclear fuels reprocessing. New extractant molecules based on cyclic monamide functions will be studied for targeted elements separation by liquid-liquid extraction from nitric acid medium. They should be soluble in industrial aliphatic diluents, adaptable to extraction technologies actually used in terms of density, viscosity, solubility and extraction kinetics. Their affinity and selectivity towards U and Pu should be adjusted to allow process flowsheet optimization. In order to help in the target molecules selection, theoretical DFT calculations (Density Functional Theory) will be investigated to make a comparative estimate of their affinity towards U and Pu elements. Then the student will have to determine the feasibility of organic synthesis and to propose and optimize synthesis pathways. Once the molecules will be purified and their structures and purity characterized, their separation performances will be assessed by liquid-liquid batch extraction tests involving radioelements of interest in active laboratories of ATALANTE facility. Their resistance towards hydrolysis and radiolysis will be evaluated after batch gamma irradiation tests. Finally, the structures of metallic complexes formed in organic phases with those new extractant molecules will be studied to better understand extraction mechanisms and propose new orientations for future synthesis.

University / doctoral school

Sciences Chimiques Balard (EDSCB)
Montpellier

Thesis topic location

Site

Marcoule

Requester

Position start date

01/09/2024

Person to be contacted by the applicant

D2BA8051BB77466B86B877077FA5BCFB@ts.com

Tutor / Responsible thesis director

8E5A4BD95058401393A419CE8903FD4F@ts.com

En savoir plus

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4373-0228
https://isec.cea.fr/