March 28, 2024

Predicting Gamma Dose Rates from Buried Pipelines based on Limited Information

The PhD project will seek to develop robust algorithms to predict gamma dose rates in contaminated pipelines based on limited direct information. The objective is to minimise and, where possible, avoid intrusive sampling and analysis while still acquiring sufficient information to justify management options (e.g. excavation, capping, leaving in situ) The focus will be on […]

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March 28, 2024

An advanced blind-tube monitoring instrument to improve the characterization of subsurface radioactive plumes

The blind tube measurement of radiation to determine dose rate as a function of depth in contaminated land is performed currently with Geiger-Müller (GM) tubes on a push-rod cable. The former is installed in a water-proof housing and detects gamma radiation with which to infer the dose, whilst the latter is necessary to provide power […]

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March 28, 2024

Electrokinetic ground remediation, and combination with colloidal silica grouting for minimisation of soil contamination and in-situ vitrification

Despite a range of existing soil and water remediation, and waste clean-up, techniques available to nuclear site managers, effective in-situ and ex-situ remediation remain a common technical challenge, particularly at sites with complex or low permeability soils / subsurface geology, and on working sites or sites with considerable surface and subsurface infrastructure. This research builds […]

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March 28, 2024

Inhibiting Radionuclide Migration during Deconstruction and Decommissioning using Colloidal Silica Grout

Research will focus on the use of colloidal silica to treat surface soils as a risk mitigation measure for inhibiting airborne and waterborne radionuclide migration, which poses a severe hazard to workers and the environment. Under DISTINCTIVE, we demonstrated that colloidal silica can penetrate low permeability materials (including cement) for hydraulic barrier formation, improved sorption […]

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March 28, 2024

Nanotechnology for effluent treatment and radionuclide assay

This project will build on the work done in the Distinctive consortium, where it was shown that phosphate functionalised paramagnetic iron oxide particles showed a surprisingly large capacity and selectivity for uranium sorption. A first set of research objectives is to clarify further why what appears to be a multi-layer structure has such a large […]

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March 28, 2024

New Materials and Methods for Decontamination of Effluent

The objectives of the project are to: continue and expand our work from DISTINCTIVE on developing new ion exchange systems for Cs and Sr removal (e.g. K1.75[Sn0.75Nb0.25Si3O9]•H2O) from effluent under realistic legacy pond and decontamination conditions; develop our work on producing magnetized inorganic ion exchange materials in collaboration with the NNL and SL who have […]

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March 28, 2024

Scoping studies of new ion exchange materials

The aim of this project is to develop a better understanding of the key structural and chemical features needed in inorganic ion exchange materials for the effective removal of strontium and caesium from effluent. Materials will be tested for ion exchange performance against the Mud Hills clinoptilolite used in SIXEP in a variety of simulated […]

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March 28, 2024

In situ ion exchange studies of zeolites

The project will involve structural studies of zeolites and other porous inorganic solids that can act as ion exchange media for the safe removal of radionuclides from the environment. The aim is to further the understanding of the ion exchange mechanisms at the atomistic level and provide accurate structural details for computer modelling studies. The […]

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March 28, 2024

Particle-laden flow characterisation and prediction

Decontamination of legacy ponds and silos is of great importance and stands as a matter of increasing urgency throughout the nuclear industry. In facilities within the UK, waste suspension flows transport legacy material from historic ponds to other interim locations where they are safely stored. However, at present these processes are not as efficient as […]

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March 28, 2024

Radiation Induced CHanges in Effluents/Sludges (RICHES)

External beams of radiation can be used to accelerate radiolytic processes inevitably occurring in sludge wasteforms. At the Diamond Light Source (DLS) we have pioneered a new technique to follow the full creation and transport dynamics of key products (e.g. hydrogen). We can perform a full study of the radiolytic yield and diffusivity of hydrogen […]

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