Keywords
Fission, nuclear reactor, 232Th cycle, accelerators,
nuclear waste, nuclear waste monitoring, waste
characterisation
Expertise
New nuclear power solutions
If nuclear power is to be part of the low-carbon future,
then it is important to improve the technology and make
it more efficient, safer and generate less waste. Nuclear
physicists and engineers at the University believe it should
be possible to design nuclear power plants which will
produce less waste – for instance, a fission reactor based
on the 232Th cycle and reactors which are controlled by
beams of particles from an accelerator. It should also be
possible to develop accelerators that produce beams of
particles which can be used to induce transmutation. In
other words, radioactive waste could be transmuted into
different isotopes (with shorter half lives) using beams of
protons or neutrons.
Nuclear waste
The University has the requisite expertise for radioactive
waste to be fully characterised – enabling tailored
solutions to be devised (for example, identifying and
quantifying the isotopes present, making the waste safe
or moving it to appropriate storage). We also have sensor
technology which could be harnessed to monitor the
waste – and are already working in collaboration with
the nuclear industry.
Safety cases
We have extensive knowledge of nuclear physics and a
great deal of modelling expertise. This could be harnessed
to provide independent safety cases of designs proposed
for Britain’s new nuclear power stations.
Decommissioning facilities at Sellafield requires
innovative new ideas. The University provides
important consultancy and expertise in modelling and
the development of sensor solutions to characterise
the waste. We also develop the engineering methods
required to implement and install these
decommissioning solutions.
Capabilities and facilities
•
Modelling and scenario analysis using industry
standard codes
•
Customised sensors and instruments for
detecting and monitoring radioactivity
•
Nuclear research and decommissioning
expertise
•
Advice and consultancy on new facilities,
safety and design.
Energy & Sustainability
74
2.
The nuclear option
APPLICATION AREAS
•
Defence and security
•
Energy
For further information
on all our specialist
centres, facilities and
laboratories
go to page
179
