RADWASTE MANAGEMENT | ONWARDS
R&D set to minimise waste volumes
A new round of US DOE funding is supporting a swathe of new technologies that aim to effect a dramatic reduction in the volume of waste from the new generation of advanced nuclear reactor technologies
NEARLY A DOZEN RESEARCH PROJECTS have received funding from the US Department of Energy (DOE) as part of a programme aimed at limiting the volume of waste from the new generation of advanced reactors. The Optimizing Nuclear Waste and Advanced Reactor Disposal Systems (ONWARDS) scheme was first announced last year to identify and facilitate technologies for advanced reactor used nuclear fuel (UNF) recycling, disposal and associated safeguarding technologies. Projects funded through the ONWARDS programme will develop technologies that can resolve the waste and storage challenges associated with advanced reactor fuel cycles. The goal is to reduce nuclear waste and to support safer and more sustainable domestic fuel stocks. In the latest round of funding the DOE has pushed another US$36 million into the Advance Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) programme.
Taking a good look at waste Among the 11 projects which have received funding, GE General Electric Global Research was granted nearly US$4.5 million for a project that will develop an innovative inspection technique for use in nuclear reprocessing facilities.
Resonance Absorption Densitometry for Materials Assay
Security Safeguard (RADMASS) is designed to address the challenge of inspecting spent fuel which is stored at various storage sites across the US. RADMASS is a non-destructive evaluation technique that will be able to accurately measure and characterize this material for more cost- effective reprocessing. The objective of the project is to demonstrate a proof
of concept in a non-radiation environment with photonics and nuclear modelling proving the ability of RADMASS to operate in a high radiation environment such as a nuclear fuel reprocessing radiation containment chamber. Dr. Andrew K. Hoffman, Materials Research Scientist at
GE Research and principal investigator on this project, says: “One of the most exciting factors about the advanced nuclear reactor concepts coming online is the opportunity to optimize how the industry can recycle fuel in the future. With new advanced reactor concepts creating more recycling opportunities, we need to seize the moment in making nuclear an even more attractive, carbon-free energy alternative.” A further US$8.5 million was awarded to TerraPower for a
project which aims to reduce waste volumes using chloride salts at high temperatures. The goal of the Chloride-Based
Above: Oak Ridge National Lab is working with Orano FS to develop a modular off-gas treatment system 18 | July 2022 |
www.neimagazine.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45
