The evolution of volatile species during thermal treatment of PCM and plutonium residues

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The implementation of new technologies will make a vital contribution to the UK national mission to clean-up the UK's nuclear legacy. Thermal treatment processes, including vitrification, form an important part of this work; successful implementation of a vitrification process requires a good scientific understanding of the fate of volatile species during the melting process. This requires in-situ analysis of the kinetically favoured species produced during melting coupled with detailed analysis of the glasses produced. This project will focus on developing our understanding of which volatile species are formed and under what conditions, and whether they involve elements of concern, during the vitrification of plutonium contaminated materials and Pu residues in a number of different glass chemistries. The project will involve glass melting coupled with in-situ off gas analysis; followed by detailed analysis of the glasses produced using a range of structural and chemical analysis techniques. Although most of the work will involve the use of inactive simulant materials, there will be the potential to perform a limited number of small-scale melts involving active materials. As a supplement to the main project, analysis of samples from inactive large-scale trials using commercial technologies will also be undertaken. The successful candidate will therefore develop a significant skill set in glass production coupled with off-gas and materials analysis.