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Postdoctoral Research Associate in Nuclear
4 months ago
Applications are invited for this full-time, fixed-term post, working in Bangor University’s Nuclear Futures Institute as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Nuclear Engineering.
Duties will include simulation of various nuclear reactor technologies focusing on fuel cycle
Applications will also be considered to carry out the role(s) on a part-time or job share basis.
Committed to Equal Opportunities
Overview
It is widely perceived that to meet the low carbon emissions set by the Paris Agreement; nuclear energy must play a vital role in the decarbonisation of various sectors. The advantages of nuclear power are clear - it is not periodic as solar and wind, the Levelized Cost of Electricity is competitive, the material throughput is negligible per unit of energy generated, and it has a low ecological footprint notwithstanding radioactive waste generated.
However, nuclear energy is not without problems in particular the possibility of material getting outside of government control enabling atomic weapon proliferation. It should be noted that the discharged fuel from a Light Water Reactor (LWR), the primary deployed nuclear power technology today, does not reach the needed purity to constitute weapons-grade plutonium. Plutonium grade is dictated by the ratio of 240Pu to the total amount of plutonium, which must be less than 7% to be classified as weapons-grade. For comparison, the discharged fuel from a typical LWR has 240Pu content of more than 19%. However, it is still possible to achieve the necessary plutonium purity by changing the operational procedures of a plant.
However, is it really possible to "kill two birds with one stone"? Can we ensure reactor operation cannot be altered to produce nuclear weapons while enabling nuclear energy for all?
The Project
The objective of this research is to identify a way to ensure that the vendors are able to supply a broader range of customers with fuel that will be more resistant to proliferation.
A non-proliferating nuclear fuel for various thermal reactor technologies can be obtained by increasing the relative amount of 238Pu in the generated plutonium. Generally, all the Pu generated in the fuel is a result of the absorption of neutrons in 238U. This produces 239Pu, although a fissile isotope, is the gateway to the following Pu isotopes (240, 241, 242) through additional absorption reactions. Studies showed that plutonium with high 238Pu in the mix (above 6%) could be considered proliferation resistant. To ensure 238Pu to Pu ratio will be above 6% through the entire irradiation cycle, it is proposed to dope the fresh fuel with 241Am or 237Np; both are sources for 238Pu.
Based on previous preliminary studies, there is clear potential in the proposed method. However, clear conclusions cannot be derived, as initial studies did not consider realistic reactor operation. Nevertheless, even at this point, it is possible to say that no safety issues related to reactor operation are expected. On the contrary, using a strong absorber such as 241Am will help in mitigating the excess of reactivity at the beginning of the irradiation cycle.
Thus, the project will explore the impact of fuel modification on the performance of all the currently available thermal reactor technologies - Pressurised and Boiling Water Reactors (PWR and BWR), Hight Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors (HTGR), Fluoride Salt-Cooled High-Temperature Reactors and Canada Deuterium Uranium (CANDU) reactors.
Purpose of the Job
This role will support the Nuclear Futures Institute and help in achieving its aim to establish “A world leading capability in Nuclear Engineering, which establishes North Wales as a global centre, delivering international partnerships and opportunity from a rich mix of existing and new talent. Leading the UK nuclear agenda and rejuvenating the UK and Welsh nuclear sector.”
Main
**Responsibilities**:
- Perform fuel cycle calculations and optimisation for various reactor technologies.- Study the implications on reactor safety performance as a result of fuel modification.- Examine financial and operational models for dopped fuel manufacturing.- Acquire and maintain a thorough and up to date knowledge of the scientific literature related to the research aims of the project. Actively support the principal investigator in developing new techniques. Scheduling and testing research. Collecting and analysing data. As required by project, be prepared to visit other institutions to use their facilities.- Delivering research outcomes. The post-holder will be required to produce articles for publication in high quality journals on a regular basis. To contribute to the dissemination of research outputs through relevant scientific technical and public press and conferences.- Deliver regular presentations to the research group to allow progress to be monitored and research results to be discussed.- To collaborate with co-researchers and write up the results in scientific articles.
