Since actinide chemistry is an important scientific field in numerous
domains of nuclear energy, from fuel cycle to nuclear waste management,
with the definition of deep site repository, the NSC workshop
on Research and Development Needs for Actinide Chemistry will be held
in autumn 2003 in Villeneuve-les-Avignon, Gard, France.
Speciation Technology
Speciation Techniques and Facilities for Radioactive Materials at
Synchrotron Light Sources
The NSC workshop on this subject was held on 4-6 October
1998 in Grenoble, France, with approximately 100 participants from 13
countries. It was hosted by the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility
(ESRF), and organised mainly by the Forschungszentrum Rossendorf, Germany.
The European Commission, the
CEA, France, and the U.S. DOE co-sponsored
the meeting. The proceedings are currently being printed.
The 2nd Euroconference and NEA workshop
on Speciation, Techniques, and Facilities for Radioactive Materials at
Synchrotron Light Source was held at ESRF, Grenoble, on 12-13, September
2000.
Subsequent meetings were planned to be held every two years.
Evaluation of Speciation Technology
The NSC Workshop on Evaluation of Speciation Technologies was held at JAERI,
Japan on 26-28 October 1999. The aim was to prepare a report on the advantages,
disadvantages and limitations of various methods to study speciation of
actinide and fission product elements in nuclear waste and nuclear reprocessing
streams.Eleven invited papers and 27 posters were presented on recent progress
and applications in each of the following five main topics:
Methods for Trace Concentration Speciation (<10-6M)
Methods for Macro Concentration Speciation(>10-6
M)
Methods for Empirical Formula and Molecular Structure
Determination
Methods for Redox Speciation
Predictive Approach to Speciation
On the second and third days of the workshop, subgroups (according to the
categories mentioned above) were set up to evaluate speciation technology.
The aims of these subgroups were to examine speciation data that are needed,
the advantages and limitations of the different methods that can be applied
to obtain this data and suggestions for future R&D to improve existing
methods or to develop new methods of speciation. The report, to be prepared
through each subgroup discussion, would serve to guide researchers in choosing
the most useful technique.
Pyrochemical Separations
A workshop on Pyrochemical Separations was held in Villeneuve-les-Avignon,
France, on 14-15 March 2000. The workshop was co-organised by the European
Commission and hosted by CEA-VALRHO. The topics included:
National and international R&D
programs on pyrochemical separations,
Role and requirements of pyrochemical
reprocessing in future fuel cycles
Recent progress in research activities:
Basic data (thermodynamics,
reaction mechanisms, reaction kinetics, molecular modelling, etc.)
Results and experiences from
process experiments
Process simulation and process
design
Possible international collaboration.
Recommendations for future NEA activities in the field will be proposed.
The meeting was announced on the NEA Web page //www.oecd-nea.org/html/science/pyro.
The first meeting of the Pyrochemistry Working Group was held at OECD/NEA
headquarters, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France, on 30-31 October 2000. This group
is now one of the expert groups under Working Party on Scientific Issues
in Partitioning and Transmutation (WPPT).
Further information on this group can be found on the webpage //www.oecd-nea.org/html/science/wppt/working_area/cps (restricted
access).
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