Characterisation of plutonium species in alkaline liquors sampled from a UK legacy nuclear fuel storage pond

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (9) ◽  
pp. 1957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin R. Gregson ◽  
Jeremy J. Hastings ◽  
Howard E. Sims ◽  
Helen M. Steele ◽  
Robin J. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Fuel Storage ◽  
Storage Pond

Plutonium behaviour in nuclear fuel storage pond effluents

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 1457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen A. Parry ◽  
Luke O'Brien ◽  
Andy S. Fellerman ◽  
Christopher J. Eaves ◽  
Neil B. Milestone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Fuel Storage ◽  
Storage Pond

scholarly journals A Novel Adaptation Mechanism Underpinning Algal Colonization of a Nuclear Fuel Storage Pond

mBio ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria E. MeGraw ◽  
Ashley R. Brown ◽  
Christopher Boothman ◽  
Royston Goodacre ◽  
Katherine Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Spent Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Radiation Doses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Metabolic Fingerprint ◽  
Fuel Storage ◽  
Storage Pond

ABSTRACTGeochemical analyses alongside molecular techniques were used to characterize the microbial ecology and biogeochemistry of an outdoor spent nuclear fuel storage pond at Sellafield, United Kingdom, that is susceptible to seasonal algal blooms that cause plant downtime. 18S rRNA gene profiling of the filtered biomass samples showed the increasing dominance of a species closely related to the algaHaematococcus pluvialis, alongside 16S rRNA genes affiliated with a diversity of freshwater bacteria, includingProteobacteriaandCyanobacteria. High retention of137Cs and90Sr on pond water filters coincided with high levels of microbial biomass in the pond, suggesting that microbial colonization may have an important control on radionuclide fate in the pond. To interpret the unexpected dominance ofHaematococcusspecies during bloom events in this extreme environment, the physiological response ofH. pluvialisto environmentally relevant ionizing radiation doses was assessed. Irradiated laboratory cultures produced significant quantities of the antioxidant astaxanthin, consistent with pigmentation observed in pond samples. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy suggested that radiation did not have a widespread impact on the metabolic fingerprint ofH. pluvialisin laboratory experiments, despite the 80-Gy dose. This study suggests that the production of astaxanthin-rich encysted cells may be related to the preservation of theHaematococcusphenotype, potentially allowing it to survive oxidative stress arising from radiation doses associated with the spent nuclear fuel. The oligotrophic and radiologically extreme conditions in this environment do not prevent extensive colonization by microbial communities, which play a defining role in controlling the biogeochemical fate of major radioactive species present.IMPORTANCESpent nuclear fuel is stored underwater in large ponds prior to processing and disposal. Such environments are intensively radioactive but can be colonized by microorganisms. Colonization of such inhospitable radioactive ponds is surprising, and the survival mechanisms that microbes use is of fundamental interest. It is also important to study these unusual ecosystems, as microbes growing in the pond waters may accumulate radionuclides present in the waters (for bioremediation applications), while high cell loads can hamper management of the ponds due to poor visibility. In this study, an outdoor pond at the U.K. Sellafield facility was colonized by a seasonal bloom of microorganisms, able to accumulate high levels of137Cs and90Sr and dominated by the algaHaematococcus. This organism is not normally associated with deep water bodies, but it can adapt to radioactive environments via the production of the pigment astaxanthin, which protects the cells from radiation damage.

Development and Testing of an Advanced Neutron-Absorbing Gadolinium Alloy for Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage

2006 ◽  
Vol 155 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald E. Mizia ◽  
Tedd E. Lister ◽  
Patrick J. Pinhero ◽  
Tammy L. Trowbridge ◽  
William L. Hurt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Spent Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Fuel Storage

scholarly journals Prediction of the maximum temperature inside container with spent nuclear fuel

2018 ◽  
pp. 31-35
Author(s):  
S. Alyokhina ◽  
О. Dybach ◽  
A. Kostikov ◽  
D. Dimitriieva
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Spent Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Storage Facility ◽  
Storage Container ◽  
Atmospheric Air ◽  
Decay Heat ◽  
Fuel Storage ◽  
Maximum Temperatures ◽  
Cooling Air

The definition of the thermal state of containers with spent nuclear fuel is important part of the ensuring of its safe storage during all period of storage facility operation. The this work all investigations are carried out for the storage containers of spent nuclear fuel of WWER-1000 reactors, which are operated in the Dry Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility in Zaporizhska NPP. The analysis of existing investigations in the world nuclear engineering science concerning to the prediction of maximum temperatures in spent nuclear fuel storage container is carried out. The absence of studies in this field is detected and the necessity of the dependence for the maximum temperature in the storage container and temperature of cooling air on the exit of ventilation duct from variated temperatures of atmospheric air and decay heat formulation is pointed out. With usage of numerical simulation by solving of the conjugate heat transfer problems, the dependence of maximum temperatures in storage container with spent nuclear fuel from atmospheric temperature and decay heat is detected. The verification of used calculation method by comparison of measured air temperature on exit of ventilation channels and calculated temperature of cooling air was carried out. By regression analysis of numerical results of studies the dependence of ventilation air temperature from the temperature of atmospheric air and the decay heat of spent nuclear fuel was formulated. For the obtained dependence the statistical analysis was carried out and confidence interval with 95% of confidence is calculated. The obtained dependences are expediently to use under maximum temperature level estimation at specified operation conditions of spent nuclear fuel storage containers and for the control of correctness of thermal monitoring system work.

A Method of Performing Shutdown Reactivity Measurements in Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Pools

1981 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel H. Levine ◽  
Mortimer A. Schultz ◽  
Daren Chang
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Spent Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Fuel Storage ◽  
Storage Pools
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