The Nuclear Elastoplast

Project Description

The principal contaminant in many nuclear facilities is the caesium-137 isotope. Caesium is highly soluble, migrates readily with water and is very difficult to immobilise to aid its disposal. Only zeolitic materials with a certain pore size that can selectively ion exchange can bind caesium. These include the synthetic crystalline silico-titanate (CST) called Ionsiv®. In this project we propose to investigate a novel application of this technology which combine decontamination; monitoring of caesium activity at depth within the concrete structure (with the RADPAT technique developed on a previous project at Lancaster) and deployment via a cost-effective remote-handling method.

Ionsiv has been used to sequester caesium from radioactive solutions. It immobilises caesium because the size of the channels in the structure closely matches that of the caesium ions. We propose the development of an electrochemical blanket so designed that it will preferentially attract the caesium ions out of concrete materials. Following the treatment the blanket will be disposed of as ILW and then remedial treatment can progress to improve the integrity of the building, exploiting the reduced dose rate as a result of the blanket’s action.

The proposed project itself is intellectually challenging and involves well-integrated elements of chemistry, materials science and engineering. The successful applicant will become familiar with techniques needed to tackle major problems in the nuclear industry and be part of a growing team within the Engineering Department at Lancaster that seeks to address industrial problems within a strong science and technology base.
The appointee will interact with both the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Sellafield Ltd. There will be an opportunity for a period of placement at Sellafield site in Cumbria.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a First or Upper Second Class UK honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline such chemistry (inc chemical engineering and / or the chemical sciences), materials science, radiochemistry or physics.

Funding Notes

Supported by a Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) bursary, this studentship is available to start from 1st October 2010 and will cover the tuition fees at the UK/EU rate only and provide a bursary of up to £16,000 p.a. for 3.5 years dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Interview Details

Deadline for applications: Tuesday 6th July 2010.

Interview date: Tuesday 20th July 2010.

For further information about this project, contact: Professor Malcolm Joyce, m.joyce@lancaster.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 1524 593812 or Professor Colin Boxall, c.boxall@lancaster.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 1524 593109 or +44 (0) 781 405 5964.

Please include a CV with your enquiry.

Application Details

To apply for a PhD at Lancaster University please use the on-line application form.

You should address your background and suitability for this project in your personal statement.

For general information about postgraduate study at Lancaster University please click here.

For specific information on applying for PhD places in the Engineering Department, please contact

Gail Neville, Engineering Department
Email: g.neville@lancaster.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 1524 592275

Studying at Lancaster

The result of the 2008 research assessment exercise confirmed Lancaster’s position as one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities. Institutionally, 92% of our research is at internationally recognised levels and every single subject submitted included 4*, defined as world leading, research. When adjusted for the 100% of staff submitted, Lancaster ranks 1st in the North West for research and 9th in the UK for research out of 159 higher education institutions. Additionally, Lancaster ranks 10th in the 2011 Times Good University Guide, 8th in the Independent’s Complete University Guide 2011 and 6th in the Guardian’s 2011 University Guide.

At departmental level, 95% of research in the both the Engineering Department is at internationally recognised levels. In particular, 100% of the research outputs from Engineering have been judged to be internationally recognised, of which over one-sixth are 4*, world leading.