2015/16 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
JUMNNG003 Environmental Radiochemistry and the Science of Radioactive Waste Disposal
15 creditsClass Size: 10
Module manager: Professor BC Hanson
Email: B.C.Hanson@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2015/16
This module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
The unit aims to provide an understanding of:* the analytical techniques used in environmental radiochemistry;
* the processes that control the migration of pollutant radionuclides in the environment, and particularly in the vicinity of a radioactive waste repository;
* the properties and chemistry of radioactive waste and its behaviour in a repository;
* chemical speciation calculations and coupled chemical transport modelling;
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
* Students successfully completing this unit should be able to:
* Understand the analytical techniques that are used in environmental radiochemistry;
* Understand the mechanisms and reactions that control the behaviour of radionuclides in the environment;
* Understand the principles of chemical speciation calculations and coupled chemical transport modelling;
* Understand the properties and behaviour of radioactive waste-forms.
Intellectual skills
* Students successfully completing this unit should be able to:
* Extract thermodynamic and kinetic parameters from experimental data;
* Interpret the data produced by radio/geo-chemical techniques;
* Calculate chemical speciation in aqueous systems;
* Predict pollutant transport in porous media;
* Predict radionuclide behaviour in the environment;
* Predict radioactive waste-form behaviour;
* Synthesise their knowledge and understanding of chemistry, materials and transport processes to assess the safety of radioactive waste repositories (performance assessment) and the likely mobility of radionuclides.
Practical skills
Students successfully completing this unit should be able to:
* Apply the analytical techniques that are used in environmental radiochemistry;
* Perform thermodynamic speciation calculations using the PHREEQC computer modelling package;
* Perform coupled chemical transport calculations.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
* Time management.
* Mathematical calculations and data analysis.
* Problem solving and quantitative analysis.
* Computational Skills.
* Concept assimilation and synthesis.
Syllabus
Analysis and Radiometrics:
* Stable element analysis techniques - AA, ICP-AES, ICP-MS; XRF and elemental mapping;
* X-ray spectroscopy – EXAFS etc.; AFM; Scintillation Detectors – NaI, LSC; Semi-conductor detectors - and Si/Ge detectors.
Radionuclide solution speciation:
* Solution phase processes; Solution phase thermodynamics and complexation; Redox effects.
Solid state chemistry in the environment:
* Fe oxides – goethite, hematite etc.; Other oxide phases; Clays; XRD.
Surface Processes and Reactions:
* The importance of sorption and solid/solution partition;
* Surface reactions and surface complexation;
* Electrostatic processes and the double layer;
* Surface Complexation Modelling; Colloids and kinetics.
Principles of solute transport:
* Advection, dispersion and diffusion;
* Mathematical representation of solute transport;
* Mathematics of reactions.
Conceptual models for radionuclide transport:
* Solution phase processes;
* Solution phase thermodynamics and complexation;
* Redox effects.
Modelling skills using Phreeqc software for geochemical modelling
* Introduction to Phreeqc: programme capabilities;
* Structure of model and equations
Application of modelling skills:
* Speciation of uranium in groundwater;
* Transport of solute through porous media; Ion exchange and precipitation;
* Redox.
Introduction to risk and performance assessment through modelling:
* Definitions of hazard and risk, assessment and management;
* Why risk based approaches and implications;
* Source-pathway-receptor model and cutting SPR linkages;
* Tiered analysis.
Radioactive waste-forms:
* Description of waste-form types, including glasses, cement forms, ceramics;
* dissolution of waste forms and its relationship to repository near field conditions.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Report | Role Play Exercise Report and Presentation | 15.00 |
| Assignment | Continuous Assessment (including practical) | 15.00 |
| Viva | Viva voce Examination | 70.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
There is no reading list for this moduleLast updated: 15/05/2017
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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