COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES (France)
ORANO CYCLE (France)
Inventor
Gossard, Alban
Grandjean, Agnès
Lambertin, David
Fabregue, Nicolas
Abstract
The invention relates to solid material which has an open multiple porosity and is at least partially interconnected, comprising an inorganic matrix made of a microporous and mesoporous geopolymer, in which at least partially interconnected open macropores are provided which are delimited by partitions or walls made of a microporous and mesoporous geopolymer, and comprising particles of at least one solid compound different from the geopolymer, which are distributed in the macropores and/or in the partitions or walls. A method for the preparation of said material is also disclosed. The invention also relates to a method for separating at least one metal or metalloid cation from a liquid medium containing same, wherein said liquid medium is brought into contact with said material.
B01J 20/28 - Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositionsSorbents for chromatographyProcesses for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
B01J 20/30 - Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating
C02F 1/28 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by sorption
C04B 28/00 - Compositions of mortars, concrete or artificial stone, containing inorganic binders or the reaction product of an inorganic and an organic binder, e.g. polycarboxylate cements
COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES (France)
ORANO CYCLE (France)
Inventor
Broussard, Sylvain
Costenoble, Sylvain
Lengrand, Fabien
Sinot, Johann
Abstract
The invention relates to methods for determining the acidity of an acidic aqueous solution. These methods allow measurement of the total acidity of an aqueous solution comprising a strong acid or a mixture of strong acids and, if this solution contains one or more hydrolysable cations, also allow the free acidity thereof to be measured. Applications: any industrial field and any field of scientific research in which it may be desirable to measure the total acidity or the free acidity of aqueous solutions of strong acids.
G01N 31/22 - Investigating or analysing non-biological materials by the use of the chemical methods specified in the subgroupsApparatus specially adapted for such methods using chemical indicators
G01N 21/77 - Systems in which material is subjected to a chemical reaction, the progress or the result of the reaction being investigated by observing the effect on a chemical indicator
4.
THIOSULFATES FOR USE AS RETARDERS FOR MAGNESIUM PHOSPHATE CEMENT PASTES
The invention relates to the use of a thiosulfate as a retarder for a cement paste comprising a magnesium phosphate cement. Applies to: civil engineering.
C04B 28/34 - Compositions of mortars, concrete or artificial stone, containing inorganic binders or the reaction product of an inorganic and an organic binder, e.g. polycarboxylate cements containing cold phosphate binders
39 - Transport, packaging, storage and travel services
40 - Treatment of materials; recycling, air and water treatment,
Goods & Services
Logistics services regarding transport of nuclear fuels and
waste; storage of nuclear waste at a centralized site. Treatment of nuclear fuels, including treatment of nuclear
fuel assemblies, differentiated treatment of nuclear fuels
according to the composition of the nuclear fuel assemblies,
separation of materials and elements constituting the
nuclear fuel assemblies into recoverable, recyclable or
reusable materials and elements on the one hand and
non-recoverable materials and elements considered as waste
on the other hand; characterization, treatment and return of
waste including a differentiated treatment according to the
composition of solid, liquid or gaseous nuclear waste and
treatment thereof to immobilize them and pack them in the
form of packages for storage or disposal thereof.
6.
METHOD FOR CONDITIONING AN ACID WASTE BY CEMENTATION
INSTITUT FRANÇAIS DES SCIENCES ET TECHNOLOGIES DES TRANSPORTS,DE L'AMÉNAGEMENT ET DES RÉSEAUX (France)
Inventor
Stefan, Lavinia
Chaussadent, Thierry
Le Rouzic, Mathieu
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for conditioning an acid waste by cementation, wherein the acid waste is chosen among liquids of pH less than or equal to 4, semi-liquids of pH less than or equal to 4, solids for which partial or total dissolving in water leads to a solution or a suspension of pH less than or equal to 4, and mixtures thereof, which method comprises the steps of: a) preparing a cement paste having as components at least: a phosphomagnesium cement and the acid waste, and b) curing the cement paste thus obtained, and is characterised in that in step a), the cement paste is prepared without the acid waste having been subjected beforehand to a treatment consisting of lowering its acidity. The invention is applicable for conditioning any acid waste whatever its origin and, more specifically, acid waste produced in the nuclear industry.
B09B 3/00 - Destroying solid waste or transforming solid waste into something useful or harmless
C04B 28/34 - Compositions of mortars, concrete or artificial stone, containing inorganic binders or the reaction product of an inorganic and an organic binder, e.g. polycarboxylate cements containing cold phosphate binders
G21F 9/16 - Processing by fixation in stable solid media
7.
FRAME FOR EYE WEAR PROVIDING IMPROVED PROTECTION AGAINST IONIZING RADIATION AND RADIO PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR COMPRISING SUCH A FRAME
The invention relates to a frame (20) for eyewear for protecting against ionizing radiation, comprising a frontal portion (30) extending laterally by the two lateral protective elements (50), and a device (60) for maintaining the frame on the face of a user under the conditions under which it is worn, and characterized in that the lateral protective elements are integrally formed with the frontal portion and in that the frontal portion and the lateral protective elements are made of a radio-attenuation material. The invention also relates to eyewear (10) for protecting against ionizing radiation comprising such a frame and to an assembly comprising this eyewear and a device for distributing weight. Applications: protection of individuals liable to be exposed to ionizing radiation in the exercise of their professional activity.
The invention relates to a method of determining a quantity of a first radioisotope in a source term, disintegrating into a second radioisotope, the radioisotopes respectively emitting first and second gamma rays screened by the source term, the method comprising the steps: a) determining the theoretical ratio of counts between the first and second rays emitted in the absence of screening; b) measuring the net counts associated with the first and second rays emitted by the first and second radioisotopes; c) determining the screening rates of the first and second rays by the source term based on the ratio obtained in step a) and the counts obtained in step b); d) determining the quantity of the first radioisotope based on the screening rate of either the first or the second ray determined in step c).
COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES (France)
Inventor
Poncelet, François
Vigier, Nicolas
Arab-Chapelet, Bénédicte
Gauthe, Aurélie
Welcomme, Eléonore
Noire, Marie-Hélène
Abstract
382221+21+21+2 into an aqueous phase and a solid phase comprising the particles of uranium(IV) oxalate and the particles of plutonium(IV) oxalate; and d) calcining the solid phase to convert (1) the particles of uranium(IV) oxalate to particles of triuranium octoxide and (2) the particles of plutonium(IV) oxalate to particles of plutonium(IV) dioxide, whereby the powder is obtained; and and in that steps b) and c) are performed simultaneously or successively. Applications: fabrication of nuclear fuels of MOX type, e.g. for LWR or FNR reactors.
COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES (France)
ORANO CYCLE (France)
ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE (France)
Inventor
Marie, Cécile
Berger, Clémence
Mossand, Guillaume
Russello, Emilie
Andreiadis, Eugen
Guillaumont, Dominique
Miguirditchian, Manuel
Sorel, Christian
Abstract
The invention relates to the use of ureas as extractants for fully or partially separating uranium(VI) from plutonium(IV) in an aqueous solution obtained by dissolving a spent nuclear fuel in nitric acid, by means of liquid-liquid extraction, without carrying out any reduction of the plutonium(IV) to plutonium(III). The invention also relates to new ureas. Uses are the processing of spent nuclear fuels based on uranium (especially uranium oxides - UOX) or uranium and plutonium (especially mixed uranium and plutonium oxides - MOX).
COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES (France)
ORANO CYCLE (France)
Inventor
Vaudez, Stéphane
Brothier, Méryl
Robisson, Anne Charlotte
Chambon, Cébastien
Abstract
The invention relates to a process for preparing pellets of a dense mixed fuel comprising uranium dioxide UO2, plutonium oxide PuO2 and optionally at least one oxide of minor actinide(s) or of a fuel comprising a solid solution of uranium dioxide, plutonium and optionally at least one minor actinide successively comprising the following steps: a) a step of co-micronization of a mixture of powders comprising a powder of uranium oxide(s), of which all or some of this powder consists of triuranium octoxide U3O8, a powder of plutonium oxide PuO2 and optionally a powder of oxide(s) of minor actinide(s); b) a step of compacting the mixture of powders in the form of pellets; c) a step of sintering the pellets obtained in b).
The invention relates to a containment airlock (1), in particular an airlock for intervention on a site likely to be contaminated with radiation, asbestos and biological and/or chemical agents. The containment airlock (1) comprises a self-supporting frame (3) and a flexible containment shell (5). The shell (5) is configured to be assembled with the frame (3). The frame (3) is articulated so as to be extensible between a folded storage position and an extended intervention position. The frame (3) comprises articulated reinforcement rods (7). The articulated reinforcement rods (7) comprise rigid segments (72, 74) and at least one intermediate articulation (8) connecting the segments (72, 74).
E04H 1/12 - Small buildings or other erections for limited occupation, erected in the open air or arranged in buildings, e.g. kiosks, waiting shelters for bus stops or for filling stations, roofs for railway platforms, watchmen's huts or dressing cubicles
E04H 15/48 - Supporting means, e.g. frames collapsible, e.g. breakdown type foldable, i.e. having pivoted or hinged means
COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES (France)
Orano Cycle (France)
ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE (France)
Inventor
Milanole, Gaëlle
Russello, Emilie
Marie, Cécile
Miguirditchian, Manuel
Sorel, Christian
Abstract
The invention relates to novel dissymmetric RN,N-dialkylamides of formula (I) in which: R1 represents a linear C1 to C4 alkyl, R2 represents a linear C1 to C10 alkyl, and R3 represents a linear or branched C6 to C15 alkyl, provided that R3 is different from a n-octyl, n-decyl, n-dodecyl, 2-ethylhexyl and 2-ethyloctyl group when R1 represents a n-butyl group and R2 represents an ethyl group. The invention also relates to a method for synthesising said N,N-dialkylamides, and to the uses of same for extracting uranium and/or plutonium from an aqueous acid solution or for fully or partially separating the uranium from the plutonium contained in an aqueous acid solution and, in particular, to a solution resulting from the dissolution of spent nuclear fuel in nitric acid. The invention further relates to a method for the treatment of an aqueous solution resulting from the dissolution of spent nuclear fuel in nitric acid, which allows the uranium and the plutonium contained in said solution to be extracted, separated and decontaminated in a single cycle, without having to perform a plutonium reduction operation, and in which one of said N,N-dialkylamides or a mixture of same is used as an extractant. The invention is applicable in the treatment of spent nuclear fuel.
C07C 233/05 - Carboxylic acid amides having carbon atoms of carboxamide groups bound to hydrogen atoms or to acyclic carbon atoms having nitrogen atoms of carboxamide groups bound to hydrogen atoms or to carbon atoms of unsubstituted hydrocarbon radicals with carbon atoms of carboxamide groups bound to carbon atoms of an acyclic saturated carbon skeleton having the nitrogen atoms of the carboxamide groups bound to hydrogen atoms or to acyclic carbon atoms
C22B 60/02 - Obtaining thorium, uranium or other actinides
An apparatus (1) for thermal denitration of a uranyl nitrate hydrate to uranium trioxide UO3. The apparatus (1) comprises a burner (114) and a reaction chamber (110) configured to carry out thermal denitration of uranyl nitrate hydrate and to form uranium trioxide UO3 in the form of particles. The apparatus also comprises a separating chamber (120) suitable for separating UO3 particles from the gases resulting from the thermal denitration carried out in the reaction chamber (110), and at least one filter (130) configured for purifying the gases. The separating chamber (120) is a decanting chamber into which the reaction chamber (110) directly opens out. The filter (130) is capable of performing the separation at a temperature greater than or equal to 350° C. The invention also relates to use of such an apparatus, to a thermal denitration process and to UO3 particles obtained by such a process.
B01J 19/24 - Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
B01J 19/26 - Nozzle-type reactors, i.e. the distribution of the initial reactants within the reactor is effected by their introduction or injection through nozzles
B01J 4/00 - Feed devicesFeed or outlet control devices
B01D 50/20 - Combinations of devices covered by groups and
B01D 39/20 - Other self-supporting filtering material of inorganic material, e.g. asbestos paper or metallic filtering material of non-woven wires
B01D 45/08 - Separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours by gravity, inertia, or centrifugal forces by utilising inertia by impingement against baffle separators
B01D 49/00 - Separating dispersed particles from gases, air or vapours by other methods
SOLID NANOCOMPOSITE MATERIAL MADE FROM HEXA- OR OCTACYANOMETALLATES OF ALKALI METALS, METHOD FOR PREPARING SAME, AND METHOD FOR EXTRACTING METAL CATIONS
COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES (France)
Orano Cycle (France)
Inventor
Grandjean, Agnès
Fremy, Virginie
Charlot, Alexandre
Barre, Yves
Abstract
The invention concerns a solid nanocomposite material comprising nanoparticles of a hexacyanometallate or octacyanometallate of an alkali metal and a transition metal, of formula [Alk+ x]Mn+ [M'(CN)m] z- in which Alk is an alkali metal, x is 1 or 2, M is a transition metal, n is 2 or 3, M' is a transition metal, m is 6 or 8, z is 3 or 4, attached to at least one surface of a porous inorganic solid support, in which the nanoparticles are attached by adsorption to said at least one surface of the solid support, and in which said surface is a basic surface. The invention also concerns a method for preparing this material, and a method for extracting at least one metal cation from a liquid medium containing it, that involves bringing said liquid medium into contact with said material.
B01J 20/04 - Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositionsSorbents for chromatographyProcesses for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof comprising inorganic material comprising compounds of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals or magnesium
B01J 20/28 - Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositionsSorbents for chromatographyProcesses for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
INSTITUT FRANÇAIS DES SCIENCES ET TECHNOLOGIES DES TRANSPORTS, DE L'AMÉNAGEMENT ET DES RÉSEAUX (France)
Inventor
Stefan, Lavinia
Chaussadent, Thierry
Dominique, Nadia
Abstract
The invention relates to a process for immobilizing a mercury-containing waste, which comprises: - stabilizing the mercury of the waste by precipitating the mercury as mercury (II) sulfide; then - encapsulating the waste by cementation, the cementation comprising coating the waste in a cement paste obtained by mixing a composition comprising a powder of at least one binder chosen from hydraulic cements, alkali-activated cements and acid-activated cements, with an aqueous mixing solution, then hardening the cement paste; and which is characterized in that the precipitation of the mercury as mercury (II) sulfide is obtained by reacting the mercury with a thiosulfate in a basic aqueous medium, while stirring and in the presence of a sulfide of an alkali metal, the molar ratio of the thiosulfate to the mercury being at least equal to 1. Applications: immobilization of any mercury-containing waste regardless of the origin thereof and, in particular, of mercury-containing waste from nuclear facilities.
A62D 3/33 - Processes for making harmful chemical substances harmless, or less harmful, by effecting a chemical change in the substances by reacting with chemical agents by chemically fixing the harmful substance, e.g. by chelation or complexation
A62D 101/24 - Organic substances containing heavy metals
A62D 101/43 - Inorganic substances containing heavy metals, in the bonded or free state
COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES (France)
Inventor
Leturcq, Gilles
Delahaye, Thibaud
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for dissolving nuclear fuel, in particular irradiated nuclear fuel, which comprises submerging the nuclear fuel in a nitric acid solution. According to the invention, said dissolution method also comprises mechanical crushing of the nuclear fuel, said mechanical crushing being carried out in the nitric acid solution during said submersion. The invention likewise relates to the use of a crusher provided with mechanical crushing means for carrying out such a dissolution method.
The invention relates to a sludge suction head (5) which can be used in particular in radioactive environments and comprises a screen (52), sludge comminuting means (7), and sludge diluting means (60).
E01F 3/00 - Landing stages for helicopters, e.g. located above buildings
E02B 3/00 - Engineering work in connection with control or use of streams, rivers, coasts, or other marine sitesSealings or joints for engineering work in general
19.
METHOD FOR SLOWING THE DISSOLUTION OF A COMPOUND USING AN ANTI-FOAMING AGENT
COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES (France)
Orano Cycle (France)
Inventor
Magnaldo, Alastair
Marc, Philippe
Olivier, Pierre
Abstract
The present invention concerns a method for preventing, slowing or stopping the dissolution of a compound generating a gas when it is brought into contact with a dissolution solution, and doing so, optionally, with respect to the dissolution of another compound that does not generate any gas when it is brought into contact with said same dissolution solution, the method comprising the addition, to the dissolution solution, of at least one anti-foaming agent chosen from the group consisting of solid hydrophobic particles, silicone oils, polar oils and the mixtures of same.
COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES (France)
Orano Cycle (France)
Inventor
Magnaldo, Alastair
Marc, Philippe
Olivier, Pierre
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for selective dissolution of a first solid compound present in a mixture with respect to at least one second solid compound different from said first solid compound, also present in said mixture, wherein said method comprises at least one step consisting in bringing said mixture into contact with a dissolving solution in which said first solid compound is dissolved, generating at least one gaseous compound, and in which said second solid compound is dissolved without generating any gaseous compound, said dissolving solution comprising at least one non-ionic surfactant.
COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES (France)
ORANO CYCLE (France)
Inventor
Griffiths, Nina
Van Der Meeren, Anne
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for predicting the bioavailability of a radioelement in an animal living organism following the contamination of said organism by said radioelement, said method comprising the steps of: (a) producing a gel imitating the area of contamination in said animal living organism and in which said radioelment is uniformly distributed; (b) bringing the gel produced in said step (a) into contact with a solution imitating a biological fluid associated with the area of contamination in said animal living organism, then stirring the mixture; and (c) measuring the quantity of said radioelement in said solution at a given moment t, said measurement allowing the prediction of the bioavailability of said radioelement in said animal living organism. The invention also relates to the use of such a method for identifying a molecule exhibiting chelating properties in relation to a given radioelement and/or for characterising the chelating properties of a molecule.
COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES (France)
ORANO CYCLE (France)
Inventor
Heres, Xavier
Bernier, Gilles
Dinh, Binh
Pochon, Patrick
Sans, Danièle
Zekri, Elisabeth
Abstract
The invention relates to the use of hydroxy-imine alkanoic acids including at least four carbon atoms as anti-nitrous agents in operations of reductive back-extraction of plutonium. The invention may be useful in any method for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel that includes one or more operations of reductive back-extraction of plutonium and, more particularly, in the PUREX method as implemented in modern nuclear fuel reprocessing plants, as well as in processes derived therefrom.
c) stripping the uranyl nitrate of the organic phase obtained at the end of step b), by circulating this organic phase in an apparatus, as a counter current against an aqueous phase A3.
The extractant is an N,N-dialkylamide and the ratio between the flow rate at which the organic phase obtained at the end of step b) and the aqueous phase A3 circulate in the apparatus where step c) occurs, is greater than 1.
The invention relates to a method for converting UO3 and/or U3O8 into hydrated UO4 having the formula UO4, nH2O, where n is 2 or 4, including the following consecutive steps: a) preparing an aqueous suspension of a UO3 powder and/or a U3O8 powder; b) adding hydrogen peroxide H2O2 to the aqueous suspension of UO3 and/or U3O8 powder, converting the UO3 and/or U3O8 into hydrated UO4, and precipitating and crystallizing the hydrated UO4 in the suspension; c) recovering the hydrated UO4 precipitate; d) optionally washing the hydrated UO4 precipitate; e) optionally repeating step d); and f) optionally drying the precipitate, wherein the addition of H2O2 to the aqueous suspension is carried out such that the suspension contains a stoichiometric excess of H2O2 with respect to the stoichiometry of the reaction from UO3: UO3 + nH2O + H2O2 ? UO4,nH2O+ H2O (1) or of the reaction from U3O8: UO2.67 + 1.33 H2O2 + nH2O ? UO4,nH2O+ H2O (2), and the pH of the suspension is maintained in steps a) and b) at a value between 2 and 4.
COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES (France)
ORANO CYCLE (France)
Inventor
Miguirditchian, Manuel
Baron, Pascal
Bisel, Isabelle
Dinh, Binh
Sorel, Christian
Bertin, Jean
Abstract
The invention relates to a method making it possible to purify the uranium from a natural uranium concentrate. Said method includes: a) extracting the uranium, present in the form of uranyl nitrate, in an aqueous phase A1 resulting from the dissolution of the natural uranium concentrate in nitric acid by means of an organic phase containing an extractant in an organic thinner; b) stripping the organic phase, obtained from step a), with an aqueous phase A2; and c) back extracting the uranyl nitrate from the organic phase, obtained from step b), by means of flowing said organic phase into an apparatus, in the opposite flow direction of an aqueous phase A3. The invention is characterized in that the extractant is an N,N-dialkylamide and in that the ratio between the flow rates of the organic phase, obtained from step b), and the aqueous phase A3 in the apparatus where step c) occurs is greater than 1. The invention is of use in the refinement of natural uranium concentrates produced by uranium mines.
Self-priming centrifugal pumps for special impellers
consisting of a body attached to pipework and a detachable
part used especially in irradiating, toxic, or chemically
aggressive environments in industrial/in-plant atmosphere or
clean atmosphere.
29.
Device for supporting electrodes in an electrolysis installation
The invention relates to a device for supporting electrodes in an electrolysis installation, said support comprising a busbar having electrodes fastened thereto, said electrodes being disposed on either side of the busbar and extending vertically below said busbar, the busbar and said electrodes being designed to be immersed at least in part in an electrolyte that gives off one or more gaseous species of a corrosive nature. The device further comprises a protective element of carbon/carbon material placed under the busbar, the protective element being of length and width that are not less than the length and the width of the busbar.
