Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	EP/S033009/1
Title:	DAWNMANTLE - Decontamination and waste minimisation strategies for and using advanced molten salt nuclear technologies
Principal Investigator:	Sharrad, Dr CA
Other Investigators:	Ogden, Dr MD Holmes, Professor S Baidak, Dr A Abram, Professor TJ
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Chem Eng and Analytical Science
Organisation:	University of Manchester, The
Scheme:	Standard Research
Starts:	01 September 2019	Ends:	31 August 2022	Value (£):	381,041
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Energy - Nuclear
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Energy
Related Grants:
Panel History:	Panel Date Panel Name Outcome 13 Mar 2019 UK ROK Phase 2 Prioritisation March 2019 Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
Molten salt reactors and pyroprocessing technologies are likely to be key components in future nuclear fuel cycles. The attraction of these technologies can be argued is predominantly based upon the inherent safety imparted by the use of molten salt media (e.g. reduced criticality risk allowing small plant footprints; reduced likelihood of volatile radioactive species formation compared to oxide fuel reactors; plant operation at atmospheric pressures; negligible radiation degradation of molten salt media). These technologies also have the potential to be applied to current and near future decommissioning programmes such as decontaminating materials and minimizing waste volumes requiring managed disposal. Contaminated metals make up a significant proportion of the waste inventory as components (such as pipework, vessels and structural beams etc.) become contaminated during nuclear operations. In 2016, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority reported that there is approximately 32,000 tonnes of contaminated intermediate level waste (ILW) stainless steel in the UK alone. At a current predicted rate of ~£70,000/m3 to dispose of ILW, this volume of waste adds up to a considerable cost liability. This project aims to assess materials requirements that will allow the deployment of advanced molten salt technologies in current decommissioning programmes and across various operations in future nuclear fuel cycles, and determine whether these technologies can provide benefit the nuclear energy sector. This will be achieved by a cradle-to-grave approach by assessing the nature of all materials that come in contact with radioactive material with these approaches and attempting to provide safe and effective waste management options for all waste streams.
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Impacts
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Project URL:
Further Information:
Organisation Website:	http://www.man.ac.uk