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Contribution of microfluidics to the study of liquid-liquid demixing in 2-compound extractant systems


Thesis topic details

General information

Organisation

The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas :
• defence and security,
• nuclear energy (fission and fusion),
• technological research for industry,
• fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.

Drawing on its widely acknowledged expertise, and thanks to its 16000 technicians, engineers, researchers and staff, the CEA actively participates in collaborative projects with a large number of academic and industrial partners.

The CEA is established in ten centers spread throughout France
  

Reference

SL-DES-27-0157  

Thesis topic details

Category

Miscellaneous

Thesis topics

Contribution of microfluidics to the study of liquid-liquid demixing in 2-compound extractant systems

Contract

Thèse

Job description

This thesis aims to develop an instrumented and automated microfluidic platform dedicated to studying third-phase demixion in liquid-liquid extraction processes, applied to the challenge of securing diluent supply for the process implemented at the La Hague plant. As the diluent is essential to the plant's proper hydrodynamic operation, yet its supply has historically been fragile (production shutdowns, non-conformities, non-renewal of supplier contracts), this platform will enable rapid and automated characterization of alternative diluents with respect to third-phase formation in the TBP/diluent solvent system heavily loaded with actinides (U(VI), Pu(IV)). The device will ensure controlled contact between the aqueous and organic phases while automatically adjusting their respective compositions, with continuous in situ monitoring of actinide concentration along the flow channel via UV-Vis spectroscopy, as well as detection of third-phase onset, notably through light extinction methods particularly suited to the characterization of colloidal suspensions. This instrumental approach will be complemented by online SAXS measurements, enabling investigation of the local molecular arrangement of TBP and diluent in the biphasic domain for modeling purposes. The development of this tool will first draw on a literature review of the conditions governing third-phase formation and the mechanisms of binodal/spinodal decomposition in liquid-liquid systems. At least three candidate diluents will be evaluated on this platform following an experimental plan varying temperature, pH, and actinide composition, with tests conducted successively on surrogates, U alone, Pu alone, and finally a U+Pu mixture.

University / doctoral school

Information, Structures et Systèmes (I2S)
Montpellier

Thesis topic location

Site

Marcoule

Requester

Position start date

01/10/2027

Person to be contacted by the applicant

Lélias Anne anne.lelias@cea.fr
CEA
DES/DMRC//LCIS
CEA Marcoule
Bât 181
BP 17171
30207 BagnolsCèze Cedex
33 4 66 79 16 10

Tutor / Responsible thesis director

LAMADIE Fabrice fabrice.lamadie@cea.fr
CEA
DES/DMRC//LRVE
CEA - Centre de Marcoule
Bâtiment 57
BP 17171
30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze Cedex
04 66 79 65 97

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