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-26-0133
Thesis topic details
Category
Engineering science
Thesis topics
INFLUENCE OF THE DRY GRANULATION ON THE MANUFACTURING OF SFR MOX FUELS
Contract
Thèse
Job description
The subject is related to the manufacture of MOX U,Pu)O2 fuel for Fast Neutron Reactors. The current process integrates a co-grinding step of uranium and plutonium dioxides to generate a powder medium which is then shaped by uniaxial pressing to generate cylindrical fuel pellets which are then sintered at high temperature. The collected powder medium has poor flowability which limits the rates of shaping by pressing. The objective of the thesis is therefore to evaluate the impact of mechanical granulation of the powder medium on the flowability, the pressing step and the microstructure obtained after sintering. Dissolution tests in nitric acid will also be carried out on certain very specific microstructures. The thesis will be based on a formal experimental plan developed using specific software (JMP). The PhD will take place at the INB Atalante facility on the CEA Marcoule site. The candidate will work in a unique facility in Europe and will be able to develop expertise in working in a nuclear environment with a highly innovative approach that will lead to the publication of original scientific results.
University / doctoral school
Ingénierie - Matériaux - Environnement - Energétique - Procédés - Production (IMEP2)
Université Grenoble Alpes
Thesis topic location
Site
Marcoule
Requester
Position start date
01/10/2026
Person to be contacted by the applicant
LACAMBRA ANDREU Francesc-Xavier
CEA
DES/ISEC/DMRC/SPTC/LSEM
CEA Marcoule
Bâtiment 222 - RDC
30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze Cedex
Tutor / Responsible thesis director
BERNARD-GRANGER Guillaume
guillaume.bernard-granger@cea.fr
CEA
DES/DMRC/SPTC/LSEM
CEA Marcoule
Bâtiment 222 - RDC
30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze Cedex
0466397466
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