Radiological safety evaluation and uncertainty analysis related to spent fuel storage installation or nuclear decommissioning

Dual Phd Programme with University of Liverpool and the National Tsing Hua University:
The PhD student will spend 2 years studying at the University of Liverpool and 2 years at National Tsing Hua University under the bilaterally agreed 2+2 scheme between the two institutions. The expertise developed at National Tsing Hua University and the University of Liverpool will be transferred between them, to the benefit of both institutions.

Outline of Project:
In 2009, the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s Radioactive Waste Management Directorate (RWMD) contributed to the Generic Design Assessment process for new nuclear reactor designs and concluded that the spent fuel from the new nuclear reactor designs are expected to be disposable. On the other hand, the first nuclear power plant in Taiwan that has been commercially operated for 33 years. Impending shortage problem of spent fuel storage needs to be solved to maintain the normal plant operation and to prepare for a possible plant lifetime extension. Decommissioning at the end of its licensing period of 40 years is also one of the options. Either way, reliable radiological safety evaluation and uncertainty analysis of spent fuel management and disposal are important to meet the regulatory requirement and mitigate public concern.
Main subjects of this project may include (1) study the characteristics of various spent fuels, (2) investigation of different spent fuel storage options, (3) estimation of radionuclide inventories at a power plant after 40 years of operation, (4) occupational and public dose assessment, (5) uncertainty and risk analysis of related activities. Review of spent fuel studies and decommissioning experience will be conducted. Necessary tools and methodologies will be developed to carry out the project goals. Various options will be investigated and critically analysed in order to provide a better understanding of important issues for spent fuel management or nuclear decommissioning.

This PhD project involves the development of simulation tools. Hence, a sound background on computer programming (e.g. Matlab,/Fortran) is required.