GREENCDT Soil-Capacitive Deionization (S-CDI): Mitigating Radionuclide Spread in Groundwater Flows

The uncontrolled release of radionuclides into the environment is often a consequence of an incident or from degrading/aging nuclear facilities. Globally, there are many examples of migrating radionuclide plumes, with concerns that plumes could enter rivers and waters, posing a risk to the environment and human health. Isolation at source is a preferred strategy, but while several engineering solutions have been tested and some implemented, the success of those strategies remains limited. As many nuclear facilities approach end-of-life and decommissioning programs ramp-up, new methods to prevent radionuclide release at the source are highly desired. The proposed study will develop and demonstrate a new engineering barrier based on the concept of capacitive deionization (CDI). Its scalability and flexibility is uniquely suited to the problem, and the current research will adapt the method so it can be implemented sub-surface to treat groundwater and radionuclide plumes.

We are looking for an enthusiastic graduate with 1st class honours or 2:1 in an Engineering/Science discipline to join the Nuclear Engineering research group in the School of Chemical and Process Engineering. The chosen candidate will have access to world leading research facilities in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences and will have the opportunity to undertake a research placement.

This project is part of a Cohort wide recruitment process onto the GREEN CDT and funding for individual projects will be determined by selection of the best Candidate(s).