Organisation Description
The laboratories at SCK CEN support research on waste conditioning, conditioned waste forms, and the storage/disposal of conditioned radioactive waste. Facilities are located in both radioactive and non-radioactive zones and are equipped with inert-atmosphere gloveboxes and other dedicated installations for studying waste forms and radionuclide behaviour under controlled conditions. The laboratories also offer diverse analytical capabilities and access to the general analytical facilities of SCK CEN. A recently commissioned hot cell allows studies on spent fuel dissolution. Research themes include: conditioning of liquid wastes and sludges via cementation or encapsulation in geopolymers; characterisation and dissolution behaviour of spent fuel, (doped) UO₂, and glass; investigation of bituminized and other organic waste; cemented waste characterisation and long-term behaviour; radionuclide transport through engineered barriers and geosphere; and THMCG behaviour of clay host rocks and engineered barrier materials.
Potential Type of Collaboration
Sharing of technical expertise; participation in working groups; access to data or facilities; joint research initiatives; training programmes or knowledge transfer activities.
Areas of Collaboration
Open to collaboration on R&D related to waste conditioning, waste disposal, geology, geochemistry, radionuclide and gas transport, THMC behaviour, safety assessment, and monitoring.
