Novel cermet composite for nuclear waste immobilization

​                               1.5-inch diameter cermet synthesized using hot uniaxial sintering

Invention Summary:

Nuclear power generates ~10% of electricity globally and ~20% in developed economies. High-level waste, expected to be produced at the back end of advanced reactor fuel cycles, includes metals, oxides, halide salts, and carbon/graphite (TRISO fuel particles). Immobilization of high-level waste to a single waste stream presents a considerable challenge. The current state-of-the-art nuclear waste treatment maintains several disadvantages including (1) multi-step complex processing; (2) multiple waste forms with low waste loading and (3) high costs.

A team led by Rutgers University and collaborators have identified a novel process for the immobilization of multiple waste products in a ceramic-metal waste form. Using hot uniaxial press and spark plasma sintering, stainless steel-316 (SS316) can be combined with various ceramic phases yielding a cermet with high relative densities and tunable porosity (<1% to >17% of volume).

Market Applications:

• Waste form to immobilize salt/metallic waste
• Nuclear Waste Management
• Medical isotope recovery

Advantages:

• Reduction of repository footprint by ≥ 1 order of magnitude
• ~50% reduction in production and O&M costs
• Facile and Non-complex processing
• Ability to span multiple advanced reactor fuel cycles

Intellectual Property & Development Status: PCT patent application filed, patent pending. Available for licensing and/or research collaboration. For any business development and other collaborative partnerships contact marketingbd@research.rutgers.edu