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Thesis
Home   /   Thesis   /   Simulation of flow in centrifugal extractors: the impact of viscous solvents on operation

Simulation of flow in centrifugal extractors: the impact of viscous solvents on operation

Engineering sciences Mechanics, energetics, process engineering Thermal energy, combustion, flows

Abstract

Within the framework of nuclear spent fuel reprocessing, the CEA co-developed with ROUSSELET-ROBATEL liquid/liquid extraction (ELL) devices aimed at bringing two immiscible liquids into contact, one of which contains the valuable metals to be recovered and the other an extractant molecule. The multi-stage Centrifugal Extractor is one of the devices used to perform ELL at the La Hague plant. The future use of solvents potentially more viscous than current industrial standards may pose performance issues that need to be studied in advance in the laboratory to provide the necessary recommendations to restore the expected performance levels for the plant. The nuclear environment in which these devices operate makes in situ studies nearly impossible, thus depriving R&D of valuable information that is nevertheless essential for a deep understanding of the physicochemical mechanisms at the heart of the issues involved. To address this, the proposed study will rely on a numerical approach that will have been previously validated by comparison with either historical experimental data or data acquired from more recent ad hoc pilot systems. Thus, following a phase of literature review and capitalization of recent measurements, it is proposed to first create test cases that will be used to validate the numerical models. Based on this validation and in light of the knowledge acquired from previous theses concerning the effect of viscosity on flows, it is proposed to numerically explore the impact of an increase in solvent viscosity on centrifugal extractors. This will pave the way for a better understanding of the operation of the devices as well as operational or geometric improvements. The student will work at CEA Marcoule, in a research environment at the crossroads between a team of experimentalists and a team of numerical simulators. This experience will enable the student to acquire important skills in modeling liquid-liquid flows as well as solid knowledge on the development of liquid-liquid contactors.

Laboratory

Département de recherche sur les procédés pour la Mine et le Recyclage du Combustible (ISEC)
Service Analyses, Simulation et Production de Sources
Laboratoire de Simulation des Procédés et d’analyses Systèmes
Université de Lorraine
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